My name is Chris Estrada, and I’m the Founder and CEO of Nationwide United Auto Transport, a company I started out of Los Angeles with a mission to deliver top-notch vehicle transport services across the country. With over two decades of experience in the industry, I have cultivated not only a deep understanding of the logistics and challenges of transporting vehicles but also an acute focus on customer satisfaction and service excellence.
My journey began with a passion for the complex mechanisms behind vehicle transport, and it grew into leading a team dedicated to providing efficient and secure services. Innovation and adaptation to industry trends and technological advancements are at the core of our operations, allowing us to offer custom transport solutions that meet our clients’ various needs, ranging from car and RV transport to oversized vehicle and heavy haul trucking.
As an established member of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we adhere to the highest standards in the industry, ensuring that everything we do aligns with regulatory compliance as well as our company’s values.
Beyond vehicle transport, I have a wealth of knowledge in business operations, including entrepreneurship, human resources, hiring and training, business strategy, and legal compliance. I’m always ready to share insights on these topics, drawing from my substantial background to inform and guide others in the industry or those looking to embark on a similar entrepreneurial journey.
Company: Nationwide United Auto Transport
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Chris Estrada: I’m Chris Estrada, the proud founder and CEO of Nationwide United Auto Transport, based out in sunny Los Angeles. Our company is a trusted name within the vehicle transport industry, and we specialize in a range of services that include car shipping, RV and trailer transport, tiny house moving, boat transport, and the shipping of oversized and heavy haul vehicles.
With over two decades of experience under my belt, I have led Nationwide United Auto Transport with a focus on efficiency, security, and impeccable service. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to spearhead initiatives and direct a dynamic team that’s as committed to customer satisfaction as I am. We’re a company that thrives on innovation, and we’ve continually adapted to the changing trends and technological advancements within our industry to serve our clients better.
Our core business revolves around providing reliable transport solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client—be it door-to-door service for a family relocating across the country or enclosed transport for a car collector moving their prized possessions. The foundation of our company is integrity, and it’s exemplified by our attention to punctuality, safety, transparent communication, and top-quality service provision.
As a leader in this space, we’ve been recognized as a ‘Top Rated’ transport service, a title we take seriously and work diligently to maintain. As a member of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we adhere to the highest standards of operation, ensuring our clients’ peace of mind every step of the way.
On a personal note, I’m passionate about business, entrepreneurship, and particularly the nuances of human resources and hiring practices. I believe a great team is at the heart of any successful venture, and I’m always eager to share insights into business strategy and legal compliance. Thank you again for this opportunity, and I look forward to sharing more about our work and approach to business.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Chris Estrada: Well, Mr. Buffett, what sets us apart in this industry is our two decades of experience and a deep understanding of the logistics involved in vehicle transport. Under my leadership, we’ve committed to innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure efficient and secure transport.
Our biggest strength lies in our tailored approach. We offer door-to-door and enclosed transport, crafting unique solutions that align with each client’s specific requirements. Businesses, institutions, and individuals across the nation trust us for our integrity, punctuality, and excellence in service delivery. Our goal has always been customer satisfaction, and we pride ourselves on clear communication and safety.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Chris Estrada: Keeping employees happy requires a multifaceted approach. The most crucial element is creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and understood. That begins with fostering open communication channels within the company, demonstrating genuine appreciation for the work that employees do, and providing them with opportunities for growth and skill development.
We’re adapting to the current shift in workplace culture and employee needs by placing a stronger emphasis on flexibility, work-life balance, and employee well-being. For example, we acknowledge that rigid work schedules may not be suitable for everyone, so wherever possible, we try to offer more flexible arrangements.
Moreover, we’re doubling down on recognizing individual and team contributions. Employee recognition goes a long way toward making team members feel valued. Whether through public recognition, promotions, or financial incentives, acknowledging effort and achievement can significantly boost morale.
In terms of company culture, we aim to build a supportive, inclusive environment. We actively encourage our teams to share their ideas and feedback, and we make it a priority to act on that feedback. We understand and respect that everyone’s experience is different, so we strive to listen with empathy and make adjustments where necessary.
Lastly, we’re continually evaluating our benefits and perks to ensure they meet our employees’ evolving needs. This could include health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, or professional development opportunities.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Chris Estrada: I have a pragmatic yet optimistic view of the year ahead concerning the digital transformation across all sectors, including B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, and Zoom medical consultations. The online business surge, driven by the global changes in the last few years, has proven to be an enduring trend, and I anticipate it will continue to grow and evolve.
In the transport industry, we are capitalizing on this tidal wave by investing in our digital presence to enhance our customer experience. Given that our service – vehicle transport – is not something you can put in a shopping cart and click ‘buy,’ the challenge is to make our services as accessible and straightforward as possible.
Here’s how we at Nationwide United Auto Transport are positioning ourselves for the year ahead:
Digital Booking Systems: We’re refining our online quote and booking systems to make it as seamless as possible for our B2B and B2C clients to arrange for vehicle transport. Simplifying this process means customers can make arrangements quickly, mirroring the convenience they experience in other online transactions.
Remote Work Integration: Our team has adapted to the remote work model, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency. By continuing to support remote operations, we can tap into a wider talent pool and ensure our team remains productive no matter where they are, which is crucial in the logistics and transport industry.
Enhancing Virtual Customer Service: We’re focusing on providing outstanding virtual customer service through various online channels. We also use virtual meetings to maintain high touch with clients, especially for customized transport plans that may need more in-depth discussion.
Leveraging Technology for Transport Tracking: With real-time tracking technologies, we’re able to provide clients with updates on their vehicle’s transport status, which is a huge plus in building trust and transparency.
Adopting Sustainable Practices: We’re also looking at how we can incorporate more sustainable business practices. This includes exploring how we can reduce our carbon footprint and considering investment in more energy-efficient transport options.
Employee Training and Support: To ensure our team is well-equipped to handle the advanced tools and customer inquiries, we’re constantly investing in employee training and support to maintain a knowledgeable and responsive workforce.
Networking and Partnerships: We’ll continue to build relationships through virtual industry events and remote networking opportunities, expanding our reach and leveraging collaborations more than ever.
As the CEO of Nationwide United Auto Transport, I’m confident that our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence will keep us ahead in this evolving landscape. We’re not just riding the wave – we’re actively contributing to how it shapes the future of vehicle transport services.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Chris Estrada: I see the real challenge right now as twofold — adapting to a rapidly shifting supply chain and meeting the escalating demand for environmentally sustainable practices. The vehicle transport industry, much like other sectors, has been profoundly affected by global supply chain disruptions. This impacts everything from fuel availability and costs to the procurement of essential equipment for transport.
For our business, particularly, overcoming these hurdles requires strategic planning and agile adaptation to changing circumstances. We constantly monitor supply chain developments and maintain strong relationships with our partners to mitigate the effects of these disruptions.
Simultaneously, there is growing consumer and regulatory pressure to adopt greener practices. As a leader in the industry, we’re exploring ways to reduce our carbon footprint, such as updating our fleet to more fuel-efficient models and researching alternative energy sources. Our challenge is to balance the need for environmentally responsible operations while maintaining cost-effectiveness and the high level of service our clients expect.
Overall, the real challenge for our business is navigating these complex, multi-faceted issues without compromising on our core values of reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Chris Estrada: In my experience, the most underestimated part of running a company, particularly in the vehicle transport industry, is the complexity of logistics management. While on the surface it might seem straightforward—picking up a vehicle here and delivering it there—the reality demands a deep understanding of route planning, coordination with drivers, adherence to delivery schedules, and maintaining the vehicles themselves.
Take, for example, a situation we encountered at Nationwide United Auto Transport. We were tasked with transporting multiple oversized vehicles across several states. The client underestimated the level of detail that goes into planning such a move, from securing the right permits to mapping out routes that can handle heavy haul trucking. These variables can greatly affect timelines and costs.
We ensure that every aspect of the transport is accounted for, from the initial quote to the final delivery. This involves continuous monitoring and adjustment of routes, situational problem-solving, and contingency planning. Clients often overlook the intricacies involved in making the system work seamlessly, and it’s our job to manage these expectations effectively.
Behind the scenes, logistics is like a complex puzzle that requires experience and skill to piece together. That aspect is seldom appreciated until one sees the level of detail and effort that goes into ensuring safe, timely, and efficient transport. Balancing vehicle routes, driver availability, and customer expectations is a never-ending challenge and requires a dedicated team that is adept at navigating these complexities.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Chris Estrada: If I could choose any business superpower, it would almost certainly be the power of perfect logistical foresight. Being in the vehicle transport industry, managing logistics is the crux of my business. Nationwide United Auto Transport is all about efficiency, punctuality, and safety. With this superpower, I could foresee and navigate around potential logistical challenges, traffic patterns, weather delays, or mechanical issues before they ever happen.
Imagine the edge it would give my company in providing timely and reliable services. I would know exactly when and where to allocate our resources to maximize productivity and customer satisfaction. This superpower would not only bolster our reputation for punctuality and reliability but also significantly minimize costs associated with delays or rerouting.
With perfect logistical foresight, putting it into practice would be a matter of integrating this knowledge seamlessly into our daily operations. I would use it to fine-tune our dispatch operations, improve our route planning, and optimize the scheduling of vehicle pick-ups and deliveries. It would also allow us to provide our clients with real-time, accurate updates.
Additionally, it could drive forward our hiring and training processes. Knowing how future patterns will alter transportation needs, I could strategically scale our workforce and prepare my team with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to meet the industry’s demands. This proactive approach would cement Nationwide United Auto Transport as a forerunner in the market.
In the grander scheme of things, this superpower would enable us to push the boundaries of what is currently possible in the vehicle transport industry, setting new standards for speed, efficiency, and reliability. It would be revolutionary for us and the clients who rely on our services.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Chris Estrada: Success in 2024 for me embodies a multifaceted approach on both personal and business fronts. On a personal level, success means achieving a harmonious balance between my professional duties and my personal well-being. This includes dedicating quality time to my family, prioritizing my health, and ensuring that I’m continuing to grow intellectually and emotionally as a leader and as an individual. It’s about being present for the important moments while also nurturing the passion I have for the auto transport industry.
From a business standpoint, success within Nationwide United Auto Transport in 2024 is outlined by several key objectives. First and foremost, it’s about building upon our ‘Top Rated’ industry status by continuously enhancing our service quality and customer satisfaction. We aim to accomplish this by investing in new technologies that would streamline our operations and make transport even safer and more efficient for our clients. Embracing innovation is part of our ethos, and we want to lead the charge in modernizing vehicle transport services.
Moreover, expanding our services to meet the ever-changing needs of the market is a priority. This could mean entering new sectors within vehicle transport, such as electric vehicle logistics or advancing our capabilities in oversized vehicle transport. Growth, however, must be sustainable, so strategic planning and meticulous execution will be pivotal.
Another aspect of business success for me in 2024 would involve further strengthening our workforce. I believe that our team is the backbone of Nationwide United Auto Transport, and investing in their development is crucial. This means creating more advanced training programs, opportunities for career advancement, and fostering a company culture that values inclusion, creativity, and collaboration.
Furthermore, successful navigation through the intricacies of legal and regulatory compliance as we expand our service offerings will be vital. Utilizing my experience, our goal is to not only meet but exceed industry standards set by bodies like the FMCSA, ensuring that Nationwide United Auto Transport remains a trusted and secure choice for all our clients.
Lastly, on a broader scale, I envision success in 2024 as actively contributing to environmental sustainability within the auto transport sector. This could involve initiatives such as reducing our carbon footprint, adopting more fuel-efficient means of transport, and promoting eco-friendly practices both within the company and to our clients.
