Freightways Sees Growth

$12.5 million headquarters’ expansion planned

Logistics expert Tim Quillin says American Freightways Corp.’s $12.5 million headquarters expansion in Harrison will be money well spent. The Stephens Inc. analyst says that’s because the less-than-truckload carrier is the only one of its kind in America that can provide intrastate, inter-regional and long-haul coverage.

“American Freightways is a great single source for shippers,” Quillin says. “I expect their earnings to grow by double digits over the next several years.”

Although the Little Rock securities firm is negative on the trucking industry from a macroeconomic perspective, Quillin says Stephens is bullish on American Freightways. That’s because of the company’s long-term potential.

Frank Conner, the trucking company’s chief financial officer, says the three-story, 90,000-SF expansion is designed to accommodate new clerical, administrative and information technology positions.

Those positions will be needed to achieve the company’s goal of posting 15 percent to 20 percent earnings increases annually.

Conner says the company plans to hit the $1.6 billion revenue mark this year.

The addition will be to the south side of American Freightways’ headquarters. A similar expansion on the north side could come in the next few years. A new credit union facility and an expansion of the company’s customer center will be part of the first phase.