Let's Talk Logistics with Pat Martin

Pat Martin, has helped turn Estes into the largest privately held LTL carrier in North America. Now he’s behind V53, a freight-focused VC fund backing software that actually gets used. This episode breaks down how Estes weathered Yellow’s collapse and a cyberattack in the same year, what most venture firms miss about selling to shippers and carriers, and why follow-through—not funding—is what separates the real players.

 

Key Chapters:

(0:00) Introduction and Background

(2:26) Differentiating EFW from Estes

(3:59) Pat Martin's Journey to Estes

(6:38) The Birth of V 53

(10:36) Venture Capital Insights

(24:16) Estes' Legacy and Private Ownership

(28:14) Current State of the LTL Market

(29:14) ESD's Performance and Market Dynamics

(30:09) Challenges in the LTL Industry

(31:37) Customer Expectations and Pricing

(33:18) Impact of Yellow's Closure

(36:02) Cyber Attack and Resilience

(39:38) Estes' Legacy and Success

(46:47) Future of LTL Pricing and Market Recovery

(52:09) Lessons Learned in Business

 

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