Con-way Truckload ‘doubles up’ on trailers

Con-way Truckload, a subsidiary of transportation and logistics services provider Con-way, said this week it has introduced a new offering for shippers to better utilize trailer space, as well as better effectively secure freight to prevent shipment damage.

Entitled DoubleStack, the offering is comprised of a racking system that enables freight to be loaded on two separate, adjustable levels throughout the length of the trailer, which Con-way officials said accommodates shipments of different dimensions along with better utilizing trailer space. DoubleStack also has custom-designed strapping mechanisms that tie down shipments so they do not move during transit and also provide protection against damage.

“The innovative system allows customers to more fully utilize trailer space, simultaneously reducing costs, traffic, fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Con-way Truckload has been testing the equipment over the last 6-12 months with select customers before formally introducing the product.”

Con-way said it has currently has converted 100 of its standard 53-foot trailers to the DoubleStack system and plans to add other units later this year based on customer demand. The spokesperson said that both Con-way Freight, the company’s less-than-truckload unit, and Menlo Worldwide, its 3PL unit, are exploring DoubleStack to see how it can best benefit their customer bases.

And Con-way Truckload will continue to convert trailers based on customer demand, the spokesperson said, adding that because of Con-way Truckload’s relationship with sister company and trailer manufacturer, Road Systems Inc. (RSI), it is able to quickly meet customer needs.

When asked what the biggest benefits of DoubleStack are for shippers, the spokesperson said that shippers “most appreciate our effort to bring cost-saving and creative solutions to them…[t]his new system allows customers to maximize space and weight previously wasted.”

Other benefits of DoubleStack cited by Con-way Truckload include:

• lower costs and reduced facility traffic through maximum trailer capacity utilization;
  
• the opportunity to consolidate more freight in fewer trailers;
  
• flexibility to adjust and respond to varying capacity needs;
  
• protection from damage due to highly secured freight that resists shifting, along with a 100 percent air-ride-equipped fleet;
  
• reliable on-time performance exceeding 98 percent to meet time-sensitive delivery needs; and
  
• the professionalism of an established carrier with more than 50 years of transportation experience.

“We are continually exploring ways to bring our customers advantages that enable them to obtain the highest value for the transportation dollar,” said Herb Schmidt, president, Con-way Truckload, in a statement. “With DoubleStack trailers, we’re maximizing the available capacity customers can use and adding better protection systems to reduce claims, while driving benefits to our operations through more effective asset utilization.”