Kottke Trucking - 75 Years of Family Tradition

18 Wheels of Justice Proudly Presents…

75 Years of Family Tradition – Kottke Trucking

Click Logo above or call 800-248-2623 Ask for Kyle

Celebrating 75 Years - Kottke Trucking – A Family Tradition

Kottke Trucking was born on a cold night in 1938 in Buffalo Lake, MN.  The Kottke family patriarch, Mr. Elmer Kottke, started hauling milk, feed and fertilizer for the local creamery. 

In 1961 Donald and Duane took over, called it the aptly named Kottke Brothers and started hauling gravel and dry freight to help grow the business. 

Kottke has had its ups and downs over the years, but in 1983 it lost one of its largest customers and this forced them to change the face of the business.  The Kottke Family is a tough lot and they stuck together and triumphed over these challenges.  They traded in the hoppers for reefers and never looked back.  The Kottke family went after, and was awarded a new ICC authority that gave them the ability to pursue customers and freight in all 48 states.  This was a tough period for the company, but family pulls together and finds a way to make things work.

Connie and Duane Kottke have dedicated their lives to the continued success of Kottke Trucking, Inc. Duane started out driving a mail route truck, then moved to hauling grain. He soon found himself in the position of a dispatcher, and at times, both a driver and dispatcher. Connie’s involvement in the company’s success included buying and selling grain, bookkeeping and occasional dispatching. She and Duane also devoted much of their time to raising their three sons; Kurt, Kory and Kyle. We thank them for creating the strong foundation of Kottke Trucking and with pride; we will carry those traditions into the future.

The Kottke Family, not just the relatives, but every driver, owner operator, dispatcher, office worker and mechanic all work together to make this one of the best reefer companies to work for in Minnesota. 

The Staff at 18 Wheels of Justice HQ was fortunate enough to speak with Kyle Kottke, General Manger, to ask him a few more questions about Kottke…

Thanks for joining us, Kyle.  75 years of trucking, that’s a lot of experience and a lot of responsibility.  Why do drivers and owner operators like working for Kottke?

We like to believe we treat them as part of our family.  They have become an extended part of our family and the foundation of our success.  I believe we work as hard as anyone at keeping the quality of life for a driver high.  Most of our drivers are home every 4-6 days.  Some of the routes go 6-10 days.

 

We work hard to make sure that our offerings are in line with the big guys but their quality of work atmosphere is far superior with us.

We like the family owned and operated tradition at Kottke.  As Kottke has grown over the years, how have you kept this tradition alive?

We are deep into the roots of our company.  Kurt, Kory and I are very involved in the day to day operations of the business and are proud of the team we have assembled.  No question, our heritage is very important to us but we don’t rest on yesterday’s success.  We know that we need to be in front of the industry, working with our drivers and customers to continue to be successful going forward.

 

Our tradition is our drivers, not our family.  The most important Christmas Card exchange we have is with many of our retired drivers who have spent their career with us.  I love to hear what they are doing in retirement and glad that we had a small role in their success and their lives.

 

What are your hiring areas?

We are very heavy in the Upper Midwest(MN,WI,IL, and IA) but we hire from the Midwest, South and Southeastern part of the US.  If you go to our website(click here) and find the lanes serviced page, we will hire a candidate from any of our territories.

How much reefer experience do you require?  A large portion of our audience has expressed interest in switching from to reefers…

I require one year of over the road experience.  Reefer experience is optional and we can train on the reefer technologies.

Who should drivers and operators call? ME!  I personally recruit all of my drivers.  I promise no bull!  800-248-2623 ext 2422.

Very nice touch, call one of the owners, Kyle, the hands on approach is the best way to go in our business. 18 Wheels of Justice likes that and likes Kottke.  Thanks for your time today, Kyle, enjoy your Thanksgiving…

Click on Logo above or call 800-248-2623 Ask for Kyle

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veterans Day!

18 Wheels of Justice would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who have served and are currently serving our beloved country protecting our citizen’s rights and freedom! God Bless America and the Armed Forces! For all our veterans returning from service, and returning to a slow economy, the trucking industry is hiring and training drivers. Becoming an OTR Driver is full of opportunities, good pay and security. There are many opportunities to buy your own truck and become an owner opportunity after a few years. The future is bright for you in our Industry!

I was blessed with spending opening week-end deer season with my Dad, two of my brothers and my 10 Year old son, Joe, at our family farm in Northern Missouri. After a very enjoyable week-end, my son and I embarked on our two-hour journey home on a rural two lane highway. With a ten year old boy, many rapid fire conversation start and stop abruptly, change course and reignite later at random times. One of many conversations involved the lines on the two lane highway. What do the dotted lines mean? Can I change the radio station? Why is there a dotted line next to a solid line? Look at that cow… Why are there two solid lines? Dad? Why didn’t they make this highway wider?

They made the lanes wide enough for a truck to safely haul freight.

Joe: Why is a truck that wide?

Because the machines they used to make railroad cars are the same machines they used to make trucks and trailers with.

Joe: Why are railroad cars that wide?

The axles and tools that were used to make wagon axles were used to make railroad car axles.

Joe: Why were the wagons that wide?

Because of the Romans

Joe: What does this have to do with Bible?

Nothing, the Roman Empire built Chariots and all of the major roads throughout Rome and much of Europe, and wagon axles were built the same width as the chariots. That way the wagon wheels would fit in the ruts that already existed in the road. The wagons would ride level and the wagon wheels wouldn’t break in a rut.

Joe: Do you mean the rut during deer season?

Not that rut, a rut in the road.

Joe: Ok, then why did the Romans build the Chariots that wide?

Roman Emperor Julius Caesar declared that all official Roman Chariots be built to the width of two horses. There has to be a standard width or nobody would be able to fit on the roads, it would be chaos.

Joe: Hmm. Look at that cow over there…

Carrier Decision - Auto Carriers - Drivers & Operators

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Career Decision

18 Wheels of Justice Investigates

Auto Carriers

 For

Drivers and Owner Operators

November 2, 2012 - 13:57

Welcome to a new multiple part series called “Career Decision”

18 Wheels of Justice investigates all the rumors we have heard for years about the money to be made in other specialized trucking segments of our industry.  We look into all areas of trucking.

We wanted to get the real story on car hauling, not the typical “spiel” from a large car hauler.  The staff at 18 Wheels of Justice HQ was lucky enough to stumble upon a long standing, small carrier in Florida.   Auto Carrier Express, based in Jacksonville, has been very successful and profitable hauling cars for the last 15 years, and more importantly the owner operators and drivers have done just as well.

They have several customer relationships with prestigious customers as Southeast Toyota, American Honda, Hyundai and Kia to name just a few.  First, let’s get some background on Auto Carrier Express (ACE)  

ACE offers auto transport services primarily in the Southeastern United States, from Florida to Maryland and as far West as Alabama on a routine basis.

The primary benefit of this operation is its “1^st come-1^st serve” approach to the dispatching system. There are no A,B,C rated drivers at ACE. There are no “forced dispatches” or “hot loads”. You have the flexibility to run any direction you wish based on the available loads.

Auto Carrier Express is dedicated to the man behind the wheel. This proves evident in the payscale, the benefits and all of the in-house perks that go along with wearing the ACE uniform.  ACE even keeps the freezer stocked with quick and easy meals for the drivers to satisfy that hunger pang when you’re in a pinch for time.

As an ACE driver, you can expect to see your annual pay to be an average of 30% higher than that of a van or flatbed driver.  Some of the other unique salary benefits are listed below…   

  Company Drivers

• Dollar for Dollar 401k Match up to 4% of pay
• Short Term Disability Paid
• Health & Dental Paid 66%
• Quarterly Fuel (MPG) Bonuses
• Monthly & Annual Quality Bonuses

  Owner Operators 

77.5% of Revenue for Op’s – That’s 77.5% of Car Hauler $$

ACE pays 100% Liability and Cargo Insurance + ½ of Plate

Fuel Surcharges on ALL accounts

18 Wheels of Justice – Quick Stats – Who’s in Charge?

In 1997, Gilbert and Vicki Hanks started ACE with just one truck. Today, the company boasts a 60 – vehicle fleet, a team of 70 employees and a stellar safety record — achievements that are the result of building strong relationships with customers and investing in quality people, equipment and technology. 

 

Gilbert Hanks - CEO

The driving force behind Auto Carrier Express is Gilbert Hanks, co-founder and chief executive officer. In 1997, at the request of Southeast Toyota, who wanted to partner with a dependable vehicle transportation company, Gilbert established ACE. To meet the challenge, Gilbert created a strong platform of technology and high-quality assets. Naturally, this attracted some of the best people in the trucking industry, and the rest is history.  

William Mauldin – Vice President

William’s responsibilities include strategy, branding, strengthening current relationships, providing technical and financial management expertise, and identifying and acquiring new business for the expanding fleet.  William has filled several operational and relationship management roles, serving the auto transport market from the ground up.

In short, ACE has the people, equipment and technology to deliver on its promises. The combined experience of its drivers is well above the industry average. ACE utilizes handpicked company drivers and owner operators who have a keen understanding of what sets transportation companies apart: exceptional service and customer satisfaction.  ACE focuses on recruiting and retaining high-quality individuals who measure up to stringent standards – Good People Skills, Positive Attitude, Effective Problem Solvers, Pride in their Work, Self Motivated – Perhaps the most important thing ACE does is to enfranchise its employees, which allows drivers to directly benefit from going over and above for customers. In addition, ACE has developed a comprehensive Driver Development Program that invests time and energy into training promising individuals to become certified car haulers. 

Want a 30% pay raise? Want Home time? Ready to move up?

Drivers and Operators

Call Chris Hanks today 800-809-1491

We would like to thank Mr. Mauldin for his time.  Auto Carrier Express would be a great place to start exploring a new "Career Decision"...

Copyright 2012 18 Wheels of Justice

Driver's Top Ten - How to Narrow Down Your Job Search

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Top Ten List – The Search for a Driving Job - How to Narrow Job Search to 5 carriers


Here at 18 Wheels of Justice HQ, we have discussed how to decide from your list of 5 carriers you have selected, but how do you pick 5 carriers?

Drivers and owner operators are inundated with options for employment opportunities these days. Look on any driver or operator recruiting website, how a does someone decide on which company to call. Everyone seems to offer the same things, home time, respect, sign on bonus, new equipment etc. How did you get the real facts about the company?

We are going to show you what we feel is the best way to go about your search. This can feel like a huge task and can get overwhelming quickly. We like to break it down and do it in a simple 10 Step approach.

10. Word on the Street - talk to other drivers and operators. – This is a good way to start. Drivers and owner operators who speak well about their company is a tried and true way to find out the real story. I’m more cautious about suggesting this approach these days because most companies offer a referral bonus. I think the reality is that most drivers won’t push the company they work at if they don’t really believe it is a good place to work, referral bonus or not. There are always exceptions, but people aren’t that hard to read. If he or she seems like an honest and decent person, chances are they will tell you the truth. Be sure to ask them these questions: 

-Why they chose the company they are with.
-What were three of the deciding factors in their decision to work there?
-Home time, pay, the size of the company, equipment, reputation.
-Was it what the recruiter told them about the company?
-Did the recruiters’ promises hold true?
-Take notes! It easy to get the companies mixed up when you are making your decision later.
-Did talking to this guy make you want to call the company right away or were there things he said that made you hesitate?

9. Physical appearance of Equipment – As long as you’re talking to him, walk with him out to his truck.
 -Is it clean?
 -Well maintained? Tires tell a good story about a company.
 -Was is a matched set? New tires or recaps? Plenty of tread? You can draw your own conclusions.

Trailers tell a better story about a company. Some drivers are more concerned with their tractor than other drivers, but trailers in a drop and hook operation reflect the company better... 
-Is it clean? Is it beat up? How old is it? What about the tires? Again, draw your own conclusions…

8. Attitude and Appearance of the Driver – This says a lot about the company and type of driver that works there. I’m not suggesting judging other people, everybody is different. Generally speaking, a happy driver takes better care of himself and has a good attitude about things. Would you be happy to work with this driver and does he take pride in what he does and where he works?

We will post parts 7 through 4 of our countdown on Monday and the final 3 on Wednesday – Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading and be sure to check out our driver and owner operator page at 18Wheelsofjustice.com. We research carriers and present what they offer every week, to help you gain insight on what companies are offering and how they stack up. We do the research for you, you decide.


What about a career change?  Have you thought about switching to pulling a reefer, van, flatbed, or tanker?  How about a being a car hauler or driving for an Oil Field Services company?  You ask, we deliver.  18 Wheels of Justice investigates and compares apples to apples and breaks it all down for you... Debuts next week!  "Drivers: Choices within your Career - The Inside Scoop"...

Next week will be the long awaited debut of “Ask 18 Wheels of Justice” on our website. We provide opinion, answers and solutions to all things trucking.  If we don't know it, we find the answer! A sincere thank you to all of you who submitted questions, please keep them coming.

© 2012 Michael H. Komadina

18 Wheels of Justice™

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