USA Truck takes good with bad

The renewal of USA Truck’s certification of conformance to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 quality marker is being tempered by its recent loss of a court case that will end up costing the truckload carrier $4.6 million.

The carrier said the ISO 9001:2000 standard provides a source of consistency and continual improvement for its key business processes, with its certification – first gained in 2004 – covering its general offices located in Van Buren, AR, along with fleet maintenance facilities located in Van Buren and West Memphis, AR; Shreveport, LA; Vandalia, OH; Roanoke, VA; Bethel, PA; and Spartanburg, SC.

USA Truck noted that TÜV SÜD America Inc., an accredited third-party registrar, conducted its re-certification audit.

On the other side of the ledger, USA Truck noted it must pay $1.6 million in pre-judgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs resulting from its loss in All-Ways Logistics, Inc. v. USA Truck, Inc. on Sept. 30.

In the case, a jury found USA Truck breached a contract agreement with All-Ways – a verdict USA Truck said it still disputes – and awarded All-Ways $3 million. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas added the additional $1.6 million to cover interest and fees on Dec. 4. The carrier noted it is still exploring its appeal options at this time.