Averitt Express announced Thursday, Jan. 29, that it will not take a general LTL rate increase in 2009. Company officials cited the unique opportunity to build customer loyalty among reasons for the decision, which will affect thousands of shippers whose rates are based on Averitt’s A-Rate tariff.
“As we enter 2009, our nation faces serious economic challenges,” says Phil Pierce, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Cookeville, Tenn.-based Averitt. “At a time like this, our customers need transportation partners who can provide outstanding service and creative transportation solutions. They also need to keep costs as low as possible. So, at a time when most transportation providers are taking an annual rate increase and at a time when we continue to face higher costs ourselves, we are proud to announce Averitt will not take a general LTL rate increase in 2009.”
Pierce says the company also is charting a different course with how it faces the recession. “Instead of simply sitting idly by and waiting for the storm to pass, we have chosen to use this time to rethink every process we follow, every purchase we make and every resource we consume – all with the goal of eliminating waste and strengthening our ability to serve our customers,” he says.
