William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 24, 2012 10:49AM EST
Swift Transportation, the nation’s largest truckload carrier, is increasing capacity by using technology that gives it quicker access to other motor carriers’ trucks.
The $3.3 billion carrier is partnering with freight matching service Internet Truckstop to connect with available truckers in the spot freight market. Internet Truckstop’s carrier registration service will help Swift expand its brokerage operations by vetting and qualifying carrier partners more quickly online.
Using the service, Swift will design a Web site to lead potential carrier partners through the qualification process, including signing master agreements.
“We were missing opportunities to move freight because of the processes we have had in place for years,” a Swift spokesperson said in a statement Friday.
“By streamlining our processes, we will increase our pool of qualified carriers and move more freight,” the spokesperson said.
Swift reported a $90.6 million net profit for 2011, its first annual profit since 2006. The carrier suffered four straight years of losses exceeding $817 million.
“Volumes are improving, operating metrics are favorable, and our driver pipeline continues to be full,” the truckload carrier said in a statement in January.
Moody’s Investors Service boosted its outlook for Swift Transportation to positive from stable in February based on the company’s turnaround in 2011.
-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.
