Lowell-based J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. on Wednesday announced changes in the leadership of a truck segment the company says will help turn it "into a consistently profitable business."
The carrier's largest operating segment of four is its intermodal business, which transports containers via multiple modes, including railroads and ships. It also offers dedicated services, which contracts with customers to handle all their freight, and "integrated capacity solutions," in which the company solves transportation problems by using other carriers’ trucks. The truck unit yields the least revenue.
"We previously detailed we will invest approximately $130 million in JBT in 2014 to support its strategic vision while expecting to reduce operating costs," the transportation-services company said in a statement. The company added that though it expects its truck unit to show "visible results in JBT's operating improvements" over the next year, executives "realistically expect" to realize them in the next two years.
Management announced the following leadership shifts:
• Shelly Simpson, the chief marketing officer and president of integrated capacity solutions, will maintain her current responsibilities and take on strategic leadership of the truck unit.
• Greg Breeden, who returns to J.B. Hunt after working at Crete Carrier Corp. for more than 20 years, has been hired as senior vice president of JBT marketing and network development.
• Steve Rogers, vice president of operations, has moved from the Dedicated Contract Services unit to the truck unit to help in creating the "operational discipline necessary to turn JBT into a consistently profitable business and a contributing unit to J.B. Hunt's annual financial returns."
• Craig Harper will focus on "operational service levels across all business units," driver recruiting and retention and safety in addition and remain responsible for purchasing fuel.