Forty years ago, in 1986, a company was born in Dalton, Georgia, to solve the problem of moving massive rolls of flooring that traditional less-than-truckload carriers couldn't handle. Xpress Global Systems (XGS) has grown from a regional carpet consolidator into a national specialized carrier with a 30-center network and cutting-edge technology.
Originally called Crown Transport, XGS has perfected the handling of oversized, damage-sensitive materials that others avoided. The company's early success was fueled by the explosive growth of the U.S. flooring industry in the 1980s and 1990s.
Home Depot accounted for roughly one-third of all carpet sold nationwide, creating a huge demand for specialized freight services. XGS built a defensible niche by providing just-in-time transportation to installation crews waiting on job sites.
The company's strategic acquisitions accelerated growth, including the acquisition of U.S. Xpress Enterprises in 1994 and West Coast rival CSI Reeves in 1995.
In 1997, XGS absorbed Rosedale Transport's U.S. floorcovering LTL business, expanding its Northeast and Midwest footprint.
By the late 1990s, XGS had begun providing warehousing and distribution services for The Home Depot in Las Vegas, forging a key partnership that would become one of the industry's most important.
However, the company's diversification experiment into airfreight proved short-lived. In 2005, XGS sold its airport-to-airport business and refocused on its core floorcovering expertise.
Under current President Greg Laminack, a 21-year veteran who spent 14 years under U.S. Xpress ownership, XGS has continued to innovate and expand its network.
Today, XGS operates as a national specialized carrier with a strong reputation for handling oversized, damage-sensitive materials. Its 30-center network and cutting-edge technology have enabled the company to stay ahead of the curve in the logistics industry.
