Con-way Newsroom

Con-way Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results for 2011

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:56:00 GMT

Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) today reported 2011 fourth quarter net income of $23.0 million, or 41 cents per diluted share. The results compare to fourth quarter 2010 net income of $2.4 million, or 4 cents per diluted share.

Results for the 2011 fourth quarter included a $10.0 million gain from settlement of a dispute related to the 2007 acquisition of Chic Logistics, while the 2010 fourth quarter included restructuring and other employee separation costs of $1.1 million. On a non-GAAP basis earnings per diluted share were 26 cents in the 2011 fourth quarter compared to 2 cents in last year’s fourth quarter. (Non-GAAP items, including tax-related adjustments for both years, are detailed in the attached reconciliation.)

Operating income in the 2011 fourth quarter was $49.9 million compared to $15.8 million earned in the fourth quarter a year ago. Revenue for the 2011 fourth quarter was $1.32 billion, an 8.7 percent increase from last year’s fourth quarter revenue of $1.21 billion.

“The fourth quarter’s results capped a year of improvement driven by consistent operating discipline in all of Con-way’s core businesses,” said Douglas W. Stotlar, Con-way’s president and CEO.

Con-way Freight, the company’s less-than-truckload (LTL) operation, continued to benefit from stable network volumes and increasing efficiencies. “Con-way Freight turned in another quarter of progress. Yield increased while tonnage in 2011 was up for the first time this year compared to the previous year,” said Stotlar. “Our plan is to build on this momentum in 2012, emphasizing margin expansion and superior customer service.”

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the company’s global logistics and supply chain management operation, brought 2011 to a positive close with a strong fourth quarter performance. “Menlo delivered consistent year-over-year growth in revenue, net revenue and operating income,” Stotlar said. “Our supply chain management company is providing superior value. Its broad portfolio of services, coupled with strategic opportunities for growth in North America and international markets, position Menlo well for 2012.”

Con-way Truckload, the company’s full-truckload transportation operation, leveraged gains in operating efficiencies and pricing to record its second highest quarterly operating income of the year. “Higher revenue per loaded mile and increased asset utilization underscored a good quarter,” Stotlar noted. “Con-way Truckload continues to do an excellent job of balancing its network, keeping its fleet fully seated and increasing pricing. With its premium service, and with industry capacity remaining relatively stable, our truckload company is well positioned for margin growth in 2012.”

The fourth-quarter tax provision in 2011 was $10.7 million on $33.7 million of income before taxes. In the 2010 fourth quarter, the company recognized an income tax benefit of $1.7 million on $0.7 million of income before taxes. The 2011 fourth quarter includes the gain from the Chic Logistics settlement, for which there was a $1.1 million tax provision. Both years also included discrete tax adjustments and changes to other items that affected the effective tax rate (detailed in the attached reconciliation).

Full-Year 2011 Results

For the full-year 2011, Con-way reported net income of $88.4 million, or $1.58 per diluted share. This compares to a full-year 2010 net income of $4.0 million, or 7 cents per diluted share.

Full-year 2011 results included the $10.0 million gain from the purchase-price settlement related to Chic Logistics and $6.6 million of discrete tax adjustments. The 2010 full year results included $19.2 million of goodwill and intangible-asset impairment charges related to the Chic Logistics acquisition, and $8.9 million of restructuring and other employee separation costs.

On a non-GAAP basis, full-year earnings per diluted share were $1.53 in 2011 compared to 47 cents in 2010.

Operating income of $207.9 million in 2011 more than doubled from the $78.2 million of operating income in 2010. Revenue for the full-year 2011 was $5.29 billion, a 6.8 percent increase from 2010.

In 2011, the company recognized $59.6 million of income tax expense on $148.1 million of income before taxes and, in 2010, the company recognized $12.6 million of income tax expense on $16.6 million of income before taxes. In addition to the no tax deduction on the 2010 impairment charges, both years also included discrete tax adjustments and changes to other items that affected the annual effective tax rate (detailed in the attached reconciliation).

Segment results in the fourth quarter for Con-way’s principal operations were as follows:

FREIGHT

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Con-way Freight reported:

Revenue of $796.2 million, an 8.2 percent increase over last year’s fourth-quarter revenue of $736.0 million. Improved yield, including higher fuel surcharge revenue, accounted for revenue growth.
Operating income of $19.6 million, compared to $1.8 million earned in the year-ago period. The quarter benefited from improved revenue and efficiency gains.
Revenue per hundredweight, or yield, increased 8.3 percent from the previous-year fourth quarter. Excluding the fuel surcharge, yield rose 4.3 percent.
Tonnage per day increased 0.8 percent compared to the 2010 fourth quarter.
Operating ratio was 97.5 in the 2011 fourth quarter compared to 99.8 in the previous-year period.

LOGISTICS

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Menlo Worldwide Logistics reported:

Revenue of $408.9 million, an increase of 11.4 percent from the prior year fourth-quarter revenue of $367.0 million. The quarter benefited from increased revenue in both warehousing and transportation management services.
Net revenue of $157.6 million, a 9.6 percent increase from $143.8 million in the previous year fourth quarter.
Operating income of $21.3 million, an increase over last year’s fourth quarter operating income of $6.7 million. The 2011 period includes a $10.0 million gain resulting from the settlement of a purchase-price dispute related to the 2007 acquisition of Chic Logistics.

TRUCKLOAD

For the fourth quarter of 2011, Con-way Truckload reported:

Revenue of $155.6 million, an 8.8 percent increase over last year’s fourth-quarter revenue of $143.0 million, reflecting the positive effects of higher fuel surcharges and improved revenue per loaded mile, which increased 3.4 percent from the previous-year fourth quarter (excluding fuel surcharges).
Operating income of $9.5 million, a 31.4 percent increase over operating income of $7.3 million in the previous-year period. The increase in fourth-quarter operating income resulted largely from improved pricing and higher revenue per tractor.
Empty miles, at 9.6 percent, were relatively unchanged from the previous-year fourth quarter.
Operating ratio exclusive of fuel surcharges was 92.1, compared to 93.8 in the fourth quarter of 2010.

CON-WAY OTHER

Con-way Other includes the company’s Road Systems, Inc. trailer manufacturing unit as well as other corporate activities. These activities produced an operating loss of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to operating income of $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Fourth-quarter comparative results reflect variations in results from re-insurance activities ($5.0 million loss in 2011, compared to $0.4 million of income in 2010) and a $5.1 million gain in 2011 from the sale of excess corporate properties.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

Con-way will host a conference call for the investment community tomorrow, Friday, February 3, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 a.m. Pacific).

The call can be accessed by dialing (866) 264-3634 or (706) 643-3632 (for international callers) and is expected to last approximately one hour. The call will also be available through a live internet webcast at www.con-way.com, in the investors section.

An audio replay will be available for two weeks following the call by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 (for international callers) and using access code 44228776. An Internet replay and podcast of the presentation will also be available at the Con-way site.

About Con-way Inc.
Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.3 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide Logistics. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and multimodal freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services. Con-way also operates Road Systems Inc., a trailer refurbishing and manufacturing company which supplies trailing equipment to the company’s trucking fleets. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries. For more information about Con-way, visit www.con-way.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including: any projections of earnings, revenues, weight, yield, volumes, income or other financial or operating items, all statements of the plans, strategies, expectations or objectives of Con-way’s management for future operations or other future items, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding Con-way's estimated future contributions to pension plans, any statements as to the adequacy of reserves, any statements regarding the outcome of any legal and other claims and proceedings that may be brought against Con-way, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, any statements regarding strategic acquisitions, any statements of estimates or belief, and any statements or assumptions underlying the foregoing. Specific factors that could cause actual results and other matters to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include: changes in general business and economic conditions, increasing competition and pricing pressure, the creditworthiness of Con-way's customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, changes in fuel prices or fuel surcharges, the possibility that Con-way may, from time to time, be required to record impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, the possibility of defaults under Con-way's revolving credit agreement and other debt instruments (including without limitation defaults resulting from unusual charges), uncertainty in the credit markets, including the effect on Con-way’s ability to refinance indebtedness as and when it becomes due, labor matters, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations or legislation which potentially could result in an adverse impact on the company, environmental and tax matters, and matters relating to Con-way's defined benefit pension plans, including the effect on the plans of changes in discount rates and in the value of plan assets. The factors included herein and in Item 1A of Con-way's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results and other matters to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations. Any forward-looking statements speak as of the date of February 2, 2012, and are subject to change. Con-way does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Con-way Inc. Board Declares Quarterly Dividend on Common Stock

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

At a meeting today, the Board of Directors of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable March 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2012.

About Con-way Inc.
Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.0 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and multimodal freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services. Con-way also operates Road Systems Inc., a trailer refurbishing and manufacturing company which supplies trailing equipment to the company's trucking fleets. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries. For more information about Con-way, visit www.con-way.com.

Con-way Truckload Announces 2011 Drivers of the Year, Recognizes December Drivers of the Month

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced its 2011 Drivers of the Year—the company’s highest recognition—along with the December Drivers of the Month.

The Driver of the Year winners include solo and team drivers who were named Drivers of the Month in 2011. Award criteria included dedication to safety, professional service and exemplary performance. Con-way Truckload recognized the drivers during an awards ceremony at its Joplin headquarters in early January.

2011 Drivers of the Year:

Company Driver of the Year, Brian Glover of Lincoln, Neb., joined Con-way Truckload in 2003 and has been driving professionally for 18 years. He began driving with his wife Georgina after serving in the military, and they have two children, Jeanette and Andrew.
Stockbridge, Ga., resident William Coffman was named Contractor Driver of the Year. He began driving in 1973, and says it is “just something I have always wanted to do.” When not on the road, Coffman enjoys spending time with his wife Nancy, their four children and five grandchildren.
Company Team of the Year includes Lee Chapman of Oceanside, Calif., and Bernard Richter of San Diego, both of whom began driving as a second career. In his free time, Chapman enjoys restoring classic cars, while Richter’s hobbies include flying, sailing, and spending time with his wife Rosie and their four children.
Allan and Marian Bruton of Tulsa, Okla., are double award recipients, being recognized for Contractor Team of the Year and for the December Contractor Team of the Month. They began their professional truck driving career with Con-way Truckload in 1988 and have driven more than 4.7 million miles collectively. They have two children, Teresa and Chris.

“It’s always a special day for me when I’m able to personally recognize the Drivers of the Year for their efforts,” said Saul Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer. “Our 2011 honorees choose to go above and beyond the call of duty in every aspect of their job performance. They do more than simply drive a truck — they ensure the safety of the motoring public, the satisfaction of our customers and our success as a company. I congratulate and thank them for their commitment to Con-way Truckload.”

Each category nominee was recognized and commended, while individual winners were presented with prizes for their achievement: an official Con-way Truckload jacket, a customized award plaque, a personalized Con-way Truckload watch, a cash prize, and an official proclamation from the Missouri State Senate. The Drivers of the Year were also inducted into the Con-way Truckload Hall of Fame.

Also recognized at the awards ceremony were the December Drivers of the Month. Company driver Charles (Chuck) Spitler of Greenville City, Ill., has driven more than 2.3 million miles and has worked as a trainer for the company for 12 years. John Newkirk of Jay, Okla., is December’s Contractor Driver of the Month. He enjoys being on the road, but believes “the perfect trip is the one that takes you home.” Also recognized as Drivers of the Month, contractor team Allan and Marian Bruton are joined by company team drivers Daniel Schreiner of Wildwood, Fla., and Mikel Eirman of Brooksville, Fla., who are December’s Company Team of the Month. Schreiner and Eirman advise fellow drivers to “be patient, know their limits, and always use their best judgment.”

Follow the company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConwayInc

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom

About Con-way Truckload
Joplin, Mo.-based Con-way Truckload is an operating company of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) and a leading provider of expedited, time-definite full-truckload transportation services across North America. Formerly Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), Con-way Truckload today employs over 3,000 drivers with a fleet of more than 2,700 tractors and 8,000 trailers operating throughout the United States as well as internationally in Mexico and Canada. The company provides full-truckload transportation serving the transcontinental shipping needs of commercial and industrial businesses as well as sister company Con-way Freight. For more about Con-way Truckload, visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com/truckload or call (800) 641-4747.

Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and global logistics company.

Con-way Inc. Schedules Date for Release of 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:52:00 GMT

Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) announced today that it will release its financial results for the 2011 fourth quarter and full year, ended December 30, on Thursday, February 2, after the close of the stock market. The company will subsequently host a conference call for the investment community the following morning, Friday, February 3, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

About Con-way Inc.
Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5.3 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, Con-way Truckload and Menlo Worldwide. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and multimodal freight transportation, as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services. Con-way also operates Road Systems Inc., a trailer refurbishing and manufacturing company which supplies trailing equipment to the company’s trucking fleets. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries. For more information about Con-way, visit www.con-way.com.

Con-way Freight Launches iPad® Application for Online Shipping Services

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced the launch of its Con-way Freight Tools iPad® application for registered web users. The iPad app provides customers the option to create a personalized rate quote for shipments within the United States and Canada.

In addition to custom rate quotes, app users can track shipments, view shipping documents and locate and call service centers.

“Our customers demand innovation that incorporates the latest technologies and provides convenience, speed and accuracy in managing their freight shipping needs,” said William R. Wynne, vice president, marketing for Con-way Freight. “The new iPad app is another example of how Con-way Freight continues to enhance the tools our customers want to make doing business easy and efficient.”

Customers can access the Con-way Freight Tools app from their iPad’s app store. Prior to launching the application, users must enter their Con-way Freight web-registered username and password in their iPad’s settings. New users who need to register for Con-way Freight’s online suite of tools and receive a username and password can do so here.

In September 2011, Con-way Freight launched a newly enhanced Con-way Freight Tools smart phone app—the LTL industry’s first for iPhone® and Android™ —enabling customers to create a personalized rate quote for shipments within the United States and Canada.

For more information, visit www.con-way.com/mobile.

Follow Con-way Freight on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConwayInc.

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Con-way Freight
Con-way Freight is the industry’s leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service with exception-free delivery, on-time service performance and faster transit times through a single, unified network of more than 300 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Con-way Freight offers LTL freight transportation across North America and through Global LTL™ delivery in the United States from around the world. Global solutions include international less-than-container (LCL) ocean shipments from Asia through its OceanGuaranteed® service; U.S. and Europe delivery for inbound and outbound international cargoes through an exclusive alliance with TNT; direct service to more than 30 Bahamian and Caribbean ports through TropicalDirectSM; and domestic offshore transportation to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Con-way Freight is a certified FAST highway carrier and is C-TPAT/PIP, ACE- and CSA-certified.

Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com/en/freight.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics Names Sheila Taylor Senior Vice President of Finance

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, the global logistics subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today named Sheila K. Taylor as senior vice president of finance.

In her new role, she becomes Menlo’s top financial management executive responsible for the company’s financial reporting, systems and processes worldwide, as well as business unit accounting and regulatory financial compliance activities.

“Sheila Taylor is a respected business executive with proven expertise in financial management in logistics and transportation,” said Robert L. Bianco, Jr., president, Menlo Worldwide Logistics. “Her varied experience and industry knowledge complement our leadership team and I look forward to her contributions.”

Ms. Taylor joins Menlo from privately held CEVA Logistics, a global freight forwarding, logistics and supply chain management company where she was CFO of the Americas.

Prior to CEVA, she was executive vice president and chief financial officer for YRC Worldwide. Over a nine-year career at YRC, she also served as vice president of finance for Yellow Transportation and held a variety of other positions that included investor relations, financial planning and analysis, corporate development and regulatory reporting. Ms. Taylor began her career as a CPA for Arthur Andersen and from there became divisional controller at Corporate Express before joining the YRC organization.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and later earned her master’s degree in accounting from the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

She will be based at Menlo’s offices in Portland, Oregon.

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Menlo Worldwide Logistics images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Menlo Worldwide Logistics
Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a US$1.477 or $1.4 billion global provider of logistics, transportation management and supply chain services with operations in five continents, including North America. As a third-party logistics provider, San Mateo, Calif.-based Menlo Worldwide Logistics’ services range from dedicated contract logistics to warehouse and distribution management, transportation management, supply chain reengineering and other value-added services including packaging, kitting, order fulfillment and light assembly through a strategic network of multi-client and dedicated facilities. With more than 17 million square feet of dedicated warehouse space in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, and industry-leading technologies, Menlo Worldwide Logistics creates effective, integrated solutions for the transportation and distribution needs of leading businesses around the world.

Menlo Worldwide Logistics, LLC, is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics company. For more information, please visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com.

Con-way Freight Named Walmart's 2011 National LTL Carrier of the Year

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:19:00 GMT

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced that it has been named by Walmart as its 2011 National LTL Carrier of the Year.

Walmart presented the award to Con-way Freight last month at its carrier conference at the company’s Home Office in Bentonville, Ark. following an annual performance evaluation of its trucking and logistics service providers. It’s the third time in five years Con-way Freight has been recognized as Walmart’s top-performing national LTL carrier. The company also won the award in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Con-way earned the honor based on an evaluation of key performance criteria including daily on-time delivery performance, market coverage, transit times, claims prevention, effective communication and ease of doing business and customer service.

“In going above and beyond to exceed expectations and service our customers, Con-way Freight has continuously separated themselves from other carrier partners in the field,” said Ken Braunbach, senior director of carrier relations for Walmart, in a letter notifying Con-way Freight of the award. “The company’s overall dedication to customer service, operational excellence and the ability to provide creative solutions to complex supply chain opportunities has set the company apart and raised the bar for quality in the industry.”

“It’s a testament to the expertise and commitment of our team that we’ve been able to maintain superior performance and service levels for Walmart despite the many challenges of today’s marketplace,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, president, Con-way Freight. “We thank our employees for their exemplary efforts and are grateful to be honored once again by Walmart as its top-performing LTL carrier. We look forward to continuing this strong, rewarding partnership well into the future.”

Walmart launched its carrier award program in 1997 to recognize the outstanding contributions of its transportation providers in categories including truckload, LTL, small package, produce and intermodal.

In addition to recognition as the company’s LTL Carrier of the Year, Con-way Freight was also commended in 2005 by Walmart for its leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Follow Con-way Freight on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConwayInc.

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Con-way Freight
Con-way Freight is the industry’s leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service with exception-free delivery, on-time service performance and faster transit times through a single, unified network of more than 300 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Con-way Freight offers LTL freight transportation across North America and through Global LTLTM delivery in the United States from around the world. Global solutions include international less-than-container (LCL) ocean shipments from Asia through its OceanGuaranteed® service; U.S. and Europe delivery for inbound and outbound international cargoes through an exclusive alliance with TNT; direct service to more than 30 Bahamian and Caribbean ports through TropicalDirectSM; and domestic offshore transportation to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Con-way Freight is a certified FAST highway carrier and is C-TPAT/PIP, ACE- and CSA-certified.

Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com/en/freight.

Con-way Truckload Announces October and November Drivers of the Month for 2011

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced the 12 winners of its Drivers of the Month recognition for October and November 2011.

“These drivers have all shown exemplary commitment to the highest levels of safety and service for our customers, and they couldn’t be more deserving of this honor,” said Saul Gonzalez, chief operating officer, Con-way Truckload. “We congratulate and thank them for their dedication and professionalism.”

The following drivers were recognized by the company:

OCTOBER

Company Driver of the Month: Francis “Butch” Untiedt began his professional driving career in 1976 and has been with Con-way Truckload since 1986. When asked about what he likes about his job, he answered, “I like the freedom of the road.” Untiedt lives in Trenton, Mo., with his wife of 43 years, Marie. Together they have four children and 13 grandchildren.

Contractor Driver of the Month: Gary Woods became a truck driver over 26 years ago and joined the company in 2002. Having traveled a lot as a child, he said he has always enjoyed it. Woods takes pride in himself and his work, knowing that when he is on the road he is representing Con-way. Woods resides in Joplin, Mo., with his wife Betty. Together they have four children and seven grandchildren. When he’s not on the road he enjoys camping, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his grandkids.

Company Team of the Month: Richard and Mary Norman make a great team on the road. Richard has 30 years of professional driving experience to share with Mary, who joined the company in 2010 as his co-driver. They enjoy traveling the country, but look forward to spending time with their grandchildren when home in Big Sandy, Texas.

Contractor Team of the Month: Robert and Frances Wilder have driven a combined 2 million miles with Con-way Truckload. Tired of working in their respective factory and office jobs, they decided to take to the road. As to what they enjoy about driving, they say it’s like a working vacation. While it is a challenge, it offers more freedom than the careers they left behind. The Wilders reside in Dallas, Ga.

NOVEMBER

Company Driver of the Month: Brian Glover began his driving career over 18 years ago and joined Con-way Truckload in 2003. “Once I left the military, my wife and I decided to drive as a team to spend time together and see the country,” he reflects. Brian resides in Lincoln, Neb., with his wife Georgina. Together they have two children, Jeanette and Andrew.

Contractor Driver of the Month: Larry Noble’s driving career began 19 years ago after completing his service in the Marine Corps. He has driven over 900,000 miles since joining the company in 2004. When asked what he enjoys about driving, he remarked, “I like being my own boss and waking up in a different place every day.” When home in Arlington, Texas, Noble enjoys spending time with his wife Malisa and their five children and two grandchildren.

Company Team of the Month: Edward and Deborah Edgar have collectively driven over 900,000 miles since joining Con-way Truckload in 2008. Their favorite part of the job is traveling the country’s open roads, a task not assigned in many other careers. The Edgars reside in Johnstown, Ohio where they enjoy spending their free time with their children, grandchildren and friends.

Contractor Team of the Month: Bill and Vicki Bumgardner live in Helotes, Texas with their family, which includes six children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bill collects model trains in his spare time, and Vicki enjoys gardening and oil painting. Bill began driving after 24 years in the Army and Vicki joined him as a team driver in 1997, driving more than 4.3 million miles for Con-way Truckload.

The following 24 drivers achieved the significant career milestone of one million miles driven during the months of October and November:

Henry Bragg of Kannapolis, N.C.; Antonio Carrion of Laredo, Texas; Steve Denton of Springfield, Mo.; Stephen Dressler of Belton, Mo.; Jamie Padilla of Corpus Christi, Texas; Andrew Quirit of El Paso, Texas; Vince VanPaepeghem of Owasso, Okla.; Frances Wilder of Dallas, Ga.; John Adkins of El Paso, Texas; Billy Bourne of Laredo, Texas; Robert Cuthbertson of Stewart, Tenn.; Edward Davis of Yoakum, Texas; James Dial of Battletown, Ky.; Robert Hamilton, Lauderdale, Fla.; Monty Haessig of Homosassa, Fla.; James Laughlin of Las Cruces, N.M.; Ana Ochoa of El Paso, Texas; Santiago Rios of San Antonio, Texas; Carlos Rivera of San Antonio, Texas; Debra Skinner of Chouteau, Okla.; Charles Spicer of Oldfield, Mo.; Ken Tobias of McComb, Miss.; Glenn Walters of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; James Warner of Hubbard, Texas.

Follow the company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConwayInc

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom

Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) is a $5.0 billion diversified freight transportation and global logistics company.

Con-way Freight's Unique Driver Training Schools Surpass 500 Graduates

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:15:00 GMT

In an era of weak economic growth and stubbornly high unemployment, one business isn’t relying on government stimulus to put people back to work. It has so far created 500 new jobs through an innovative program that turns out highly trained and skilled professionals – and even pays them while they train.

That business is national trucking company Con-way Freight, which last month graduated the 500th candidate from its driver training schools program. The program, provided at no cost to students, was launched in March 2010 and today operates in 84 cities across the U.S. The schools are conducted at the company’s service centers and provide both classroom and behind-the-wheel training, enabling graduates to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and join the ranks of the company’s 14,000 professional driver sales representatives.

One unique aspect of the 12-week program is that students work in paid part-time positions as dockworkers while attending class, enabling them to earn a living while learning their new profession.

“We are both making an investment – the student in the time and energy they commit to the program, and the company in creating and administering the curriculum and training. We each have skin in the game,” says Bob Petrancosta, Con-way Freight’s vice president of safety, who started his career with the company as a driver 28 years ago. “Safety is priority number one at Con-way Freight and through this program, we know we are putting to work highly-trained professional drivers whose foremost commitment is to provide our customers with the safest possible service.”

Classroom and field study covers federal and state highway laws, regulatory policy, safety compliance, proper commercial vehicle safety inspection and defensive driving skills. In addition to 80 hours of classroom study, students spend 160 supervised hours behind the wheel with a company driver-trainer, piloting trucks first around training courses on company property and later in regular operating conditions through hills, on freeways and in local urban traffic.

Once students complete the program, graduate and pass their state license exam, they are promoted to full-time and given a driving assignment. Students pay nothing for the training, whereas commercial for-profit truck driver training schools will charge between $4,000 and $6,000 for tuition.

In the first year, driving school graduates can expect to earn on average between $45,000 and $55,000, depending on work assignment, in addition to a comprehensive benefits package and a profit-sharing program. To date, the program has a 90 percent retention rate.

Con-way Freight started the driving schools in response to a persistent industry shortage of qualified drivers – which is expected to worsen. Studies project the trucking industry will face a shortage of 135,000 drivers by the end of the 2012 first quarter. Even with high unemployment, driving jobs were going unfilled for weeks at a time. “We needed qualified drivers, and with the lack of supply in the market, we decided to create a program where, in essence, we could grow our own,” notes Petrancosta. “By providing comprehensive training combined with a way to earn a wage while learning, we made it more attractive for people to consider this as a profession. This is the right program at the right time and the response has been terrific.”

Candidates come from all walks of life. Two years ago, then 24-year-old Duncan Smith graduated from State University of New York at Fredonia with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Unable to land a job in his field of study, he found work part time with the U.S Census Bureau and then in a steel mill. He learned about Con-way’s program online, applied in Buffalo, NY and was accepted. “I didn’t know the first thing about trucking,” Smith said. “But as I learned about the business, and especially how to drive a truck, which is really fun, I realized it could be a great career. It’s a critical service for the community.” Smith plans to stick with driving for a while but may look into future career advancement opportunities with Con-way’s management training programs.

45-year-old Terry McKinney had spent the last 20 years as a union sheet metal worker. Then the economy went south. He came in to work one day and was told he no longer had a job. “I thought I’d take that job right into retirement,” he recalls. A Veteran who served with the U.S. Marines, he was in a transportation platoon and had driven trucks years ago in the military. “I had a couple of friends who had CDLs, one who just went through the Con-way student program in Indianapolis,” he says. McKinney applied, got accepted, and subsequently graduated “Top Gun” in his class – a designation given to the student who achieves the highest graduating score. “It was more demanding than I thought. When we graduated and got our diplomas there was real sense of achievement.”

When 50-year-old Nathaniel Humphrey was laid off from his job in financial services, he found work first driving a bus and later a delivery van for a home improvement store. He discovered Con-way’s program online and applied at the company’s Birmingham, AL service center. “Driving a truck appealed to me, I’d done some previously,” he said “The training was very thorough. I had great instructors and classmates, we had great rapport and all pushed each other to succeed. When we went through graduation and I got my diploma, it was a real accomplishment. I wanted a good, stable job where I was excited to come to work every day and felt I could make a difference. That’s what Con-way provided.” Humphrey also graduated “Top Gun” in his class. It was Humphrey’s second diploma. He received his first one 25 years ago from the University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Con-way Freight operates its driving schools as regional and local needs dictate. Programs at each service center are conducted at Con-way facilities using Con-way equipment and veteran, senior drivers as instructors. For information on future driving school classes, call (734) 757-1294 or visit the Careers page on Con-way’s website at http://www.con-way.com/en/careers/driver-careers/.

Follow Con-way Freight on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ConwayInc.

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Con-way Freight
Con-way Freight is the industry’s leading less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation company, providing guaranteed, day-definite regional and transcontinental service with exception-free delivery, on-time service performance and faster transit times through a single, unified network of more than 300 service centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Con-way Freight offers LTL freight transportation across North America and through Global LTLTM delivery in the United States from around the world. Global solutions include international less-than-container (LCL) ocean shipments from Asia through its OceanGuaranteed® service; U.S. and Europe delivery for inbound and outbound international cargoes through an exclusive alliance with TNT; direct service to more than 30 Bahamian and Caribbean ports through TropicalDirectSM; and domestic offshore transportation to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., Con-way Freight is a certified FAST highway carrier and is C-TPAT/PIP, ACE- and CSA-certified.

Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $5 billion diversified freight transportation and logistics services company. For more information, visit www.con-way.com/en/freight.

Con-way Truckload Raises Nearly $65,000 in Annual Truckloads of Treasures Holiday Giving Campaign

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Con-way Truckload, a full-truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), today announced that its employees raised approximately $65,000 in the company’s 18th Annual Truckloads of Treasures holiday giving campaign. In addition to nearly matching last year’s contribution, the company raised $100,000 for tornado relief earlier this year.

More than 150 Con-way Truckload employees, family members and friends participated in a shopping spree last night at the Joplin Target store to purchase holiday gifts for local children and senior citizens in need. A Con-way Truckload tractor-trailer was present at the event to make the special deliveries to the Salvation Army. About $25,000 of the company’s donations funded the Target shopping spree, while remaining funds were distributed ($3,000 each) to local charities, including: Boys & Girls Club, Area Agency on Aging, The Bridge, Magic Moments Riding Therapy, House of Hope, Children’s Haven, Camp Quality and Ronald McDonald House.

“Since May’s devastation, Children's Haven has provided nurturing care for 137 percent more children, and their length of stay has increased 422 percent,” said Stephanie Theis, executive director, Children’s Haven of Southwest Missouri. “We are so thankful to Con-way Truckload, whose partnership ensures that area children have a safe home when they are especially vulnerable.”

To raise the necessary funds for Truckloads of Treasures, Con-way Truckload’s executive management team and the company’s Voices and Values Team donated several raffle prizes. Tickets were sold to Con-way Truckload employees in differing dollar amounts, depending on the raffle prize. This year’s items included one day, one week and two weeks off with pay; Target and Toys-R-Us gift cards in amounts ranging from $250 to $300; $250 cash; and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a $150 value.

“Con-way Truckload employees worked very hard to make Truckloads of Treasures possible while also supporting tornado relief efforts. Our community lost a lot this year, and we’re extremely proud of our fundraising accomplishments,” said Herb Schmidt, president, Con-way Truckload. “It could be any of us in need of help. We are so fortunate to be in the position to give and glad that we can.”

Since 1998, Truckloads of Treasures has presented more than $500,000 in employee-raised donations to local organizations through the program.

In addition to the Joplin shopping spree, Con-way Truckload employees assisted company-sponsored charitable efforts at locations around the country. Con-way Truckload terminals in West Memphis, Ark.; Taylor, Mich.; and Lancaster and Laredo, Texas, each received $4,000 for giving sprees, while $700 of funds supported efforts at the company’s smaller Hazelton, Pa., facility.

Follow the company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ConwayInc.

Con-way equipment images are available at www.con-way.com/en/about_con_way/newsroom.

About Con-way Truckload
Joplin, Mo.-based Con-way Truckload is an operating company of Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) and a leading provider of expedited, time-definite full-truckload transportation services across North America. Formerly Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), Con-way Truckload today employs over 3,000 drivers with a fleet of more than 2,700 tractors and 8,600 trailers operating throughout the United States as well as internationally in Mexico and Canada. The company provides full-truckload transportation serving the transcontinental shipping needs of commercial and industrial businesses as well as sister company Con-way Freight. For more about Con-way Truckload, visit us on the Web at www.con-way.com/truckload or call (800) 641-4747.

Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW) is a $5 billion diversified freight transportation and global logistics company.