Create a free Commercial Carrier Journal account to continue reading

Trying to turn around a trucking company? Use the 1% approach

Richard Stocking Headshot
Updated Oct 14, 2021

Just like blindside backing a 53-foot trailer, turning around a trucking company is tough.

There are so many people and so many moving pieces. Many people are set in their ways, and you’ve got a scattered workforce working all different hours.

Every facet of the industry is so competitive that it can feel like there’s no room for improvement in rates or costs. Imagine your operating ratio (OR) is over 100 and your investors and banks are demanding you get your OR into the low 90s within 18 months or you’re fired. How in the world are you going to find 1,000 basis points of OR improvement? Even if you do the impossible and cut your deadhead in half and cut your driver turnover in half you still wouldn’t achieve your goals.

Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. It can be done.