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Founder’s Role in Building Scalable Freight Operations

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Building a freight operation that can scale successfully requires more than growth ambitions. It requires a clear vision supported by disciplined execution. In my years in logistics, I’ve learned that the early decisions founders make often determine whether a company can adapt as shipment volumes increase and customer expectations evolve. Freight operations become increasingly complex as businesses grow, and without strong foundational systems, expansion can quickly create inefficiencies instead of progress. At King of Freight,   Mike Ricklefs   had always emphasized that scalability meant building processes and partnerships designed to support long-term stability rather than short-term expansion. Establishing Strong Operational Foundations  Scalable logistics operations begin with structure. Founders must define workflows, communication standards, and service expectations early to prevent confusion as teams grow. Many freight companies struggle because initial...
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Breaking Barriers in Freight: Deaires Peterson Becomes First Quadriplegic Freight Broker in Company History

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  A story of resilience, belief, and unwavering determination is unfolding at   King of Freight , where perseverance has redefined what is possible. In 2022, Deaires Peterson joined the company's dispatch department, beginning a journey that would ultimately make company history. From February 18, 2022, to July 9, 2025, Peterson dedicated himself to mastering the operational side of the business, building a reputation as a dependable, driven, and solutions-focused professional. But Peterson's journey toward this milestone began long before he entered the freight industry. In 2013, his life changed forever when he was struck by a stray bullet, leaving him a quadriplegic. Faced with unimaginable adversity, Peterson chose not to let tragedy define his future. Instead, he committed himself to growth, resilience, and the pursuit of meaningful opportunity. That opportunity came when former CEO  Mike Ricklefs  made the decision to give Peterson a chance in 2022. R...
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King of Freight to expand to High Touch Technologies building and add employees .

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Five years ago, King of Freight was a new business that consisted of Mike Ricklefs and a laptop in his apartment.  Today, the fast-growing freight brokerage has 38 employees in Wichita, Kansas City and Houston, and it’s about to seriously expand its headquarters here.  “We ended up landing some pretty big accounts,” Ricklefs says of customers such as Georgia-Pacific and ABC Supply. “We’re pretty much the middle man between the business and the trucking company.”  King of Freight needs space for more employees to service accounts. “We’re scrambling to hire people and give them jobs,” Ricklefs says. Next month, the company will move from 2,000 square feet at 1835 N. Rock Road to about 5,000 square feet at the High Touch Technologies building downtown at 110 S. Main St.  Ricklefs says he has an option for 5,000 square feet more, which he thinks he’ll take within three months after hiring about 15 new sales people.  “We have the option to grow while we’re there,” h...
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King of Freight cracks list of top freight brokerages and expands yet again

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  With his April announcement of more space at the Ruffin Building,  King of Freight  partner Mike Ricklefs said he and partner Greg Bolain likely  would be leasing more  within three months.  That's what's happening now with a lease they're signing Tuesday for the second floor of the building, which makes a total of 71,221 square feet the freight brokerage has there.  They also have a combined 32,000 square feet in the High Touch and Sterling buildings downtown and expect to eventually lease more at both as well.  Ricklefs says the company now has 500 employees and should have 750 to 800 by the end of the year.  He says his goal is still to have 5,000 employees by 2021.  For the first time, King of Freight has broken into the top 100 freight brokerages in North America, according to the online  Transport Topics .  The list is based on  2017 numbers. King of Freight is at No. 87, with $87 million in gross sales and $7.4 mi...
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