Con-way goes short on truckload

JOPLIN, Mo. — The truckload division of LTL heavyweight Con-way announced the launch of Con-way Truckload Regional, specializing in short-haul truckload shipments of less than 600 miles.

With 70 percent of all freight traveling less than 550 miles, Con-way says it sees significant growth in the short-haul business, which usually doesn’t take as big of a hit during less robust economic cycles.

"Between those factors, our access to secure, state-of-the-art facilities and our ability to take on the business without building additional infrastructure, this is a strategic growth opportunity with tremendous potential," said Herb Schmidt, president, Con-way Truckload. "This is the ideal time for us to enter the regional, cartage and drayage business."

Con-way Truckload has been providing regional service in an 11-state region for the past 18 months as part of a pilot program.
By 2011, the company’s goal is to have 1,000 trucks dedicated to nationwide regional segment.

Con-way, which operates extensively throughout Canada as well, says its centralized dispatch will give the regional division the ability to tap into the long-haul fleet when needed.