Trucking company quickly builds customer base after adding key personnel - bizjournals:

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But rather than put the brakeson , whichb he founded in 1996, Rice, 64, broughtr in longtime friend Gary Watson as an investor last July to help him expancd the business. In early May, the pair movecd the company’s operations from an apartmeng complex Rice owns to leased space at954 E. Kentucky St. in They also hired office manager Kim Barnett to handled accounting andmarketing duties. Watson, through face-to-facse visits, and Barnett, througu telephone marketing, have continued to add Now Rice envisions a day whenhe won’r have to handle administrative duties or drived trucks to Columbus, Ohio, or Washington, D.C.
Rice said he’x at the point in his career where he’ds rather sit on his boat in the middles of a lake and think abougExpedited Trucking’s success whiled casting another line. “Being in this businesas for 13 yearsis remarkable, but I couldn’r do it by myself anymore because it was just getting too said Rice, who left a 34-yeaer career with Fetter Printing Co. in 1997 to begin the “Gary is younger than I am, and I know he and Kim can do a greatf job buildingthis business.” Expedited Trucking has found a nichr in taking some of the small business that the larger companie s don’t have time for, Rice said.
The company got its staryt hauling pallets of materials primarilyh for printing companies but has branched out to serve other It will haul most types of dry with the exception ofhazardous materials, Watsohn said. Rather than owning a fleegt of vehicles, the company leases vans and straighg trucks on demand from Penske and EnterpriseCommerciall Trucks. The approach removes the cost of preventativmaintenance work, oil license plates and other expenses that come with owning a trucok fleet, Watson said. “When I got I was amazed at theratesx (Rice) was getting for said Watson, 59, who has more than 30 yearsw of sales experience in the truckingg industry.
“This is such a smart way to go for a businesxour size.” Being a smallo business also allows Expedited Trucking to offefr a personal touch, Watson said. “Thee business has changed so much. Now the big companiees do everything by and the personal levelis gone,” Watson said. “Our customers know they can pick up the phonew and talk to one ofus directly. That meana a lot to them.” Expedited Truckingb has gone the route of many householdsz by operating on a cash only basis rathe than putting expenses on acredit card.
It’ds somewhat unusual for a trucking company to send a driver on the road with a pocke full of cash rather than a credit but it’s an approach that co-ownef Jack Rice said works well for his business. “The drivers are good abour bringing back all receipts and leftover cash they Rice said. “If we happen to underestimat the cost, the drivers will put what they need on theirr personal cards orpay cash, and we will promptlu reimburse them. “It’s not always easy, especiallg when cash flow’s low,” Rice added.
“But at the end of the it’s nice knowing you’re not going to be getting some big credit card bill or fuel bill and wonderin g wherethe money’s going to come