Heartland Express Receives US EPA 2017 SmartWay Excellence Award

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa, Oct. 23, 2017 -- Heartland Express, Inc. (www.heartlandexpress.com) (NASDAQ:HTLD) was honored with a SmartWay^® Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an industry leader in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.

Heartland’s goal is to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by adopting various technologies, and operational practices.  We have achieved positive results from our aerodynamic devices on equipment, advanced tire technology, weight reduction practices, advanced lubrication technology, engine upgrades, trailer specifications, speed management, and idle control strategies.

“Our financial strength affords us the ability to operate one of the newest fleets in the industry, which is great for our drivers, our customers, and the environment,” stated Michael Gerdin, President and CEO of Heartland Express. “We are able to leverage the latest environmentally friendly technology which also affords us operational improvements. We’ve won this award two times in the last three years because our people work hard and believe in our commitment of doing what’s right for the environment and for Heartland Express.”

Heartland was one of 62 companies to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay’s 3600 Partners.  The Excellence Awardees were honored at the American Trucking Associations Management & Exhibition Annual Conference held in Orlando, Florida on October 23, 2017.

“Since 2004, EPA and the business community have collaborated through the SmartWay Partnership to reduce the economic and environmental costs of goods movement, a vital sector of our national economy,” said Christopher Grundler, Director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation & Air Quality. “This year’s award-winning freight carriers, shippers and third-party logistics companies demonstrate that they can move more goods, more miles, while using less fuel. These firms are not only serving the growing needs of their customers – they are also doing their part to keep our environment clean and protect human health.”

Heartland Express is an irregular route truckload carrier based in North Liberty, Iowa serving customers with shipping lanes throughout the United States. Heartland focuses on medium to short haul regional freight, offering shippers industry leading on-time service so they can achieve their strategic goals for their customers. More information about Heartland Express can be found on the company website at www.heartlandexpress.com.  

EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstrating a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and sustainable business environment. Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have avoided emitting more than 94 million metric tons of air pollutants, while saving more than 197 million barrels of oil and $27.8 billion in fuel costs – equivalent to eliminating the annual energy use of over 12 million homes. SmartWay also contributes to cleaner air and healthier citizens by significantly reducing emissions of the pollution that contributes to smog, including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

More information on SmartWay in general: www.epa.gov/smartway/  

SmartWay Excellence Award: https://www.epa.gov/smartway/smartway-excellence-awardees    

Contact:
Heartland Express, Inc.
Michael Gerdin, Chief Executive Officer
or
John P. Cosaert, Chief Financial Officer           
319-626-3600