| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Headquarters | Joplin, Missouri |
| Key people |
Herb Schmidt, President and CEO |
| Parent | Con-way, Inc. |
| Website | http://www.con-way.com/en/truckload |
Headquartered in Joplin, Mo., Con-way Truckload is a division of Con-way, Inc. offering dry van transportation services using a fleet of long-haul tractors and trailers. Con-way Truckload provides point-to-point, full truckload, dry van service using single drivers as well as two-person driver teams over long-haul routes—most commonly with each trailer containing only one customer’s goods.
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In 2007, Con-way determined that to become a viable commercial truckload company, an acquisition would be necessary to augment its existing truckload business which was built to service the needs of Con-way Freight.[1] To meet this need, Con-way, Inc. acquired Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), a privately held North American truckload carrier based in Joplin, Mo., for $750 million.[2] CFI was an industry leader, founded in 1951 by Roy Reed and Ursull Lewellan. At the time of acquisition CFI operated over 2,600 tractors and more than 7,000 trailers, with more than 3,000 employees including approximately 2,500 drivers. Previously, Con-way had been CFI’s largest customer, accounting for six percent of total revenues.[3]
The combination of Con-way Truckload and CFI provided a number of benefits. CFI had been Con-way Freight’s largest provider of contract service for long-haul transcontinental truckload transportation. At the same time, Con-way had been CFI’s largest customer. CFI had operations in Mexico for more than 20 years and was already one of the largest cross-border truckload carriers. Its capabilities could be combined with Con-way Freight’s Mexico network and Menlo Worldwide Logistics’s border-based logistics operations. The acquisition created a business unit with over $500 million in annual revenues for truckload freight.[4]
Con-way Truckload was founded as CFI in 1951. The company began with one tractor and two trailers and generated revenues of $12,000 during its first year.
Recognizing the need to serve customers in a global economy, Con-way Truckload expanded services into Mexico providing through-trailer service since 1985. The first international office opened in 1987 in Monterrey, Mexico. Just one year later, the first Canadian office opened in Toronto. There are now 37 sales offices and four terminal locations in addition to the headquarters in Joplin, Mo.
Continued and consistent growth led to the expansion of the company’s headquarters in 1993. The 300-acre site is home to the company’s administrative offices, maintenance facilities, wash bay, and local driver services.
Equipment upgrades grew as rapidly as office locations. The first 48-foot trailer was purchased in 1986. Just three years later, the first air-ride trailer was delivered. Con-way Truckload was the first carrier to operate a 100% air-ride fleet.[5]
Con-way Truckload operates from five dedicated truckload terminals and 37 sales offices throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, and accesses many of Con-way Freight’s more than 365 operating locations.[6]
In 2010 Con-way Truckload introduced DoubleStackTM,[7] an advanced cargo loading and capacity management system which allows shippers to utilize the space in trailers better while securing freight more effectively to prevent shipment damage.
The Truckload Carriers Association has named Con-way Truckload one of the “Best Fleets to Drive For” for the second consecutive year. Carriers were evaluated on performance in areas such as: benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record.