Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/220320
Cover Story By Brad Bentley Transco Is On The Grow T New ownership team has created additional opportunities for experienced drivers JOBS for TEAMS | ransco Lines, Inc. (TLI) was founded in 1984 by James and Zella Harrell. James passed away in 1992, but Zella continued to expand the company. Last year, shortly before her 78th birthday, she made the decision to sell the company to Terry Wallace and Bill Grojean, two entrepreneurs with decades of trucking experience. After years of working for other fleets, Wallace and Grojean became business partners and have a history as trucking turnaround specialists. The recent acquisition of TLI seemed like a perfect fit, since the company was established with a vast set of customers and a great culture.Wallace and Grojean took the best of what was there and have added to it. Their first order of business at TLI was providing ultra-modern assets for their drivers.The first year after the acquisition was spent upgrading equipment.The average age of TLI's fleet is now 1 year and 2 months, and these KW, Pete and Volvo trucks are spec'd with the best amenities like inverters and deluxe interiors.The company has a new software platform in place through TMW systems, and TLI's fleet of 700 dry van and reefer trailers have been upgraded with new Omnitracs and ThermoKing units.These improvements have helped TLI further carve their niche in the marketplace of providing superior service for customers requiring JustIn-Time performance. Wallace and Grojean have also taking advantage of opportunities to develop new customers since TLI had HazMat authority, which they did not have in their other businesses.There are also lots of expedited 14 JFT1213_Cover Story.indd 1 service offerings, which is good for the new Hours Of Service regulations. Having team operations is a way to offset some of those restrictions, so the company has doubled the amount of teams at TLI over the past year. Under Wallace and Grojean's leadership,TLI has grown from 186 trucks to almost 300 today (200 solos and 100 teams). TLI is headquartered in Russellville,Arkansas, on I-40 between Little Rock and Fort Smith.With an additional terminal in Mount Pleasant,Texas, these locations afford their drivers easy access, and the modern maintenance facilities complete with amenities for drivers while they are in town.Treating their drivers right and being considerate are part of Wallace and Grojean's business philosophy. Both Grojean and Wallace work hard to be accessible. Their drivers take priority and the other 'to do' lists are secondary.As a result,Transco Lines gets a lot of "word of mouth" advertising from their drivers. The new owners also realize if they bring value and deliver on time, their customers stuck with them.The art in that is doing it efficiently despite downward pressure on rates so they still make money and reinvest capital to support growth. For 2014, the plan is to grow the fleet by 20-30%, but keep asset utilization high.The company considers itself brokers of time for their drivers, and makes effective use of their hours to make them money.> Experienced drivers looking for a company who can provide steady freight and plenty of miles should call Transco Lines at 855-278-5645 or apply at www.DriveForTranscoLines.com. www.jobsforteams.com 11/6/13 8:31 AM