NOGALES, AZ  — As the Mexican produce season was beginning to ramp up in early November, Sherman Trucking, here, was preparing for increased demand for its services.

The transportation provider, which shares a warehouse facility and ownership with Delta Fresh Sales, has been on a growth trend, increasing its asset-based fleet each year. This year, it is adding 22 trucks and 27 refrigerated trailers, bringing its total fleet size in the Nogales area to 55 rigs. In addition, they have opened an additional office in McAllen, TX,  with  plans to open an office in Phoenix. It will also add 15 trucks for its operation in Mexico by Q3 in 2023.

Sherman also operates a brokerage division, so it can offer all levels of service to grower-shippers and importers of fresh produce.

As for its radius of operations, Craig Walsingham, who handles the asset-based side of the business, and Kenny Olmos, who oversees the brokerage division, said Sherman covers the entire United States, but currently focuses on the West Coast.

Currently we are sending five to seven loads to the East, from Florida all the way up the coast as far north as Boston, said Walsingham. We intend to grow our business in that region, as we want to be known as a complete and reliable transportation provider.

Olmos said Sherman does 50-60 broker loads per day, and that helps him keep abreast of the transportation market to better guide the asset-based division. Its a complementary relationship that benefits both sides.

Typically, we fill up our own trucks first and then the rest of the loads go to the brokerage side, said Olmos. But we have such a good reputation that we have fleets that follow us, so that gives us more capacity without having to finance the equipment ourselves.

Walsingham added, The asset-based side is so important to us as well, because that helps us get in with the bigger shippers. They know that we are reliable, and they trust that we know all the rules and regulations, such as hours of service, so that will minimize any delays and expedite deliveries.

But operating its own fleet means Sherman must maintain a stable of drivers, and in order to do that it offers various perks and benefits.

We believe treating our drivers well is paramount, said Walsingham. We offer safety bonus packages, and all our equipment is new, which is very attractive to the drivers.

We also offer drivers their preferred routes, said Olmos. Some like shorter routes so they can be home with their families more often, while others like the adventure of a long-haul route. So we offer them flexibility.

Walsingham and Olmos, along with the other members of Sherman Trucking, comprise a solid team, each bringing a unique skill set and background to Sherman Trucking.

Originally from Florida, Walsingham worked in transportation for 10 years before joining Sherman. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Air Force, which he said provided him with a strong logistics background.

Olmos has worked in transportation for three years, but is an 18-year veteran of the Nogales produce scene and a third-generation member of a produce family. Coming over to the transportation side was relatively easy for me because I speak the language, he said.

Reflecting on the rapid growth of Sherman, Olmos said, Its remarkable, because three years ago we had four trucks and a small brokerage. By January, well have 55 trucks plus seven brokers, including offices in Mexico and McAllen.

Walsingham added that even through that rapid growth, Sherman has kept the focus on customer service and safety.

We provide customer support 24/7, even in our Mexico offices, he said. And with safety, we strive to ensure we’re always in compliance with all the rules and regulations.