Carrier Profiles

Carrier Profile: CTX Inc.

By Jeff Jensen
Posted Feb 10th 2002 10:00AM

ctx.gifIn the world of expedited freight carriers, CTX Inc. is one of the most well-respected and recognized names. CTX was initially established as a local, trans-border carrier to serve the Ontario and Michigan automotive communities.

Founded in 1986, CTX has expanded their capabilities and the territory they service. They are one of the few expediters in Canada that has both inter-Canada and intra-Ontario and Quebec Authority. CTX is also a ISO 9002 certified company

A privately owned company with headquarters in Detroit, MI, CTX is a division of Universal Am-Can Ltd, allied with Centra, one of the industry's largest freight systems.

With authority for all 48 states, the CTX fleet of independent contractors haul general commodity freight. Expanding beyond the traditional expedited freight lanes, CTX is now seeing more loads into Texas and around the Mexican border.

Communications between dispatch and the fleet is maintained by satellite equipment and pagers.

When asked what CTX is looking for in a prospective contractor, Jon Gushen, Recruiting Manager, tell us, "We're looking for someone with a good driving record and a professional attitude. We find that self-motivated people with good business sense and quality customer service skills will usually succeed with our company."

A Commercial Drivers License with Hazardous Materials Endorsement is required for all contractors and drivers with CTX, and the straight trucks are required to be sleeper equipped.

The maximum service life for cargo vans and straight trucks are six model years and tractors are allowed up to 10 model years.

Liability and cargo insurance is provided by CTX, with the bobtail and collision insurance coverage being the contractor's responsibility. CTX offers the opportunity to buy the latter two types of coverage at competitive rates.

The fleet is dispatched on a first in, first out basis with computer dispatch.

"Because we have a lot of freight," says Gushen, "We strongly recommend that our contractors accept every load possible with the idea of keeping their wheels rolling."

Kerry Cavendar, Vice President of Operations for CTX, agrees with his Recruiting Manager, "Never say no to loads and think of yourself as a business owner, not a driver. Remember that this is not necessarily a 9-5 job, but rather it's a 24 hour business. Be on time, be dependable, remain available."

Jon Gushen also tells us, "When we meet with a prospective contractor, one of the first questions, understandably, is the income potential in this business. We try to give an honest income projection, while at the same time stressing the importance of maintaining a high percentage of availability time."

"We try to demonstrate the connection between availability percentages and income. Quite simply, if a contractor is available for run offers the majority of the time, it will usually mean that they will generate more income and they will enjoy success with our company."

In addressing contractor's concerns about the "overstaffing" which is the norm in some companies, Gushen states that this does not occur at CTX, "Because we don't add trucks until we have the freight."

Gushen is enthusiastic in his praise of the CTX fleet: "Our independent contractor fleet is very customer oriented with professional attitudes. They work with our dispatch as a team to provide the best customer service and on time performance. We couldn't do it without them."

Cavender echoes the previous comments, "Our contractors have allowed us to enjoy a 98 per cent on-time average and have helped us become one of the true leaders in the expediting industry."

Gushen continues, "It does give me a lot of satisfation from a Human Resources perspective when we put a contractor on and it develops into a long term partnership. That means that we have met one anothers' expectations."

Gushen also tells us that CTX has a promising future having experienced growth each of the last five years, and the company fully expects to continue that growth.

Kerry Cavender adds, "We've doubled in size over the last ten years, and CTX has a very strong future. The expedited freight industry will experience continued growth with most of the truckload major carriers fielding their own just-in-time divisions."

CTX contact information:
Phone: 800.447.5173
Fax: 800.643.3226

Web Information
CTX Inc Homepage