“If you have a desire to drive, we can meet it.” - Kevin Nixon, President of WSE Transportation.

Three generations of the Bostick family – Barrett, Guy and Mark Bostick.

Mark Bostick, President and CEO of Comcar.

By Steve Pollock

AUBURNDALE, FL…  One of the advantages of leasing to a large carrier is the abundance of freight opportunities and choices that they can provide.  One such company is Comcar, based out of Auburndale, Florida. 

In the late 1940s, just above the small dining room of ESCO’s truck stop, Guy Bostick opened Bostick & Daniels Truck Brokerage firm’s office in Lake Alfred. He knew little about the impact his venture was going to have on thousands of lives.  Guy Bostick was fond of saying, “When I first entered the trucking industry in the 1940s, I figured that if I could own 25 trucks, I would be doing really well.” By 1953, the gentleman who had begun hauling strawberries, milk and citrus in the 1930s had convinced cement companies that he could haul cement over the road quicker and more economically than by rail. Commercial Carrier Corporation, the first of the Comcar companies, was born. The company grew and prospered and in an effort to diversify and expand their services, Commercial Carrier Corporation (now known as CCC Transportation, LLC) went through a series of acquisitions.  The company purchased over a number of years CTL Transportation, LLC, a tanker carrier in Melbourne, FL; CT Transportation, LLC, a flatbed carrier located in Ft. Wentworth (Savannah), GA; WSE Transportation, LLC, (Willis Shaw Express) in Elm, Springs, AR; and MCT Transportation, LLC, (Midwest Coast Transport) in Sioux Falls.,SD.  Comcar Industries was founded to serve as parent to all five companies.  Comcar and its subsidiaries provide transportation and logistic service to a wide range of shippers from flatbed to temperature-controlled commodities. Each of the companies interface with one another, providing 52 strategically positioned locations with an expansive offering of freight of all types for Professional Drivers. Comcar still remains family owned and operated.and is where son, Mark Bostick, presently serves as President and CEO, managing over 4,500 employees and contractors throughout all five companies. 

Two of the Comcar companies that work in close alliance are Midwest Coast Transport (MCT), founded in 1949 and Willis Shaw Express (WSE), founded in 1938.  The cooperation between the two respective companies has proven to be advantageous to both shippers and drivers.  Collectively the two companies operate 1,500 trailers and over 1,000 power units.  Between 400 and 500 independent contractors and small fleet owners are leased to one of the two companies.  MCT Transportation, LLC is a 100% owner-operator company that uses a unique business model, devoted exclusively to independent contractors.  By interlining freight services between the two companies, MCT and WSE are able to set up regional routes for customers throughout the Midwest and Southeast.  For customers this means more flexibility with the carrier and for drivers it means more efficient freight moves and better hometime as well as the ability to run HOS compliant. All of the Comcar companies enjoy a superior CSA score rating.

By utilizing a large trailer pool, MCT and WSE can offer primarily no-touch freight that is predominately drop and hook.  The commodities consist of dry freight and temperature controlled (multi-temp) such as food and consumer goods.  Both companies operate under 48 state authority with regional lanes out of Chicago to Midwestern destinations and occasional West Coast loads. Other lanes operate between Texas and Illinois, Dallas to Atlanta and a terminal near Harrisburg, PA serving the East Coast.  MCT has terminals in Sioux Falls, SD; West Chicago, IL; Sanford, FL; Harrisburg, PA and Gulf Port, MS.  WSE maintains terminals in Elm Springs, AR; Atlanta, GA and Boise, ID.  Both companies share terminals and customers.

MCT Transportation is built around owner-operators and small fleet owners with no company owned power units.  Contractors have no trailer rental fees to worry about and plenty of available loads to choose from.  While some commodities may be seasonal by nature, they are always offset by something else as seasons change.  By and large, freight volumes are relatively stable and unaffected by economic downturns as the company is moving food products.  A great working relationship with shippers allows MCT to keep detention times to a minimum while still maintaining large freight volumes.  If there is a problem the company tries to address it with the shipper to the mutual benefit of both parties.

Kevin Nixon, President of WSE Transportation states, “As truck capacity demands grows and gets stronger, premium shippers will be ahead of the curve if they address driver issues.  MCT and WSE will be actively seeking to partner with these types of companies.”

While MCT and WSE are presently focused on growth through owner-operators and small fleet owners, there are ample opportunities for company drivers as well.  The Comcar Career Center can find job placement for company drivers, either direct with one of Comcar’s subsidiaries or driving for one of the company’s small fleet owners.  There are many opportunities of all kinds at Comcar. Whether you are an owner-operator, company driver or team driver, you will find OTR, Regional and Long Haul Freight to haul.  Kevin Nixon adds, “If you have a desire to drive, we can meet it.” 

Learn more at www.JoinWSE.com and www.JoinMCT.com.