CRST launches team-driver service for temperature-controlled cargo
No comments Dave DeWitte / SourceMedia Group News
(UPDATED 11/8/2011 with comments from Brooke Willey, CRST Vice President of Human Resources)

CRST International has launched a service that it say will be the first in trucking, using team drivers to expedite shipments of temperature controlled cargo.

The Temperature Controlled Team Service was announced by CRST Monday, Nov. 7. It will initially offer transportation of both chilled and frozen products.

“CRST will be the only transportation company in the U.S. offering an exclusive temperature controlled service supported by team drivers,” said Dave Rusch, President and CEO of CRST International.

The first shipments to use the new service will be produce from California going to markets on the East Coast.

“We will be providing transcontinental transportation of perishable products in less than 60 hours at a price that is competitive with single drivers,” Rusch said. “Typical single driver perishable deliveries take about five and a half days.”

CRST purchased 50 trucks for the launch and added 100 new drivers. The compay plans to add an additional 75 trucks in the first quarter of 2012, according to Vice President of Human Resources Brooke Willey. She said the company expects to have 150 trucks dedicated to the temperature controlled service by the end of 2012.

The company plans to cater to cold chain retailers and producers seeking transportation for such products as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, shellfish, fish, ice cream, pharmaceuticals, and health and beauty products.

“The value in our new service is not just our team drivers and the speed with which they can deliver goods, but also added security for the contents since at least one driver is always with the tractor,” Rusch said. “With our team approach, the vehicle is virtually in constant motion moving toward its destination.”

CRST will be able to expand or decrease capacity for the service with the seasonal nature of demand for temperature-controlled shipping through the cross-utilization of CRST Expedited’s fleet of some 2,000 team tractors, the company said.

Most temperature-controlled carriers are independent drivers or smaller firms with fewer than 10 trucks. CRST said its service will use CRST drivers, new Termo King refrigerated units and insulated utility trailers that can maintain temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

CRST International is the sixth largest truckload carrier in the United States, with annual revenues of approximately $1.3 billion.

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