Dive Brief:
- Roadrunner has expanded its LTL service network to Atlanta after refurbishing a former YRC Freight terminal it acquired in last fall’s Yellow Corp. bankruptcy auction, the company announced Wednesday.
- The Illinois-based carrier was among a swarm of trucking companies that seized opportunities to buy trucking facilities for their networks, particularly in urban centers where land is scarce and building is expensive.
- The addition of the Atlanta service center extends Roadrunner’s network to more than 40 metro markets, according to the company. “Atlanta plays a key role in our operations and aligns with our goal of providing smart long-haul LTL with the fewest number of rehandlings possible,” COO Tomasz Jamroz said in the release.
Dive Insight:
Roadrunner saw an opportunity to expand its network after Yellow Corp. went bankrupt, which led to an auction sale of its terminals. The former YRC Freight site in Atlanta was the only property acquired by Roadrunner through the auction, Jamroz told Trucking Dive in an email.
Other carriers including XPO, Estes Express Lines and Saia also acquired terminals through the Yellow bankruptcy auction to strengthen networks or expand. Saia, which purchased a former Yellow terminal in Laredo, Texas, last week announced a partnership with Fletes México to exclusively haul each other’s cross-border LTL freight.
For Roadrunner, the Atlanta terminal’s appeal was its two buildings and 75 doors.
“Our new Atlanta service center is a true cross-docking facility, enabling us to improve the efficiency of our operations throughout our expansive network, and increase both the output and throughput of the Atlanta market,” Jamroz said.
Proximity to major interstates also was a draw, said James Darendinger, Atlanta service center manager.
“Our Atlanta service center connects to every other region in the U.S., so it is an important piece in our Smart Network,” he said.
The carrier, which specializes in metro-to-metro LTL service, has been steadily growing its network. It added 135 lanes earlier this year and recently launched service to Canada, with sites in Montreal and Toronto and to Portland, Oregon.
Following extensive renovations, the Atlanta site now features a mechanical shop with three bays and an inspection lane, parking for more than 300 trailers, renovated offices as well as new electric security fencing and gate access.
Drivers also have access to Roadrunner’s pilot flagship lounge, which the carrier says will have similar amenities to an airport lounge.
“Part of the reason we were excited to secure this location was for the addition of our Flagship Driver Lounge concept,” Jamroz said. “This location will benefit not only our customers, but our employees and drivers as well.”
