MID-COUNTY MESSENGER
Page 4
Bob Fritz Trucking: Living a legacy
As the owner of a successful trucking company, the wheels of life are always in motion for Robert( Bob) Fritz of Cologne.
“ My dad started the business in 1947,” Bob said.
Bob’ s father, Robert G. Fritz, was 16 when he began hauling milk cans for Bongards’ Creamery.
“ It’ s just progressed from there,” Bob said, explaining that after his father passed away, he and his two younger brothers, Donald and Daniel, took over.
His brothers eventually went on to pursue other interests, but Bob had developed a passion for the trucking industry.
“ I rode with my dad when I was younger, and it was in the blood,” he said.
Now, Bob Fritz Trucking has 16 trucks, 13 trailers, and 14 full-time employees.
In addition to transporting milk to Bongards’ Creamery and a few other plants, the company also does cheese and wastewater hauling.
Bob said he depends on quality employees to keep his company strong.
“ I have a good group right now,” he said.
Having reliable equipment is also paramount.
“ We take our trucks to Mid- County Coop every 5,000 miles for a quick checkup, and every 10,000 miles for complete service,” Bob said.
With regular maintenance on his trucks, Bob said he doesn’ t have to worry as much about unexpected breakdowns.
If something is about to wear out, the technicians at Mid-County Coop let him know right away.
“ That way, we’ re ready for it,” Bob said.
Bob estimates that his trucks travel a total of 9,500 miles per week, covering the counties of McLeod, Meeker, Wright and Carver, as well as surrounding counties.
Each day, the trucks carry about 500,000 pounds of milk and about 200,000 pounds of cheese.
“ Milk hauling is seven days a week, so the trucks have to go out on Saturdays and Sundays, too,” Bob said.
For Bob, one of the best parts of owning a business is the independence it provides.
“ It’ s also the daily challenge of being able to make things more efficient,” he added.
Throughout the years, Bob has grown accustomed to dealing with blizzards, fog, icy roads, and reroutes due to spring weight restrictions on bridges.
“ There can be days when I want
Specializing in Heavy Truck Repair
With over 85 years of experience in heavy truck repair, our staff at Mid-County Auto Truck and Tire Center has the ability and know-how to keep your vehicles on the road and keep you trucking. We often say,“ Big to Small, We Repair it All” and from passenger car headlights, skid steer filters, front-end alignments, and camper tires, we do. However, heavy truck repair and service is what our shop is designed for and what we specialize in.
www. midcountycoop. com
“ The truck travels 9,500 miles per week and carries about 500,000 lbs. of milk and 200,000 lbs. of cheese each day.”
to pull out all 13 hairs that are left on my head,” he joked; but all in all, Bob wouldn’ t trade his job.“ I can’ t complain,” he said. Bob still drives part time, but much of his effort is focused on management.
His business has grown and changed in many ways, but he’ s always stayed with the same company for equipment repair and maintenance.
“ As long as I can remember, we’ ve been doing business with Mid-County,” he said.“ They’ re local, and the quality of service has been excellent.”
Two of Mid-County’ s staff members – Corey and Zach – have been especially helpful, Bob said.
“ They’ ll bend over backwards for you,” he said.“ I had a truck issue on Saturday, and I called Corey at home, and he came and helped. It means a lot when someone’ s willing to do that.”
We do DOT Inspections
( 952) 466-3710 • www. midcountycoop. com e
,
Cory Eischens
Zach Schelhaas