WEST MEMPHIS, AR (abc24.com) - Freight demand is on the rise and that means more jobs in the trucking industry. The latest example is Tango Transport. It has more than 100 positions available at its West Memphis terminal. The company is looking to fill them ASAP.
The hiring blitz couldn't have come at a better time. The unemployment rate in the greater Memphis area is nearly 10 percent. That includes a portion of Mississippi and Arkansas.
Tim Hood is a regional manager with Tango Transportation. The company's clientele reads like a who's who list among Fortune 500 companies.
“We do FedEx, International Paper is one of our biggest customers, Smuckers, Family Dollar account,” Hood said.
The freight industry is booming. It's forced Tango to double its fleet to a whopping 1000 trucks.
“You know we got a lot of empty trucks right now. We just bought a lot more new ones and we're growing. We just need to fill seats,” Hood said.
Tango looks to hire 90 to 100 tuckers and 10 to 15 mechanics.
“Get the trucks ready for the drivers, you know unseat them, detail them, any tires we do change the oil, p-m the truck,” Hood said.
At Tango they can earn up to $22 an hour. Truckers can make up to $45,000 a year.
Ida Williams has been working with the company for more than a year.
“They're going to keep you running, keep you busy. You'll enjoy it. Tango is a good company,” Williams said.
If you're interested in the work, Tango is hosting a career fair Saturday, August 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4000 Petro Drive in West Memphis.
