From a Mere Startup to Industry Standard: How Load N Go Rose to the Top During a Market Crisis
This article is based on the material from MSN on Microsoft Start. Joan Petrie wrote an article about our company after conducting an interview with the owners.
Load N Go, a startup founded in 2019, has seen tremendous growth despite these challenges. The company has grown from zero trucks, trailers, and drivers to an impressive fleet of over 100 trucks and drivers. We spoke with the company’s owners to learn about their business strategies and vision that helped them overcome current market challenges and thrive.
“How has Load N Go managed to navigate and thrive in an industry where many other trucking companies have faced closures in the past Year?”
It might not be accurate to say that we handled it successfully, but we managed it.. We used our resources to grow the business throughout the year. When we started in 2019, the trucking industry was booming. There were good loads at reasonable prices, and the hardest part was finding drivers. Brokers paid well for all loads, so drivers had no reason to leave their jobs.
We took the time to build open communication and trust with each of our drivers, which gave them the confidence to continue working with us. They always know that despite the challenges of the current market, they will always be paid on time and supported during their trips.
"First months of Load N Go" - Denys Zubryn
“In the U.S., 95% of trucking companies are small, with fleets of up to 10 trucks. Load N Go is much larger, with nearly 100 trucks. How did you accomplish this growth as a fairly new company?”
Our key strategy in sustaining our growth was the commitment to allow our drivers to work and earn a living while supporting them along the way. Because we went into business right before the hit of the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19, we had to quickly learn to organize our serviceteam of dispatchers to provide their support remotely. This task wasn’t too difficult because our dispatchers were already online around the clock. What was particularly challenging during the height of the pandemic was finding mechanics and roadside assistance. A bigger team of dispatchers means that mechanical services and other forms of support are provided efficiently, with minimal downtime for the driver.
“We’ve all seen rising fuel costs (64.1 cents per mile), supply chain disruptions, and a shortage of drivers. How does Load N Go successfully address these issues and minimize their impact?”
Marsel Zeytulaev — Driver of The Month (October 2023) with his little pet friend.
We, too, have been impacted by these challenges. There are times when we have drivers join our company only to quit within a week or two because they become discouraged by the market. Even still, we have a group of very loyal owner-operator truckers who drive for us on their own trucks. The majority of our team has been with us since the beginning because we built a trusting and supportive work environment with fair income and optimal working conditions.
Remark: we are always in search of new collaborations for fuel cards, loyalty programs and other ways for our drivers to feel comfortable and do their job without distractions or difficulties.
“In your opinion, what role did technology play in Load N Go’s Success?”
We cannot deny the importance of technology in the 21st century, and when running a trucking business, it is no less crucial. We made an effort to automate as many processes as possible in the company, especially when it comes to daily operational tasks. We invested in various software that became instrumental in organizing the company’s working time and processes. Not every software that we purchased helped us be effective, but we continued our search until we found the best systems. Don’t be afraid to use technology and try new things because they will help improve your business in the long run.
“The American Trucking Association (ATA) estimates that the trucking industry will need to hire 1.2 million drivers to keep up with the demand. How does Load N Go address this demand to attract and retain qualified drivers?”
We are no different from other trucking companies, but what makes us stand out is that we are willing to work with our drivers. Many companies do not want drivers to buy or bring their own trucks or have multiple trucks. Load N Go, on the other hand, supports the growth journey of each driver and allows them the opportunity to grow their income as they desire. We also take the time to listen to the concerns and needs of our staff members and drivers. We take measures to make changes where possible to promote a collaborative atmosphere of growth for everyone in the company, especially our drivers. In essence, we understand that our drivers are people with lives and families, and we treat them fairly to ensure their welfare and happiness.
Looking to the future, what strategies does Load N Go plan to implement to sustain its growth?
As a company, we pride ourselves on offering truck drivers a place to grow in their career or income. In the near future, we plan to implement a lease-to-buy program that would allow our truck drivers to lease a truck and pay it off as they work with us. Additionally, we will begin offering opportunities for local work for those who live near Chicago, IL. These trips will serve railroads in transporting their various materials while allowing drivers to be home each night.