1
rich
Libsyn
https://www.libsyn.com
90
600
The Heavy Haul Operator Riding the AI Data Center Wave
Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QILNrGk8Sfs He started with one truck at 18 years old — and went bankrupt within a year. Most people would have quit. Kendal Mast didn't. Today, KM Wood Products runs 60+ trucks, hauls some of the heaviest freight in the country, and has quietly become one of the biggest players in AI data center freight — with 65% of their entire fleet dedicated to it. But the road here wasn't straight. Kendal rebuilt this company from zero multiple times, survived COVID with his family living in the truck, fired his entire driver pool to save key contracts, and learned million-dollar lessons the hard way. This is one of the most raw, honest conversations we've had on the BulkLoads Podcast. If you're an owner-operator, a small fleet owner, or just someone trying to build something real — this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode   ⏱ TIMECODES 00:00 — Starting with one log truck at 18 01:02 — Switching to wood chips and surviving early failure 01:33 — Going OTR, hiring owner operators, and pivoting to flatbed 02:24 — COVID hits — lays everyone off and starts over with his family in the truck 03:05 — How he rebuilt to 60 trucks 04:11 — The partner situation that nearly destroyed key contracts 07:01 — Fleet breakdown: RGN, step deck, tanks, and heavy haul 08:02 — The 99-load gas plant project that changed his entire strategy 09:32 — Why he only chases projects with 20+ loads 10:56 — Oversized and super load regulations explained 12:43 — How permitting works state to state 14:18 — Managing fuel costs and surcharges in heavy haul 16:16 — Why the freight market is finally turning in 2026 17:00 — AI data centers driving 65% of their freight volume 19:01 — Moving MARTA tram cars into Atlanta 20:19 — How he connected with Jesse Bounds and 10-4 Coaching 22:26 — The two biggest things he learned from coaching 24:33 — Growth mindset — the plan to reach 100+ trucks 26:24 — Trailer rental and freight brokerage as side revenue 27:26 — How word of mouth and showing up wins more business than load boards 29:36 — Faith, peace, and giving it to God 31:23 — His 5am morning routine: sauna, Bible app, and prayer 33:07 — His biggest weakness as a leader 34:39 — Biggest mistakes: wrong accountant and a million-dollar lease deal     About BulkLoads: BulkLoads is the #1 bulk freight marketplace connecting carriers and shippers across the country. Whether you're hauling grain, fertilizer, heavy haul, or anything in between — we help you find the freight that fits your operation. 👉 Start finding loads today at BulkLoads.com #BulkLoads #Trucking #HeavyHaul #DataCenterFreight #OwnerOperator #TruckingPodcast #FreightMarket #Flatbed #KMWoodProducts   Check out our companies! BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast Insurance - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast Factoring - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast
Bulkloads Podcast
http://bulkloads.libsyn.com/website
<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/40944745/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/40944745