Part of the fleet for Continental Express.
Courtesy photo
SIDNEY – 2022 was a year of persistent growth for Continental Express, marked by an expanding workforce, record revenue, and continuous updates in facilities, equipment, and technology. Committed to progress, the leading, full-service logistics provider is ready to take on 2023.
“We had a strong year,” said Russell Gottemoeller, Continental Express founder and president. “In the face of challenges in the greater economy, we were able to expand our business and continue providing top service to our customers.”
His report continues:
Coming off of a record year of sales and revenue in 2021, Continental Express spent much of 2022 working to improve further their safety, service, and communication for their customers.
Beginning in early 2022, Continental Express took on a series of renovation projects at their Indianapolis, Indiana and Lyndhurst, Virginia terminals. Construction efforts included new shower and restroom facilities for drivers, freshly furnished office spaces, and the installation of a new truck shop.
Upgrades to facilities were necessary to keep up with the growing customer demand and an increase in employees. Continental Express proudly expanded to 700 employees nationwide last year, 550 of which are drivers.
Regarding the equipment, Continental purchased 50 2023-model Freightliner Cascadia semi-tractors. The new trucks have adaptive cruise, collision prevention, auto-braking technology, and an all-digital dashboard.
Technological advances at Continental far surpass the Freightliners—in September 2022, the custom, in-house-developed application Yard Move Service (YMS) was released. The YMS app aids Continental’s various spotting services around the country by allowing spotters to communicate efficiently with shippers and receivers as well as remotely track trailer temperatures.
Including the YMS app, numerous recent projects at Continental Express have been employee-fueled.
One such effort was the reveal of the Mission 22 truck. Welcomed onto the Continental Express Fleet of Heroes, a third specially-wrapped military truck joined the fleet in February. The truck, in partnership with national non-profit Mission 22, supports the fight against veteran suicide and is driven by long-time Continental associate and United States Army Veteran Jason Robison.
Beyond military recognition efforts, Continental Express drivers benefitted from the company’s record levels of revenue in 2022. Top Continental drivers earned upwards of $120,000, while the average driver pay was over $80,000 annually.
Standing out amongst the highlights for Continental last year was the recognition as a Top 20 Best Fleet to Drive For 2022, an award that acknowledges the top company culture in all of North America’s truckload carriers. The international Top 20 title is a unique award of the trucking industry that speaks to all levels of a carrier’s operations and how they strive to support their employees.
“We put a lot of thought, effort, and resources into our equipment, facilities, technology, and benefits. But at the end of the day, the amazing people of Continental Express are the reason we were named a Best Fleet to Drive For. Receiving the award was definitely a highlight of 2022,” noted Kiera Sullivan, vice president and general counsel.
As of December, Continental is a finalist for the recognition of Best Fleet to Drive For 2023.
A new year will bring new opportunities and new challenges. Continental Express is ready to take on both in 2023.
2022 marked 38 years of business for Continental Express. The corporate terminal location proudly resides in Sidney, on State Route 47. Additional terminals are in Gaffney, South Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas; Danville, Virginia; Lyndhurst, Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Columbus, Ohio, and a dedicated operation in Salem, Oregon.
For more information on Continental Express call 937-497-2100 or visit continentalexpressinc.com.
