FreightCenter Triples Space, Adds 75 Jobs In Trinity

FreightCenter, a freight transportation logistics company in the Trinity area of southwest Pasco County near New Port Richey, is adding 75 jobs and tripling its office space as part of this year's expansion.

The main focus for the new jobs is on sales positions. There are also some administrative jobs, says Sylvia Pankiewicz, marketing manager for FreightCenter, which employs 61.

"We have too many leads coming in that we can't handle," Pankiewicz says.

FrieghtCenter handles about 80 percent inbound sales leads vs. 20 percent outbound calls.  It just moved into new leased space near its corporate offices this month after holding a job fair and hiring 25 people.

"We're off to a good start," Pankiewicz says.

FreightCenter, 2049 Welbilt Blvd., uses web-based tools to help companies and individuals with their shipping needs for large, heavy, bulky items. The company helps firms compare carriers-- similar to how PriceLine and Orbitz compare travel prices. It also books the shipment order and tracks shipments electronically, saving them money and time.

Although freight and transportation companies have struggled recently, FreightCenter has carved a niche as a special service provider, doubling its annual growth every year for 12 years. Last year, Inc. magazine named FreightCenter one of the nation's fastest-growing privately held companies -- for the third straight year. It ranked 4,412 on the Inc. 5000 list.

Customers can use a password on FreightCenter's website designed to do all of their ordering online and track their order history. The company also provides a personalized account representative for customers.

FrieghtCenter is a freight broker, meaning customers book shipments through FreightCenter and then FreightCenter books it with a carrier. Because of volume FreightCenter does, it gets lower shipping rates, which it passes on to customers. It charges customers fees based on weight, classification and type of items they are shipping.

In November, the company launched a new brokerage logistics division, a service that offers customers a bigger list of carriers to choose from and enhanced truck, air, intermodal and international shipping options. FreightCenter formed the logistics division to better cater to commercial customers.

"The business is leaning more toward commercial customers," Pankiewicz says. "We're about half commercial, and half consumers now."

Writer: Dave Szymanski
Source: Sylvia Pankiewicz, FreightCenter