For More Information Contact: Customer Service Phone: 800-765-7242		PRESS RELEASE May 3, 2004
Saia Announces Successful Integration with Clark Bros.
DULUTH, GA – May 3, 2004 – Saia, Inc. has announced the completion and successful, on-schedule integration of Clark Bros. into the Saia organization. The acquisition of Clark Bros. by Saia was announced on February 16th and a two and a half month integration plan was outlined. Beginning May 3rd, Saia will provide regional one, two and three-day less than truckload (LTL) service in their expanded 30-state direct coverage area. The transition that began in February has been a smooth process due in large part to a well-developed plan, similar business philosophies and existing synergies. Additional factors that made for a successful integration included a geographic fit of the companies' service areas, and common operations procedures. The integration included the addition of nine midwestern states, 16 terminals and 600 employees into the Saia organization. The states added to Saia’s coverage are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. "Customer service was a primary consideration in planning the integration," said Rick O’Dell, Saia president and CEO. "The integration enhances our ability to provide customers with benefits including improved transit times, additional coverage, reduced handling of shipments and streamlined administrative functions. "Our quality processes and service enhancements supported by our Customer Service Indicator® (CSI) Index validates our commitment to customer service, which now extends to a 30-state direct coverage area," O’Dell adds. "We have based our CSI program on what customers have told us are the most important services to them, which includes pickup performance, on-time delivery, claims settled within 30 days, claims-free shipments, proof-of-delivery turnaround and invoice accuracy." As a combined company, Saia had 2003 revenues of $585 million, with operating income of $31.7 million and an operating ratio of 94.5. A strong 80-year tradition of steady growth and the Clark Bros. integration advances Saia’s mission of being the premier regional provider of one, two and three-day LTL service. Saia expects added revenue growth from the addition of services offered to transportation decision makers," O’Dell said. Saia is a provider of regional and interregional one, two and three-day service from the midwest, across the south, west, and the northwest with partner service to the rest of the continental United States. Saia also provides service to Puerto Rico, and complete North American coverage is offered including Canada and Mexico. Saia has more than 5,800 employees networking from 128 locations. Saia and Jevic Transportation are wholly owned subsidiaries of SCS Transportation, Inc., (NASDAQ: SCST), a multi-regional carrier holding company based in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information visit the Saia website at www.saia.com or SCS Transportation at www.scstransportation.com.