You can get there from here: Span Alaska excels in shipping freight Alaska.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL SECTION

One of the qualities that brings people to Alaska is its remoteness; the chance to get away from it all. But sometimes living off of the beaten path is a logistical challenge. It's not always easy to get things shipped from the Lower 48 to the Last Frontier and it can be prohibitively expensive.

Span Alaska Transportation Inc., with headquarters in Auburn, Wash., has spent years refining the art of getting goods to Alaska. Started in 1978 by Ray Landry, the business is now run by a second generation of Landrys, aided by a staff that has spent years in the shipping business.

"Ray worked in the industry for a number of years before seizing the opportunity to start his own business," said Kathy Lorec, vice president of sales. "He wanted to do things differently to offer top-of-the-line personal service backed by a great deal of knowledge and integrity."

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"What he created was a great company to work for and with," said COO Tom Souply. "Our culture and values still revolve around the ideas of integrity, empowerment and respect--doing the best job we can for customers and rewarding our employees for their efforts." Of its 115 employees, the average length of time on the job is 12 years; many have worked for the company between 15 and 20 years.

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

Whether a customer needs to move huge oilfield equipment or a small amount of office furniture to Alaska, Span Alaska can find the most efficient and affordable way to get it there. The company's logistics department works with carriers all across the country, finding the best prices and services to meet each customer's needs.

"We can transport any size shipment, but what we specialize in is less-than truckload (LTL) freight; we move more LTL than any other carrier to the state," Lorec said. "If a customer uses a common carrier and has three or four shipments of 500 pounds each, they end up paying for each individual bill of lading. At Span Alaska, we load their shipment together with other customers' freight to make full truckloads. By providing this economy of scale, we can provide better pricing and service."

Span Alaska has also invested in the latest technology to make sure customers know where their freight is and when it will arrive. "Our online information system ensures customers know where their freight is at all times," said Lorec. "Alaska has become a 'just-in-time' state when it comes to inventory--the shorter time freight...