A Quad City company is expanding. Tennant Truck Lines is celebrating a $3.4 million expansion due to increased demand for freight transport.
The company started out in Orion, Illinois with only a couple dozen trucks. But Tennant has now expanded into a brand new facility in Colona with a fleet of 184 trucks.
"It's been a long overdue process," said owner of Tennant Truck Lines, Aaron Tennant.
Tennant Truck Lines has already closed its downtown Moline terminal. The other two terminals -- one in Moline and one in Orion -- will also close soon. But it's a good thing because all of that business will now take place at the new 17,500 sq. ft. facility.
"Today we're running 184 trucks and we have plans to get to 250 trucks," Tennant said.
Even in uncertain economic times for many businesses nationwide, Tennant Truck Lines has been able to grow and now expand.
The owner of the company says it's about finding ways to cut costs without cutting employees, or employee salaries.
Tennant Truck Lines transports heavy manufacturing and agriculture machinery. Consolidating freight, reducing maintenance costs, and reducing fuel costs are ways to save.
Fuel costs make up 25% of the company's overall costs. So, Tennant has implemented new GPS systems in all the trucks to keep drivers on track.
"All of our trucks are computer dispatched, and they all have GPS inside them, so we're routing them, making sure the drivers aren't running 50 miles out of route," said Tennant.
Another reason for the new location, the interstate is less than one mile away, which is perfect if you're in the trucking business.
The only problem the company is running into is finding enough truck drivers. There's a severe shortage nationwide.
