By Robert Conrad

2012 keeps on truckin' as we roll along into October and shift gears from summer, into fall, and eventually another winter season.  Just like the changing seasons, life in general is one of constant change and it seems like nothing lasts forever. This month we feature a driver and a company that are the exceptions to this rule.  Ken Hubbard has spent almost his entire trucking career with the same company - which this day is a rarity.  What's equally amazing is the company itself, C.D. Davenport Trucking, which began in 1929 and continues to grow today thru good times and bad.

Clayton D. Davenport founded C.D. Davenport Trucking in 1929.  What began as a dream with 4 trucks continued to grow year after year thanks to family values, great service, and on-time deliveries.  Buster Davenport took over the company in 1967 and ran it successfully until his untimely passing 3 years ago.  Today, C.D. Davenport continues to put its customers first and Buster's four sons Chris, Jake, Anthony, and Clayton now run what their grandfather began over 80 years ago.  Brenda Davenport, Buster's daughter, is the company president and keeps everyone in line -including her brothers!  C.D. Davenport has over 100 pieces of construction equipment and over 25 trucks.  They pull flatbeds, dumps, and tankers with their customized fleet of trucks hauling a variety of loads within a 300-mile radius.

All of C.D. Davenport's trucks have the words "Buster's Pride" on them and the entire fleet is worthy of Working Show Truck of the Month honors.  We chose their striking metallic blue 2007 Peterbilt 379.  Ken Hubbard drives this truck and always keeps it shining along with the 2008 Polar tanker trailer that he normally hauls gas with.  This Peterbilt turns heads no matter where Ken goes thanks to a number of custom features.  The truck has a custom grille, a 20' square bumper, a drop visor, and, of course, a set of polished straight pipes.

The cab also has painted lower panels, painted fuel tanks with polished ends & straps, and matching W.T.I. rear fenders.  Their is also a custom deck plate that runs the length of the frame and Ken keeps the tanker polished so it shines as brightly as the cab.  Power comes from a 475 CAT engine and an 18-speed transmission.

Ken said that his dad got him into trucking and Ken thanked him for doing so.  He also wanted to thank Buster Davenport for being a "friend first and a boss second."  Ken credits the entire Davenport family for giving him the opportunity to earn a good living for himself and his family.

 Just as 2012 is coming to an end, Ken Hubbard's driving career is as well.  At 62 years young, he's retiring in December after nearly 40 years on the road.  His services will be sorely missed at Davenport Trucking.  One thing's for sure; Ken will have the Peterbilt and tanker combo shining until he hangs up the keys for the final time!  We at Movin' Out salute Ken Hubbard for all of his years of service.  We would also like to salute C.D. Davenport Trucking, based in Greenfield, MA for their continued service.  They've stood the test of time and survived two floods at their garage, and some unsettled economic times as well, while continuing to give their customers the same family-oriented service that Clayton did in 1929!  Ken Hubbard and C.D. Davenport Trucking are a winning combination as our October choice for Working Show Truck of the Month.