Wilson Hines has been trucking for almost 18 years and has hauled quite a few things such as pre-cast concrete, lumber, steel, pickles, turkeys, chicken, beef, water and everything in between. But, the thing that keeps Wilson coming back is hauling fresh produce.
The Produce Trucker - Wilson Hines
Wilson explains it this way: "I don't know what it is about produce. I just keep coming back to the produce. I guess it is dealing with the farmers, or maybe because you get the truck off the big four lane highways and find yourself in the bushes and country side picking up at the farm. It could be that I find great pride in knowing that most of the time I am hauling the very best that the farmer produced. I am hauling valuable stuff that make people happy when they get it in their kitchens with their families. Especially on weeks leading up to holidays such as the 4th of July or Memorial Day I see all sorts of fantastic fruits and veggies and I sort of imagine people bringing it out at the picnic or the family get together. It gives me allot of pride."
Wilson has been hauling produce full time about eight years and on and off for over 14 years. For about four years of running chicken dedicated to Michigan weekly year around and then coming home with a "tossed salad" of produce, even through the snow he has picked up the C.B Handle "Snowman." He describes it this way, "I learned allot up in Michigan and running in the snow became a specialty. When our other drivers that worked for my dad just wouldn't haul up through an impending storm I would just literally plow through. It became a joke. It didn't matter how bad the roads were, that stainless spread axle made it through like no slider could imagine. Heck, I kinda enjoyed it."
When that contract ran out, Wilson started making his way with produce down in Florida. "Getting into produce in Florida is like getting into the mafia in New York or Philly! It's all about who you know and if you call a broker and he ask, 'Who told you to call?' I sure hope you have the right name behind you."
It's all about reputation and when Wilson reached ever farther into California he had the right contacts and made out very well. "I had a friend that got me in touch with a couple key, high paying brokers. He told me once, 'Big checks changes lives!' Mike was so right. When your going East bound for over $7,000 that tends to be a paradigm shift!"
Wilson with his custom built 50'6" Utlity produce trailer
Now Wilson spends his time from Florida to New Jersey from October to May with South Georgia topping those months off in June. Then, after a short break, Michigan beackons from right after the July 4th weekend until sometime in September where he takes another break before the Florida/Georgia season starts back.
Speaking of California? "California is fantastic. I miss California dearly. But, quite frankly, with the new CARB regulations that start up in December 2009 I find it much more benificial to continue to develop and maintain my relationships with farms, buyers and brokers here on the East Coast and Mid-West. Maybe in 2010 or 2011 I will start building some business relationships in Texas where I have had plenty of experience hauling cukes out from the valley back to Mount Olive Pickles, right here in my home town. But, for right now, I am going to focus on my current business."
So, tune in and enjoy as Wilson interviews fellow produce haulers and industry insiders.
