Saia, a less-than-truckload carrier, commemorated their new multimillion 153-door terminal, which features a maintenance shop and nearly complete high-speed fueling station with a grand opening on Apr. 20. The terminal, located at 3500 Blue Ridge Drive in the City of Buford, will offer faster shipping with reduced freight handling. Saia also plans to eventually employ approximately 200 personnel, ranging from dockworkers, drivers, mechanics and office and sales positions.

"We are tremendously excited about the opening of this new flagship terminal,” said Saia President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe. “This facility will add much needed enhanced service in the Metro Atlanta area, a major market for Saia. Its completion will allow us to have the capacity to meet our customers’ needs for years to come."

In 1924, Louis Saia, Sr., a produce dealer in Louisiana, realized he could earn more delivering produce rather than selling it, converting their family car into their first “truck” by removing the rear seats. By 1986, his company became one of the largest regional less-than-truckload carriers in the country with 23 terminals in five states, approximately 1,000 employees and more than $50 million in revenue. In 1987, the family sold the business. By 2006, Saia became a publicly traded company after several acquisitions and mergers. Today, as the ninth largest and oldest less-than-truckload carrier, they operate 191 terminals, including seven in Georgia, delivering approximately 30,000 daily shipments and employing more than 12,000 people. Their Buford terminal represents the fourth facility they have opened in the state in the past two years, as well as the fourth location this year.

“Georgia is ranked No.1 for logistics by multiple site selection and business organizations, and the continued presence of quality companies like Saia is part of the Georgia advantage,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce Kristi Brigman. “Saia’s terminals in Georgia are well-positioned to utilize the state’s extensive logistics infrastructure, which includes the robust highway system, rail lines and the world’s busiest airport, along with local partners’ collaborative spirit.”

Saia embraces innovation and sustainability and continuously enhances their products and services. They participate in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay program, which helps companies advance supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. They have developed energy-saving policies, implemented conservation initiatives and invested in clean technology, such as compressed natural gas tractors, electric trucks and solar panels. Their Buford terminal features LED lights, xeriscaping and solar panels that will offset 100% of the facility’s energy usage once fully installed.

“Gwinnett County welcomes Saia who embraces corporate efficiencies, equipment optimizations and sustainable business practices,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “We commend their intentional investments and improvements, which support our vision to become a leader in environmental sustainability.”

Saia values compliance and safety, as well as their community and employees. They offer extensive employee training programs and their fleet features the newest safety technology. They support Truckers Against Trafficking, which provides education and training that combats human trafficking. The company and their employees have donated gifts and time to support other nonprofits, such as Toys for Tots, Wreaths Across America and Wounded Warriors. They have also earned recognition for their innovation, operations, safety, service, sustainability and more. In just the past two years, they have received the Inbound Logistics “G75” Green Supply Chain Partner, American Trucking Associations Summa Cum Laude Award and Penske Logistics U.S. Less-Than-Truckload National Carrier Award.

“The City of Buford continues to successfully attract notable companies that offer diverse products and services,” said City of Buford Manager Bryan Kerlin. “We are pleased that Saia will offer a multitude of career opportunities in the shipping industry for the Buford community.”

Partnership Gwinnett Technology and Life Sciences Project Manager Andrew Hickey managed the project in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, Gwinnett County Government and City of Buford.

“It has been a pleasure supporting Saia as they establish one of their largest terminals here in Gwinnett County,” said Partnership Gwinnett Economic Development Senior Director Deven Cason. “We look forward to them engaging our community by partnering with local educational institutions to attract and retain skilled professionals."