Estes recently relocated its metro Detroit terminal hub to a nearby facility with nearly double the capacity. Romulus, Michigan, Mayor Robert McCraight honored the 93-year-old shipper at the terminal’s grand opening event by declaring October 10 as Estes Day in the city.
Estes’ new terminal features 144 doors, 67,000 sq. ft. of dock area, 7,200 sq. ft. of office space, and a 12-bay shop with a fueling station. It also has 147 employees and is one of Estes' five Michigan terminals. The facility sits on a 36-acre site near Interstate 94, close to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Coinciding with the terminal’s grand opening, Estes also donated a tractor and trailer to the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in nearby Ypsilanti. This equipment will help those enrolled in vocational programs gain hands-on experience. Estes has made similar donations, most recently donating two Freightliner trucks earlier this year to a Virginia Community College’s driver training program.
See also: Women in Transportation 2024
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to giving back to our communities and strengthening our industry’s workforce, and this is another wonderful opportunity for both,” said President and COO Webb Estes. “We know that programs like the Ypsilanti Vocational Village are vital to community success and safety, and it’s an honor for Estes to play a small role in that rehabilitation process.”
The Vocational Village programs, which offer trade-specific certifications and licensure, are for students approaching their return to society. Estes’ equipment will bolster the driver training program, specifically targeting pre-trip inspections.
“This donation means a great deal to us,” said Jake Gordon, a Michigan Department of Corrections vocational specialist. “The women in our Vocational Village are seeking opportunities to get back on track with their lives. The addition of a tractor and trailer—access we’ve never been able to offer—will make a meaningful, educational impact by opening doors for women who have been incarcerated to find purpose and successfully re-enter society and the workforce.”
