Cimarron Express Inc. - Glenn Grady

Founded in 1984 by current President Glenn Grady and Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing Jim Shepperd, the Genoa, Ohio-based Cimarron Express Inc. has identified a market secret of which many companies are in constant pursuit – a niche. Soon after its formation, the contract truckload carrier developed a noticeable stronghold in servicing the automotive industry, successfully developing solid working relationships with the Big Three automakers – Ford, Chrysler and General Motors – and Honda and a host of first- and second- tier automotive suppliers.

Cimarron has learned the intricacies of operating within the fast-paced automotive environment, focusing on efficiently moving goods between various automotive players such as suppliers to OEMs. The process is aided by the team, comprised of 75 direct employees and roughly 225 owner-operators, who have developed a documentable track record of positively responding to customer requests.

And after 24 years in operation, the differentiating factor between Cimarron and other carriers has been the firm’s unwavering dedication to quality.

“We hammer it, preach it and as a whole, we believe in it,” Grady said. “As a result, we have a quality operating system, we measure ourselves relentlessly and so do our customers.”

Navigating the way

With an average length of haul of roughly 340 miles, a number of factors come into play when Cimarron services its customer. To be prepared, Grady has invested heavily in state-of-the-art technology designed to improve efficiency while also keeping down costs.

“We have also developed a program in-house known as Loads in Transit, which taps into the real-time satellite information and compares current and anticipated locations,” Grady explained. “This is crucial because it allows us to measure truckload progress, and to step-up communications when necessary with both the driver and the customer, should we foresee any potential delays.”

According to Grady, the satellite tracking equipment, a feature present on all of Cimarron’s trucks, essentially allows the firm to know where trucks are along the route. And while serious delays have remained quite rare for Cimarron’s seasoned force, having the system in place enables the company to play an instrumental role in allowing clients to make cost effective adjustments. “It is all a matter of being prepared,” Grady said.

The road ahead

Maintaining a solid management team, with most members having at least 15 years experience with the company, helps Cimarron realize high rates of return on its business ventures, Grady explained.

“It is this experience level that shows through in our ability to service the client,” he said. “Plus, all of the management is empowered, trusted and knows the importance of learning from mistakes. The result is that we have a synergistic dynamic that allows us to collectively focus on the customer.”

Minority certification has also served as a resourceful tool in helping the firm gain access to industry opportunities. However, as Grady pointed out, Cimarron still has to perform to the same metrics as any other supplier.

“We have learned how to do this and understand that customer expectations need to remain at the forefront,” he explained. “It is in these situations where we get to put our experience on the line and demonstrate our capabilities.”