Dec 16, 2005 8:35 AM, from staff and wire reports

Wal-Mart Stores Inc recently named Crete Carrier Corp its annual Carrier of the Year. This award recognizes Crete as Wal-Mart’s top transportation vendor. The firm was also named Wal-Mart’s Dedicated Grocery Carrier of the Year based on outstanding service to Wal-Mart distribution centers in North Platte NE and Bartlesville OK.

Selection criteria for the award included revenue/growth, ease of doing business, communication, flexibility, customer service, and follow-up/correction of errors.

Crete, along with divisions Shaffer Trucking and Hunt Transportation, is one of the largest privately held trucking companies in the industry. It operates 5,700 power units and 13,000 trailers serving all 48 states, Canada, and Mexico.