PS Logistics Open Door Policy

When you walk into the PS Logistics headquarters, the first thing you’ll notice is there are no traditional offices. Sure, some offices have doors. They’re made of glass, just like the walls. This was by design. No one in the organization is above transparency and accessibility. No one, especially CEO and co-founder Scott Smith.

Before co-founding PS Logistics in 2004, Scott graduated from Auburn University with a degree in transportation. He cut his teeth in the industry at regional flatbed companies, meeting Robbie Pike along the way.? After several years progressing through the ranks and being absorbed by a much larger and less personal behemoth, it was time to take everything they’d learned and create their own company, one focused primarily on its workforce. Scott and Robbie had ideas about how to streamline operations and increase efficiencies across all aspects of a flatbed business, but they wouldn’t have the chance to put those ideas to work until they had drivers.

The drivers were at the heart of the biggest problem our founding duo discovered elsewhere. They were also the solution. The approach was straightforward – respect the drivers. Pay the drivers what they deserve. Prioritize the wellbeing of drivers and what works for them. Many of these drivers are still with us today and here’s how they remember those days.

“I worked with Scott and Robbie in the past and they were good to me.” – PS LEGEND, Richard H.

“I already knew Scott from a prior company. I came over with Scott and Robbie because they treated me with respect.” – James W., PS LEGEND, P&S Contractor of the Year 2022

“I knew Scott and Robbie from a previous company and they were always good to me.” – PS LEGEND Radford M.

Richard, James, and Radford were among the first drivers to come aboard at PSL. They earned their LEGENDS Club status by driving with us for 15+ consecutive years and surpassing one million consecutive safe miles. These LEGENDS took the leap and signed up to drive for a brand new company because they trusted the men in charge.? When interviewed, every single member of the inaugural LEGENDS class said they stayed because every promise to them was kept, and then some.

PSL soon grew large enough to build a new headquarters, and Scott had one request. “Make sure the drivers can find me if they need me.” That’s where the glass walls and doors come in to play. In past roles, Scott saw transparency and access to leadership fall by the wayside as companies grew. He saw the office workers get perks drivers couldn’t dream of. He saw drivers lose their names in exchange for truck numbers “for efficiency.” That wasn’t going to happen here.

PSL had well over 3,500 drivers when 2022 P&S Driver of the Year Kelcey S. joined in 2020. He came aboard from a neighboring company where’d he’d been a top revenue standout driver. He left a company where he was thriving because he heard about Scott’s leadership.? ?

“He’s humble and approachable; sensitive to drivers' needs and aware of the work that we do. He’s appreciative. You’re not going to be able to have that kind of conversation with other presidents at other companies. Down to earth. He really listens and understands the needs of a driver. He’s always understanding when things go wrong. Scott looks at things in a realistic manner. Honestly, I can feel it when I talk to him that he values me, personally, more than he values the trucks or equipment. It feels like Scott’s investment is in the people, not the stuff. He values you on a personal level. I mean, he’s got a whole staff that understand the expectation to bend over backward to support one driver. That doesn’t exist anywhere else.”

If you passed Scott Smith on the street, chances are you’d never guess he is CEO and co-founder of one of America’s largest and fastest growing, privately held transportation and logistics companies. That’s a good thing because Scott is busy taking care of his people, with the door open.?