REDMOND, Ore., Aug. 7, 2013 – Daseke Inc., a family of premier flatbed and specialized carriers, continues to grow with the addition of Redmond, Ore.-based Central Oregon Truck Company.
The transaction, which took place Aug. 1, comes on the heels of Gaffney, S.C.-based J. Grady Randolph Inc. joining Daseke (in May), making the holding company one of the 20 largest flatbed and specialty carriers in North America. Other Daseke companies include Smokey Point Distributing and E.W. Wylie.
“Central Oregon Truck Company is truly a premier flatbed carrier and first-class in equipment and customer service,” said Don Daseke, president and CEO of Daseke Inc. “We were very impressed with the management team and the way they go about business. They truly understand customer needs and the importance of having quality equipment and drivers who are dedicated to safely delivering flatbed loads.”
According to Rick Williams, one of the founders and CEO of Central Oregon Truck Company, the decision to join Daseke brings added momentum to a company already on the move. “We’ve been in business since 1992 and have had great success – we’re creative, very organized and want to grow,” Williams said. “We’ll continue with our culture and principles and with the very same management team and drivers we have in place. By joining Daseke, we have added substantial financial backing for growth and now have a peer group of other Daseke companies to help realize best practices and develop business strategies. Being a Daseke company allows us to continue to fulfill our vision and achieve our goals quicker and easier, while enhancing our service to our driver teams and our shipper partners.”
Originally formed by a group of friends who were former drivers, including Williams, Central Oregon Truck Company has been a mainstay flatbed carrier throughout the 11 western states, and has grown to handle loads with customers throughout the lower 48 states and in Canada.
“As former drivers, we know the importance of the person behind the wheel – safe drivers are the key to our organization and our customer service,” said Williams. “We run Kenworth trucks that average less than 2.2 years in age, versus the industry average of 6-plus years. The trucks are all equipped with the latest in safety options, including lane departure warning systems, and anti-rollover systems. Safety is priority one, and our safety ratings and CSA scores prove that.”
Demonstrating its commitment to its drivers is the company’s new 28,000-square-foot showcase facility, which features sleeping rooms, an exercise facility, café, computer lab and laundry mat. “We also have our management team here with open doors,” said Williams. “We know our drivers on a personal level and that culture will never change.”
“They truly offer the entire package,” said Daseke. “We’re looking forward to offering the tools in capital, and peer group roundtables, which will help them grow even further. It’s an exciting relationship for both parties.”
Addison, Texas-based Daseke Inc. is a family of specialized flatbed transportation companies serving 49 states and Canada. The companies include the E.W. Wylie Corporation, based in West Fargo, N.D.; Smokey Point Distributing, based in Arlington, WA.; J. Grady Randolph, based in Gaffney, S.C., and Central Oregon Truck Company, based in Redmond, OR. E.W. Wylie is known for hauling heavy equipment, both flatbed and specialized. Smokey Point is a leader in aviation-related transportation with a highly diverse trailer fleet featuring a large inventory of curtain trailers in flatbed, step-deck and low-profile step-deck configurations. J. Grady Randolph is an expert in over-dimensional flatbed cargo. Central Oregon Truck Company handles a variety of flatbed loads and offers curtain trailers and roll-tops. Together, the companies comprise one of the 20 largest flatbed and specialty carriers in North America.
CONTACT:
Doug Siefkes
Tel: 425-392-2611
siefkes@siefkespetit.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE – This release includes an attached backgrounder with more information on Daseke.
PHOTO NOTE – Images are available with this release by clicking on the following links:
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 1 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/7k5j6e
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 2 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/Sq430z
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 3 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/875738
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 4 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/W91G43
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 5 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/ujet02
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 6 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/2z2PYi
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 7 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/wx7yP8
Daseke – Central Oregon Truck Co. 8 – http://flickr.com/gp/truckpr/D2Z50Q
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