The Legend of Con-way: A History of Service, Reliability, Innovation and Growth

Con-way Inc., a $4.7 billion motor freight transportation and logistics company, traces its heritage from 1929, when industry pioneer Leland James founded an intercity trucking company in Portland, Oregon. Initially named Consolidated Truck Lines, this company grew from a one-truck operation into one of the largest long-haul carriers in the United States by the early 1980s, and became one of the few freight transportation firms to originate in the West and successfully expand eastward. In 1983, three regional, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight companies Con-Way Central Express, Con-Way Western Express, and eventually Con-Way Eastern Express emerged to challenge the industry with a surprising nonunion presence. These beginnings laid the foundation for one of the most successful short-haul market trucking enterprises. Con-way s exponential growth included long-haul trucking, short-haul trucking, airfreight forwarding, ocean shipping, and logistics solutions. Not surprisingly, operations of the diversified company remain dedicated to customer satisfaction, a strong sign of the company s longevity and innovative spirit. In 2006, Con-way again displayed its keen ability to meet ever-evolving market needs in a tremendous rebranding effort to unite its 500 locations in 17 countries and more than 27,000 employees under one contemporary, unified presence. The Legend of Con-way: A History of Service, Reliability, Innovation, and Growth provides a compelling account of how Con-way adapted and thrived despite government regulations, fuel shortages, and union pickets, and continues today as a leader in the highly competitive transportation industry.