Estes opens LTL terminal in Fort Worth, Texas
Estes Express Lines opened one of its largest LTL terminals, a 203-door, 200,000-square-foot warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas
Estes Express Lines opened one of its largest less-than-truckload (LTL) terminals, a 203-door, 200,000-square-foot warehouse in Fort Worth, Texas, the carrier announced recently.
The site, which the Richmond, Va.-based company acquired when Central Freight Lines closed in 2021, includes a five-bay shop and nearly 15,000 square feet for offices.
It’s the 17th Estes terminal in Texas, part of its nationwide LTL network of more than 200 facilities. The terminal features eDock technology, which provides shipment location visibility in real time, according to the company’s announcement.
The new facility at 5200 E. Loop 820 South will enable Estes to grow its services and fleet in the Southwest region, Larry Sanderson, district operations manager, said in a statement.
“Opening this terminal serves as a major milestone in Estes’ growth,” Sanderson said. “We are excited to welcome new employees, serve more customers and expand operations at this state-of-the-art facility.”
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Estes took over the Texas site along with six other terminals from Central Freight Lines in the acquisition, President and COO Webb Estes told Transport Dive in an interview.
Estes took over the Texas site along with six other terminals from Central Freight Lines in the acquisition
The deal also included equipment, which was especially difficult to procure during the pandemic. Estes received nearly 1,000 tractors in the acquisition, the company president said.
“As a company, pre-pandemic, we had about 8,500 tractors,” he said. “So, 1,000 extra pieces of equipment were a pretty big deal. You couldn’t get the equipment. Manufacturers were saying that if you wanted 300, they could give you 200.’’ Even in an uncertain economy with demand generally declining, Estes is not the only LTL carrier pushing to continue expanding its networks to reach new markets and position itself for future upswings.
Old Dominion Freight Line chief executive Greg Gantt said last summer the carrier’s network expansion plan would be undeterred by a negative short-term macroeconomic outlook. XPO plans to add 900 net new doors by the end of this year, part of the company’s plan to lower its operating ration.
Saia and A. Duie Pyle also announced the openings of new terminals in the fall, though SAI warned it could tap the brakes on plans for 10 to 15 more this year.
About Estes Express Lines
The new facility at 5200 E. Loop 820 South will enable Estes to grow its services and fleet in the Southwest region
Estes Express Lines is a transportation and logistics company based in Richmond, Virginia, USA. The company was founded in 1931 by W.W. Estes Sr., and it initially started as a one-truck operation that transported goods in and around Virginia. Over the years, the company has grown to become one of the largest privately-owned freight transportation carriers in the United States.
Estes Express Lines operates a fleet of more than 30,000 vehicles and has over 230 terminals across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The company offers a wide range of transportation services, including less-than-truckload (LTL) freight, truckload (TL) freight, intermodal, and expedited shipping. Estes also provides logistics solutions such as warehousing, supply chain management, and distribution services.
The company’s focus on quality service and reliability has earned it a reputation as one of the most trusted names in the transportation industry. Estes is committed to sustainability and has implemented initiatives such as using fuel-efficient vehicles, reducing emissions, and implementing recycling programs.
Estes Express Lines has received numerous industry awards and recognitions, including being named one of the Top 100 Motor Carriers by Inbound Logistics magazine for 15 consecutive years. The company has also been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a SmartWay Transport Partner for its commitment to reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
About Central Freight Lines
Estes Express Lines acquired when Central Freight Lines closed in 2021
Central Freight Lines was a transportation and logistics company that provided less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping services throughout the United States. The company was founded in 1925 in Waco, Texas, and had grown to become one of the largest LTL carriers in the Southwest.
During its operations, Central Freight Lines operated a fleet of over 1,600 tractors and 8,000 trailers, and had over 60 terminals and service centers throughout the United States. The company’s services included LTL shipping, truckload shipping, intermodal shipping, and logistics services such as warehousing and supply chain management.
Central Freight Lines prided itself on its commitment to providing reliable and efficient transportation services to its customers. The company received numerous awards for its service quality and safety record, and was known for its on-time delivery and responsive customer service.
In addition to its transportation services, Central Freight Lines was also involved in various community and philanthropic initiatives, including supporting local charities and organizations and participating in disaster relief efforts. However, the company has since ceased operations, with its last day of service being January 25, 2021.
