Small Fleet Championship 2024 Finalists
This year, the finalists vying for Overdrive’s prestigious Small Fleet Champ awards are Hell Bent Xpress from South Dakota, C.W. Express based in Indiana, Paul Rissler Transportation from Missouri, and Brian Brewer Trucking located in DeGraff, Ohio.
Just like the challenges faced when evaluating semi-finalists in 2023, this year’s competition presented razor-thin margins among contenders. Each showcased remarkable trucking excellence, resilience, growth, and profitability despite the past year’s tough conditions. However, only two finalists will compete in each division (3-10 trucks and 11-30 trucks).
Congratulations to all four fleets making their way to Nashville, Tennessee, next month for the National Association of Small Trucking Companies’ annual conference, where the champions in each category will receive their title belt.
Celebrating Excellence in Small Fleets
Get to know this year’s finalists and learn from their inspiring stories. Congratulations are also in order for all our semi-finalists this year, who exemplify the many-hat-wearing nature of the profession. From specialized tanker operators to refrigerated produce haulers, these fleets show a masterful grasp of the industry’s complexities. Whether the owners still drive or not, their expertise shines through. Explore their stories through this link and consider entering the championship next year!
Division Finalists (3-10 Trucks)
Hell Bent Xpress, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Source: Overdrive
Jamie Hagen, owner of Hell Bent Xpress, has seen his business grow from a single truck in 2020 to eight by 2023, now totaling 11. Known for his efficiency, Hagen faces current market challenges by focusing on direct customer relationships. “We have focused on maintaining our relationship with customers and direct shippers, where we have more control over freight rates,” he shared. Discover more about Hell Bent Xpress in Jason Cannon’s detailed profile linked here.
Paul Rissler Transportation, California, Missouri
Source: Overdrive
Operating from Missouri, Paul and Michelle Rissler lead a fleet of six trucks, primarily serving Dutchland Refrigerated Transport. By maintaining their own ELD-exempt gliders and running a debt-free operation, the Risslers have optimized their profits and operations. This feature dives deeper into their successful practices.
Division Finalists (11-30 Trucks)
Brian Brewer Trucking, DeGraff, Ohio
Source: Overdrive
Brian Brewer Trucking, currently at 15 trucks, serves various local clients around Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. Brewer’s roots in auto racing have influenced his trucking business, which has more than doubled in size since early 2023. “It’s almost like banker’s hours in a way,” Brewer describes his drivers’ schedules. Learn how he expanded his fleet rapidly in a recent feature linked here.
C.W. Express, Sellersburg, Indiana
Source: Overdrive
C.W. Express, under Steve Wilson’s leadership, operates 17 trucks largely due to a strong collaboration with Avenger Logistics. Wilson’s expertise in diagnostics and team-building skills have been pivotal to his success, even in times of personal adversity. Overdrive’s feature highlights his remarkable resilience and business growth story.
Source: Overdrive
