Mark Hagedorn: I grew up around trucks as my parents owned a gas station and repair shop across the street from where A/T Transportation resides. The gas station is still there and is a nice reminder every day of where hard work and determination can take you.
I began as a truck driver and eventually moved into dispatch and safety. I wanted to learn all facets of the industry so that I could one day start my own version of a successful trucking company.
Mark Hagedorn: While driving during the 1980s, it was very obvious that truck drivers were not appreciated. This stuck with me and it became my dream to one day start a trucking company that would be centered around the driver. We have “Welcome Drivers” On all of our doors leading into our office.
A/T also has 5 full-time employees in our office that have active CDLs and still make deliveries when needed. As the owner, I still have my CDL, and continue to make deliveries when needed.
The drivers appreciate that our office staff understands the job that they are doing out on the road. Recently, one of our drivers won a competition to establish our Company’s official acronym, which represents what it means to be an employee of A/T Transportation. The Acronym is D.R.I.V.E. and stands for Dedicated, Respected, Innovative, Valued, Employees.
Mark Hagedorn: We are a family owned company located just south of Interstate 64 in Ferdinand, Indiana. A/T Transportation has 70 drivers including both company and owner operators. The company also has a Brokerage division (Automated Logistics) and a Maintenance Shop (Berg’s Big Truck Shop).
We do specialized hauling for our customers in the form of Truck Load, Less Than Truckload (LTL) and warehousing. This freight mainly consists of furniture. A/T was fortunate enough to win Masterbrand Carrier of Year for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017).
Mark Hagedorn: We operate mainly International Pro Stars with Cummins Engines in them. We also have a few Volvos and one Peterbilt. We haul our freight using 190 dry vans and 6 carb compliant reefers.
Mark Hagedorn: A/T looks for safe, reliable drivers with two years of Over-The-Road experience. We value drivers that want to find a home and join our A/T family.
Mark Hagedorn: Yes, we hire owner operators. Our owner operators are paid 1.05 +Fuel Surcharge on ALL MILES (loaded and empty). This means that they will have no dead head miles. Currently, with fuel surcharge, our owner operator’s mileage pay is $1.37/ mile. All of our stops will pay $50. Our average revenue per mile for 2017 (before our raises this year) was $1.42/mile. A/T Transportation pays all of the scales, tolls, permits, and quarterly fuel taxes, IRP base plate as well as the Cargo and Liability insurance. We also issue our fuel cards (with our discounts passed on), best pass and Peoplenet system.
Mark Hagedorn: We are a small trucking company that strives to operate as family with an emphasis on valuing our drivers and employees. I built this company from the driver’s perspective and I think it is visible in everything we stand for at A/T. Our acronym illustrates this; D.R.I.V.E. (Dedicated, Respected, Innovative, Valued, Employees)
Mark Hagedorn: Not in the immediate future, but down the road I would like to make it happen.
(Editor's note: Check out A/T's 2007 Western Star 4900SA show truck here.
Mark Hagedorn: I think this industry is ever-changing; it is our job to evolve with it.
We have to find a way to bring our youth into this industry as older drivers retire, and the driver shortage tightens. We need young people to realize the benefits of being a truck driver. This is paramount, because we all know the trucking industry is the lifeblood of the American economy, it makes the wheels go round.
Mark Hagedorn: Thank you Mark, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you. We are very active on Facebook and our company website is www.attransportation.com, Thanks again!