Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Dec. 9, 2022:
Schneider adding nearly 100 electric trucks to fleet
Schneider expects all 92 of its Freightliner eCascadia BEVs to be operational in its fleet by the end of 2023.
Schneider’s first Freightliner eCascadia is set to roll off the assembly line at the Portland, Oregon, Daimler Truck North America plant.
The carrier had previously reported orders for 62 eCascadias. Now the company will deploy an additional 30 BEVs from DTNA. As a result, Schneider will have one of the largest electric fleets in North America, marking a critical step in the company’s efforts to operationalize zero emission vehicles into its truck fleet.
“The integration of nearly 100 zero emission vehicles is an important milestone for Schneider as we are moving beyond the battery-electric truck testing phase to running an operation at scale,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “In combination with rail movement, we can offer our intermodal customers meaningful emissions reduction value by utilizing BEV dray trucks.”
Battery-electric trucks are crucial in meeting Schneider’s sustainability goals of reducing CO2 per-mile emissions by 7.5% by 2025 and 60% by 2035, the company said. It has already achieved more than half of its 2025 goal by reducing per-mile emissions by 5%. Battery-electric trucks will help further meet these goals.
Quantix acquires Mid-States Packaging
Quantix, a supply chain services company to the chemical industry and a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, announced the acquisition of Mid-States Packaging, a full-service dry bulk transportation, warehousing and export services company, with 11 locations spanning Texas, the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.
Mid-States will reinfoce Quantix’s geographic presence and build upon its warehousing and trucking transportation operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Mid-States team to Quantix, and we congratulate owners Tracy Harpin and Chuck Giroux on the exceptional business they have built,” said Chris Ball, President and CEO of Quantix. “The company’s service lines, geographic footprint and culture build well upon our go-to-market approach as we continue to expand.”
“This next chapter for Mid-States looks bright, and we’re glad to have found a company that aligns so strongly with our mission and values,” added Tracy Harpin, CEO of Mid-States. “Being part of Quantix’s continued leadership in the dry bulk market is going to be incredibly rewarding for our team.”
Wind Point acquired Quantix (formerly known as A&R Logistics) in 2019 in partnership with board co-Chair Mark Holden, a veteran logistics executive who served as CEO of Quantix from 2012 until his planned retirement in 2021. Ball, a member of the Quantix leadership team since 2016 with more than 25 years of experience in the supply chain and logistics industry, was promoted from President to President and CEO in 2021.
Mid-States represents the ninth acquisition for Quantix under Wind Point’s ownership. Quantix’s acquisition strategy will continue to focus on acquiring companies that provide dry and liquid bulk transportation, warehousing, export and logistics services to producers and distributors of chemicals nationwide.
Forward Air increasing rates for 2023
Forward Air Corporation (CCJ Top 250, No. 57) announced Thursday a 5.9% general rate increase (GRI) on any shipments tendered on or after Feb. 6, 2023.
The company said it believes the rate changes will enable it to continue investing in service enhancement as operating costs have risen by double digit percentages in 2022 for many in the freight transportation industry. Factors necessitating the GRI include increased costs in real estate, equipment, cost per mile and economic inflation.
As an expedited carrier, Forward operates on-demand without longer lead times that traditional carriers often require. Forward said it remains committed to providing premium expedited service to its customers.