Forward Air introduces new LTL service offerings in Columbia, Mo. and Roanoke, Va.

Earlier this week, asset-light freight and logistics services provider Forward Air Corporation announced it is rolling out Less than Truckload (LTL) service in two new markets: Columbia, Missouri and Roanoke, Virginia. This is part of the company’s ongoing growth strategy focused on both inorganic investments, which include acquisitions, and organic infrastructure investments like its LTL expansion efforts.

Company officials said that these respective LTL operations will be located in Forward’s existing Final Mile facilities, which are located in Columbia and Roanoke, respectively, adding that Forward will “evaluate the need for separate locations based on growth.” And they also observed that the objective of this LTL expansion is to expand its LTL network to broader market coverage and expand beyond its airport-to-airport footprint.

And by adding these expedited LTL services, this expansion links Colombia and Roanoke to the Forward national LTL network, as well as other transportation services, with Forward now providing same-day pickup and delivery in Colombia and Roanoke, coupled with final mile delivery to bring products directly to consumers’ homes.

“By leveraging our existing Final Mile network, we are able to expand our LTL footprint at a greatly reduced investment,” said Tom Schmitt, Chairman, Forward Air President and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement. “This type of organic growth allows Forward to bring expedited LTL into markets outside of our traditional coverage model—and we are excited to bring our world class expedited LTL offering to Columbia and Roanoke.”

This is the most recent announcement Forward Air has made in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, it said it is making a significant investment into expanding its Groveport, Ohio facility, through a $31.8 million investment, as well as creating 50 new jobs. And later in the month, it acquired the assets of Johnson City, Tenn.-based CLW Delivery Inc., a privately held final mile provider specializing in last-mile logistics and in-home installation services for national retailers and manufacturers, for cash consideration of $5.5 million.