As published in Toledo Business Journal - November 1, 2019
Estes Express Lines’ operations in Toledo located at 5330 Angola Road
Estes Express Lines, a privately-owned freight transportation carrier that provides end-to-end transportation and custom logistics services across the US and internationally, is planning to expand its 33,100 square foot cross-dock terminal located at 5330 Angola Road in Toledo by 24,800 square feet. The company is planning to do a phased addition on both sides of the dock, which is expected to add more loading areas from which to work.
According to Angela Maidment, vice president, corporate real estate for Estes, the freight carrier has had continued growth within the area, as it runs both a break-bulk and hub operations serving a larger area from this location.
Although the timeframe for this project is currently undetermined, the design/build contractor for the project is D.F. Chase, Inc. Construction based in Nashville.
Maidment explained that the project is expected to be done in three phases. The first phase includes expanding the parking to the north, the second phase involves the construction of the east dock addition, and the third phase involves the construction of the west dock addition.
The project is expected to create new jobs, but Maidment did not disclose how many. She explained that the company is a family-owned and family-oriented company that works hard to supply good employment opportunities that help people build a good career and not just a job, even as the industry faces workforce recruitment and retention challenges. She noted that the company’s hard work, good people, and family culture help its efforts.
Estes Express Lines’ operations in Toledo located at 5330 Angola Road
“Driver recruitment and retention is one of the biggest challenges facing the trucking industry. As an industry, driver turnover numbers typically range between 60-90% per year, but at Estes, we’re at about 10% turnover for drivers,” said Maidment. “ Estes Express Lines realizes the importance of our team members and has worked really hard to create a positive culture with good pay and benefits.”
The company runs driving schools at some of its major locations, including Toledo, where it adds around 250-300 CDL Class A drivers each year from its own dock workers. The company was also named a Top Trucking Large Employer in North America by Forbes.
Estes offers a global range of shipping and supply chain management solutions and Maidment noted that customers benefit from its comprehensive terminal work, reliable fleet, a dedicated single point of contact, experienced personnel, and its state-of-the-art shipping tools.
Through its regional, national, and international coverage areas, Estes’ provides less-than-truckload (LTL); time critical; volume and truckload; international; custom shipping services; residential; and technology solutions to its customers.
“We are a national company, and by the end of 2019, our less than truckload division will be operating out of 198 facilities,” said Maidment.
The company employs a total of 19,101 workers.