From Setback to Success: Former Truck Driver Launches New Car Hauling Company After Industry Shakeup

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Matt Stone

Four months ago, McKinley Archie faced an unexpected career crisis when he learned that his six-figure job with Jack Cooper, a car hauling company he had dedicated nearly two decades to, was coming to an abrupt end. The 46-year-old had worked his way up from driver to steward at the Louisville facility, where he oversaw the transportation of Ford vehicles to dealerships nationwide. However, on January 2, Ford Motor Co. notified Jack Cooper of the termination of their long-standing contract, leading to the company's eventual collapse and the loss of approximately 2,500 jobs across the country.

Archie, along with 105 colleagues in Louisville, was left grappling with uncertainty about their futures. "It wasn’t McDonald’s wage jobs — those were good jobs," he reflected, noting that many drivers earned over $100,000 annually. Just a month later, General Motors followed suit, ending its relationship with Jack Cooper, which sealed the company's fate.

In the face of adversity, Archie drew strength from his faith and the support of his family. "My mom reminded me that I'm a child of God. He will take care of me," he said, which inspired him to take action. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he gathered a close-knit group of friends and colleagues to brainstorm a plan to enter the car hauling business themselves.

In February, they launched Squirrelly LLC, aiming to transport Ford vehicles from the Kentucky Truck Plant to dealerships across the nation. The team, comprised of Archie and three partners, leveraged their collective experience and entrepreneurial spirit to establish the new venture. They have previously launched other businesses, including a bourbon distillery and a home renovation company.

Despite the challenges of starting a new business, including the high costs of purchasing trucks and securing insurance, Squirrelly has made significant strides. The company has already acquired 10 trucks and plans to expand its fleet to 35 by July. Since beginning operations, Squirrelly has successfully transported nine loads of Ford Expeditions and F-Series Super Duty pickups to Texas and Michigan.

Archie expressed optimism about the future, stating, "It’s a great start for us. Of course, we want to get to the point where we’re moving 36 loads a day or better." The company is currently handling overflow work from other hauling companies, as union contracts require that such work be allocated to unionized carriers. Recently, Squirrelly's employees voted to join the Teamsters Union, further solidifying their commitment to the industry.

As Squirrelly continues to grow, Archie is focused on negotiating direct contracts with automakers and providing employment opportunities for former Jack Cooper drivers. "It’s a lot of pride to me personally to help my fellow brothers get back to work," he said. "When it was happening and we were losing our jobs, I thought, 'I’ll be all right because I’ll start my own car hauling company.' Four months later, here we are actually moving vehicles."

Archie's journey from job loss to entrepreneurship serves as a testament to resilience and the power of community support in overcoming challenges in the ever-evolving transportation industry.