Imagine your freight departing New Jersey on Friday and arriving in California by Tuesday — this is no longer a distant dream. Pittsburgh-based regional less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier Pitt Ohio is expanding its national footprint through a strategic partnership with Reliance Network, revolutionizing cross-country shipping timelines.
Reliance Network: A Coalition of Regional Powerhouses
Reliance Network isn't a single transportation company but rather an alliance of premier regional LTL carriers. Members include Pitt Ohio, Mountain Valley Express, Peninsula Truck Lines, Averitt Express, Canadian Freightways/Kingsway Transport, Lakeville Motor Express, and Land Air Express of New England. Each member brings robust regional networks and operational expertise to the table, creating a seamless logistics solution spanning North America and beyond.
Since its 2008 inception, Reliance Network has generated over $1 billion in revenue — a remarkable achievement during an era when many trucking companies faced double-digit tonnage declines. The alliance operates as a unified national provider of LTL, truckload, and supply chain services. Shippers benefit from nationwide coverage while maintaining relationships with their trusted local carriers.
TRNet Express: Revolutionizing Transit Times
The collaboration between Pitt Ohio and California-based Mountain Valley Express has birthed TRNet Express, a service guaranteeing 2-3 business day deliveries to California, Arizona, and Nevada for Thursday or Friday shipments.
"Growing freight volumes on these lanes presented an opportunity to enhance service through dedicated team driving," explained Geoff Muessig, Pitt Ohio's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Previously, cross-country team driving was only scheduled on certain weekdays. TRNet Express now enables more flexible resource allocation and optimized routing.
Key advantages of TRNet Express include:
- Reduced handling: Minimized transfer points decrease cargo damage and loss risks
- Expedited transit: Dedicated team driving ensures rapid delivery for time-sensitive shipments including hazardous materials and high-value goods
- Weekend shipping advantage: "Friday New Jersey pickups reach California by Tuesday," Muessig noted. "Our TRNet Express lanes serve 93% of California's population."
Pitt Ohio's Expansion Strategy
TRNet Express exemplifies Pitt Ohio's growth strategy through regional partnerships. This approach allows market expansion with lower costs and faster implementation than solo ventures. For mid-sized carriers, alliances like Reliance Network provide resource-sharing opportunities to compete effectively against national giants.
Understanding LTL's Critical Role
LTL shipping moves smaller freight loads that don't require full truck capacity, making it ideal for small-to-medium businesses. The standard LTL process involves:
- Local pickup
- Sortation at distribution centers
- Linehaul transportation
- Final delivery
E-commerce growth continues driving LTL demand upward, pressuring carriers to optimize operations. Regional LTL specialists like Pitt Ohio combine local market knowledge with personalized service — advantages now amplified through national network access.
Future Outlook
Pitt Ohio's alliance strategy positions it for continued growth. Future enhancements may include automated sortation systems, eco-friendly vehicles, and data-driven route optimization. By blending regional expertise with national reach, Pitt Ohio demonstrates how mid-sized carriers can thrive in today's competitive logistics landscape.