Old Dominion is a freight logistics company that moves LTL freight been shippin’ freight since 1934.
Now that the important issues are out of the way, I’m going to keep it moving. Old Dominion was founded in 1934 by Earl & Jillian Congdon in Richmond, VA. The power couple grew the non-union company to what it is today; with a net worth of $73 million, employing 18,000 workers. The company has been passed down to Earl Jr. and his son David, who now run the business from the headquarters in Thomasville, NC. The company has spread from its humble beginnings in Virginia, to hold dominion (tehe) with 226 service centers and 32 transfer points.
Good day old chap! When I hear the name Old Dominion, it makes me think of old money, and the aristocratic South. Although this company was established a bit after the time of which I speak, I want you to picture me wearing a monocle and frilly undershirt nonetheless.
Domestic Services
Old Dominion is committed to serving the old U. S. of A, so these services circumvent the mainland United States, with alternate services to U.S. territories.
- LTL Shipping rates- great rates to the lower 48
- Old Dominion Warehousing- great for distributors and manufacturers to have a “ready to go” stock for shipments. Also great for the up and coming rise of drop-shipping.
- Expedited- delivery at a increased speed for emergency and urgent shipments.
Global Services
As we know, Old Dominion focuses on National shipments. But their services don’t stop there. They ensure efficient shipments to the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, Central America, and South America through their alliance with Mallory Alexander International Logistics LLC.
- Assembly and distribution capabilities- global rate estimates that can help to reduce transit times, costs, and warehouse inventory expenses.
- National Container Drayage- moves FCL shipments directly from any U.S. origin point, to and from any ports and rail-heads throughout the country.
- LCL Container Load Services- import and export to growing global markets; especially Europe and Asia. You can get rates and transit times, and track the shipment from start to finish.
Customer Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
This seemed important enough for its own category. It seems that every aspect of our lives are rampant with caution; and global shipments can especially raise alarm. Old Dominion has taken the initiative to ensure safety against terrorism and privacy violation.
- Voluntary government based initiative to build cooperative relationships, and improve national security, as well as the international supply chain.
- The program asks for businessmen to ensure the efficiency and integrity of security practices, to communicate, and to verify security outlines.
- Benefits are provided for members of the program.
Technology
Although “old” is in the name, Old Dominion is keeping up with the times. With recent advancements in logistics technology, they are keeping in speed with their competitors, perhaps to surpass them.
- ODFLme- Old Dominion Freight Line me. A customizable program for customers so that they can alter and track their shipments.
- Dockyard Management System- to accurately keep track of goods that have been stored or transferred.
- Radio Frequency ID- to provide the customer with data and information for domestic and global shipments.
- Electric Data Interchange- a system for transferring business related data from computer to computer without having to reenter the data.
- Interactive Voice Response- a customer service line, where any and all information pertaining to shipments can be accessed.
- Freight Handling Technology- for efficiently managing global shipments, and maintaining their on-time domestic freight, with a success rate of 96%.
- Descartes System- a system designed to consolidate and swap routes. This systems helps to advance their productivity, efficient routing, and determine the manpower that’s needed.
Sustainability
We knew that we’d end up here eventually. Old Dominion has been making advancements on all fronts, with the future of our planet in mind. Transportation doesn’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to the environment, so any and all improvements are widely encouraged for the bleeding heart environmentalists. Old Dominion has not only made technological advancements to increase efficiency, but to lessen their carbon footprint as well by:
- Reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency.
- Wide based tires.
- Reducing highway speeds.
- Idle reduction.
- Automatic tire inflation.
- Improvement of freight logistics.
- Improvement of aerodynamics.
- Longer combination vehicles.
- Driver Training- reduction of fuel consumption by 2%.
- Onboard telematics.
- Saving 15,000 metrics tons of CO2 , which is equal to taking 3,000 passenger vehicles off of the road.
Old Dominion has also hard at work, building centers that can facilitate their “going green” agenda and advancements. In 2011, they opened the first L.E.E.D. Certified service centers in Canton, Ohio and Thomasville, North Carolina to facilitate their fuel efficient vehicles. In addition to this, they built a 1.8 Megawatt Solar PV installation that generates enough power to support the average energy of 200 homes. This advancement has lowered their greenhouse emissions by 1,500 tons per year.
Peanut Gallery
If Old Dominion wants to continue to be successful; they need to expand globally. Their alliance with Mallory Alexander International Logistics LLC. Is all fine and dandy, but if they truly want to make moves in this field, they need to both figuratively and literally own it. No other company in their field has put such an emphasis on combating terrorism, and it could be a good look for them. But as an old company, I imagine they are set in their ways. And if it ain’t broke, don’t bother. Also, if you don’t have a quote number to prove your price you thought you were supposed to be paying, then don’t bother there either. They will charge you what they deem is right. Other LTL companies, aren’t as strict.