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Furniture carrier Worldwide Logistics cuts back on service

Closing at least two terminals as it drops Canada, nine states

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, October 31, 2011

VALDESE, N.C. — Specialized furniture carrier Worldwide Logistics is eliminating service to Canada and nine Western and Midwestern states as it scales back operations in the wake of a long-running furniture industry sales slump.

The company also plans to close at least two terminals, including its Dallas facility that will be shut down by today (Monday, Oct. 31).

The company, formed in 2008 with the merger of six specialized furniture carriers, had been providing service to all U.S. states and Canadian provinces, but said that business model is no longer viable given the current economic conditions.

"We have decided to refocus our efforts to serve those markets that deliver the best return on assets and provide the best service to our customers," WWL said in a press release. "As we look back at the models that specialized furniture carriers have tried to provide for the home furnishings industry, it is clear that the future of quality service to the industry rests with solid regional and direct long-haul service."

The company said it will continue to service all states except California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska with shipments originating from the East Coast.

In addition, WWL is partnering with furniture carrier American West to consolidate eastbound deliveries that originate from Southern California.

"We know that these changes will enable us to not only better serve our customers, but also make Worldwide a stronger, more robust company that will be around for years to come," the press release said.

Last week, the former owners of Four Truckers, one of the companies that merged into WWL, announced they had formed a new carrier called Northwest Furniture Xpress. The new company will provide service to Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia for furniture shipments originating in North Carolina, Virginia, eastern Tennessee and southern California.

The furniture shipping sector has been in a state of flux since Furniture Transport Group, the largest specialized furniture carrier, suddenly shut down in September and began liquidating its assets.

FTG was formed with the merger of MGM Transport, Caldwell Freight Lines and Foothills Trucking, and later acquired Lance Transportation.

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Worldwide Logistics scaling back service

Nov 18, 2011

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