Fikes Truck Line Supports Effort to Build 500 Shelters in Haiti - Company Hauls Weyerhaeuser Lumber Donation

Fikes Truck Line answered the call to assist the disaster relief effort in Haiti. Originally approached by Weyerhaeuser to take loads at a reduced rate, Fikes waived their fee and donated the transportation services. Fikes owner-operators Harold Horn (Mobile, MS) and Jimmy King (Perry, GA) kicked-off the effort hauling two loads of lumber from Bruce, MS to the port in Jacksonville, FL. The company's actions set in motion additional carriers to donate loads including TMC, Swift, Cypress, Jordan and Prime.

"We are quite humbled that Weyerhaeuser approached Fikes to haul their lumber donation to Haiti," said Rick McCain, Vice President of Sales at Fikes Truck Line. "So often when disasters occur, you want to help out and do the right thing but don't know where to start. When we heard about the Weyerhaeuser opportunity, we were immediately onboard to haul loads in support of the international relief effort."

Weyerhaeuser employees worked with Habitat for Humanity to finalize the design of the temporary housing structures and determine the type and quantity of lumber needed. They then translated the material list into orders for Southern Pine lumber from its mills in Silver Creek, Bruce and Philadelphia, Mississippi. The challenge was finding a way to minimize the shipping costs so they could maximize the $100,000 product donation.

"At first, it looked like we would only be able to donate six loads, given the $1,500 per load carrier charges," says Gary Everett, Weyerhaeuser Sales Center Leader in Hot Springs, AR. "But we were able to increase our donation to eight loads, for a total of 20,000 pieces that will be used to build 500 structures, thanks to the generosity of our transportation customers."

"Because of the generosity of these transportation carriers, we're able to provide additional wood to build more temporary living structures in Haiti," says Everett. "It's been a great way to work together to show our support for the Haitian people."

Fikes Truck Line and their sister company FTL Logistics, offer coast-to-coast transportation services specializing in flatbed, heavy haul and van. For more information on Fikes Truck Line or FTL Logistics visit fikes.com and goftl.com or call 1-800-643-6611.

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest forest products companies, began operations in 1900. The company grows and harvests trees, builds homes and makes a range of forest products essential to everyday lives. Weyerhaeuser manages thier timberland on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. At the end of 2009, the company employed approximately 14,900 employees in 10 countries and worked with customers worldwide, generating $5.5 billion in sales. weyerhaeuser.com.