Page 40 - ATR 3 2022 digital

ment and parts. But on one measure-
ment — trailers — the company has a
secret weapon that helps it stay clear of
long wait times and accelerated cost of
new models. It manufactures and refur-
bishes its own trailers in-house, at its
facility in Searcy.
“The pandemic had a tremendous
impact on labor and the availability of
raw materials, which has limited the
number of trailers added to the indus-
try,” said Kevin Sterling, senior market
strategist for the Connecticut-based
company. “The equipment manufactur-
ers are still constrained, even though so
far this year has been better than last
XPO worker in Searcy manufacturing plant
year. Specifically for trailers, we have a
competitive edge, because we produce
Hammonds said the program not We are proud of the driving jobs them right in Searcy.”
only focuses on the current need for we offer, and it’s helped us attract and While that decision stands out as
drivers — which he said numbers about retain drivers”. innovative for most in the industry, it's
5,000 positions — but helps the company “Understanding that the industry actually business as usual for XPO, in
plan for future growth in freight vol- faces pressure and that that’s probably a manner of speaking. The Searcy facil-
ume, training locations and even truck- been part of the industry’s environ- ity was operated for years by Con-way,
ing routes. ment for a very long time, we are taking which during its history built not only
“Most of our drivers are on a five- these steps to make sure we are creating its own trailers but its own trucks under
day schedule and they move within a a driving job that’s compensating our the Freightliner brand, sold to Daimler
region of a few distribution centers,” drivers well and doing the things that AG in 1981.
he said. “And most of that is delivering build the kind of pipeline that we need When XPO acquired Con-way in
freight to our stores and then picking to source our fleet.” 2015, it was an asset-light company,
up backhauls back to the distribution Hammonds said producing new more focused on hauling than
center. Optimizing that work is very drivers is only part of the picture. The equipment. But company leadership
important to us. other is retaining them as career work- quickly recognized the Searcy facility as
“That said, we are also developing ers, something he says goes well beyond an asset.
capacities that will allow us to do more mere pay. “We came to understand pretty
long-haul work in the team driver space “I would tell you the thing that is quickly after the acquisition that being
to support the flow of grocery merchan- constant year to year is drivers just want able to make our own trailers gave
dise from the West Coast to the East to be listened to,” he said. “They want us a competitive advantage, thanks
Coast. That body of work serves as an to know somebody is working on their to a great process and great people,”
example of the expansion of our mis- behalf and advocating for them. That Sterling said. “Our team in Searcy
sion.” is really it. It is about creating a driv- has helped XPO win the Safest Trailer
Just unveiled this spring, the pro- ing job that includes a culture that is Manufacturer award from the Truck
gram has received a strong response, attractive. We like to think when we are Trailer Manufacturers Association six
Hammonds said. He added Walmart hiring a driver, we’re hiring him or her times since 2004. It’s a true testament
has always been a preferred employer for life. Once you have a good profes- to our employees, our commitment to
among drivers, and this program will sional in a position and they grow and each other and our focus on safety.”
help the company maintain that reputa- develop in that position, their perfor- In 2022, the news surrounding
tion going forward. mance and commitment are just going trailer manufacturing has become more
“We’ve been successful this past to get better and better.” grim by the month. In February, ACT
year; we added approximately 4,500 Research reported, U.S. trailer orders
drivers last year and we’re up to 12,500 BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP were 26,500, on the heels of 26,595
drivers overall,” he said. “We want to Like all trucking companies, XPO net orders in January and 26,382 in
position ourselves as being a preferred Logistics has faced stiff headwinds December. Meanwhile, backlog volume
job in the industry. when it comes to securing new equip- hit the high 190,000s with build rates

40 Issue 3 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT