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Why Toro?
Peter Trucking needed a comprehensive solution to handle its rapid expansion and operational complexity. With outdated manual processes slowing them down, they turned to Toro to streamline dispatching, invoicing, and fuel management. We sat down with Tom Peter, owner of Peter Trucking, to see how Toro is transforming their business.
Toro TMS is a trucking management solution tailored to the specific needs of family-owned bulk haulers. Book a demo to see how it can save you time in your business.
Background on Peter Trucking:
Owner: Tom Peter
Founded: 1961
Location: Athens, WI
What do they haul? Grains & Animal Feed; Fertilizers & Soil Amendments; Processed & Packaged Goods; Industrial Materials; Pet & Livestock Feed Additives; Chemicals & Specialty Products
Fleet Makeup: 90 trucks consisting of Hoppers and Dry Vans
Previous Solution: Google Sheets and QuickBooks
Expanding Operations with Toro
Peter Trucking LLC has grown from a small operation into a leading bulk carrier, hauling grain, feed, and general freight across the country. With a fleet of over 90 trucks—and recently adding 30 more in just two months—the company continues to expand at a rapid pace. But beyond its impressive growth, what truly sets Peter Trucking apart is the way it operates: with a deep commitment to its drivers, staff, and the values that built the company from the ground up.
At the heart of it all is Tom Peter, a leader who believes that trucking is about people just as much as it is about moving freight. Tom is highly respected among both his drivers and office staff, known for going above and beyond to support them. Whether it's ensuring pay issues are resolved quickly, offering solutions when challenges arise, or simply taking the time to check in, he leads with integrity and an unwavering commitment to his team. His goal has always been to make the jobs of his drivers and staff easier, not harder.
As the company has expanded, so have the challenges of managing operations efficiently. Dispatching, billing, and driver management became increasingly complex, and Tom knew they needed the right tools to support the team. “We had so many manual steps. Everything was in spreadsheets, and we were double-entering data all the time. We needed a system that could keep up.” That’s why Peter Trucking sought out Toro TMS—a platform that could streamline processes, reduce manual work, and let the team focus on what really matters: keeping drivers on the road and operations running smoothly.
The atmosphere at Peter Trucking reflects the kind of company Tom has built—one where drivers know they’re valued, office staff work together seamlessly, and everyone feels like part of a team. Challenges are tackled head-on, support is always available, and there’s a strong sense of camaraderie that’s rare in the industry. It’s not just about growth; it’s about growing the right way—by putting people first and making sure that every member of the team has the tools and support they need to succeed.
For Peter Trucking, the road ahead is bright, not just because of their expanding fleet, but because of the culture they’ve built—a culture of trust, teamwork, and a commitment to making life easier for the people who keep the business moving forward.
Business Challenges before Toro
Before switching to Toro, Peter Trucking’s old system lacked automation, causing inefficiencies and delays:
- Manual Dispatching: Dispatchers had to enter loads into spreadsheets and send individual messages and calls to drivers.
- Time-Consuming Invoicing: Loads were entered manually into QuickBooks, leading to errors and delays.
- Rate Inconsistencies: Rates varied based on commodity and customer, making billing inconsistent.
- Fuel Management Challenges: Tracking fuel usage and IFTA reporting was an ongoing headache.
- Maintenance Tracking: "Before, we had a huge whiteboard in the shop with over 90 trucks and trailers and a bunch of numbers that we would have to sift through all the time."
The Transition
Peter Trucking’s transition to Toro was smooth, despite migrating a complex operation with multiple business units. The Toro team worked closely with them to ensure a seamless onboarding experience. Sarah, the Office Admin said, "Toro helped us move everything over without shutting down operations. We were still fully functional during the transition."
Even after the onsite, the team at Toro stayed just a call or email away. With a U.S.-based team that understands their business, they know they can reach out anytime and get a quick, helpful response when they need it.
Peter Trucking's Results:
Since implementing Toro, Peter Trucking has seen immediate benefits:
- Mass Dispatching Saves Hours Daily
"Dispatching all at once at the end of the day just pulled out 2 hours out of my afternoon work. I used to do each one by one and message each driver individually." - Faster, More Accurate Invoicing
"Not having to double-enter load information and being able to invoice out all of our loads with a single click of a button feels too easy." - Fuel & IFTA Reporting Improvements
"Oh my goodness, IFTA gets to be a headache sometimes. Toro is helping us simplify that." - Improved Data Accuracy and Rate Management
"We have everything in one place now. Before, our rates were all over the place." - Maintenance Automation and Cost Tracking
"Now, Toro tells us when maintenance is coming up and lets us know so we don’t always have to dig to keep up. All of the documents for the truck are in one place and all their info is easy to find and manage. Plus, we can keep track of truck expenses and maintenance costs in one spot!"
Peter Trucking is planning even bigger changes with Toro:
- Expanding brokerage operations under their MC.
- Onboarding an additional 20 trucks under Peter Grain.
- Enhancing fuel tracking and IFTA automation.
- Streamlining maintenance scheduling and cost tracking.
With Toro, Peter Trucking is transforming its business, streamlining processes, and setting up for sustainable growth.
Toro TMS: The trucking management software for bulk haulers
Toro TMS was designed specifically for family-owned bulk haulers. Built to handle high volumes of loads and the associated paperwork, Toro makes life easier for dispatchers, drivers, and back-office teams.
- Toro TMS is intuitive and user-friendly—no technical expertise required. From the clear dispatch screen to seamless QuickBooks integration, Toro is built to solve problems, not create them.
- We offer in-person onboarding to ensure your team is comfortable with the software.
- Driver adoption is key, and Toro is designed with that in mind. With simple document uploads and bulk load templates, Toro simplifies the complex documentation demands of bulk hauling.
- Dispatchers can reuse templates for repeat orders, saving time and reducing errors.
Interested in learning more? Book a demo today to see how Toro can work for you.