I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. There is my beautiful family, not the least of which is our newest member, my first grandchild, Sawyer, born on November 1st. I am thankful to live in this great country. I’m thankful for my health. I could go on and on, but right now I want to focus on the trucking industry, why I am thankful for it, and in particular the small fleet owners and owner operators.
When folks think of the truck industry, they often relate to the large fleet operations. There are 2.7 million Class 8 trucks registered in the U.S. However of the 500,000 registered trucking companies, 97.2 percent are operations with 20 trucks or less.
HaulProduce.com focuses on the transportation of our nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables — produce haulers. While produce is a small segment of the overall trucking industry, it is so vital in providing healthy foods, on a timely basis to receivers across North America, who supply consumers.
Of that 97.2 percent of trucking companies previously mentioned, 90 percent have five trucks or less. In other words the owner operators and small fleet owners are the backbone of the distribution system in this great country!
While we tend to hear only of the delays at loading and unloading docks, the unfair claims, the excessive rules and regulations, every day thousands of loads are delivered on time and in good shape, without problems.
There is a need in a well rounded transportation system, not only for the medium and large truck lines, but the small fleets, owner operatiors – and yes truck brokers or third party logistics companies.
It is the small operations that provide the flexiblity, and service that is so vital in delivering perishable food products.
For this I am thankful. It is because of you I go to my local supermarket every week to find healthy, fresh food products.
God Bless. Wishing each of you a great Thanksgiving. — Bill Martin