Recently, Jim Williams sat down with All-Ways Track CEO, Jose Zamora, to ask how he got into the trucking business and his key to success. 

Growing a trucking business

Jim: How did you get into the trucking business?

Jose:  I got started at a young age giving me the privilege of experiencing all the areas of international transportation from loading to border crossing, customs clearance and final delivery either in the U.S. or Mexico as well as equipment maintenance. I also became a CDL driver to learn more about truck routes, transit times, driver challenges, equipment wear & tear, on the road expenses, etc. 

Jim: Eventually you grew your business to over 50 trucks. What was your secret to profitability? 

Jose: We learned the hard way that the key to profitability was lower insurance rates by hiring careful drivers, controlling maintenance expense and watching the fuel card use to prevent fraud. 

Jim: How are you incorporating better vehicle maintenance information into the software?

Jose: The All-Ways Track Maintenance Module has the ability to keep records of equipment work orders, parts purchase orders, keep inventory, track specific mechanic jobs and completion times. Also, our system is able to inactivate specific equipment to avoid being dispatched on a load if equipment is not ready for use.

Jim: How do you integrate fuel card systems?

Jose: We integrate with all of the major fuel card companies and the way we integrate is automatic, so once we do the integration you will be able to see your fuel purchases by driver on our TMS and you can see our comprehensive reports. Additionally, we use an engine bus monitor from Geometris that is manufactured in Texas that calculates fuel burn based on mass airflow sensor data. Fuel consumption is probably the earliest indicator of a maintenance issue so we watch it closely. We are in the process of upgrading all our trucks to the Geometris telematics device for more accurate ELD and IFTA reporting. Automation helps minimize mistakes. 

Jim: How are you able to keep your prices low while providing a complete system?

Jose: We strongly believe that we need to make it accessible to all those who have the dream to start a trucking business and help them to be successful.