As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect on 60 years of Marvin Keller Trucking. Not a lot of trucking companies stay in business this long; it takes a dedicated team unwilling to compromise on the core values of the company and a commitment to always adapting and moving forward.
Marvin Keller Trucking has come a long way since Marvin bought his first truck in 1965 to haul produce. Ten years later, his fleet had grown to five trucks. Twenty-five years of hard work and steady growth led to the second generation of Kellers to take the reins. Under the management of Joe Keller and Rick Ellis, MK exploded to 100+ drivers.
While the Great Recession of 2008 hit MK hard, management made great personal sacrifices to keep the business running and it rebounded and thrived. Since then, MK has grown year after year, implementing driver training and CDL training programs, adding dozens of Owner/Operators to the fleet, and introducing the Lease/Purchase program to help company drivers realize their potential and run their own businesses.
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the many hardworking people at MK who share these values.
- Honesty & Integrity – Being truthful and transparent in word and deed. Having consistency in your actions and always doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
- Safety – Safety comes first and is absolutely not to be compromised. No load, no deadline, nothing is worth your life or health.
- Teamwork – Understanding that personal goals, team goals, and company goals must align. It involves sometimes sacrificing personal wins for team wins.
- Accountability -Taking responsibility for your actions, successes and failures, and always striving to improve.
- Respect – Always be willing to listen to others’ points of view and appreciate that not everyone will agree. Show respect by listening to others and showing genuine interest in their opinions.
- Positivity – Having a can-do attitude; not giving up after failures and avoiding negative, toxic behaviors that can bring down the whole team.
- Professionalism – Exhibiting hard and soft skills to demonstrate competence, effectiveness, and good character.
The outlook in 2026 is promising. Trucker capacity is slowing, resulting in more freight opportunities and higher rates. We’re already regained lanes from customers that have lapsed in the last couple years and are working on tightening up the network. Things are looking good to get out of the slump from the last administration and we’re looking forward to the future.
