A Watkins & Shepard rig with a beautiful backdrop. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
Watkins & Shepard Trucking Inc. (W&S) was founded in 1974 as Stan Watkins Trucking. The company offered truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL) and flatbed services and was headquartered in Missoula, Montana. Watkins & Shepard first built its business hauling loads for the furniture and carpet industries. However, the company soon diversified as its business grew. By 1990, the company hauled as much as 70% of the liquor sold in the state of Montana. The majority of its business was in LTL freight, with its truckload business primarily on backhaul lanes.
Good times
By 1992, the company had grown its fleet to 250 drivers and had started adding owner-operators. Between 1994 and 1996, the company payroll increased 50%. Seeking to bolster its workforce, W&S established a driving school, offering a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) in 30 days and employment at the company after a license was acquir