MIAMI - Southeast Milk, Inc. has awarded a Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC) contract to Ryder System, Inc. Under the contract, Ryder will assume the Southeast Milk, Inc. Feed Mill Division fleet responsibilities, supporting their dedicated delivery services from Plant City, Fla. cooperative customers throughout Florida and Georgia.

The turnkey package includes 32 vehicles, drivers, fleet management, and preventive and programmed maintenance for the equipment.

"Southeast Milk needed a partner who could take over our Feed Mill Division's private fleet operations to control costs, reduce liability, and increase operational performance and service for our customers," said Pamela Yoder, Trucking Division general manager for Southeast Milk, Inc. "We have confidence in Ryder's transportation and logistics capabilities and expertise to drive operational excellence throughout our operations."

Ryder's DCC service is a customized suite of transportation management services for the delivery of a customer's products that optimizes its fleet operations and allows its management to be more focused on core business issues.

Southeast Milk, Inc. was created in October 1998 with the merger of two Florida dairy cooperatives, Florida Dairy Farmers' Association and Tampa Independent Dairy Farmers' Association, Inc. The company presently markets less than three billion lbs. of milk annually, according to Southeast Milk.