The year was 2004. The trucking industry was a bustling, chaotic network of endless freight and tight schedules—a challenging world where success often depended on how quickly you could adapt to ever-changing demands.

Amid this backdrop, a small yet determined operation took shape in a spare bedroom.

Brad Austin, the founder, CEO and owner of AKB Transportation LLC, didn’t have a team, an office, or even many resources. What he did have was a passion for trucking, a deep-rooted work ethic, and an unyielding determination to build something extraordinary.

Austin wasn’t new to trucking. He was a fifth-generation professional in the industry, practically raised on the rhythm of diesel engines and the hum of tires on asphalt. For him, trucking wasn’t just a job; it was a legacy. His great-grandfather, grandfather, and father had all built their lives around this industry, accumulating over 100 years of combined experience. At one point, the Austin name carried serious weight in trucking, and he was determined to uphold that tradition. But what set him apart wasn’t just his pedigree—it was his mindset.

From day one, he committed to a principle that would define his business: never say “no.” This single ethos—to figure it out, no matter what—became the cornerstone of AKB Transportation’s success.

Now, more than two decades later, AKB Transportation is a trusted name in the world of Less-than-Truckload (LTL) freight, containers, and truckloads, known for its reliability, customer-centric values, and ability to tackle the most complex logistics challenges.

But the road to get here was anything but smooth. It’s a story of perseverance, innovation, and the belief that when you treat people right, success will follow.

Building a Business from the Ground Up

When Austin started AKB Transportation, it was just him—one man trying to make his mark in an industry dominated by large companies with massive fleets and deep pockets. The odds were against him. But he saw an opportunity: while the big players focused on volume and efficiency, they often left smaller customers feeling overlooked and underserved. Austin realized he could fill that gap by offering personalized service and a level of flexibility that larger companies couldn’t match.

“In my 22 years of experience of running AKB Transportation, I have never declined a job. Regardless of the size of the load or its destination, I always found a way to get it done,” Austin says.

At first, this meant long days and even longer nights. Austin would take calls at all hours, often working through weekends to ensure his customers’ freight reached its destination. His knowledge of trucking regulations, permits, and routing was encyclopedic—a skill set honed over years during his 30 years of experience. If a shipment needed to go through a state with particularly tricky permit requirements, Austin knew exactly how to navigate the process. If a customer had oversized freight that other companies refused to touch, he took the job without hesitation.

Word spread quickly. Customers who had struggled to find reliable LTL carriers began calling Austin. His reputation for being dependable and resourceful grew, and so did AKB Transportation. Before long, he wasn’t just handling one-off shipments—he was building relationships with clients who trusted him to handle their freight, no matter the challenge.

A Turning Point

By 2017, AKB Transportation was thriving, but there was still plenty of room to grow. That’s when Natalie Austin, Brad’s wife, joined the company as president, CFO and Owner. She brought a fresh perspective and a skill set that perfectly complemented Brad’s operational expertise.

Where Brad excelled in logistics and customer relationships, Natalie focused on streamlining the company’s internal processes, particularly in billing and accounting.

One of the first things Natalie tackled was the company’s approach to invoicing. In the trucking industry, it’s not uncommon for companies to take weeks—sometimes even months—to bill customers after a delivery. This lag not only frustrates clients but also creates cash flow challenges. Natalie implemented a system to ensure invoices were sent out within three days of delivery, a timeline that’s almost unheard of in the industry.

“Timely billing might not sound glamorous, but it’s critical,” Natalie explains. “When you’re handling dozens of shipments every week, even small delays can create big problems. By getting invoices out quickly, we’re not just improving our cash flow— we’re showing our customers that we respect their time and their business.”

This focus on efficiency didn’t stop at invoicing. Natalie also introduced systems to better track shipments, manage customer communications, and handle the inevitable reclassifications and reweighs that come with LTL freight. These improvements allowed AKB to scale its operations without sacrificing the personal touch that had made the company successful in the first place.

Solving Problems, Building Trust

For Brad and Natalie, AKB Transportation isn’t just a business— it’s a promise to their customers. That promise is perhaps best illustrated by a story of one of their largest accounts.

At one time, one of AKB’s most loyal customers was a medical supply manufacturer struggling to manage freight shipments to hospitals across the country.

Before working with AKB, the manufacturer had been using multiple trucking companies, each with its own processes and inefficiencies. The result was a logistical nightmare: late deliveries, lost freight, and missed opportunities.

When the manufacturer approached AKB, Brad and Natalie knew they could help. They consolidated all the freight under AKB’s umbrella, streamlining the process and ensuring consistent service. The results were immediate. Deliveries became more reliable, the client saved time and money, and their business flourished.

At one time, that manufacturer was one of AKB’s most loyal customers for that period—a testament to the company’s ability to solve problems and build trust.

Another example came from an entirely different kind of challenge. A new customer had a shipment of freight that needed to be destroyed—a rare request requiring specialized facilities. The customer was desperate, unsure how to proceed.

Brad worked through the night, calling contacts and researching options. By 9 a.m. the next morning, he had coordinated the entire process, and the freight was destroyed. The customer was so impressed that they transitioned all their business to AKB.

Today, that customer is one of AKB’s largest accounts.

A Different Approach to Pricing

In an industry where pricing often feels like a guessing game, AKB Transportation takes a different approach. Many brokers raise rates during market surges or cut corners to offer lower prices when demand drops. Brad and Natalie, however, believe in consistency. They’ve built their pricing model around fairness and transparency, prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term gains.

“I don’t do this for the money,” Brad says. “Trucking is my passion, and I want to be the best at what I do. When the market is high, I don’t gouge my customers. When it’s low, I don’t cut corners. I just want their business, and I want them to trust me.”

This philosophy has resonated with AKB’s clients, many of whom have stuck with the company for years. By maintaining competitive rates and absorbing unexpected costs whenever possible, AKB has built a reputation as a carrier that puts its customers first.

The Heart of AKB Transportation

At its core, AKB Transportation is a family business—and not just because it’s run by Brad and Natalie. The company’s culture is rooted in the values that define the Austins: hard work, integrity, and a genuine care for people. Whether it’s a small business shipping a single pallet or a Fortune 500 company moving hundreds of loads, every customer is treated with the same level of respect and attention.

Looking ahead, Brad and Natalie have big plans for AKB Transportation. They’re exploring opportunities to expand their reach, invest in new technology, and continue refining their operations. But no matter how much the company grows, one thing won’t change: their commitment to doing things the right way.

“At the end of the day, trucking is about more than moving freight,” Brad says. “It’s about relationships. It’s about showing up when people need you and doing what you say you’re going to do. That’s what we’ve built AKB on, and that’s what will carry us forward.”

As Brad and Natalie reflect on their journey, it’s clear that AKB Transportation is more than just a business. It’s a legacy—a testament to what’s possible when you combine passion, perseverance, and a commitment to putting people first. In an industry often defined by scale and efficiency, AKB stands out as a reminder that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take the road less traveled.