National/Multi-Regional LTL: Gaining momentum

As we wrap up the first half of 2014, the longer-haul less-than-truckload (LTL) sector is seeing a lot working in its favor, including better-than-expected volume levels. The sector is also enjoying a financial renaissance, one that Contributing Editor John Schulz says has the leading LTL carrier executives “breathing a collective sigh of relief.”

After five years of mediocre results coming out of the Great Recession, LTL carriers report that they are finally getting some rate increases to cover the ever-rising costs of doing business. And while the sector is seeing some welcomed relief on the
balance sheet, navigating through HOS and CSA rules—and keeping qualified drivers in cabs as a consequence of these rules—is no easy task. However, according to LM readers, the long-haul LTLs below are doing a stellar job of juggling the challenges while maintaining world-class service levels.

In this year’s National LTL category we find Con-way Freight leading the pack posting a 46.76, followed by FedEx Freight (46.52) and a new entrant to the category, The Reliance Network (45.47). Con-way led the way in On-time Performance (11.60), Customer
Service (9.21), and Equipment & Operations (8.72). The Reliance Network posted the top score in Value (10.47), while FedEx Freight led the way in Information Technology (8.55).

In Multi-Regional we find three stalwart carriers winning the gold. Old Dominion Freight Line put up the top average this year (48.24), followed by FedEx Freight (47.28) and UPS Freight (44.90).

And, in the annual two-horse race for top service scores in Surface Package, UPS and FedEx Ground both posted winning numbers this year, with UPS slightly edging out it’s top competitor with a 49.76 weighted average.

2014 Quest for Quality Winners Categories NATIONAL LTL | REGIONAL LTL | TRUCKLOAD | RAIL/INTERMODAL | OCEAN CARRIERS | PORTS | 3PL | AIR CARRIERS and FREIGHT FORWARDERS	home page