2009 Quest for Quality Awards: REGIONAL LTL: Best use of special effects
By Logistics Management Staff -- Logistics Management, 8/1/2009
Some analysts say they’re using mirrors. Others say they’re using green screens and computer-generated imagery to give the illusion of success during the worst freight downturn we may ever see. No matter what method they’re using to stay relevant, the Regional LTL winners listed on this page deserve a special round of applause.
Through the past three tumultuous years, these actors have worked to re-invent themselves; and now they are not only receiving a 2009 Quest for Quality Award, but many analysts believe they are perfectly positioned to catch the next wave of business predicted for 2010.
These regional players have expanded services, formed alliances with competitors, and invested heavily in the technologies that today’s savvy shippers demand.
This year, there are only nine winners, down from 14 in 2008, and we saw a subtle drop in the overall weighted averages from 2008—a signal, perhaps, that the perception of service may have sagged due to the challenging times.
Rounding off the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic LTL category in 2009 are A. Duie Pyle and Pitt Ohio Express, two perennial favorites. This was one of the tightest races in any of our categories this year, with A. Duie edging Pitt Ohio in every category, but by only the slimmest margin. Both deserve rave reviews for their On-time Performance scores. It’s obvious that shippers in this region are quite satisfied with the service from these stalwarts.
In the South/South Central Region, Southeastern Freight Lines posts another victory, outscoring other contenders for the fourth year in a row. Southeastern came out ahead in On-time Performance (12.20), Information Technology (4.99), Customer Service (6.69), and Equipment & Operations (3.93). Wilson Trucking scored an impressive 9.91 in Value, while Averitt Express posted a sturdy 3.90 Equipment & Operations score.
The Midwest/North Central Region saw only one carrier scoring above the weighted average this year. USF Holland posted a 33.74—nearly a two point drop from last year’s winner. However, USF scored an impressive 9.08 in Value, nearly a point higher than the weighted attribute category in this region.
Out west its a three carrier race, with Lynden Transport leading the pack for a second year in a row. Lynden swept every attribute category this year, scoring a 12.09 in On-time Performance, 9.37 in Value, 4.68 in Information Technology, and 3.67 in Equipment & Operations. This marks one of the few category sweeps for this year. Estes West pulled in with an impressive 33.91 weighted average this year, and Oak Harbor Freight Lines rounds out the region with a 33.69.
| On-time Performance | Value | Information Technology | Customer Service | Equipment & Operations | Weighted Score | |
| Logistics Management - 2009 Quest for Quality - LTL Northeast & Mid-Atlantic - Reed Business Information - June 2009 | ||||||
| A. Duie Pyle | 11.81 | 9.48 | 4.95 | 6.69 | 3.98 | 36.91 |
| Pitt Ohio | 11.21 | 9.40 | 4.57 | 6.30 | 3.67 | 35.15 |
| AVERAGE | 10.97 | 9.01 | 4.47 | 6.18 | 3.68 | 34.31 |
| On-time Performance | Value | Information Technology | Customer Service | Equipment & Operations | Weighted Score | |
| Logistics Management - 2009 Quest for Quality - LTL South/South Central - Reed Business Information - June 2009 | ||||||
| Southeastern Freight Lines | 12.20 | 9.84 | 4.99 | 6.69 | 3.93 | 37.66 |
| Wilson Trucking | 11.57 | 9.91 | 4.50 | 6.62 | 3.79 | 36.39 |
| Averitt Express | 11.35 | 9.34 | 4.68 | 6.29 | 3.90 | 35.56 |
| AVERAGE | 11.31 | 9.44 | 4.66 | 6.30 | 3.77 | 35.49 |
| On-time Performance | Value | Information Technology | Customer Service | Equipment & Operations | Weighted Score | |
| Logistics Management - 2009 Quest for Quality - LTL Midwest/North Central - Reed Business Information - June 2009 | ||||||
| USF Holland | 10.62 | 9.08 | 4.52 | 5.94 | 3.57 | 33.74 |
| AVERAGE | 10.31 | 9.02 | 4.33 | 5.78 | 3.48 | 32.91 |
| On-time Performance | Value | Information Technology | Customer Service | Equipment & Operations | Weighted Score | |
| All scores are weighted. Weighted scores are determined by multiplying the average raw scores by the average importance of each attribute (1= least important; 5= most important). To find the attributed weights for this category, see the introduction to the Quest for Quality report. Logistics Management - 2009 Quest for Quality - LTL Western Regional - Reed Business Information - June 2009 |
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| Lynden Transport | 12.09 | 9.37 | 4.68 | 6.71 | 3.67 | 36.52 |
| Estes West | 10.39 | 9.23 | 4.59 | 6.21 | 3.50 | 33.91 |
| Oak Harbor Freight Lines | 10.96 | 9.14 | 4.11 | 5.84 | 3.64 | 33.69 |
| AVERAGE | 10.58 | 8.87 | 4.35 | 5.91 | 3.51 | 33.22 |
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