Lexington, S.C.-based transportation provider Southeastern Freight Lines announced in May that it has implemented a new regional structure this, expanding its organizational framework from six regions to eight.
“It’s really going to help us getting the support to continue with our operational efforts,” said Keith McDonald, manager of the Augusta service center for Southeastern Freight.
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The trucking company has 89 service centers spread out over 13 states, as well as in Puerto Rico. The Augusta center is actually on Edgefield Road in North Augusta, while its nearest Georgia centers are in the Atlanta and Macon areas.
The support centers were previously organized in six regions, with 11 centers per region. The new structure effectively adds two more regions, complete with their own regional vice presidents, human resources departments, safety departments and other support, distributing 15 service centers across eight regions.
The restructuring will not only help maintain the company’s 99.4% same-day transit times, McDonald says, but will also mean more streamlined communications with frontline management and opportunities for advancement.
“More direct support with regional leadership,” said McDonald. “It’ll definitely have a positive effect on current and future employees, and if those are satisfied it’ll help us create more customer satisfaction.”
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McDonald notes some of the transportation industry’s current struggles, including higher freight volumes and even a driver shortage. He says the latter hasn’t affected the Augusta area severely, but that Southeastern is hiring and that the new organizational structure will help us continue to fill those positions and handle the increased volumes.
“This structure really helps us to focus on the hiring, getting people to get on board as others retire and move on,” McDonald said. “Obviously certain areas will be growing more than others, but it well definitely enable us to get people in the right spots, where we need them to continue handling all all the growth that we have.”
The Augusta service center for Southeastern Freight Lines is located at 1030 Edgefield Rd. in North Augusta. For more information, visit its website at www.sefl.com.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
