Con-way unit says first to use Twitter as load-finding, matching tool

Con-way Multimodal, a non-asset based brokerage and management division of Menlo Worldwide Logistics, said it has become the first transportation company to use the popular Twitter social media platform as a load-finding and matching tool for truckers.

Under the service, called Con-way TweetLoad, carriers following Con-way Multimodal on Twitter can view information on available shipments posted by the division. The tool also has links to a board on Con-way's website where carriers can place daily bids for available loads. Load information on Twitter will be updated every 15 minutes throughout the day, Con-way Multimodal said.

Though a carrier need not be registered to view available loads, it must be registered with Con-way Multimodal's network to accept the business, the company said.

"Twitter is where the carriers are," said Tyler Ellison, Con-way Multimodal's president. The new tool "enables us to reach them by pushing shipment information directly and automatically to any carrier who wants it, even on mobile devices," he added.

Con-way Multimodal is carrier neutral, meaning it can tender freight to all carriers, including the Con-way carrier fleet. Menlo Worldwide Logistics is a division of Con-way.