Watch episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QILNrGk8Sfs
He started with one truck at 18 years old — and went bankrupt within a year. Most people would have quit. Kendal Mast didn't.
Today, KM Wood Products runs 60+ trucks, hauls some of the heaviest freight in the country, and has quietly become one of the biggest players in AI data center freight — with 65% of their entire fleet dedicated to it.
But the road here wasn't straight. Kendal rebuilt this company from zero multiple times, survived COVID with his family living in the truck, fired his entire driver pool to save key contracts, and learned million-dollar lessons the hard way.
This is one of the most raw, honest conversations we've had on the BulkLoads Podcast. If you're an owner-operator, a small fleet owner, or just someone trying to build something real — this one's for you.
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⏱ TIMECODES
00:00 — Starting with one log truck at 18
01:02 — Switching to wood chips and surviving early failure
01:33 — Going OTR, hiring owner operators, and pivoting to flatbed
02:24 — COVID hits — lays everyone off and starts over with his family in the truck
03:05 — How he rebuilt to 60 trucks
04:11 — The partner situation that nearly destroyed key contracts
07:01 — Fleet breakdown: RGN, step deck, tanks, and heavy haul
08:02 — The 99-load gas plant project that changed his entire strategy
09:32 — Why he only chases projects with 20+ loads
10:56 — Oversized and super load regulations explained
12:43 — How permitting works state to state
14:18 — Managing fuel costs and surcharges in heavy haul
16:16 — Why the freight market is finally turning in 2026
17:00 — AI data centers driving 65% of their freight volume
19:01 — Moving MARTA tram cars into Atlanta
20:19 — How he connected with Jesse Bounds and 10-4 Coaching
22:26 — The two biggest things he learned from coaching
24:33 — Growth mindset — the plan to reach 100+ trucks
26:24 — Trailer rental and freight brokerage as side revenue
27:26 — How word of mouth and showing up wins more business than load boards
29:36 — Faith, peace, and giving it to God
31:23 — His 5am morning routine: sauna, Bible app, and prayer
33:07 — His biggest weakness as a leader
34:39 — Biggest mistakes: wrong accountant and a million-dollar lease deal
About BulkLoads: BulkLoads is the #1 bulk freight marketplace connecting carriers and shippers across the country. Whether you're hauling grain, fertilizer, heavy haul, or anything in between — we help you find the freight that fits your operation.
👉 Start finding loads today at BulkLoads.com
#BulkLoads #Trucking #HeavyHaul #DataCenterFreight #OwnerOperator #TruckingPodcast #FreightMarket #Flatbed #KMWoodProducts
Check out our companies!
BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast
Insurance - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast
Factoring - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast
Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=KM+Podcast
