BRIAN MINOR, FOUNDER of Minor Carriers, got his start in the transportation industry in 1994 when he started his first business, a non-emergency transportation provider, at the age of twenty-two. He transitioned into trucking in 2012 as a driver. Three years later, seeing the opportunities available for a trucking company that was as certified minority business enterprise (MBE) and as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), he started Maurice B. Trucking, LLC dba Minor Carriers “I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” he says.
As a small startup, Minor Carriers owns one truck and recently acquired a Freightliner.
“In the last few years, because of the volatile market, we deliberately did not add any other units. We have focused on managing costs and running our day-to-day operations,” Minor said. The company has two drivers, including Minor, and brings on additional help as needed. “We have quite a few relationships with the owner/operator community; a lot of them are seasoned operators who have been in the industry longer than I have.”
Minor considers these owner/operators partners in his business and is always willing to assist those who want to move to the next level. They frequently run under Minor Carriers’ authority for a time and then go on to become authorized carriers themselves.
USING TECH TO IMPROVE SERVICES
Minor Carriers has become an expert in serving the needs of government agencies. “We are a fully licensed, insured and bonded DOT carrier and logistics service provider to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Postal Service and other federal and state agencies,” Minor said. “We provide a unique mix of strategic and tactical knowledge and expertise.”
For example, because of his expertise with software and relationship with a software company that provides cloud-based services, Minor has been able to help some government customers make the transition to using cloud-based tracking systems that seamlessly interface with their current freight management systems. Minor knew that the software company, which is well-recognized in the industry, could provide the level of security that his government customer required.
“They know the industry, but just need to better understand the business of trucking,” he said.
He keeps up with the latest in technology and believes that AI will be a game-changer for the trucking industry. “There are some really exciting things on the horizon,” said Minor, who predicts that in the not-too-distant future AI technology will take over some of the industry’s mundane tasks like data entry and dispatch. “I think all of those things are going to become automated.”
Trucking companies that want to succeed will need to keep looking ahead for developments like these, he said. “Business owners need to really pay attention to the market. There are a lot of companies folding, and the reason, in my opinion, is that they are not projecting and looking ahead long term,” said Minor. “It doesn’t matter whether you are a big company or a small company. The trucking industry is definitely going through a massive overhaul, and it’s happening quickly. But as long as you stay abreast of those things, and make the necessary adjustments, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the curve.”
One example of the changes Minor is seeing is how brokers and carriers are doing business these days. “Brokers and carriers haven’t worked together; they have always been butting heads. But now there’s a shift. Instead of working against each other and blaming each other, they’re trying to come up with some cooperative and collaborative solutions that will help the industry,” he said.
He cites GMTA as an example of an organization that takes this collaborative, problem-solving approach when it comes to helping its members. In addition to trucking industry insights he’s gained from attending the Annual Leadership Conference, Minor also received GMTA’s assistance when he reached out to them with a problem that he was having getting the truck inspections that some brokers are now requiring. “GMTA put me in touch with the local Georgia State Patrol and I was able to get the inspections that were needed for my trucks,” Minor said.
GMTA’s response was especially notable in light of conversations he had with trucking company owners in other states, who had not received that kind of assistance from their state trucking associations. “I’m very grateful that GMTA stepped in to help,” he said.
At a Glance
Minor Carriers
Headquarters: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Founded: 2015 by Brian Minor
Background: Minor Carriers is a minority owned small business, certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) that provides surface transportation solutions to commercial and government customers.
GMTA member: Since 2022
Why GMTA matters: “As a relatively new member, I’ve found it very helpful each year to attend the Annual Leadership Conference, to learn and to gain insights from industry experts and from fellow trucking executives.”
Brian Minor,
President
