Tim Livingston (Owner) – – – Martin Welch Transportation
2009, 2014 & 2019 FED-EX GROUND Entrepreneur of the Year National Finalist
Central Region Linehaul Winner – Columbus, Ohio
Martin Welch Transportation, Inc., was founded in 1993 when a night run became available that no other service provider wanted.
“In the early days, we took the least popular runs,” reports Tim Livingston. “That’s how we knew we’d always have work.”
Today, Martin Welch Transportation’s 50 employees drive 35 vehicles and log about 10,000 miles daily.
Since it was founded, the company has earned a reputation for safety and integrity.
Safety expectations, including a zero-tolerance policy, are outlined in a company handbook and begin with driver training that emphasizes the safety of each driver and the public.
It continues with excellent pay; mandatory driver meetings; safety bonuses; participation in industry events; regular, thorough maintenance and upgrades to state-of-the-art vehicles; as well as frequent conversations about the company’s safety plans and goals.
The idea, according to Tim, is for Martin Welch Transportation’s drivers to stay focused on accident-free driving by treating them as valuable members of the team.
Since day one, Martin Welch Transportation has taken an innovative approach to business. When other service providers shied away from employing team drivers, Martin Welch Transportation actively recruited them.
Tim explains, “We knew there were a lot of good people who were laid off and looking for new careers. Our idea was to find them and use our safe-driving experience to help them become a great, safe team driver.” The idea has worked well as Martin Welch Transportation has achieved many years without a preventable accident.