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Dive Summary:
- Roadrunner has expanded its LTL service network in Atlanta after renovating a former YRC Freight terminal it acquired in the Yellow Corp. bankruptcy auction. last fall. 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 expands 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 possible rehandlings,” COO Tomasz Jamroz said in the release.
Dive Insight:
Roadrunner saw an opportunity to expand its network after the bankruptcy of Yellow Corp., which led to an auction of its terminals. The former YRC Freight location in Atlanta was the only property Roadrunner acquired through the auction, Jamroz told Trucking Dive in an email.
Other carriers, such as XPO, Estes Express Lines and Saia, also acquired terminals through the Yellow bankruptcy auction to strengthen networks or expand. Saia, which bought a former Yellow terminal in Laredo, Texas, last week announced a partnership with Fletes México to exclusively transport cross-border LTL cargo between them.
For Roadrunner, the attraction of the Atlanta terminal was its two buildings and 75 doors.
“Our new service center in Atlanta is a true cross-docking facility, enabling us to improve the efficiency of our operations throughout our extensive network and increase both production and performance of the Atlanta market,” Jamroz stated.
Proximity to major interstates was also important, said James Durendinger, Atlanta service center manager.
“Our Atlanta service center connects to every other region in the US, so it’s an important piece of our Smart Grid,” he said.
The carrier, which specializes in metro-to-metro LTL services, is steadily growing its network. It added 135 lanes earlier this year and recently launched service in Canada, with locations in Montreal and Toronto and Portland, Oregon.
After extensive renovations, the Atlanta site now features a three-bay machine shop 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 the Roadrunner’s pilot 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 also our employees and drivers.”