Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/153582
08-13 11:04 months, he changed his mind and returned. "The company is my passion, but it hasn't always been easy. In the beginning, we didn't only have to learn how the business functions; we were also forced to manage the family dynamic. But I have learned so much from my parents. They are my best friends," he says. Even if the mustang that adorns the company's trucks radiates strength and triggers thoughts of the Wild West, it definitely does not characterize the way Rick runs his business. Rick describes himself as a perfectionist. "If you don't get things right from the start, why do them at all? I am very determined and double-check everything. This is one of the reasons why I have succeeded in the business – plus the fact that I decided to drive Volvo trucks early on," he says. When Rick started his company, he realized what generated money: effective, just-in-time deliveries. To offer his customers precisely this, all Mustang Express drivers work in teams of two. This means that the trucks are almost never stationary. When one of the drivers is resting, the other is driving. However, this also imposes rigorous requirements on the trucks to keep moving as expected. "Volvo Trucks has an excellent product, but that's not all. I know that I can rely on my Volvo dealer. The staff there know me. We have been working together since I bought my very first Volvo truck. They know that I expect a high standard and top-class service. And that's exactly what I get!" As things stand, Rick has a fleet of 27 Volvo trucks, but he has invested in a total of 63 trucks over the years. "I believe in re-investing in our truck fleet and the company. So we never keep a truck for more than three and a half to four years. After that, it's time to invest in new equipment so that I can be sure that I'm offering both my customers and my drivers the very best the market has to offer." The fact that 99 percent of Mustang Express' deliveries arrive in time only goes to prove that this is a successful formula. "My motto is 'You are never better than your latest delivery.' I demand this of my trucks and I demand it of my drivers. However, if something goes wrong, I never lie to my customers. They know that they can rely on me and many of them have told me that this is why they choose to work with Mustang Express. It's a question of honesty and integrity." ■ FACT FILE THE COMPANY THE FLEET Mustang Express Started: 2003, but the family business goes back even further. Owners: Rick and Laura Hernandez Employees: 60 employees, including 47 drivers, 1 mechanic, 1 city driver, and 1 1 office and management staff. Volvo All the way Assignments: Mustang Express transports all kinds of products such as automotive seatbelts, medical supplies, printer cartridges and paper products. Vehicles: 27 Volvo 670 VN units with double bunks, 1 Volvo day cab. The vehicles range in age from 2009-2013 models. Working environment: Mustang Express caters to the manufacturing sectors within the "Twin Cities" of El Paso, Texas, and C.D. Juarez, Mexico. Applications: 18 Trucks are equipped with the Fuller FRO-16210C, 10-speed overdrive manual, fully synchronized, short-shift stroke transmission and the nine remaining units are equipped with the Volvo I-Shift transmission. Fuel consumption: Mustang Express works hard to improve fuel efficiency, increase environmental performance, and increase supply chain sustainability. The fleet's average fuel consumption is 7.3 mpg. THE AREA Arizona Phoenix USA New Mexico El Paso Te x a s MEXICO 100 km Chihuahua DRIVER 'S DIGEST #2/2013 35 VTM_2_13_US_en.indb 37 2013-08-13 11:04 DDQ213PG010-19_30-31_Common Pages.indd 35 8/13/13 8:57 AM