Old Dominion grows with Clear Lake

(Above) Sean Douglas, manager of sales and service at the new Old Dominion service center located in the new Courtway Park Development Subdivision just east of Interstate 35 off of Highway 122, watches as supervisor Will Trinidad tracks the movement of truck loads of goods shipped from the Clear Lake center. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

by Marianne Gasaway

A growing company has made Clear Lake part of its expanding national network of less-than-truckload (LTL) service centers.

Old Dominion Freight Line has completed construction of a new $15 million, 32-door facility that sits on 9.5 acres at the crossroads of Interstate 35 and Highway 18.  Strategically located between Des Moines and Minneapolis, the facility allows Old Dominion Freight Lines to service an area which extends north to Owatonna, Minn., south to Hampton, Iowa, west to Spencer and the Okoboji area, and east to Decorah.

Old Dominion sold its former Mason City location and is now enjoying the larger space and quick access to major thoroughfares.  The 1,200 square foot office and 2,600  square foot dock provide both efficiencies and amenities, such as a space where the business can hold lunch and learn sessions with customers, as well as a break room with television service displaying continuous local weather conditions and information to help drivers succeed.

Officials at the Thomasville, N.C. headquarters say they seek out service center locations where there is anticipated future growth and heightened customer demand. The strategic locations reduce shipping time, enhance delivery flexibility, and allow for increased capacity in key metropolitan areas.   Sean Douglas, manager of sales and service, identified 3M in Forest City, Winnebago Industries and Boss Tools and Costco at Owatonna as just a few of the North Iowa industries relying upon Old Dominion’s expertise.

“The new facility is great and we are already very busy,” said Douglas.

Typically, the Clear Lake facility will deliver 200,000 to 300,000 pounds of  goods each morning and pick up another 150,000 to 200,000 pounds.  Douglas explained the hub is busiest between 4 and 8 a.m., as trucks are loaded and sent on their way.  Another rush occurs between 4 and 8 p.m., as they return with cargo.  The workday is finished be-

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tween 9 and 10 p.m. daily.

Old Dominion has been recognized within the industry for its low level of damage claims, an achievement Douglas credits to the use of ratchet straps and air bags to secure loads.  He noted Freightliner is the truck of choice for Old Dominion and they adhere to a preventative maintenance schedule to keep everything running smoothly.  Diesel exhaust fluid, oil, washer and engine fluids are available on site; Kwik Star, located just across Highway 18, is the approved vendor for fuel.

“To go to the extent we do to protect materials is a trademark of our service,” he said.   Additionally, Old Dominion ranks in the upper 99 percentile for one-time service.  “Our motto is ‘Helping the world keep promises,’ and we do that by paying close attention to safety, our equipment and customer service,” said Douglas. 

The development of software to assist drivers, as well as personnel at the Old Dominion hub they are transporting to and from, is key to keeping operations “high and tight,” according to Douglas.  The facility utilizes a system which provides a real time feed of drivers on their route.  It even has the ability to zoom into a map of their location, allowing both the driver and Old Dominion hub to see the physical location for delivery.  Drivers have a hand-held device, while Old Dominion supervisors can track the action on their computer screens.  Customers may utilize an electronic data interface (EDI) for real time information.

“We’re not at 100 percent efficiency, but we’re real close,” said Douglas.  “Our system does an excellent job of preventing freight from going out of the way and customers can call any specific location and real people will answer the phone.   

This time of year trucks coming out of the local OD service center are often carrying seasonal goods, such as seed corn, farm implements, mowers, or fertilizer, but there are also general commodities of all sizes, ranging from tool boxes to transmissions and even food items.  Supervisors carefully plan loads which can be  safely shipped together and schedule them using the Old Dominion network.  Old Dominion does not transport hazardous materials or irreplaceable items.

Clear Lake was one of seven new and relocated Old Dominion service centers announced in the fourth quarter of 2021 and first quarter of 2022.  Recent growth has brought the company’s service center count to 253 across the continental United States.

“Offering premium service is at the forefront of our value proposition,” said Chip Overbey, senior vice president of strategic planning. “Each new and expanded facility helps to facilitate the economic growth of the local communities in which we operate while better serving our customers.”  

According to Douglas there are 21 employees at the Clear Lake location, including two supervisors, a full-time and part-time fork lift operator, a part time office clerk, sales representative and drivers.  

As a result of changes to buying patterns during the pandemic, Douglas said the shipping industry is strong.  

“We didn’t have to do any layoffs or furloughs at this location.  Business remained steady and strong.  We’ve had 30 to 35 percent growth since the beginning of the year and there is more room to grow.  We are continuing to hire.”

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