Con-way Launches Short-haul Trucking Business

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., on Monday announced the launch of Con-way Truckload Regional, which will specialize in short-haul truckload shipments of less than 600 miles.

Con-way said is sees significant potential in the short-haul business, noting that about 70 percent of the freight in the transportation market travels less than 550 miles.

In addition, that segment of the shipping industry is one that tends to stay healthy even during tough economic times, the company said.

Con-way Truckload has been providing regional service in an 11-state region for the past 18 months as part of a pilot program. By the end of this year, it plans to have 325 trucks dedicated to the new business and will add an additional 300 trucks in 2010.

By 2011, the company's goal is to have 1,000 trucks dedicated to nationwide regional service.