Interstate Awarded 7th Quality Award

SPRINGFIELD, VA— Interstate Van Lines, a leading global provider of transportation, relocation, and logistics management solutions, announced today that it has won the 2007 National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) Quality Award, formerly known as the SDDC Quality Award. This is the fifth consecutive and seventh overall win by Interstate, which is the only van line ever to earn this award. The Quality Award is presented to outstanding organizations throughout the commercial transportation industry that have set exceptional standards and delivered the highest quality of services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Award recipients each year represent DoD-approved transportation providers for all modes and services, including air freight, delivery services, logistics, ocean ports and personnel travel, as well as household goods transportation.

Interstate was nominated for the award by Ralph Haire, traffic management officer at Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida. The award was presented by LTG Kenneth Wykle, LTG, USA (ret.) and president of NDTA. Interstate earned the 2007 Quality Award based on the company’s implementation of industry firsts, including the Partner and Liaison (PAL) Program, Driver & Agent Recognition System (DARS) Program, as well as the E-TRAC System.

Realizing that moving is one of the top five most traumatic experiences, Interstate introduced the PAL program to assist customers and family members by minimizing stress throughout the move process. In the PAL program, Interstate assigns a dedicated Partner and Liaison to each customer family to assist them with each and every step of the move. The PAL’s photo, short biography and detailed contact information is emailed to the customer and family members to personalize the service. Interstate’s dedicated representative is available and ready to help deliver peace of mind and increase customer satisfaction.

Interstate’s DARS Program is an innovative web-based system that provides the company’s valued military customers, family members, Transportation Management Officers (TMOs), and Service Providers with relevant information about the driver before the shipment is loaded. Each Interstate Driver has his/her own web page which includes a photograph, brief biography, professional accomplishments, and a notation of prior military service. The DARS Program was designed to reduce stress during the process of Interstate’s military customers’ moves by providing online information and setting expectations upfront to ensure that there is “No Stranger at the Door.” Additionally, the DARs Program is a valuable security tool for Interstate’s customers to learn who will be handling their possessions to reduce the stress they can experience during the relocation process.

Prior to DARs, Interstate introduced the E-Trac System which was new to the industry as well since it brings shipment information status directly to the TMOs email box versus customers having to spend their valuable time researching needed shipment information. E-Trac was designed specifically to make the TMO’s job easier, and at the same time provide even better service to our military customers.

In his nominating statement, Mr. Haire added, “Our experience at Tyndall Air Force Base has been extremely positive and our customers are very appreciative and impressed with the information and services they receive from Interstate, including the new PAL program.”

“Interstate Van Lines is the only organization to provide these valuable features to our military members and their families, as well as the only van line that surpasses our previous innovations year after year so that we can ensure the delivery of our Top Hat Service to our military customers,” stated John D. Morrissette, president of Interstate Van Lines. “Our company’s PAL, DARs, and E-TRAC Programs are Interstate’s most recent industry-first innovations to demonstrate how we support our valued customers,” replied Morrissette.

About Interstate

Established in 1943 and recognized for Top Hat Service, Interstate Van Lines is part of the Interstate family of companies encompassing a worldwide group of relocation management, transportation, and logistics management solutions serving government, corporate, and individual clients. Interstate is a $100+ million enterprise employing more than 300 people, maintaining a fleet of over 300 vehicles, and consisting of over 1,500 global service partners. Interstate distinguishes itself with key industry certifications, including ISO 9001:2008 for all entities and facilities, FAIM-ISO for International business, and numerous prestigious awards, including the unprecedented seventh Department of Defense NDTA Quality Award, the inaugural “Indy Award” for Innovation from the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) in addition to nine 1st Place Fleet Safety awards from AMSA,, the National Capital Business Ethics Award, as well as the Blue Diamond Quality First Award. Interstate has a long history of community and philanthropic generosity including 17 years supporting the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. For more information about the Interstate group of global companies, please contact us at: 800.745.6683 ext.3220, Info@Invan.com or www.InterstateWorldwide.com.