Walmart is honoring 11 of its transportation suppliers for exemplary performance in delivering to Walmart distribution centers. Each year, Walmart recognizes transportation suppliers that have demonstrated excellence or exhibited significant improvement in meeting core business objectives, including small parcel, less-than-truckload, and intermodal.

“Walmart Transportation appreciates these carrier partners who have gone above and beyond to provide outstanding service over the past year,” said Rob Kusiciel, vice president of inbound transportation and global logistics. “By ensuring our products arrive intact and on time, Walmart is able to continue to fulfill our commitment to providing the products our customers want and need at prices they can afford.”

Carriers recognized with each award consistently maintained a high level of service by providing on-time pick-up and delivery with minimal degrees of variability in performance.

The 2011 Walmart Carrier of the Year Award Winners are:

General Merchandise Diamond*: Schneider National Carriers

General Merchandise Platinum*: Celadon

General Merchandise Gold*: Epes Transport

Grocery: C.R. England

Grocery Dedicated: Swift Transportation

Regional LTL: Averitt Express

National LTL: Con-way Freight

Diversity: Trio Trucking

Intermodal: JB Hunt Transport

Sam’s: Heartland Express

Small Parcel: FedEx

“We are proud to recognize these service partners that demonstrate excellence in operations and customer service,” said Ken Braunbach, senior director of carrier relations for Walmart. “We are grateful for everything they do to support our ability to meet the needs of our customers.”

* Gold, platinum and diamond designations are relative to fleet size, smallest to largest, respectively.