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.

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