Heading South: TX Market Trip Recap

The Texas market is one of the fastest-growing states in North America. Several weeks ago, I made the journey south from Kansas City to the Lone Star State for the first time and discovered a state that is both incredibly large and incredibly hospitable. During my 5 day drive, I traveled over 1600 miles, through 3 states, across multiple rivers/creeks, and a quick hop back to KC on an American Airlines Boeing 737.

·????????State 1 Kansas – “Ad Astra per Aspera” to the stars through difficulties.

My journey began at the Enterprise on 107th and Metcalf where I picked up my chariot, a 2022 Nissan Rogue. While many of those that came before me stormed the south in covered wagons and horses, the modern Chisholm Trail did not disappoint in terms of views and history. Highway 169 through Iola, Chanute, and Coffeeville brought many sights to take in, like the World’s Biggest Downtown Square (Iola), Young’s Welding (Chanute), and Cobalt Boats in Neodesha.

Cobalt Boats was started way back in 1968 by another Son of Wichita, Paxson St. Clair Sr., and was recently acquired by Malibu Boats in 2017.

·????????State 2 Oklahoma – “Labor Omnia Vincit” work conquers all

As I crossed the Oklahoma border around 1730 central, I was greeted by the red dirt the state is famous for as I gassed up my Rogue at the local Quick Trip. The work being done by local, tribal, and state governments is truly astonishing. I also stopped at Adams Municipal Golf Course in Bartlesville to stretch my legs and roll a few putts on the bent grass greens that are notoriously difficult to gauge during the winter months. Day one of my trek ended near Collinsville, OK at my grandparent’s house. There is truly nothing better than being at your grandparent's, even when you’re almost a quarter-century old.

After spending the night in Collinsville, I departed for my main hub of operations for the week, Fort Worth.

·????????State 3 Texas – “Friendship”

I arrived in the Lonestar State like a fine-tuned swiss watch fresh from being serviced, and as far as I knew on time. Saturday and Sunday were spent at the Golf Club at Fossil Creek with my friend Bill and his posse. Monday was spent at Our Fort Worth facility, checking out the Railhead Rd. area, meeting the great folks that operate for us, and trying some vending machine beef sticks and cookie cake for one of our operator’s birthdays. Tuesday, I blew west to Abilene, Lubbock, and New Deal. My fine-tuned Swiss watch must have gotten off at some point during the roughly 6-hour journey, causing me to be roughly an hour late to my meeting in New Deal. Thankfully, everyone was very understanding, and I got the chance to tour a seed manufacturing site for the first time. This was quite an experience as I’ve been around agriculture my whole life but have never actually seen “how the cake is made.” Wednesday was spent mostly in the Dallas area touring prospect and industry partner warehouses/operations. It never ceases to amaze me how a cereal grain or spray foam insulation plant can be so clean and messy at the same time.

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My time in the Lonestar State ended with an all-out rampage to get to the airport on time for my last-second flight home to KC before what Gary Lezak called a major weather event. Joe Oliaro and I went all around the DFW metroplex gathering my clothes/bags, dropping off golf clubs with my friend Bill, getting the rental car back to Enterprise, and more. As someone who has a great disdain for showing up to the airport less than 2 hrs before a flight takes off, I was like a packrat in the TSA line. To the people I held up in line, thank you for your patience. To the TSA agents/American Airlines workers that aided me as I got through the gates thank you for your help. To everyone, I met on my 5-day escapade thank you for your kindness!

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About the Author: Brian R. Tornquist is a Logistics Sales Executive at Wagner Logistics, a Top 100 3PL for 21 consecutive years. Most of his time is focused on warehouse and fulfillment sales, aiding customers in opening operations in existing and new facilities. Brian is a graduate of Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, from the Helzberg School of Management. When he’s not “spinning plates” at work, you can find him on the golf course, in the trout streams, or hanging out with family and friends.