On Friday, Dec. 1, Estes, the largest, privately owned freight carrier in North America, formally celebrated the completion of a new terminal in its headquarter city of Richmond, Virginia. The new terminal features 98 doors, over 41,000 square feet of dock space and 4,900 square feet of office space across 20 acres of land. Rob Estes, CEO, and other company executives were on site for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the facility, which is one of its largest terminals.

“In addition to being Estes’ hometown, Richmond is a critical hub for so much of the freight moved along the East Coast,” said Webb Estes, president and COO. “The new terminal and the added doors and square footage allows our drivers to get in and out quicker and those working in the terminal to keep up with demand and delivery windows.”

Located at 6800 Route 1, North Chesterfield, Va. 23237, the new Richmond terminal replaces the freight carrier’s previous Richmond terminal that has been operating since August 1984.

“Having more doors and new e-dock capabilities in a major hub like Richmond ensures our shipments move off the dock faster, allowing our team to constantly stay in cycle,” added Sean Farley, district sales manager at Estes.

Energy-efficient interior/exterior lighting throughout the terminal uses 85% less electricity than conventional lighting, further aligning with Estes' sustainability efforts. The terminal also utilizes a host of technologies to streamline the facility’s operations including an e-dock inventory management system, a line haul dispatch app, and automated tools to measure dimensions of incoming freight.

“This facility represents Estes’ ongoing commitment to the Richmond region and is as an entry-point for those looking for a long-lasting career with a company that’s served the region for nearly a century,” added Estes.