Focused on the future

In the heartland of America, amid the rolling landscapes of Anderson, Indiana, lies a story of enduring legacy and forward momentum. Carter Express, a stalwart in transportation and logistics solutions, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of American enterprise.

Founded in 1982 with just three trucks shuttling parts to GM assembly plants, Carter Express has since blossomed into a juggernaut in the automotive parts industry.

But more than that, Carter symbolizes the delicate interplay between tradition and forward thinking, a narrative woven into the fabric of family and a commitment to excellence.

At the helm of this thriving enterprise is Jessica Warnke, a visionary leader whose roots in the trucking industry run deep. As the CEO and President, she not only carries forward the torch lit by her predecessors but also propels Carter Express into the future with a steadfast commitment to innovation.

Jessica Warnke: Steering Tradition into Tomorrow

For Mrs. Warnke, trucking isn't just a profession; it's a way of life. "I'm a third-generation trucker, so trucking is in my blood. It's about all I know," she reflects. Her journey within Carter Express mirrors the company's own evolution—a story of growth, adaptability, and dedication to its people.

"I'm a third-generation trucker, so trucking is in my blood. It's about all I know."
JESSICA WARNKE, PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR CARTER EXPRESS

"My dad bought in with Will Carter in the mid-eighties, and we've been in the parts business ever since," Jessica explains. With roots firmly planted in the automotive industry, Carter Express has become synonymous with reliability and efficiency, serving as a vital link in the supply chain.

Family at the Heart of it All

What sets Carter Express apart isn't just its track record of success but its commitment to preserving deep family roots. In 1957, Jessica Warnke’s grandfather established Duke’s Trucks, a truck dealership in Anderson. Her father, John Paugh, worked in the family dealership and became friends with local shipper Will Carter. Two years after Will Carter founded Carter Express, Paugh became a partner in the operation. Paugh would soon after become President and CEO.

"Some people say it, but at Carter, we really do try to treat everybody like family," Warnke affirms. For her, leading Carter Express isn't just about driving profits; it's about honoring a legacy and providing for the families of the 1600 employees who call Carter home. My grandfather started us in trucking, my dad built Carter, and it's my job to continue that legacy," she adds.

In a world where corporate culture often takes a backseat, Carter Express stands as a beacon of familial warmth and support. From annual awards banquets to community outreach initiatives, the company prioritizes its employees' well-being, recognizing that they are the bedrock of its success.

But tradition alone isn't enough to thrive in the ever-evolving world of moving freight. Innovation is the lifeblood of Carter Express, and Ms. Warnke understands this intimately. "We're constantly looking ahead," she explains. " Volvo helps us do that,” adding, “they’re a great partner in looking at how we can improve—providing analytical tools, bringing new innovations to market, and helping us test different ideas and technologies.” “We constantly have to be looking at what's out there and what's next.”

The Milkrun Network: Driving Innovation

Carter Express embraces innovation with open arms, constantly seeking new ways to optimize operations and better serve customers. A prime example of this, and one of the company’s crowning achievements, is its Milkrun network—a game-changer in the logistics landscape. Essentially, it allows auto parts to “share a ride” with other customers’ products while cutting shipping costs. It enables Carter to assist lean manufacturers in their just-in-time inventory system with frequent, small-lot deliveries and more efficient supply chain management.

This unique system, inspired by the traditional milkman's route, involves picking up live freight from customers and dropping off empty containers on the return trip. "The Milkrun Network was born out of necessity and innovation," Warnke remarks. "It's a sustainable, cost-saving model for our customers, offering LTL service at truckload pricing. By combining freight for multiple customers on the same route, we can reduce the number of trucks on the road. Every time you eliminate a truck or a mile on the road, you're eliminating fuel consumed and emissions in the environment."

With a huge network of North American Milkrun clients, Carter Logistics delivers stability and longevity in any economic environment. The Shared Milkrun Network is made up of over 50 Customers, 1000 Suppliers, 350 Routes, and moves over 4 million pounds of product annually.

A Winning Partnership with Volvo

Central to Carter Express's success is its partnership with Volvo Trucks—a relationship grounded in shared values and a mutual commitment to excellence. "We consider ourselves an innovative logistics provider, so we need innovative partners that support us," Warnke emphasizes.

From sustainability initiatives to fuel efficiency enhancements, Volvo Trucks has been instrumental in helping Carter Express stay ahead of the curve. Features like the 6x2 axle configuration and forward collision mitigation technology have not only improved safety but also bolstered efficiency, reducing downtime and enhancing driver productivity.

“We chose Volvo Trucks because of the safety and the reliability they bring to the fleet. Plus, the dealer network is second to none,” says Jerry Mastin, Director of Fleet Maintenance. He adds: “Built-in connectivity helps improve uptime because we can be proactive instead of reactive. We know what the code is, where the nearest dealer is located, and whether the part is in inventory.”

“We chose Volvo Trucks because of the safety and the reliability they bring to the fleet. Plus, the dealer network is second to none.”
JERRY MASTIN, DIRECTOR OF FLEET MAINTENANCE FOR CARTER EXPRESS

Here’s Ms. Warnke again: “Certainly the business world, and trucking in particular, have seen amazing technological advances in the last 20 to 30 years—the analytics are almost too much to consume. So, it's very helpful to have a partner like Volvo that does a lot of that for you. They can quickly show us what makes an impact and what makes sense from a return-on-investment perspective.”

“In fact, with every new technology that Volvo has introduced, and we've adopted, we've seen measurable and reliable improvements. We were one of the early adopters of automatic transmissions, which helps with fuel efficiency. And we've been buying collision mitigation since it was offered in 2017. By the end of this year, almost a hundred percent of our active trucks on the road will have that technology as we continue to upgrade our fleet.”

Leading the Way in Safety and Sustainability

Safety isn't just a priority—it's a core principle at Carter Express. Darick Underwood, Director of Safety, underscores the company's commitment to leveraging technology to ensure driver safety. "The accident mitigation system is a critical feature," he explains. "We've seen it, in real time, recognize hazards before the driver could. And assist the driver in preventing very serious accidents. When we look at our equipment, we want to put our drivers in the best position to navigate themselves through those roadways and get to their destination safely,” he adds.

“In terms of safety, Volvo is one of those companies that likes to stay ahead of the technological curve — ABS, stability control, the lane departure system.” Underwood continues: “As a safety director, I am relieved knowing that the company's doing everything possible to put drivers in a safe situation when they're out doing their day-to-day business and delivering cargo for our customers. When we've got ‘em in Volvo trucks, we know we're gonna get 'em home.”

“As a safety director, I am relieved knowing that the company's doing everything possible to put drivers in a safe situation when they're out doing their day-to-day business and delivering cargo for our customers. When we've got ‘em in Volvo trucks, we know we're gonna get 'em home.”
DARICK UNDERWOOD, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY FOR CARTER EXPRESS

· 9X Recipient of the IMTA Fleet Safety Award

· 3X Recipient of the Truckload Carrier Association Safest Fleet Award

In addition to safety, sustainability is another cornerstone of Carter Express's ethos. The company's focus on reducing its environmental footprint aligns seamlessly with Volvo Trucks' commitment to sustainability. Advancements like a 6x2 axle configuration also go a long way toward improving fuel efficiency and contributing to a greener future.

Adaptive Loading is built around an electronically controlled suspension. the truck switches automatically between 6x2 and 4x2 drive-axle configurations using a pusher axle that lifts tires off the ground when a trailer is empty, nearly empty or carrying an extremely light load. Adaptive Loading leads to greater fuel efficiency, improved traction, lower maintenance costs and increased driver productivity.

“Six-by-two works best for Carter Express because we we're not always loaded heavy,” says Mastin. “We go out heavy, we come back light with empty racks, or vice versa. We embraced Adaptive Loading in 2015 when they first introduced it. Since it’s been on 100% of the Volvos we’ve purchased. We save so much money in tires. We also see less wear and tear on the brakes, and better fuel mileage. It's just a win-win.”

Looking Ahead with Confidence

As Carter Express charts a course for the future, Jessica Warnke remains steadfast in her dedication to the company's core values. "Trucking is in my blood, but it's not my passion. People are my passion," she declares.

"Trucking is in my blood, but it's not my passion. People are my passion,"
JESSICA WARNKE, PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR CARTER EXPRESS

With Volvo Trucks by their side, Carter Express is poised to navigate the road ahead with confidence, embracing innovation while staying true to its deep-rooted family values.

Carter Express continues to write its storied legacy, one mile at a time. As long as there are roads to travel and goods to deliver, the spirit of innovation and tradition will continue to drive this remarkable company forward.

Driving Progress

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