Forward Air rolls out LTL and pickup and delivery service in Wichita, Kansas

Greenville, Tenn.- based asset-light freight and logistics services provider Forward Air announced this week it is now offering expedited less-than-truckload (LTL) and pickup and delivery (PUD) services in Wichita, KS.

The company said that the Forward LTL facility is its first Kansas-based LTL terminal, adding that it will cross-utilize space and resources within its Wichita-based Final Mile operation, with a focus on bringing a larger service offering to the Wichita area. And it also noted that the cohabitation of Final Mile and LTL operations allows Forward to grow organically, with less investment than a traditional new market expansion.

“This expansion is part of Forward’s ongoing journey to evolve its national LTL network for broader market coverage, beyond its airport-to-airport footprint,” it said.

Forward Air Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Schmitt explained in a statement that as Forward Air continues to expand its national footprint, it is looking for opportunities to create efficiencies, with Wichita serving as a perfect example.

“We have a strong Final Mile presence throughout Kansas and high customer demand for LTL in the region, so we can flex our muscle and bring our world-class expedited LTL service to Wichita and the greater Kansas market,” he said.

A Forward Air spokesman told LM that there were myriad factors that led Forward Air to introduce these services in Wichita.

“Wichita has a robust, diverse and growing local economy, centered on the aerospace industry,” he said. “Locally, the aerospace industry employs over 30,000 people and generates more than $10B annually. Forward has an existing Final Mile facility in Wichita, so we can utilize this facility to bring our best-in-class expedited LTL service to the Wichita market.”

Prior to this expansion, he said that the company did not offer LTL service to or from the primary Wichita market.

“With the introduction of expedited LTL and pick-up and delivery service, we are excited to deliver a fresh value-orientated option to current and new customers,” he noted. “This location connects Wichita to Forward’s expansive nationwide network, with more than 100 access points and three-day transit times to either coast. We enter the market as the fastest expedited LTL carrier in the region with unmatched speed-to-destination.”