Interstate Distributor Co., Tacoma, Wash., announced a new owner operator-program out of its Lebanon, Tenn., terminal, and opened a new regional operating center in Kansas City, Mo.


"We recognize that a large number of new CDL holders have entered the industry over the past few years when small businesses and construction jobs dried up," says Nick Wakefield, director of recruiting and human resources. "These individuals turned to driving for work during the recession because carriers were still hiring. Interstate wants to get these small business owners back to work growing their own business. Our experience in partnering with contracted carriers helped us create a career channel for drivers to go from associate to owner-operator to independent carrier all without having to leave our customer network."

An owner-operator is able to pre-qualify for up to 68% of the load revenue and receive 100% of the fuel surcharge, according to Wakefield. Interstate also provides a fuel purchase card through its contracted carrier program.

The fuel purchase card gives a 10 cents-per-gallon discount from the posted price in network at Flying J and Pilot Centers. Owner-operators and independent carriers leased to IDC also have access to purchase fuel at the posted price at all Interstate yards. The company does not charge any transaction fees for making purchases within the program.

IDC also announced a new regional operating center in Kansas City, Mo. The new location is part of the company's continued growth in the Midwest and Eastern markets.

In January, Interstate began offering driving associates regional runs. These runs allow drivers to increase the frequency of their home time while averaging 450 to 500 miles per day.

The company also added 350 new 2013 tractors this summer.

A year after being acquired by Saltchuk Resources Inc., Interstate says it is rapidly rebuilding itself into the premier carrier it was before the recession. In February, IDC hired Marc Rogers from Schneider National to become its president and CEO.