In February 2001, when FedEx Freight was first established through a series of acquisitions, including Viking Freight, the less-than-truckload sector was still trying to differentiate itself from the rest of the trucking industry.

Since then, Founding CEO Doug Duncan, who retired at the end of last month, has made a name for the LTL business, transforming FedEx Freight into a $4.4 billion revenue machine. The company has gone from being the number five LTL carrier in terms of market share, to being on top in terms of the number of shipments they pick up and deliver, as of the end of 2009.

"We brought 'absolutely, positively' to the freight market," Duncan says.

Duncan seems to run the business under the recognition that the customers they serve are changing and are shortening the supply chain. FedEx Freight's business model supports what Duncan calls "fast-cycle logistics," lean supply chains that involve reducing overall logistics.

In contrast to a lot of other trucking companies, Duncan didn't want FedEx Freight to have a "load-until-they're-full mentality," because this results in great variability in transit times. Instead, the company created a schedule network, which includes next-day delivery up to 600 miles and two-day delivery up to 1,800 miles. This way, he says, FedEx customers can operate three or four distribution centers around the country and hit the bulk of their customers overnight, or in two days at the very most.

A somewhat new concept to the LTL sector, FedEx Freight offers its customers 100 percent on-time service. The company's no-fee money-back guarantee assures this on-time delivery. The LTL giant also developed a system called FedEx Freight Advance Notice, which provides customers with visibility and control over their LTL shipments. The system will proactively notify customers via the Internet and fax if a shipment may be delayed beyond the estimated delivery date. This allows customers to make decisions and adjustments while a shipment is still en route.

A people business

The reason FedEx Freight has been able to be successful and set the standard for the LTL business is because of its devotion to safety and its focus on the people, Duncan says. "This is a people business," he says. "It takes a lot of labor components to do the work that we do. At the end of the day, it's a strong culture of people first."

While FedEx Freight has grown to be one of the biggest LTL operations out there, what makes Duncan most proud is how he and his team went about it: putting people first.

The company has accomplished this by creating a safe and respectful work environment. It's keeping that balance between ensuring drivers and dockworkers work hard every day but also get to go home every night, safe and sound, he says.

"They come to work with a 'want to' attitude, not a 'have to' attitude," Duncan notes.

To keep drivers safe and sound, the company has outfitted its trucks with some of the best safety technology out there, including lane departure signals and anti-rollover technology. Trucks also include a collision avoidance system, which warns the driver of excessive closure rates and eliminates rear-end collisions.

FedEx Freight has also started to implement electronic on-board recorders in all its tractors. The company has been working on the initiative for the last two quarters and expects to have EOBRs fully deployed by the end of 2010, Duncan says. The EOBRs are operated through an on-board computer the company designed itself.

Duncan is all for electronic logging technology, as he believes it will bring us into the 21st century. With paper logs, "It's like going back to the 19th century, if you will."

Another key to FedEx Freight's success is its fleet, which consists of more than 60,000 pieces of equipment, including more than 15,000 tractors. Duncan says its fleet equipment is a key element of its business and improves productivity.

The regulatory, environment fronts

FedEx Freight has not only been a leader in the LTL business, but it has also been an influential force on regulatory and environmental issues.

In accordance with FedEx Corp.'s philosophy of being a great corporate citizen, Duncan made it a priority to stay on top of the regulatory changes that impact the company and the trucking industry as a whole.

In particular, Duncan has been active in fighting for increased infrastructure investments. He says there's little invested in the country's infrastructure, despite the fact that the economy is growing and will continue to grow.

FedEx Freight plans to grow as well. In 20 to 25 years, there will twice as many trucks on the roads, but we're not investing the equivalent, he says.

"It's time to start making strategic investments in our infrastructure."

Duncan has been active on this front, serving on a U.S. Chamber of Commerce task force aimed at rebuilding our infrastructure. He also serves as the chairman of the American Transportation Research Institute, the research arm of the American Trucking Associations.

FedEx Freight has also embraced sustainability throughout its business. "It's good for the environment, but it's also good for us."

The company currently has two hybrid tractors operating in test mode in the Los Angeles market. They are Kenworth tractors with Eaton hybrid drivetrains.

Duncan says the company plans on introducing its first Class 8 heavy-duty tractor to run on a hydrogen fuel cell. The tractor will be tested at its Springfield, Mo., facility on an eight-hour duty cycle. "It's not low emissions; it's no emissions."

Duncan's retirement

Duncan doesn't plan to slow down any time soon. Despite his recent retirement, he still wants to be involved in the business world. He'll continue to serve on the board of directors for Benchmark Electronics and will likely add another board of directors seat to his schedule, he says. Duncan plans to carry on his involvement in Washington, and may also do some consulting work for FedEx Freight.

But FedEx Freight will continue to dominate the LTL market, with William Logue at the helm. Logue, who was previously serving as president of FedEx Freight, joined FedEx Express in 1989 through the Flying Tiger acquisition. Logue previously served as executive vice president, chief operating officer, FedEx Express in the U.S., where he was responsible for FedEx Express Air Operations, Air Ground and Freight Services, Central Support Services and Domestic Ground Operations Divisions.

Meanwhile, Doug Duncan will likely find some time to cruise around in his boat and play some golf, his favorite hobbies outside of the trucking business.

From the March 2010 issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.