Rothschild, Wisconsin — Maintaining an unbroken cold chain for delicate botanical cargo requires precise scheduling, reliable equipment, and synchronized team driving across thousands of miles of interstate. Krueger Wholesale Florist operates its private transportation division, KW Transit, out of a 150,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Rothschild, Wisconsin, running dedicated cross-country routes to keep exotic flowers fresh from South American farms to retail delivery days. Operating a fleet of 18 drivers, the company completes six to nine cross-country round trips every week between Wisconsin and Miami, alongside two weekly runs to California.

Transporting perishable blooms demands continuous movement, preventing temperature fluctuations that compromise product quality. KW Transit achieves this through a structured team-driving model that pairs compatible partners on predictable schedules. While many fleets struggle to recruit and retain team operations, this Wisconsin wholesaler relies on new equipment, established vendor networks to eliminate deadhead miles, and a generous home-time policy to keep drivers satisfied on long-haul routes.

Logistics Manager Sherry Klemm oversees the hiring and pairing process, drawing on two decades of experience with the company. Because finding pre-established driving teams is increasingly difficult in the current market, Klemm recruits solo CDL-A drivers and evaluates their personalities, preferences for day or night driving, and overall driving habits before matching them. Once established in the routine, drivers experience steady miles paired with five days of home time, a balance that has largely eliminated voluntary turnover and built deep operational trust.

What This Means for Drivers

Professional truck drivers often view team operations with skepticism due to privacy concerns and conflicting sleep schedules, but the KW Transit model demonstrates how proper matching changes the dynamic. Drivers receive brand-new Volvo VNL 860 sleepers equipped with high-quality mattresses, as the company replaces its entire sleeper fleet once tractors reach 500,000 miles to ensure maximum comfort and minimal mechanical downtime. The combination of modern equipment, predictable schedules, and substantial rest periods gives OTR truck driver professionals a viable lifestyle that balances high-mileage earnings with actual home time.

Industry Reaction

Securing qualified personnel remains one of the toughest hurdles for long-haul carriers, particularly when trying to staff team configurations that require two qualified operators inside a single cab. Fleets across the country are constantly looking for ways to reduce seat turnover and make long-haul positions more attractive against regional and local alternatives. By offering dedicated routes with strong backhaul connections—where vendors can reload a tractor within an hour of arrival—companies can keep wheels turning while ensuring drivers do not waste valuable hours waiting on freight.

Key Points

• KW Transit operates a dedicated fleet of 18 drivers running six to nine weekly trips between Wisconsin and Miami.
• The company replaces its Volvo VNL 860 sleepers at 500,000 miles to prioritize driver comfort and equipment reliability.
• Drivers receive five days of home time following their cross-country routes, reducing burnout and voluntary turnover.
• Established vendor relationships allow loaded trailers to turn around within an hour, eliminating costly downtime.

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