SRT Leaving Southwest Arkansas

By Dale Gathright, Jr., 04/19/20 2:40 PM

 

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE – A company that started in Saratoga in the 1980s and now has about 850 trucks on the road serving 48 states, is reportedly leaving southwest Arkansas. FreightWaves is reporting, quote, “Citing economic challenges tied to the coronavirus pandemic, Southern Refrigerated Transport (SRT), a reefer subsidiary of  the Covenant Transportation Group, said it will shut down its terminal and headquarters in Texarkana, Arkansas, according to an internal memo obtained by FreightWaves.

According to FreightWaves writer Linda Baker, “The move, to take place by May 1, 2020, is an operational consolidation and not a closure. SRT will relocate its fleet to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Covenant is headquartered, and it will continue to operate under the SRT banner. ” The report said no drivers will lose their job, but 150 non-driving employees will be laid off.

After its beginning in Saratoga, the company relocated to Ashdown, where it was based until building a 100,000 square foot facility between Fulton and Mandeville a few years ago for quick access to Interstate 30.