Driven to succeed

The Barnhart brothers set their sights on becoming the best one-stop logistics company. Twenty years later, they own seven standalone entities.

How a small trucking company turned into an $80M global business

"You're either growing or going." That's the mantra Barnhart Transportation believes in. 

Starting with only two trucks, brothers Bryan and Tim Barnhart grew the family business from a small transportation company into a third-party logistics provider offering customized transportation solutions to customers across the globe.

From the beginning, the Barnharts set their sights on becoming the best one-stop logistics company on the road. Twenty years later, the brothers now own and operate seven standalone entities, including Barnhart Transportation, their transportation and logistics firm; Lake Shore Logistics, their brokerage service with a carrier network that ships across the US, Canada, and Mexico; Jet Park Warehousing, offering commercial warehousing and storage solutions; and Lake Shore Global Solutions, their import-export freight forwarding service to name just four of seven entities.

But success didn't come overnight — there were a few bumps along the way. Through it all, the company's ability to diversify itself and stalwart dedication to being an always-say-yes company for its customers earned Barnhart a spot in the transportation industry's big leagues. By 2022, Barnhart expanded its fleet to 170 trucks.

It starts with the customer

To co-founder Tim Barnhart, the secret to success is clear. "It's not a special pill or deal. It's always just been about customer service," he said. 

A maniacal focus on exceeding every customer's expectations and a talent for networking with vendors, drivers, and suppliers drove Barnhart's expansion in the US and globally. The Barnhart team encompasses 60 company drivers, 110 independent contractors, and 70 staff members — all working together to ensure the Barnhart name is associated with excellent customer service.  

It's not a special pill or deal. It's always just been about customer service. Tim Barnhart, co-founder of Barnhart Transportation

To Tim and Bryan, their employees are just another addition to their family. And once a part of the Barnhart family, the company shows its employees the same dedication it would show a valued client by always going the extra mile — even during a pandemic. 

"2020 was probably our worst year for us in business," Tim said. "But, we kept everybody 100% employed."

The Barnharts turned business back around by casting a wider net onto new ventures, like their public commercial tank wash service located in Northeast Pennsylvania that makes their liquid tank operations more efficient, allowing them to better serve their customers.

Diversify to thrive 

Well before the pandemic, both brothers knew they needed to diversify their capabilities to stay on top of a highly competitive logistics industry. A financial partner was the solution, but to the Barnharts, it couldn't be just anyone. First and foremost, they wanted a partner whose dedication to teamwork, integrity, shared values, and five-star customer service mirrored theirs. Citizens quickly became that trusted partner at their management table.

Together, their teamwork's impact is evidenced by the growing breadth of Barnhart Transportation's reach. Tim and Bryan now serve their customers and community in multiple regions, which includes three warehouses in the Charleston, South Carolina market. The expansion and presence in this "Regional HQ" allow the company to grow its offerings to reach a more extensive customer base, like those on the East Coast.

In addition to its headquarters, Barnhart diversifies itself by also owning fleet and warehouse operations in Northwest Pennsylvania and investing in high-growth customer markets such as South Carolina and Texas.

The power of saying 'yes'

Another way the company climbed its way to the top: Where others see obstacles, the Barnharts see opportunity.  

One of their acquired warehouses located in the small town of Moncks Corner, SC, was initially a dumping ground for hazardous materials and pests after it lay abandoned from bankruptcy. Even when the state of South Carolina poured millions into the cleanup because of outcries from the community, the site remained unusable. 

The Barnharts stepped in to acquire and revitalize the property that threatened the health and lives of nearby residents. The project would not only improve environmental conditions but also create jobs for the people of Moncks Corner. And because Citizens, much like Barnhart, values supporting business growth projects in their communities, they helped fund the expansion — now slated for an official grand opening in January 2023. 

Living by their motto, "Driven By You," has helped the Barnharts meet the needs of their customers, drivers, and employees. Their dedication to customer service and delivering innovative solutions has helped drive the company's success. 

Learn more about how Citizens can help drive your business forward. 

This post was created by Insider Studios with Citizens.