Carrier Profiles
Carrier Profile: Jung Express
Founded thirteen years ago, this privately owned expedited carrier headquartered in Milwaukee has captured a substantial market share in the southeastern Wisconsin area.
According to Vice President Tim Jung, his company carries only expedited, time-sensitive general commodity freight (no hazardous material) and that most of his customers' freight originates in that region that also includes northern Illinois. Those shipments deliver across the 48 states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
The history
President John Jung (pronounced "Young"), has a 20 year background in the trucking industry, and he tells of his company's beginnings: "In 1982 I was an independent contractor with a local courier service, and it was there that I learned what makes the customer happy and what turns them off."
"Service is more than just picking up and delivering freight on time - there's a personal touch to this business as well. It was then that I recognized those needs and I decided to open this business."
Tim Jung expands on those thoughts: "John identified a need in this market. Prior to our company's founding, time-sensitive freight was serviced by local courier companies who stayed within a 50-mile radius and utilized fleets of cars and pickups."
"Local shippers were compelled to use air freight forwarders for everything over fifty miles, even for a shipment from Milwaukee to Chicago. John recognized that niche and developed our company to satisfy those business needs. Since it's founding, our company has captured the largest share of the expedited market in his area."
"My wife worked as the dispatcher and I was the salesman and the driver," adds John Jung. As we grew, I hired on other independent contractors, I became dispatcher, salesman, payroll clerk, billing clerk, etc. It was a lot of hard work with 16-hour days, 7 days a week, but God is the one who gets the credit for our success."
Operations
Mike Salas, Jung Express Operations Manager, has been with the company for three and a half years, and assumed his current post two and a half years ago. He oversees an office support staff of nine people who work in operations and sales.
Salas tells us his duties include: "Being in charge of the fleet, handling customer-sensitive issues, hiring of drivers/contractors, overseeing of dispatch, handling safety issues and general day to day operations."
"I have had over-the-road experience in the past, and I understand what the drivers face on a daily basis. Our contractors are an important part of our company and we work together hand in hand to satisfy our customers' needs. Our relationship is a two-way street' we work with our contractors because as we grow our business, they grow their business."
Jung Express maintains a 70-unit fleet currently composed of 60 cargo vans and 10 straight trucks. The majority of the trucks are operated by independent contractors except for a small number of company drivers. Salas says that the company trucks don't compete with the independent contactors who perform the on-demand expedited work.
Jung Express is part of a group of expedited carriers who collectively have an impressive customer base spread across the country. Tim Jung says that this group, along with its own nationwide customers eliminates lengthy layovers for his drivers by enabling the company to find shipments coming out of the delivery area.
Since the inception of Jung Express, cargo vans have been the basic unit size for the company, but John Jung says that within the last 6-9 months, the company's need for straight trucks has increased due to several large national accounts being added to the customer base.
In line with the company's plan for expansion, satellite offices in the Ohio Valley and Chicago areas are under consideration.
A contractor concern
John Jung says, "Because of my background as an independent contractor, my philosophy has always been to maintain a delicate balance between the number of contractors and the customer base. As the customer base grows, then we put on additional contractors."
"When I was a driver, I was associated with companies who didn't care how many independent contractors were signed on, it was no expense out of their pocket. They would put on an excessive amount of contractors because they would figure, "I will always have a truck available when my customer calls.'
"They were never concerned that the independent contractor has bills to pay and mouths to feed. And they would like to make a living. Coming from that background, I maintain that balance between contractors and customers."
"I have a great deal of respect for the independent contractors because we share a partnership in this business."
The contractors
Salas has a simple answer when asked to list the "keys to success" for a Jung Express owner-operator: "Availability, dependability and equipment."
"If a contractor is available and ready to work, he can make a lot of money with Jung Express. We have independent contractors who have been with the company since it's founding, so it would appear that we have some contented drivers."
Jung Express is actively recruiting solo owner-operators in cargo vans, 22 and 24-foot straight trucks and tractor-trailers. The company is also seeking owner-operator teams in 22 and 24-foot straight trucks and tractor-trailers. The owner-operators will transport freight to all 48 states and Canada.
Because Jung Express does not require sleepers for its straight trucks or tractors, owner-operators with day cab units are welcome.
The benefits for independent contractor leased with Jung Express include:
No forced dispatch Open door policy All fuel surcharges go to contractor Passenger policy with proper insurance coverage Contractors paid on bi-weekly basis Direct Deposit can be arranged for drivers based out of state 99% no-touch freight Sixty percent fewer dead head miles
Requirements for Jung Express independent contractors:
Vehicle requirements:
Cargo vans must be 5 years old or newer. Straight trucks with 22-foot or 24-foot box - must be 8 years old or newer. Tandem axle tractor-trailer - must be 10 years old or newer.For recruiting information, contact John Jung or Mike Salas at
800-597-4144
Jung Express
201 W. Air Cargo Way, Milwaukee, WI. 53207
414-747-0100