In refrigerated transport, there’s no room for guesswork.

Every load is time-sensitive. Every mile is accountable. And every delay carries a cost that can ripple far beyond a single shipment. For fleets operating in this space, success doesn’t come from reacting, it comes from anticipating.

That’s the mindset every day at MVM Logistics.

What began as a two-truck operation in Vancouver, Washington has grown into a 60-plus truck fleet running over-the-road lanes from the West Coast into the Midwest. For co-founders Dinu Mocan and Eugene Melinte, growth for growth’s sake has never been the goal. They’ve been focused on building their operation the right way from day one.

Experience that shapes the business

Long before they were fleet owners, Mocan and Melinte were childhood friends in Moldova. Together they saw opportunity in America and specifically in trucking.

To get a foot in the industry, they started as drivers themselves. Working for the same company, running routes across the US. They learned the industry from behind the wheel. Over time, they saw firsthand what worked and what didn’t.

“Experience is your toughest teacher,” Eugene says. “During our years on the road we learned how to manage time and assets properly. And we learned how crucial it is to treat drivers well. Part of that is choosing the right equipment of course.”

When they launched their own company in 2020, those lessons became the foundation for MVM Logistics. They started small and stayed disciplined.

A driver-first approach

Because both owners logged plenty of miles themselves, they understood what drivers deal with every day. That perspective has shaped how they develop their fleet and how they treat the people who operate it.

“We built an environment where drivers can grow,” Eugene explains. “We want them to grow with us.”

That includes creating opportunities for drivers to become owner-operators, to have greater control of their schedule and their income. It also shows up in everyday decisions, especially when it comes to equipment.

“When I’m buying a truck, I’m buying it like it’s for me,” Dinu says. “If I like it, I’m pretty sure the driver is going to like it.”

That mindset has a direct impact. Drivers notice the difference, and it changes how they feel about the job.

“It’s like a family,” says driver Jacob Latypov. “They always listen to the drivers, especially about equipment.”

For Latypov, the experience inside the truck has changed how he sees the work itself.

“I like the quietness of the cab. It lets me listen to my music without noise. I’ve actually started enjoying driving more,” he says. “It’s so comfortable. You can just relax.”

That kind of response doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of deliberate choices about the trucks MVM brings into the fleet. Choices that have paid off both in performance and driver retention.

Choosing equipment that delivers

“The most important factors in choosing a truck are reliability, fuel efficiency, safety…and comfort,” Mocan says. “Especially comfort for our drivers.”

Those priorities led them to the Volvo VNL.

Mocan began driving Volvo sleepers at the very beginning of his career and has remained sold on the benefits since. He and co-founder Melinte made the decision to operate MVM almost exclusively with Volvo units since day one. As Volvo proponents, they were among the first to get a look at the new VNL when it was introduced. The truck made an impression.

“After I drove it, I said we definitely need to have a couple of these trucks in our fleet,” Mocan recalls.

“I was immediately impressed by the level of comfort and how this thing handles,” adds Melinte. “Then we had a chance to take a look at the numbers and that just gave us an idea how profitable it could be.”

The new VNL has met and exceeded those initial expectations, both for drivers and the business.

The first operators to get into the new cab responded immediately to the redesigned interior, improved visibility, and integrated features. From the sleeper layout to the digital interface, they’ve described it as intuitive and refined.

“It feels like a luxury car,” Latypov says. “Sometimes I forget I’m driving a semi-truck.”

While the ride keeps their drivers comfortable, it’s the fuel efficiency that’s put Mocan and Melinte more at ease.

“We’re seeing over a 10% increase in fuel savings,” Mocan says. “That’s $5,000 to $7,000 a year per truck.”

Across a growing fleet, those numbers add up quickly.

“This truck can offset one to two payments per year just based on fuel efficiency,” Melinte adds.

Turning data into decisions with Volvo Connect

As MVM has grown, so has the complexity of managing the fleet. More trucks mean more variables, more opportunities for inefficiency, and more risk if something goes wrong.

That’s where Volvo Connect has become essential.

“Volvo Connect is a great tool to have as a fleet owner,” Melinte explains. “You can control your fleet in real time. This gives me predictability. I know which truck is performing well and which has troubles.”

Instead of waiting for issues to surface, the team can see performance trends as they develop. Fuel usage, fault codes, and vehicle health are all visible in one place, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly.

In a business where downtime can derail an entire schedule, that level of insight changes how the fleet operates.

“When you’re hauling perishable products and frozen foods, any delay or breakdown can cost you a lot of money,” Mocan says. “You need a good truck and good information. If the schedule is going to adjust, we need to know and our customers need to know.”

“Software matters as much as hardware today. We rely on the safety reports for training, the fuel efficiency reports, as well as the truck performance data. Plus, the connection to the Volvo Uptime Center through Volvo Connect helps us reduce downtime,” Melinte says. “You know exactly if the truck can make it, or if it needs to stop for service.”

A dealer network to depend on

MVM Logistics works directly with TEC Equipment’s Portland location. But like most long-haul fleets, they make decisions not just on their local dealer, but on the strength of the dealer network nationwide.

“The entire Volvo network has grown tremendously,” says Chris Thompson, Vice President of Truck Sales at TEC Equipment. “Not only in the number of locations, but in the level of professionalism across dealer groups.”

As Mocan and Melinte send their drivers across the country each week, that reach matters.

“When we sell a truck in Oregon or in California, we know that across the U.S. and into Canada, there are strong partners in place,” Thompson says. “That gives us and our customers, a high level of confidence.”

It’s confidence that’s earned through consistent service, strong parts availability, and uptime support that extends across the network. Delivering fewer unknowns…and fewer disruptions.

Reducing risk with service contracts

When service is needed, clarity matters just as much as speed.

“With our service contracts, you know what is covered and what is not,” says Konstantin Svidenko, new truck sales at TEC Equipment and important partner with MVM. “Service contracts have meant that Dinu and Eugene never have to cut corners.”

With Volvo’s service contracts and warranty structure, MVM can operate with confidence over the long term. Costs are more predictable, and the risk of unexpected expenses is reduced.

“They (Volvo and TEC) help us understand the warranty,” Melinte says. “It’s one of the most important parts of the truck, because it reduces your costs over time.”

That long-term visibility has allowed the company to make smarter business decisions as they plan for the future.

“You know exactly how much you spend over a five-year period,” Melinte adds. “And you’re not going to spend more. It allows you to focus on growth.”

Focus on the future

Building a great fleet that customers and drivers can depend on requires many things. The right people, the right equipment. Plus, partners and systems that bring everything together.

At MVM there’s also an “it” factor. A drive to succeed that’s evident in both co-founders.

“At the beginning we were doing almost everything: driving a truck, dispatch, the accounting, the recruiting,” remembers Mocan. “We had a plan though and as we started growing, we chose the right people and partners. It allows us to focus on the growth we want.”

“I’m proud of what our team has evolved into. To see our office staff grow from a guided team into an autonomous group that can handle the operational needs. And when I see one of our trucks, I am proud,” Melinte says. “But this industry doesn’t let you relax. The day you relax is the day you start making mistakes. So, no matter what we achieved today, we have to focus on tomorrow.”

Volvo Trucks’ service network and support structure are important tools in their vision.

“It all gives us a level of control,” concludes Melinte.

For MVM what’s next includes more VNLs in the coming years.

“It’s a solid truck,” Mocan adds simply. “Reliable. It’s a money maker.”

Exactly what they see themselves driving, on their road to success.