Our Story
Born from industry experience, built to solve real problems in flatbed trucking.
From Trucking to Technology
Flatbed Connect was born out of frustration with the status quo. Our founder, Michael Reeves, built and sold three successful trucking companies over 15 years, experiencing firsthand the inefficiencies plaguing the industry.
The breaking point came in 2021, when Michael watched his drivers sitting idle for days while loads sat unassigned just miles away. The disconnection between shippers and carriers was costing everyone time and money.
Conversations with industry colleagues confirmed what Michael already knew: the flatbed trucking industry was desperate for automation. Load boards were outdated, phone calls and emails were the primary communication tools, and paperwork was still largely manual.
"Every trucking company owner I spoke with had the same problems. We were all using technology from the last century to run businesses that move America forward."
The Industry Challenge
Before Flatbed Connect, the industry faced significant inefficiencies that cost time and money.
Time Wasted
Truckers spent an average of 15 hours per week on non-driving activities like finding loads and handling paperwork.
Payment Delays
The average payment cycle in the industry was 37 days, creating cash flow challenges for small operators.
Paperwork Burden
Each shipment generated an average of 17 documents that needed to be manually processed and filed.
The Flatbed Connect Solution
In 2022, Michael partnered with technology expert Sarah Chen to create a platform specifically designed for the unique challenges of flatbed trucking.
Unlike generic freight platforms, Flatbed Connect was built from the ground up with input from flatbed truckers, shippers, and brokers to address the specific pain points of specialized freight.
The platform launched in early 2023 after six months of intensive development and testing with a small group of trucking companies and shippers.
Our Founding Team
Meet the industry experts who built Flatbed Connect from the ground up.
Michael Reeves
Founder & CEO
15+ years in the trucking industry. Built and sold three successful flatbed trucking companies before founding Flatbed Connect.
Sarah Chen
Co-Founder & CTO
Former lead engineer at a major logistics tech company. Expert in building scalable platforms for transportation and supply chain.
James Wilson
Co-Founder & COO
20+ years in logistics operations. Former operations director for one of the largest flatbed carriers in North America.
Our Mission
To transform the flatbed trucking industry through technology that connects shippers and carriers seamlessly, eliminates inefficiencies, and creates value for everyone in the supply chain.
Our Values
Industry Expertise
We build solutions based on real industry experience, not theoretical models.
Transparency
We believe in clear communication, fair pricing, and honest business practices.
Innovation
We continuously improve our platform based on user feedback and industry trends.
Reliability
We build technology you can count on, because we know your business depends on it.
What Our Users Say
Don't just take our word for it - hear from the people who use our platform every day.
"As a shipper, I was spending hours each day coordinating flatbed loads. Flatbed Connect has cut that time by 70% and improved our carrier reliability."
Jennifer Martinez
Logistics Manager, BuildRight Materials
"I've been driving flatbeds for 12 years. This platform has eliminated so much paperwork and waiting time. I'm making more money with less hassle."
Robert Johnson
Owner-Operator, RJ Trucking
Our Journey
The story of how Flatbed Connect evolved from an idea to a transformative platform.
2021
Michael Reeves identifies the automation gap in flatbed trucking after selling his third trucking company.
Early 2022
Initial research and interviews with over 100 industry professionals confirm the need for a specialized flatbed platform.
Mid 2022
Michael partners with Sarah Chen and James Wilson to form Flatbed Connect. Development begins on the MVP.
Late 2022
Beta testing begins with 15 trucking companies and 8 shipping partners.
2023
Official launch of Flatbed Connect. The platform grows to serve over 200 trucking companies and 50 shipping partners in the first six months.
Ready to Transform Your Logistics?
Join the growing community of shippers and carriers who are streamlining their operations with Flatbed Connect.