Report: Missouri-based Sitton Motor Lines to close

Sitton runs about 200 trucks and, with administrative and service personnel, about 250 employees are expected to be put out of work.

The Trucker Staff

11/5/2009

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin-based truckload carrier Sitton Motor Lines is shutting down, according to a report by the Springfield Business Journal.

Sitton runs about 200 trucks and, with administrative and service personnel, about 250 employees are expected to be put out of work.

Richard Sitton, president and CEO of the company, told the Journal that he was still working out the details of the closing and couldn’t comment further.

“It’s going to be an orderly liquidation,” Sitton said.

Jason Jones with the Missouri Workforce Investment Board said that any layoff of more than 50 employees triggers a state program to provide employment counseling and services to the displaced workers.

Leslie Abram, who oversees the Rapid Response program, told the Journal she isn’t sure yet how many employees might need help through this process.

“At this point we don’t know because there are drivers all over the country,” Abram said. “Typically in instances like this we’ll talk to them about unemployment insurance and other training programs.”

According to the Sitton Motor Lines Web site, the company was started 1979 by David L. Sitton and sons Richard and Michael. The Sittons began serving 13 states with five owner-operator tractors and 50 new trailers.

Sitton, a privately held corporation, has operated as an irregular route common and contract carrier, providing truckload transportation service throughout the United States. The company also operates a brokerage arm, Sitton Transportation.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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