Echo subsidiary Roadtex opens up two new locations

Chicago-based third-party logistics and technology-enabled transportation services provider Echo Global Logistics announced earlier today that its subsidiary, Roadtex, a national provider of temperature-controlled shipping and supply chain management services, has opened up two new facilities.

Echo said the new Roadtex facilities are based in Greenville, South Carolina and also outside of Nashville, adding that these locations provide customers with various benefits, including improved technology, increased square footage, expanded transportation, and warehousing capabilities, and additional capacity.

What’s more, the company explained that the new facilities were selected for their strategic locations, enabling Roadtex to provide top-of-the-line service in logistics-friendly areas. And it added that these facilities include an increase of 50,000 square feet, state-of-the-art temperature-controlled technology and tools, and are food-grade and FDA-certified, which are geared towards its shipper customers in various sectors, including: confectioneries, food and beverage, and healthcare products, and various Fortune 500 companies.  

Frank Hurst, Executive Vice President, Operations for Roadtex, told LM that Roadtex invested in these new locations to better serve its clients in these areas.

“Both Nashville and Greenville are strategic areas with growing industry and having locations there better enables Roadtex to optimize its growing business and continue to provide next day service to 85% of the U.S.,” said Hurst. “Roadtex had an established presence in Nashville, TN, but not in Greenville, SC. Recognizing the growing demand for enhanced solutions in these areas, Roadtex identified the need to expand its operations. The decision to expand our network reflects the company's commitment to improving service delivery, reducing transit times, and better meeting the needs of its clients in these areas.”

When asked how shipper customers will see benefits from these new Roadtex facilities, Hurst observed that Roadtex’ new facilities in Greenville and Nashville will greatly improve the client experience, especially those dealing with temperature-sensitive and food-grade products.

“Outside of faster & more reliable service, these locations enhance our warehouse capacity, expand our retail consolidation network, and expanded transportation and warehousing capabilities,” he said.

Matt Zucconi, Vice President of Operations at Roadtex, highlighted the new technology at these facilities, noting that in addition to GPS tracking of trailer locations, enabling Roadtex to monitor temperature-controlled shipments on the road, it is also implementing electronic manifesting for real-time track and trace, greatly reducing the risk of loss and further advancing its services.

Echo acquired Roadtex in 2022. Established in 1922, Roadtex maintains a base of 32 strategically located food grade cross dock facilities, five of which are VAWD (value-added warehousing and distribution) facilities that provide a suite of contract logistics services, and it supports a diverse group of blue-chip clients, managing their time and temperature sensitive product shipments. The company delivers customized, end-to-end services that Echo said “exceed the stringent pickup, handling, delivery and chain of custody requirements of customers serving attractive, recession-resistant end markets with favorable, long-term growth prospects. What’s more, Roadtex’s network covers 85% of the United States population within a 24-hour shipping period, according to Echo.

As reported by LM, Echo said at the time of the acquisition that this deal meshes the Roadtex national warehouse footprint and advanced temperature-controlled transportation services to Echo, with Roadtex customers benefitting from Echo’s truckload brokerage and expanded transportation management services.