Leading Through the Freight Storm: Kyle Kottke on Lessons Learned

Описание: This re-run brings back one of our most popular conversations with Kyle Kottke, General Manager of Kottke Trucking - a leader who’s navigated every freight cycle with grit, honesty, and a “figure it out and keep moving” mindset.

In this replay, Kyle and host Nate Johnson break down what’s really happening across trucking right now from collapsing margins to rising costs to the hard decisions fleets are being forced to make.

What You’ll Hear:
Why even well-run fleets say “life is good, business stinks”
How extended trade cycles, equipment refinancing, and maintenance spikes are squeezing carriers
The only levers fleets can realistically pull in 2025 to cut costs
Why demand, not capacity, will determine the recovery
How tech investments can create efficiency without chasing “shiny objects”

ATRI Cost-Per-Mile Breakdown
Kyle and Nate dig into the July ATRI report “An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking”, including how truck payments, maintenance, repairs, and insurance have surged dramatically while spot rates remain far below total cost per mile.

This is a candid, grounded look at the state of trucking and what the next 12 months may hold.