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Daseke hires industry veterans to start Fleet Services

The new line will focus on the maximization of national purchasing power, enhanced maintenance programs and strategic disposition of assets.

   Daseke Inc., the largest flatbed and specialized trucking company in North America, on Monday announced the formation of Daseke Fleet Services and hiring of three industry veterans.
   Hired were Brett Thompson, vice president of purchasing; Erek Starnes, vice president of equipment operations; and Gloria Pliler, director of purchasing. Each has more than 30 years of trucking industry experience and will be joined by Ken Snyder, Daseke’s existing director of procurement.
   The new department will support Daseke’s growing scale by leveraging such areas as purchasing, equipment optimization and maintenance. Daseke has a revenue run rate in excess of $1 billion annually and a fleet of more than 5,200 trucks and 11,000 flatbed and specialized trailers.
   Daseke Fleet Services will focus on supporting the Daseke family of operating companies through lifecycle management of revenue equipment, including maximization of national purchasing power, enhanced maintenance programs, strategic disposition of assets and high-level warranty management. The fleet services team members will bring to Daseke their years of industry experience and knowledge to secure stronger economics involving tractors, trailers, fuel, tires, parts and service. 
   “The creation of Daseke Fleet Services is a significant milestone for Daseke as we have reached a scale where we can improve our cost efficiencies in ways that support both our operating companies and our overall organic growth,” Wheeler said. “We’re especially pleased that three of the trucking industry’s top equipment and maintenance executives from one of the industry’s leading trucking companies have joined us to make Daseke Fleet Services a reality — another indication that our philosophy of investing in people is working.”