Southeastern Freight Lines celebrates 75th anniversary

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Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 17, 2025:

SEFL celebrating 75th anniversary in 2025

Southeastern Freight Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 29) is celebrating 75 years of "Quality Without Question” service, the company said – a milestone that marks the company’s longtime journey of growth and dedication to both its customers and communities across its expansive footprint.

Founded in 1950, Southeastern began as a small regional operation with just 20 associates and one service center in Columbia, South Carolina. Today, it has grown into a nationally recognized leader in the transportation sector, renowned for its operational efficiency, focus on reliability and safety and commitment to continuous innovation.

Now boasting 89 service centers and over 8,500 associates, Southeastern’s presence extends across the Sunbelt and Puerto Rico, delivering service across North America for a variety of industries.  

“It is amazing to look back over the last 75 years and reflect on all that our people have contributed, helping shape Southeastern into the organization that it is today,” said President Tobin Cassels. "As we celebrate this significant milestone, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our loyal customers, talented associates and industry partners who have dedicated their time, trust and talents to helping our organization achieve success over the years. We look forward to seeing what the next 75 years will bring." 

Known for its commitment to giving back to communities across its footprint, Southeastern’s SERVES program has been a cornerstone of its company culture since its beginnings. Since 2012, more than 10,923 participants, including Southeastern associates, friends and family members, completed upwards of 34,296 total hours of community service across more than 680 projects – ranging from serving meals to families in need to volunteering at veteran organizations, homeless shelters and domestic abuse shelters. 

“Consistent, organic growth has always been a key component of Southeastern’s success,” Cassels added. “Looking ahead, Southeastern remains focused on building upon its strong foundation and continuing to innovate its transportation solutions – with the intent to meet and exceed the needs of every customer, every time.” 

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A. Duie Pyle opens second Pennsylvania location this year

A. Duie Pyle on Thursday announced the opening of a new facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, further expanding its Northeast network. 

Kicking off the year strong, the opening of this facility marks Pyle’s second expansion already in 2025. With 32 facilities now in operation, Pyle reinforces its position as the region’s leading supply chain provider, increasing customer access to its full suite of supply chain services, including LTL, dedicated, warehousing & distribution and brokerage services, the company said.

Located at 3111 McCain Avenue., Erie, PA 16510, the facility includes 16 LTL service center doors set on 3.1 acres. The new location is strategically positioned to offer customers more flexible delivery and pick-up services in the Erie, Pennsylvania, and Jamestown, New York, areas.

Upon its opening, the facility added seven drivers, four freight handlers and two leaders, creating a total of 13 new jobs. By the end of 2025, the Erie location is projected to have over 25 employees. 

“At A. Duie Pyle, we constantly seek growth opportunities not only to meet, but exceed customer demands and enhance service efficiency," said John Luciani, COO of LTL Solutions at Pyle. “Establishing a presence in Erie will allow us to better serve our customers' evolving needs, drive economic growth and create new job opportunities for the local community.”

[Related: A. Duie Pyle opens new facility in Pennsylvania]

Pony AI approved for autonomous truck platooning in China

Pony AI Inc., a company focused on achieving large-scale commercialization of autonomous mobility, has become the first company in China to receive approval for robotruck platooning tests on cross-provincial highways connecting Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, marking a major milestone in the company’s pursuit of large-scale commercialization of autonomous trucking.

This approval enables Pony.ai to operate robotrucks in a “1+N” platoon, with only the lead truck requiring a safety operator, and the following trucks operating autonomously. The company will begin platooning tests on the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway. As part of its strategic roadmap, Pony.ai aims to achieve full autonomy for all following trucks in platoons, further driving down logistics costs for autonomous trucking.

Since launching its cross-provincial freight service between Beijing and Tianjin in partnership with Sinotrans Limited, one of China’s leading logistics and freight forwarding companies, Pony.ai has logged mileage exceeding 45,000 kilometers (nearly 28,000 miles), with nearly 500 TEUs (standard shipping container units) of freight orders completed. 

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