AKRON, Ohio - March 11, 2003 - Roadway Express, Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary, Reimer Express Lines Ltd. of Winnipeg, MB, Canada, have been certified by U.S. Customs and Canada Customs for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Partners In Protection (PIP) of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) initiative.
This certification distinguishes Roadway and Reimer as the two leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers in providing secure transportation of international freight in North America. Being approved in C-TPAT and PIP allows the carriers to participate in the FAST dedicated lane program designed to move C-TPAT and PIP approved shipments quickly and securely between Canada and the U.S. with reduced inspection and clearance times.
"We feel strongly that being certified as a safe and compliant carrier by both the Canadian and U.S. governments is our Corporate obligation, the right thing to do for national security and the war against terrorism," stated Bob Carr, Senior Vice President - Corporate and International Sales for Roadway Express. "Our customers can feel confident that we are focused on end-to-end supply chain security and that we will continue to work with them to ensure continued compliance."
"We provide the resources and expertise that our customers can rely on. Roadway's participation in the Fast program as a certified safe carrier allows us to move the freight across the border more quickly to meet our customers' needs," said Bill Michael, Vice President - Marketing for Roadway Express.
The purpose of FAST is to tighten border security while keeping the border open to the free flow of known, low-risk legitimate trade while enhancing the economic prosperity of both countries. The program offers expedited clearance processes for commercial shipments crossing the U.S. and Canadian border and providing a FAST lane for trucks wherever possible. FAST processing criteria includes: FAST approved carrier; goods transported must be from a U.S. C-TPAT and/or Canada's PIP approved importer; advance information supplied by the importer or carrier; and the driver must be in possession of a valid FAST Commercial Driver card.
"Initiatives such as FAST are only one of many programs that Roadway Express has taken the leadership role in the past decade. In collaboration with U.S. and Canada Customs, as well as our own customer base, we continue to look for ways to improve the flow of information and goods through the border and to expedite the clearance process," stated Sandra Scott, Advocate, International Trade & Government Affairs for Roadway Express, Washington, DC.
