Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/764523
standard 16-foot. His favorite — and most recent — Granite acquisitions are a pair of quads, one in pink and one in baby blue. The Granites are perfect for the harsh envi- ronments in the clay and gravel pits. "It's slick when it rains here, like driving on ice," Radford says. "We can get in and out better with Macks. I'm satisfi ed, from the Mack Financial side to the service side at the dealership." Radford tried out the mDRIVE at a truck show last year and was impressed enough to make the switch from another manufacturer. He was even more pleased when he saw the fuel savings. Before the mDRIVE, he was lucky to get 4.5 mpg. Now, the lighter, more fuel effi cient Granites are netting 6 mpg, sav- ing an estimated $3,500 per unit per year. And thanks to a close working relationship with Tri-State Truck Center, he has enjoyed a signifi cant increase in uptime. "With heavy equipment, those trucks can't be held up, we have to get them out," says Jackie Bell, general manager at Tri-State. "We send a technician to his place and get him back on the road as fast as possible. Our motto is to become an extension of the customer's busi- ness. When KR Trucking has a prob- lem, then we have a problem, and we don't stop until our problems are solved." That's a trait appreciated by Radford, who treats his customers with the same care and respect, whether they are large corporations or small local businesses. He wakes at 4:30 a.m. and returns home between 6-7 p.m. The days are long, but Radford is committed to seeing his company grow and leaving a legacy for his children. The average day fi nds him in the fi eld work- ing alongside his crew. He is quick to praise his employees and offer thanks for all he has been given. "I owe it all to the Lord," Radford says. "He has blessed KR Trucking, and I love what I do." KR Trucking, which mines both kaolin and ball clay, uses primarily Mack Granites in its fl eet. Keith Radford talks with Jackie Bell, general manager of Tri-State Truck Center "It's slick when it rains here, like driving on ice. We can get in and out better with Macks." Keith Radford, owner KR Trucking 2 0 1 6 V 3 | B U L L D O G | 2 3