Friday, 24 July 2026 01:30 PM
Company Update
Michael Ricklefs' Tex Trail Transport Reports Major Year-Over-Year Growth Following a Challenging First Two Years
WICHITA, KS / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2026 / Tex Trail Transport, a Wichita, Kansas-based trucking and logistics company owned by Michael Ricklefs, has more than doubled its fleet and dramatically expanded operations in its second full year of business, following an early stretch that tested the company's ability to survive.
In its first year, Tex Trail Transport ran a lean operation of seven trucks, four flatbed trailers, one step deck trailer, and one van trailer, supported by four W2 drivers. That year, the company completed 37 loads and generated $24,625.00 in gross revenue, numbers that reflected a company still finding its footing in a competitive industry.
Rather than scale back, Ricklefs pushed to grow the business. In its current year, Tex Trail Transport has expanded to 13 company trucks and 7 owner-operator trucks, along with a broader trailer fleet that includes flatbed, step deck, RGN, and hotshot equipment operated by a mix of company drivers and owner-operators. The company's driver base has grown to include W2 drivers, 1099 drivers, lease-to-own owner-operators, and owner-operator drivers.
That expansion has translated directly into performance. Tex Trail Transport completed 1,008 loads in the current year, up from 37 in its first year, and generated $2,517,376.50 in gross revenue, a more than 100-fold increase from its first-year numbers.
"Surviving those first two years wasn't easy, and there were plenty of moments where it would have been simpler to walk away," said Michael Ricklefs, Owner of Tex Trail Transport. "We stayed focused on doing the work right, taking care of our drivers, and building something built to last. Seeing where we started and where we are now is proof that persistence pays off."
Ricklefs, a longtime figure in the Wichita business community, has built a reputation for hands-on leadership and steady, sustainable growth strategies. More on his background as a Wichita entrepreneur can be found via The Wichita Eagle and on his professional profile.
Tex Trail Transport's growth reflects that same approach: prioritizing steady, sustainable expansion over shortcuts, backed by investment in equipment, drivers, and operational capacity.
About Tex Trail Transport
Tex Trail Transport is a Wichita, Kansas-based trucking and logistics company owned by Michael Ricklefs, offering flatbed, step deck, RGN, and hotshot freight services across a growing fleet of company and owner-operator trucks.
Media Contact
Michael Ricklefs
[email protected]
(316) 530-5146
SOURCE: Tex Trail Transport