I don’t know if many of you ever stop and think about what goes into winning a dedicated haul from a company that already owns their own trucks, or what a haul like this can do for our company long-term. These opportunities do not just fall into your lap.
A few examples:
Several years ago, Boise Cascade had their own trucking company out of Tigard called BCT, which stood for Boise Cascade Transportation. They hauled flatbed and chip loads out of Willamina and Independence, Oregon. Even with their own fleet, we were able to sell them on the idea of us hauling loads to Medford on a round-trip basis. We purchased around 9 new trucks and multiple trailers to help support that haul, and we ran it successfully for years.
For nearly 10 years, we also hauled RFP loads out of Weed on a round-trip basis, despite them having their own fleet as well. During that time, we were able to purchase an additional 10 curtain vans along with several tractors, which helped us continue upgrading our fleet.
The way we win this work is by convincing customers we can do it better than they can themselves. Better service. Easier. Faster. Safer.
Basically, I tell them my guys are better than theirs.
That standard comes from everyone, top to bottom.
We need to improve from where we were the first two weeks. This haul has the potential to become a long-term contract that helps us continue updating equipment across the board. Please pay attention to what you are doing. Things will occasionally happen — I understand that. We haul a lot of freight and run massive miles every year. But we still need to perform better than everyone else.
Again, I want other drivers to wish they worked here and got to drive for us. We are the best. Help me prove I was right when I told them my guys are better.
Drive safe.
— Troy