Freight Debate

OFFERMAN, Ga. — In a post-pandemic economic environment marked by persistent inflation and volatile markets, freight controls everything and often becomes a major expense that bleeds into U.S. wood producers’ already limited profit margins. In addition to securing financing for a new truck—diesel fuel costs, liability insurance, maintenance and parts expenses, and retaining drivers becomes a delicate balancing act, like walking a tight rope at the circus.

In some cases, logging operators are opting to reduce their fleet or avoid the risk altogether and offload the liability and headache of hauling their own timber onto independent contractors to focus on procurement and in-woods operations while maintaining production quotas.

The problems with trucking are also the solution. Folks like Tracy Harris, 51, owner of 44 Trucking LLC and Mac 44 Forestry LLC, known collectively as 44 Companies, recognize that trucking is the most important link in the wood products supply chain and are shouldering the responsibility to address transportation needs in an essential industry, one load at a time.

Headquartered deep in the heart of south Georgia, 44 Companies hauls nearly 1,000 loads weekly for 15 contract crews between Georgia and Florida with its extensive fleet of tractor trailers, as well as sand and gravel and heavy equipment with its dump trailers and lowboys.

Since founding the company over two decades ago, the 51-year-old Harris has cultivated relationships with industry professionals to build a successful business model but hasn’t forgotten the red-clay roots that raised him. Harris admits he knew nothing about running a trucking outfit when he took the leap of faith and failed upwards many times to find solid ground. He keeps a photo of his first truck and trailer in his office as a humble reminder of where the company began in 2003.

When Harris was 28 years old, he secured a loan from a local bank and financed a used 1995 Mack and frameless dump trailer to begin contract hauling. After jumping in the newly acquired truck’s cab for the first time, he realized he didn’t have any fuel or money for fuel and had to go back to the bank and borrow more money just to fill up his tank.