Get a few trucks, start a company...lol

It seems like back in the 80's and 90's just about anybody could finance a few trucks and start whatever trucking company, inc.

I've recently been taking some time off, searching for local work, but at the same time researching all my options as I know going back OTR could happen if I don't land anything in a few weeks.

I've been going deep researching all kinds of companies looking for that diamond in the rough. But I am somewhat amazed at just how many 100-200 truck operations there are that just started within the last 10-20 years. There is always some biography on the website about the owner. "Bubba started with three trucks and today is a nationwide carrier with 100 trucks..." etc.

I have to sit there and wonder if this is one of the guys that used to sit around the counter at the truck stop restaurant spinning old yarns about this or that. And I think, wow, would I really trust that guy to run a company, pay my salary, etc? In most cases no. There are a lot of great success stories out there. But, sadly, a lot of these companies are currently the ones being weeded out. Some because of unfair government regs and the big companies forcing them out. But a lot of them also because they didn't have any business sense.

There are a lot of great small companies. But, especially, in this economic environment, I'm going to need to see the books of some of these places before I would go to work there. That goes for the large companies as well. Pielsticker anyone? aka Arrow

 

It's not always easy. But if there is any doubt I'm at least going to make an effort. I have talked to a few different companies that have voluntarily stated their financial standing. Not "showing the books" exactly, but they stated their customer base, etc. Of course, that doesn't prove a lot but at least it's their word.

And, as we all know, the books can be cooked so who knows. But there are a lot of threads about companies bouncing checks. I don't know how many of them are true. And some of them are from more than a few years ago.

There's no doubt in the chain-of-command in the employer/employee relationship, need-to-know etc, but due diligence before I become an employee is sometimes the peace of mind I like before I enter that relationship.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5910182_tax-records-business.html

 

If it is a private company or O/O, that is different. But I still think it is good business to be up front about the financial health. I have worked for private companies but not O/O's, and every company I've worked for has been willing to share at least some financial details about the overall health of the company.

It helps me get a perspective about the company and industry I'm going to work for. No big deal to me though. They don't have to talk to me and I don't have to talk to them. No harm no foul.

I did just get a job today, though, not exactly local, 3-5 days out. Incidentally, they post all their financial reports on their website. It is not all pretty, but I feel better going in with an understanding of the situation.

http://ir.vaughanfoods.com/financials.cfm

It may even prompt me to work that much harder to make sure the company does well, grows, and improves in profitability.

EDIT:

This is not really fair to your argument, Rerun, because this is actually the parent company of the trucking company I'm going to work for. So it is a different situation. The trucking company, http://www.vaughantransportation.com/ does not list its financials, but it is basically tied into the food company.

I don't want to argue about it. I had too much spare time on my hands. I go back to work next week and hopefully will not come here and make stupid posts out of boredom.