Updated as of August 27, 2020 to reflect ongoing and completed Overdrive‘s GATS Week events.
From left: James Davis of James Davis Trucking; Terry Burns, right, general manager of Ed Burns & Sons Trucking, with his brother, Mike Burns; and John McGee of John McGee Trucking.The three finalists in the Overdrive 2020 Small Fleet Champ competition will appear in a panel discussion tonight that will be streamed on Overdrive‘s Facebook channel starting at 8 p.m. EST (5 p.m. PST).
Representatives of Ed Burns & Sons, James Davis Trucking and John McGee Trucking will share advice and their experiences in handling the challenges presented in running their businesses. The panelists also will answer listener questions, followed by the announcement of the winner, who will receive an oversize championship belt trophy. The winner will be profiled on Overdrive and Commercial Carrier Journal.
Tonight’s event is part of Overdrive‘s GATS Week, a Monday-Friday series of evening online events that had been scheduled for the Great American Trucking Show, which was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The series will conclude with the finale of the Overdrive-Red Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search at 8 p.m. EST Friday, followed at 8:30 by an awards presentation of Overdrive‘s Pride & Polish.
The Overdrive Small Fleet Champ award is sponsored by the new One9 Fuel Network, which is geared toward small fleets and owner-operators, offering credit and fuel stop options. One9 is produced by the Pilot Company.The small-fleet competition recognizes fleets that not only have navigated a difficult 2020, but have demonstrated best practices in building a safe, stable business that has grown or positioned itself for growth. To be eligible, entrants had to have operated with their own authority throughout 2016-2019. They had to have operated with three or more Class 8 trucks in for-hire freight for all of 2019, and had to be operating with no more than 30 Class 8 trucks as of Dec. 31, 2019.
The finalists were determined by editors from Overdrive and CCJ. “These finalists, like many of the other entrants, showed remarkable accomplishments and a resilience that served them well during this year’s difficult market,” said Max Heine, Overdrive editorial director. “They have demonstrated excellent business practices in terms of strong customer relations, sound finances, driver loyalty, driver pay and other benefits.”
Ed Burns & Sons of Denver, Indiana, has 13 drivers. The fleet hauls steel, lumber and other open-deck freight.
James Davis Trucking of Central Point, Oregon, hauls lumber, plywood, beams, steel and rebar. The fleet has 22 drivers.
John McGee Trucking of Simsboro, Louisiana, specializes in hauling oil field waste and production fluids, and also grain. The carrier has 16 drivers.
Other highlights from GATS Week:
