Press Releases

Southeastern Freight Lines Expands Reach with New Direct Service Line to Las Cruces, New Mexico

LEXINGTON, S.C. (September 24, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload transportation services, today announced the launch of a new direct service line to Las Cruces, New Mexico – signifying a notable addition to the company’s arsenal of reliable, efficient transportation solutions.

The new route will be serviced from Southeastern’s El Paso service center in Texas, elevating the company’s ability to meet the growing demands for freight movement in the Southwest region. As a reflection of its mission to deliver Quality Without Question service, Southeastern's direct service to Las Cruces offers significant benefits to its customers, including reduced shipping costs, enhanced delivery reliability and consistency and improved transit times, including next-day shipping from the Dallas, Fort Worth, Odessa and San Antonio areas of Texas.

“As a company, we are continuously working to advance our culture, empower operational excellence and innovate quality service,” said Brian Schulz, vice president of service center operations. “This strategic move not only bolsters our strong footprint but empowers us to meet and exceed the needs of our customers with greater efficiency. We look forward to leveraging our optimized service structure to support the rapid economic growth of the Las Cruces area.”

Since its establishment in 1950, consistent, organic growth has been a key component of Southeastern’s success. Boasting 37 dock doors and a dynamic team of 45 associates, the El Paso service center’s robust operational network and dedicated team are perfectly positioned to support the extension of the company’s seamless, high-quality transportation services into neighboring zip codes.

“The team at El Paso is thrilled at the opportunity to service and develop new business relationships in a new market,” said Joe Cardenas, service center manager at the El Paso facility. “The expansion of our delivery services into the Las Cruces area is a testament to our associates’ commitment to fostering a community of collaboration and integrating our core values into every aspect of our operations.”

Southeastern Freight Lines Celebrates 35 Years of Service at its Miami and West Palm Beach Service Centers

LEXINGTON, S.C. (September 3, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 35 years of “Quality Without Question” service at its service centers in Miami, Florida and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Both service centers opened in 1989 and have seen significant growth since their establishment. Miami began operations with 20 dock doors and 39 associates and currently boasts 101 dock doors and 127 associates. West Palm Beach’s initial seven dock doors and 10 associates has since expanded to 93 dock doors and 84 associates.

“Since 1989, the associates at our Miami service center have consistently demonstrated their commitment to excellence, helping further our goal of delivering unmatched quality and integrity to our great customers,” said Raul Garcia, Miami’s service center manager. “As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission to not only continually enhance and grow our operations but uphold the company values that position Southeastern as a trusted leader in the transportation industry.”

To commemorate this significant milestone, the Miami service center is honoring Linehaul Driver Anthony Davis – an associate who has worked at the facility since its humble beginnings 35 years ago – for his pivotal role in helping establish the service center as a cornerstone of the Miami area and its surrounding communities.

“Looking back, it’s rewarding to see the impact that the West Palm Beach service center has made within the community, including the strong relationships we've built with customers and partners across industries,” said Josh Beaty, West Palm Beach’s service center manager. “Our success today is due to the hard work and dedication of both past and present associates. We look forward to continuing our tradition of delivering ‘Quality Without Question’ service to the South Florida market for years to come.”

Over the years, the Miami and West Palm Beach service centers have given back to their communities, most recently through Southeastern Serves – a program dedicated to having associates of all levels volunteer in their local communities to assist the less fortunate.

As a part of the Southeastern Serves mission, the Miami service center has volunteered with organizations such as Ronald McDonald House Charities. In addition, the service center raised donations for and participated in the St. Jude Walk/Run – a nationwide cancer walk event during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to help support St. Jude’s mission of finding cures for childhood cancer. Valuing the same commitment to community, the West Palm Beach service center has supported various nonprofit organizations, such as Little Smiles, and donated resources to the individuals in Puerto Rico who were impacted by Hurricane Maria.

The Miami service center was the 24th service center opened since the company’s establishment in 1950. Soon after, the West Palm Beach service center was founded as the 25th location. Southeastern now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Southeastern Freight Lines Receives 2023 Echo Global Logistics LTL Carrier of the Year Platinum Award

LEXINGTON, S.C. (June 10, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has been recognized as a 2023 Echo Global Logistics LTL Carrier of the Year Platinum Award winner. This prestigious honor marks Southeastern’s ninth Platinum Award, breaking the record for most wins in the category since the award’s founding in 2008.

Echo is an industry-leading provider of technology-enabled managed transportation and supply chain services. Its LTL Carrier of the Year Platinum Award was created to recognize LTL carriers who consistently meet and exceed the company’s rigorous quality standards and provide excellent customer service to both the Echo team worldwide as well as their mutual clients.

“We are honored and humbled to be recognized for our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch, timely shipment and delivery services,” said Richard Slater, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Southeastern. “This could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our associates and their execution of our quality processes. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Echo team for this honor and look forward to growing our strong partnership to continue serving and elevating the broader transportation industry.”

“We’re grateful to have a reliable and efficient carrier partner in Southeastern,” said Marty Martin, senior vice president of sourcing at Echo Global Logistics. “The company’s incredible dedication to on-time delivery, high-quality performance and visibility into every shipment are values we share at Echo. As a leading third-party logistics provider (3PL), this dedication allows us to provide simple solutions to complex problems unique to every client and carrier.”

Southeastern’s Taylor Humphrey, national account manager, and Toby Toburen, director of 3PL national accounts, accepted the award at Echo’s Chicago headquarters in early May.

About Echo Global Logistics

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services. Headquartered in Chicago with more than 30 offices around the country, Echo offers freight brokerage and Managed Transportation Solutions for all major modes, including truckload, partial truckload, LTL, intermodal, temperature-controlled shipping and warehousing, and warehouse services. Named one of Newsweek’s Most Trusted Companies in America, Echo leverages its proprietary, web-based and mobile app technology, analyzing data from its network of more than 50,000 transportation providers to help its 35,000 clients simplify the critical tasks involved in transportation management. For more information on Echo Global Logistics, visit: www.echo.com.

Southeastern Freight Lines’ Greenville Service Center Celebrates 65 Years of Service

LEXINGTON, S.C. (June 3, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 65 years of Quality Without Question service at its Greenville service center located in Piedmont, South Carolina.

The original service center opened for business in 1959 with 10 dock doors and 16 associates. By 2007, it had expanded to include 112 dock doors. To continue the facility’s rapid growth trajectory, Southeastern relocated the service center to 516 Sagitairus Way in 2020, which now boasts 202 dock doors and 230 associates.

To commemorate this significant milestone, the Greenville service center is honoring five of its associates whose long-standing commitment to providing quality service has played a pivotal role in establishing Southeastern as a cornerstone of the Greenville area and its surrounding communities:

  • 47 years of service: Pickup and Delivery Driver Jerry Pennington
  • 40 years of service: Clerical Associate Gigi Oliver
  • 37 years of service: Driver Mentor Marshall Cook, Fleet Services Associate Robert Pickle and Office Manager Rosa Little

“The Greenville facility has forged a legacy of operational excellence over the years, largely in part due to the dedication our associates have shown to its steady growth since its humble beginnings,” said Kyle Hulsey, service center manager. “As we look to the future, we embrace the task to unlock new avenues of opportunity and continue providing world-class, timely service to our great customers, partners and the community."

Since its establishment, the service center has given back to the Greenville community through its Southeastern Serves initiative – a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate.

The Greenville service center was the sixth service center opened by Southeastern Freight Lines since its founding in 1950. The company now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and has undergone numerous upgrades in trucks and trucking technologies.

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New Service Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky

New Facility Enables Growth and Advancements to Serve Customers and Associates

LEXINGTON, S.C. (March 11, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced the opening of a relocated service center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The new Bowling Green service center, located at 6333 Whitney Drive, consists of 45 dock doors and 22 associates as well as enhanced office and dispatch spaces, updated conference and driver break rooms, roll up garage doors and more. The impressive facility underscores Southeastern’s ongoing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its customers and supporting the well-being and development of its associates.

“The modern facility will not only inspire the ongoing innovation of our operational standards but empower all our great associates to continue the execution of best-in-class service,” said Alex Ayers, service center manager. “We could not be more excited for this milestone, and I look forward to all the new opportunities that await our team in this next chapter.”

Previously located at 2570 Russellville Road, the Bowling Green service center opened for business in 2015 with 23 dock doors and 12 associates.

“At Southeastern, we are continuously working to advance our culture and provide quality service,” said Jason Hood, regional vice president of operations. “While the Bowling Green facility has experienced numerous years of steady growth, the greater capacity provided by both the expanded dock and yard positions Southeastern to continue its rapid growth trajectory down the line.”

Southeastern Freight Lines’ Dalton Service Center Celebrates 40 Years of Service

LEXINGTON, S.C. (March 4, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 40 years of quality without question service at the Dalton, Georgia service center.

Located at 180 Cross Plains Boulevard, the service center opened for business in 1984 with 12 dock doors and 18 associates. Since then, the facility has engaged in significant expansion efforts, and it now boasts 168 dock doors and 224 associates. Most notably, as Dalton is known as the “Carpet Capital of the World,” Southeastern has bolstered its services to support the hundreds of carpet plants and outlets within the Dalton market, establishing Southeastern as a carrier of choice for carpet services across the Southeast.

“The team at our Dalton service center masterfully drives Southeastern’s unique culture and quest for quality to cultivate strong relationships with customers and ensure the long-term success of the company,” said Blake Potter, service center manager. “We are proud to lead the LTL segment in our service territory and value the positive impact we have had throughout our footprint over these past four decades. We look forward to all that is to come in the years ahead.”

Since its establishment, the service center has given back to the Dalton community, most recently as part of Southeastern Serves – a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate. Dalton associates have donated time and resources in partnership with organizations such as City of Refuge, which equips people and families with the resources required to meet basic needs, repurpose their giftings and abilities and reclaim their sense of life direction.

The Dalton service center was the 16th service center opened by Southeastern Freight Lines since its founding in 1950. The company now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and has undergone numerous upgrades in trucks and trucking technologies.

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New Service Center in Charlotte, North Carolina

New Facility Enables Growth and Advancements to Serve Customers and Associates

LEXINGTON, S.C. (January 3, 2024) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced the opening of an expanded service center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The contemporary Charlotte service center, located at 4524 Reagan Drive, consists of 230 dock doors. Upgrades include a complete yard rehabilitation and a new remote trailer parking lot. The best-in-class facility is part of a multi-phase redevelopment project that aims to incorporate Southeastern’s latest design standards, such as signature structural elements and interior finishes in addition to network and security features. The facility will embrace new technological advances, streamline operational costs, and, most notably, provide its dynamic team of associates with a modernized work environment to thrive in their various roles.

“The redevelopments at Reagan Drive will not only serve the local Charlotte market but will also increase the efficiency and bandwidth of freight we can push through this breakbulk, which impacts the entire surrounding region,” said Ryan Smigiel, Vice President of Real Estate. “As the Charlotte area is demonstrating exponential growth, we are looking forward to matching this momentum and expanding our operations to continue improving service to our customers.”

The new Reagan Drive service center will house both Charlotte’s pickup and delivery operation and breakbulk operation on an interim basis while Southeastern works to redevelop its second Queen City facility on Amble Drive – a project that will construct a new service center consisting of 185 dock doors, an appointment warehouse with six additional dock doors, a regional office, and a driver rest facility.

The Reagan Drive facility opened for business in June 1972 with eight dock doors and six associates.

“The new service center not only empowers our company to cultivate lasting relationships with its great customers, partners, and associates in the Charlotte region and beyond, but also instills an opportunity for additional expansion and job growth down the road with its dock door expansion, latest design standards, and efficient yard layout,” said Smigiel.

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New Service Center in Austin, Texas

New Facility Enables Growth and Advancements to Serve Customers and Associates

LEXINGTON, S.C. (September 18, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced the opening of a relocated service center in Austin, Texas.

The new Austin service center, located at 10001 E US Hwy 290, consists of 120 dock doors and 57 associates, as well as a refreshed appointment warehouse, larger office and breakroom spaces and a fuel island for drivers. The new facility will not only bolster Southeastern’s operational capabilities by guaranteeing earlier deliveries and pick-ups, but aid in the development of an increasingly collaborative and productive work environment for associates across the greater Austin region to grow their professional skillsets and thrive in both current and new roles.

“It’s incredible to see how our Austin operation has evolved over the last 20 years. We’re excited about the opportunity the new facility provides us to serve our customers at a higher level, but also the advantage it gives us to effectively navigate the rapid growth in Austin,” said Coley Campbell, senior vice president of operations. “I look forward to supporting our great team of Austin associates while they continue to meet our customers’ needs in this next chapter.”

Previously located at 1916 Waukesha Drive, the Austin service center opened for business in May 2000.

“As the Texas market continues to grow, we recognize Austin as one of the top 10 most populated cities in America. SEFL’s vision to support current and future needs led us to build a state-of-the-art facility,” said Austin Winters, regional vice president of operations. “By adding dock doors and owning the acreage to expand, we have added capacity well into the future. We feel the new location is even better situated to provide outstanding service to our customers.”

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New Service Center in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Facility Enables Growth and Advancements to Serve Customers and Associates

LEXINGTON, S.C. (September 11, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced the opening of a relocated service center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The contemporary New Orleans service center, located at 588 West Alpha Drive, consists of 120 dock doors and 82 associates. The best-in-class facility not only supports growth and maximizes Southeastern’s service to its customers but communicates the company’s dedication to going the extra mile and providing excellent working environments for its people. The impressive facility additions include enhanced office and dispatch spaces, new appointment warehouses, a bunkhouse, gym, large breakrooms and a sizeable increase in dock doors.

“With increasing economic growth in the New Orleans area, this is the perfect time to relocate to a larger service center,” said Coley Campbell, senior vice president of operations. “We are excited to provide our current and future employees with a great work environment, while increasing operational efficiencies and timeliness of deliveries. Ultimately, this move allows us to provide Quality Without Question to both our associates and our customers in New Orleans.”

The new facility serves as a testament to Southeastern’s dedication to providing Quality without Question service. The company goes the extra mile to build best-in-class facilities that maximize services for customers and offer employees an excellent working environment.

Previously located at 1525 Sams Avenue, the New Orleans service center opened for business in 1996 with 30 dock doors and 20 associates.

“Since Southeastern started serving the New Orleans community in 1996, we have seen steady growth in our operations. With the continued success over the years and gains in market share, we are excited to move to our new facility,” said Mark Coggin, regional vice president of operations. “The new service center gives us the ability to continue serving our great customers at a high level and provides ample room for expansion in the years to come.”

Southeastern Freight Lines Recognized as C.H. Robinson 2023 Carrier of the Year Award Winner

LEXINGTON, S.C. (July 17, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has been recognized by C.H. Robinson as a winner of its 2023 Carrier of the Year Awards.

C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest global logistics companies, selected Southeastern for the honor from its network of more than 96,000 contract carriers.

The Carrier of the Year Awards acknowledge companies that have enhanced overall performance and demonstrated exceptional quality and reliability of service through the adoption of new technology and operational excellence.

“We are thrilled to once again receive this award from a respected leader in today’s logistics space,” said Austin Miller, national account manager for Southeastern Freight Lines.

“This recognition serves as a testament to the continued commitment of our associates to uphold Southeastern’s values and culture across all operations. We would like to extend our thanks to C.H. Robinson for this honor and look forward to witnessing our partnership evolve in the years to come.”

C.H. Robinson hosted an event at its Eden Prairie headquarters in Minnesota from May 31 – June 2, where Miller, alongside Keith Huggins, vice president of national sales and logistics, and Mike Redden, vice president of national accounts, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of Southeastern.

Now in its sixth year, the in-person gathering celebrated the 2023 Carrier of the Year honorees.

Southeastern Freight Lines celebrates two decades of quality service in Texas, looks ahead to statewide growth

LEXINGTON, S.C. (June 27, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 20 years of full-state service coverage in Texas.

Since its establishment in 1950, consistent, organic growth has been a key component of Southeastern’s success. As population growth and business outputs grew in Texas, SEFL knew having full-state coverage was key to supporting its customers’ demands. In 2003, the company had 11 service centers and 374 dock doors in Texas. Today, the company operates 20 service centers and 1,432 dock doors – nearly doubling its real estate footprint. This infrastructure and commitment to providing excellent service has allowed the company to grow over 500% in the last 20 years.

“SEFL is proud to be a part of the Texas community and is committed to providing exceptional service in the state and beyond,” said Brian Schulz, vice president of service center operations. “Our success in Texas is a testament to the dedication of our 1,700 associates across the state who have worked hard to build our reputation with customers by living out our core values. As growth is top of mind, there are already plans underway to build on our legacy of excellence and continue to expand our infrastructure with more service centers."

To commemorate its 20 years of service in Texas, SEFL is honoring 10 of its service centers across the state celebrating milestones this year. These facilities have played a critical role in the company's success and helped increase its statewide market share.

  • 20 years – Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, El Paso, Odessa, Abilene and Amarillo
  • 15 years – Waco
  • 10 years – South Houston and Monroe

“When I joined the team at Corpus Christi, there were four pickup and delivery drivers and one line haul driver. Our team of associates has grown immensely, and today, we have the privilege to work out of a beautiful new service center,” said Erasmo Hernandez, a linehaul driver at the Corpus Christi service center who has been driving for SEFL since Corpus Christi’s opening in 2003. “It is rewarding to look back two decades and reflect on the impact the team and I played in growing Corpus Christi’s operations. To this day, I am still honored to be part of the Southeastern family.”

SEFL’s continued commitment to growth in the state is evident in its investment in additional land and updates to existing facilities. In the last two years, SEFL has purchased 177 acres and opened a new 50-door Corpus Christi facility as well as a new Amarillo service center. Both facilities have state-of-the-art conference rooms and office spaces. Additionally, the Abilene and Waco service centers will undergo dock expansions this year. Looking ahead, SEFL plans to continue broadening its Texas operations by breaking ground on multiple facility projects in the years to come.

Southeastern Freight Lines Awards Two Drivers With 50 Years of Safe Driving

LEXINGTON, S.C. (June 20, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, recognized Larry Spinks and Michael Crapps for 50 years of safe driving during the company’s annual Safety and Service Awards.

Larry and Michael’s safety records are an accomplishment that puts them in an elite class. The duo joins Pickup and Delivery Driver Malcolm Bryant as the only three Southeastern drivers to reach this threshold of safety in the company’s history.

“Out of the 3.5 million truck drivers on the road today, Larry and Michael have made the short list of drivers across the country who have successfully accomplished this rare milestone,” said Southeastern President Tobin Cassels. “They both not only embody Southeastern’s safety culture, but through their years of hard work and dedication, serve as an example to the entire trucking industry on what it means to lead with safety in mind.”

Larry, a pickup and delivery driver at the Atlanta, Georgia service center, started his career in trucking by pulling commissary loads with a tractor and trailer for the Army. He joined Southeastern’s pickup and delivery team at the age of 21 and has remained a fierce advocate for the company’s mission to meet and exceed the needs of every customer.

When asked about the secret to his success, Larry states, “I'm grateful to work for a company like Southeastern who equips its drivers with the necessary tools and technology to perform their best while out on the road. Most notably, I couldn’t have reached this milestone without my two biggest inspirations by my side – my daughters, Delaine and Crystal.”

Michael, a linehaul driver at the Columbia, South Carolina service center, knew he wanted to pursue truck driving as a profession from the start. He joined the Southeastern team in 1973 as a pickup and delivery driver and transitioned into his current role in 1994. In 2010, Mike was recognized as Southeastern’s Regional Linehaul Driver of the Year and was awarded Driver of the Month by the South Carolina Trucking Association in January 2012.

"Ever since jumping into my first truck over 50 years ago – which had no air conditioning – I’ve always made it a priority to trust in my skillset and be courteous to the other vehicles on the road,” said Michael. “I’m honored to receive this recognition and hope it inspires others to carry out safe driving practices for years to come.”

While the trucking industry has evolved and traffic congestion has made safe driving more challenging than when Larry and Mike began their careers, they remain diligent in maintaining their 50-year impeccable driving record.

“We’re so proud to recognize both Larry and Michael as top performers in their field and thank them for their many years of quality service,” said Cassels.

Southeastern Freight Lines’ Florence Service Center Celebrates 70 Years of Service

LEXINGTON, S.C. (May 9, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 70 years of quality without question service at the Florence, South Carolina service center.

Located at 1421 West Darlington Street, the service center opened for business in June of 1953 with a handful of dock doors and one associate. Since then, the facility has grown to 67 dock doors and 60 associates.

“We are grateful for all the Florence associates who have helped serve our customers over the past 70 years,” said Seth Fetzer, regional vice president of operations at Southeastern. “It is because of our people – past and present – that our great company has established a strong presence in the Florence market, and we are looking forward to continuing to innovate our operations and cultivate new and existing partnerships in the decades to come.”

Over the years, the service center has given back to the Florence community, most recently as part of Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate. Florence associates have donated time and resources in partnership with organizations such as The Miracle League, which provides children with mental and physical disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime – baseball.

The Florence service center was the third service center opened by Southeastern Freight Lines since its founding in 1950. The company now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and has undergone numerous upgrades in trucks and trucking technologies.

Southeastern Freight Lines packages 50,000 meals for the hungry, acknowledging a decade of giving back

Southeastern associates across the Sunbelt honor the “Southeastern Serves” program’s long-lasting impact by partnering with local humanitarian nonprofit organization

LEXINGTON, S.C. (February 6, 2023) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced its “Southeastern Serves” program is celebrating over 10 years of serving local communities across the Sunbelt. In honor of this milestone, the trucking company partnered with Minneapolis-based nonprofit Harvest Pack, a humanitarian hunger relief organization that addresses food insecurity in local communities, to prepare 50,000 meals for Harvest Hope Food Bank.

More than 266 Southeastern volunteers gathered at the company’s headquarters in Lexington, South Carolina to package the nutrient-dense breakfast meals and make a tangible difference in the fight against hunger in the Palmetto State. The meals packaged as part of the hunger project are made using gluten-free, U.S.-sourced ingredients and contain ample carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins, as well as all nine essential amino acids.

“The Southeastern Serves program empowers our associates to give back to their communities and support various essential organizations, such as Harvest Pack and the Harvest Hope Food Bank,” said Tobin Cassels, president at Southeastern Freight Lines. “It’s heartwarming to reflect on the impact Southeastern Serves projects have had across our company’s footprint since the program’s establishment in 2012."

Over the past decade, more than 10,676 participants, including Southeastern associates, friends and family members, completed more than 33,764 total hours of community service across 686 projects, ranging from serving meals to families in need, to volunteering at veteran organizations, homeless shelters and domestic abuse shelters. A few examples include:

  • In Texas, 19 Southeastern associates and family members from Tyler and Waco volunteered 92 hours at Hunger for Love’s Christmas Under the Bridge event, helping decorate and serve food and beverages for the homeless community and under-resourced families. Tyler associate Robin Kennedy oversaw Santa’s Tent at the event and was able to collect more than 600 donated toys from local businesses and associates, gifted to more than 200 boys and girls.
  • Additionally, Southeastern sent 19 volunteers in Greenville, South Carolina to serve 95 hours at The SonShine Club, preparing and serving food, while also cleaning and providing gift bags for members. The SonShine Club provides special needs adults a safe space to meet with their peers to enjoy music, fitness, games, arts and crafts, Bible study and lunch at no charge.
  • Southeastern’s Albany service center volunteered with Little League Challenger to play baseball with individuals who have physical and intellectual disabilities. Southeastern associates acted as ‘buddies’ during the game to assist Challenger athletes in the areas of batting, base running and defense, in addition to handing out food and drinks after the game and collecting monetary donations.

“It is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the communities across the Sunbelt. We aim to add value to everything we do and are proud of our ongoing commitment to continuing to live our values in the communities our associates reside,” said Cassels.

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New Service Centers in Texarkana, Arkansas and Corpus Christi, Texas

New Facilities Enable Growth and Advancements to Serve Customers

LEXINGTON, S.C. (December 20, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced the opening of two relocated service centers in Texarkana, Arkansas and Corpus Christi, Texas.

The new Texarkana service center, located at 4100 East 19th Street, consists of 37 dock doors and 25 associates. Its state-of-the-art interior finishes and the addition of over a dozen dock doors allow for future growth and will streamline transit times and cross-dock operations.

“Our new facility will empower all associates to continue the execution of best-in-class operations, cultivate financial strength and serve our customers in a greater capacity,” said Michael Groover, service center manager. “It’s been a pleasure to watch our service center grow over the years, and I look forward to being a part of this next chapter.”

Previously located at 3201 East 50th Street, the Texarkana Service Center opened for business in 2007 with 18 dock doors.

The new Corpus Christi service center, located at 5717 Bear Lane, opened December 5 and consists of 50 dock doors.

“Since we first opened our doors, the Corpus Christi associates have always prioritized completing efficient and timely deliveries,” said James Carman, service center manager. “We look forward to utilizing the new and improved facility to further this long-standing mission and continue implementing Quality without Question services throughout Texas.”

Previously located at 533 Navigation Road, the Corpus Christi Service Center opened for business in 2003.

Southeastern Freight Lines' Puerto Rico Service Center Celebrates 25 Years of Service

LEXINGTON, S.C. (December 7, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 25 years of quality without question service at the Puerto Rico service center.

Located in Guaynabo, the service center opened for business in 1997 with eight associates. Since then, the facility has grown to 15,650 square feet of warehouse space, including two double doors, an office and a loading dock area for nine containers. Currently, 11 associates and 11 independent contractor drivers work at the facility.

Drivers Ricardo Rivera, Jose Bauza and Waldemar Pol are celebrating professional milestones after joining the Southeastern team in the late 1990s and continue to serve the company’s internal and external customers today. Evelyn Hernandez, a customer service associate, celebrated 20 years at the Puerto Rico service center in November, and Service Center Manager Tony Roldan will reach his 20-year milestone in January 2023.

“Since the Puerto Rico service center’s establishment in 1997, our associates have served the region with excellence,” said Roldan. “Our goal is to continue innovating our quality processes in order to grow our presence in Puerto Rico and cultivate meaningful relationships with new and existing customers and associates.”

Over the years, the service center has given back to the Puerto Rico community, most recently as part of Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate. Puerto Rico associates have donated time and resources in partnership with organizations such as La Casa Ronald McDonald Puerto Rico, Iniciativa Comunitaria and Hogar de Niñas de Cupey.

The Puerto Rico service center was the 49th service center opened by Southeastern Freight Lines since its founding in 1950. The company now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and has undergone numerous upgrades in trucks and trucking technologies.

Southeastern Freight Lines Recognized as Schneider Logistics 2021 Carrier of the Year Award Winner

LEXINGTON, S.C. (December 5, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has been recognized by Schneider Logistics as a 2021 Carrier of the Year award winner.

Schneider, a premier multimodal provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services, selected Southeastern for the honor from its network of more than 60,000 carriers. The Carrier of the Year Awards acknowledge companies that exceed service standards and demonstrate superb performance in Schneider Logistics’ key scorecard areas: high load acceptance, exceptional service, clear communication and overall FourKites visibility.

“Southeastern’s strong partnership with Schneider Logistics dates back many years. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside their team to enhance our quality-driven results,” said Algie Grubbs, National Account Manager for Southeastern Freight Lines. “This award is a direct testament to each of our associates’ commitment to providing world-class service and building meaningful client and partner relationships. On behalf of the entire Southeastern team, I’d like to thank Schneider Logistics for this recognition.”

Schneider Logistics hosted an awards ceremony at Lambeau Field, the legendary home stadium to the Green Bay Packers located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 6 where Keith Huggins, Vice President of National Sales for Southeastern Freight Lines, accepted the prestigious award on behalf of Southeastern.

Southeastern Freight Lines Celebrates 70 Years of Service at its Charleston and Savannah Service Centers

LEXINGTON, S.C. (August 31, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 70 years of "Quality Without Question" service from its service centers in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

Both service centers opened in 1952 and have seen significant growth since establishment. Charleston began operations with five dock doors and six associates and has grown to 63 dock doors and 92 associates.

"This anniversary marks an important milestone for our service center," said Mark Davis, Charleston’s service center manager. "While we have experienced seven decades worth of tremendous growth, we don’t have any plans to stop innovating our quality process. Our service center will begin expanding our facility to include an additional 50 dock doors at the end of this year. I’m looking forward to the future development of the Charleston service center and am excited for our team to continue driving success."

Savannah started with just one dock door and the facility now consists of 90 dock doors and 70 associates.

"We are humbled by the relationships we’ve cultivated with both customers and associates over the last 70 years.” said Adam Lake, Savannah’s service center manager. “Our 90-door facility and 70 associates has allowed us to timely process our freight and provide quality service to our loyal customers in Savannah and beyond. Many thanks to the decades of associates who have believed in our philosophy of providing "Quality Without Question" service. We look forward to providing excellence for many years to come."

Over the years, the Charleston and Savannah service centers have given back to their communities, most recently through Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to having associates of all levels volunteer in their local communities to assist needy individuals.

As a part of the Southeastern Serves mission, the Charleston service center has volunteered with organizations such as Samaritans Feet and League of Dreams. In addition, the service center donated knitted gifts to international seafarers through the Christmas at Sea organization, supporting the thousands of U.S. mariners working on the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways. Valuing the same commitment to community, the Savannah service center has supported the Treutlen House by providing landscaping and remodeling services on the grounds of the foster home for the 10- to 21-year-old boys living on the property.

The Charleston service center was the third service center opened since the company’s establishment in 1950. Soon after, the Savannah service center was founded as the fourth location. Southeastern now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Southeastern Freight Lines’ Charlotte Service Center Celebrates 50 Years of Service

LEXINGTON, S.C. (September 22, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 50 years of quality without question service at the Charlotte, North Carolina service center.

Located at 4524 Reagan Drive in Charlotte, the service center opened for business in the summer of 1972 with eight dock doors and six associates. Since then, the facility has grown to 122 dock doors and 260 associates. As part of its expansion efforts, the Charlotte service center is undergoing a three-phase real estate transformation that includes significant updates to the service center’s facilities and business processes in the coming years.

Three employees are celebrating professional milestones after joining the Southeastern team in the 1970s and continue to serve the company’s internal and external customers today:

  • Linehaul driver Bernie Burris, 46 years
  • Freight handler Robert Ledbetter, 45 years
  • Freight handler Chip Wood, 45 years

“The associates at the Charlotte service center exemplify Southeastern’s culture and understand the value of providing best in class customer service,” said Kyle Donahue, service center manager. “Our associates’ hard work combined with Southeastern’s commitment to growth, development and Quality Without Question processes are sure to propel Charlotte’s success for decades to come.”

Over the years, the service center has given back to the Charlotte community, most recently as part of Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern’s footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate. Charlotte associates have donated resources and provided shelter in partnership with organizations such as Samaritan’s Feet International, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte and Roc Solid Foundation.

The Charlotte service center was the seventh service center opened by Southeastern Freight Lines since its founding in 1950. The company now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico and has undergone numerous upgrades in trucks and trucking technologies.

Southeastern Freight Lines Celebrates 70 Years of Service at its Charleston and Savannah Service Centers

LEXINGTON, S.C. (August 31, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating 70 years of "Quality Without Question" service from its service centers in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.

Both service centers opened in 1952 and have seen significant growth since establishment. Charleston began operations with five dock doors and six associates and has grown to 63 dock doors and 92 associates.

"This anniversary marks an important milestone for our service center," said Mark Davis, Charleston’s service center manager. "While we have experienced seven decades worth of tremendous growth, we don’t have any plans to stop innovating our quality process. Our service center will begin expanding our facility to include an additional 50 dock doors at the end of this year. I’m looking forward to the future development of the Charleston service center and am excited for our team to continue driving success."

Savannah started with just one dock door and the facility now consists of 90 dock doors and 70 associates.

"We are humbled by the relationships we’ve cultivated with both customers and associates over the last 70 years.” said Adam Lake, Savannah’s service center manager. “Our 90-door facility and 70 associates has allowed us to timely process our freight and provide quality service to our loyal customers in Savannah and beyond. Many thanks to the decades of associates who have believed in our philosophy of providing "Quality Without Question" service. We look forward to providing excellence for many years to come."

Over the years, the Charleston and Savannah service centers have given back to their communities, most recently through Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to having associates of all levels volunteer in their local communities to assist needy individuals.

As a part of the Southeastern Serves mission, the Charleston service center has volunteered with organizations such as Samaritans Feet and League of Dreams. In addition, the service center donated knitted gifts to international seafarers through the Christmas at Sea organization, supporting the thousands of U.S. mariners working on the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways. Valuing the same commitment to community, the Savannah service center has supported the Treutlen House by providing landscaping and remodeling services on the grounds of the foster home for the 10- to 21-year-old boys living on the property.

The Charleston service center was the third service center opened since the company’s establishment in 1950. Soon after, the Savannah service center was founded as the fourth location. Southeastern now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

SEFL Delivers Quality Without Question Service into Canada

LEXINGTON, S.C. (August 8, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has enjoyed sustainable and rapid growth in U.S.-Canada cross border operations via SEFL Canada. Bolstered by robust relationships north of the border, SEFL Canada provides daily service into Canada’s two largest markets, Ontario and Quebec.

International business development has been a key segment for SEFL for 25 years, with Canada serving as a prominent piece of the company's business model along the way. In moving commodities like paper, textiles, chemicals and high-value goods between borders, SEFL Canada is extending its signature "Quality Without Question" service to our northern neighbors.

"The relationships we've fostered across Canada, not only with our customers, but with key business stakeholders at the governmental level, have paved the way for our current and continued success," said David Atkinson, Director of International Business for SEFL. "We are proud to be able to deliver our trademark quality service to the Canadian market and look forward to what the future holds for our cross border operations."

SEFL's commitment to customer satisfaction was recognized and validated by a recent visit to the El Paso, Texas Service Center by the Consul General of Canada, Rachel McCormick. While on-site, McCormick met with members of the SEFL team, who engaged in discussions around supply chain challenges, fleet electrification and cross border relations. SEFL's involvement in these conversations places the brand on the forefront of the latest developments in cross border operations and lays the groundwork for continued success between the company and the Canadian government.

Southeastern Freight Lines Recognized as C.H. Robinson 2022 Carrier of the Year Award Winner

LEXINGTON, S.C. (June 27, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has been recognized by C.H. Robinson as a winner of its 2022 Carrier of the Year Awards.

C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest global logistics companies, selected Southeastern for the honor from its network of more than 85,000 contract carriers.

The Carrier of the Year Awards acknowledge companies that have demonstrated exceptional quality of service and operational excellence, including timeliness, reliability and adoption of technology to increase efficiencies for their business and customers.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award from one of the foremost leaders in today’s logistics space,” said Austin Miller, National Account Manager for Southeastern Freight Lines.

“This could not have been accomplished without our associates and their unwavering commitment to delivering service that is second to none. We would like to extend our thanks to C.H. Robinson for this recognition and look forward to carrying this momentum forward in our relationship.”

C.H. Robinson hosted an awards ceremony at its Eden Prairie, Minnesota headquarters on May 24 where Miller accepted the prestigious award on behalf of Southeastern.

Now in its fifth year, the in-person celebration brought together both 2021 and 2022 Carrier of the Year honorees.

Southeastern Freight Lines Recognized as Transplace 2021 Regional LTL Carrier of the Year

LEXINGTON, S.C. (May 23, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has been recognized as the Transplace 2021 Regional LTL Carrier of the Year.

Transplace, an Uber Freight company and premier provider of logistics technology and services, acknowledges carriers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty by providing on-time

service and notable volume and speed of operations, all while implementing exceptional customer service, responsiveness and accuracy across business processes.

Transplace chose Southeastern based on the value the company has added to its commercial and operational relationships within its transportation and logistics network.

“We are honored to once again receive this award from one of the world’s top transportation service providers,” said Austin Miller, National Account Manager for Southeastern Freight Lines.

“This recognition serves as a testament, not only to the unrivaled quality of our service, but also the ongoing commitment of our associates to upholding Southeastern’s values and culture across operations.

We would like to thank Transplace for recognizing our company and look forward to strengthening our relationship in the months to come.”

After accepting the award virtually last year, Miller attended the 2022 Transplace Virtual Carrier Symposium,

an event providing education, recognition and appreciation for its transportation carriers in Arlington, Texas,

and was honored to receive this prestigious award on behalf of Southeastern.

Southeastern Freight Lines Announces New Regional Structure

LEXINGTON, S.C. (May 17, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, has implemented a new regional structure this month that expands its organizational framework from six to eight regions.

The regional restructuring is part of a business strategy that enables regional leadership to invest more time in the service centers with Southeastern’s associates.

By reducing the size of each region, regional leadership is better equipped to address the increase of freight volumes and combat industry strains such as the driver shortage.

With eight regions, Southeastern furthers its pursuit of operational excellence and commitment to associate development at the field level.

“As a company, we are continuously working to advance our culture, provide quality service to our customers and solidify our vision of being the best and biggest in the Sunbelt,” said Coley Campbell, Senior Vice President of Operations for Southeastern Freight Lines.

“We believe this new structure will allow us to continue growing our footprint in the Sunbelt while ensuring we keep our associates and culture at the forefront.

We anticipate these changes will have a positive impact on our associates, which inevitably will have a very positive impact on our customers and organization as a whole.”

As part of the organizational restructuring, Brian Schulz has been promoted to Vice President of Service Center Operations – Regions 4, 5 and 7

while Austin Winters, Jason Hood and Mark Coggin have each been promoted to the role of Regional Vice President for their respective territories.

The new structure has also opened a number of other leadership growth opportunities at the service center management level where more than a dozen additional Southeastern team members are taking on new positions.

Southeastern Freight Lines Celebrates Major Milestones at its Jacksonville and North Atlanta Service Centers

LEXINGTON, S.C. (March 2, 2022) – Southeastern Freight Lines, a leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, is celebrating years of “Quality Without Question” service from its service centers in Jacksonville, Florida and North Atlanta, Georgia. The Jacksonville service center has now been in business for 35 years and the North Atlanta service center has been in business for 30 years.

Both service centers have enjoyed significant growth since establishment. Jacksonville began operations with 10 associates and 12 dock doors and has since grown to 190 associates and 125 dock doors.

There are six Jacksonville associates celebrating professional milestones. Linehaul Drivers Harold Inman and Tim Scardasis, Pickup and Delivery Drivers Paul McKinley and Steve McCorkel, International Supervisor Angela Foster and Safety Specialist Randy Hand have each been serving Southeastern’s internal and external customers at the Jacksonville service center since its opening in 1987.

“I am proud of the impact that our service center has had in helping Southeastern uphold its commitment to Quality Improvement these past 35 years,” said Dan Perez, service center manager for Jacksonville. “Our team of dedicated employees have worked tirelessly to grow the service center to the success story it is today, and we are excited to continue cultivating our various partnerships and adding value to Southeastern’s transportation processes for years to come.”

North Atlanta started with 122 dock doors and the facility today consists of 173 dock doors and 387 associates.

Three employees have been working at the North Atlanta service center since its opening in 1992 and remain active with Southeastern today: Ray Tucker, an associate within the fleet department, and Eddie Bailey and Yancy Chambers, associates within the pickup and delivery department.

“It’s rewarding to look back and reflect on the immense growth that has taken place here in North Atlanta,” said Russ Brien, service center manager for North Atlanta. “Our dedicated employees and numerous tenured leadership associates have been the root of our service center’s success. They have worked hard to live Southeastern’s culture and establish momentum that continually provides quality results for our customers.”

Over the years, the Jacksonville and North Atlanta service centers have given back to the surrounding communities, most recently through Southeastern Serves, a program dedicated to having associates of all levels volunteer in their local communities to assist needy individuals.

As a part of the Southeastern Serves mission, the Jacksonville service center has volunteered with many organizations, including March of Dimes, Seamark Ranch and Gabriel House of Care. Valuing the same commitment to community, the North Atlanta service center has donated canned food to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank and The Quinn House, as well as sponsored Christmas gifts to spread holiday cheer to the children at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter.

The Jacksonville service center was the 21st service center opened since the company’s establishment in 1950. Shortly thereafter, the North Atlanta service center was founded as the company’s 30th location. Southeastern now operates 89 service centers spanning 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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