Trucking Company Brings Jobs

A NEW TRUCKING COMPANY IS EXPECTED
TO MEAN MORE JOBS FOR ALBANY.

By Lee Ann Livesay
Albany Herald
October 14, 2004

ALBANY — A new company will be opening up in Albany that will help connect truck drivers to shipping companies.

Albany native Billy Smith and Russell Smith of Gainesville are merging to create Smith Transport and Logistics Inc., which will operate out of both Albany and Gainesville bringing about 50 new jobs, Billy Smith, the company's president, said. The two are not related.

Around 20 of those jobs will be in South Georgia, mostly for truck drivers, although it is likely one to three general office staff will also be needed. Smith said.

"We are one of the first companies to offer such a full service package for the owner operator," Smith said.

The company will act as a broker, bringing shipping companies together with truck drivers that meet their needs and vice versa, he said.

"We're an intermediary organization," he said.

Smith said he expects the company's revenues to exceed $1 million in its first year of operations. The company also hopes to expand north and west as it grows.

Tim Martin, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce was excited about the development.

"It's a wonderful business niche for this community," Martin said.

About $7.7 million will be invested to start up the new company, about half of which will be spent in the Albany area, Martin said.

"I think these folks have a proven track record that they'll be successful hear," Martin said.

Billy Smith is a native of Albany, having graduated from Albany High School, although currently living in Marietta. He owns several warehouses in Albany, Martin said, and he has been in the trucking industry for more than 35 years.

He founded CC&S Transportation in Augusta in 1980, selling his interest in that in 1991.

Russell Smith will serve as the company's chief financial officer and will operate the Gainesville office.

back »