USAT to close Van Buren maintenance shop

Van Buren-based USAT Capacity Solutions – previously known as USA Truck – has closed its Van Buren maintenance operation. The closure will impact under 20 employees, but the company said some will be offered other jobs in the company.

The company said Tuesday (March 17) the closure is part of a move to “regionalize service” for its drivers and customers in a way that best matches the needs of the company. The logistics and trucking company employs more than 400 in Crawford County.

“We are committed to improving our operations and building a regional service network that aligns our operations and maintenance teams closer to our drivers and customers,” James Reed, president and CEO of USAT Capacity Solutions, said in a statement. “We continue to grow great jobs in Information Technology, Customer Service, Brokerage, and Operations here in Van Buren. We are committed to the community and improving the lives of those we work with and our local community. We recognize these are challenging times, but we continue to move forward with our plans. All of our employees were offered opportunities in other locations or transition services.”

The maintenance shop closure will take place over the next 30 days, with all service finished by the end of April 2020. The company plans to explore other options for the building and land surrounding the maintenance location.

Earlier this year the company reported that an Atlanta service center/terminal would open in the first quarter of 2020, a Carlisle, Pa., terminal will open in the second quarter, and a Dallas terminal open later in the year.

The company posted a 2019 net loss of $4.698 million, a wide swing from the $12.204 million gain in 2018. Total revenue in 2019 was $522.631 million, down 2.14% compared to the $534.06 million in 2018, the company reported Jan. 30. The company’s trucking segment posted 2019 revenue of $375.657 million, up 8% from $347.729 million in 2018. The segment posted an operating income segment loss of $447,000, compared to an $11.71 million gain in 2018.

Shares of USA Truck (NASDAQ: USAK) closed Tuesday at $4, up 27 cents. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged between $16.77 and $3.32.