About Zwald Transport
This page offers a strategic overview of Zwald Transport, a family-owned trucking and transportation company based in Tillamook, Oregon. Established in 1979 with a single truck, Zwald has grown into a respected regional carrier known for reliable service and a wide range of specialized logistics solutions.
Zwald’s operations span multiple divisions, including milk hauling for the Tillamook County Creamery Association, refrigerated freight (reefer), vacuum tanker services, commodity hauling, and flatbed transport. This diverse service mix enables the company to support agricultural, industrial, and commercial customers throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Now led by the second generation of the Zwald family, the company emphasizes a strong internal culture grounded in teamwork, integrity, and loyalty. Zwald’s experienced team works to deliver dependable transport solutions that reflect the company’s deep roots in the local community and its commitment to quality service
Why Zwald Transport is an Ideal Insurance Risk
Zwald Transport is a long-established, family-owned transportation company with stable ownership, experienced leadership, and a strong reputation across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
With more than four decades in operation, Zwald maintains diversified services. Including milk hauling, refrigerated freight, vacuum tanker, and flatbed operations. Creating consistent demand and operational resilience. The company emphasizes safety, fleet maintenance, and regulatory compliance, helping reduce exposure across auto, liability, cargo, and workers’ compensation lines.
From an insurance standpoint, Zwald represents a well-managed, disciplined risk with favorable characteristics. We believe they are a strong candidate for customized insurance solutions that protect their people, equipment, and long-standing business relationships while supporting continued growth.
Safety and Operational Risk Management at Zwald Transport
Zwald Transport is committed to delivering reliable transportation services while prioritizing the safety of its drivers, customers, and the communities it serves. That commitment is embedded in daily operations across fleet management, driver training, and regulatory compliance. As a long-standing, family-owned carrier, Zwald approaches risk management with discipline and accountability.
Key risk management measures include:
Fleet Maintenance and Equipment Safety
All trailers are subject to regular inspections and preventive maintenance to ensure roadworthiness and minimize mechanical failure. Maintenance protocols are designed to support safety, compliance, and equipment longevity.
Driver Safety and Training
Drivers receive ongoing training focused on defensive driving, hours-of-service compliance, load securement, and route-specific hazards. Safety expectations are reinforced through supervision, communication, and a culture of personal responsibility.
Operational Controls and Compliance
Zwald maintains structured dispatch, routing, and documentation practices to support regulatory compliance and reduce exposure across auto liability, cargo, and environmental risks. Clear procedures help ensure consistency across diverse hauling divisions.
Workplace and Yard Safety
Facilities and yards are organized to reduce hazards, with attention to traffic flow, visibility, and safe equipment movement. Employees are trained to identify risks and follow established safety protocols.
These practices allow Zwald Transport to operate efficiently while maintaining a strong safety record. Risk management is not treated as a checklist, but as an integral part of the company’s culture and long-term success.
Operational Efficiency with Safety at the Core
At Zwald Transport operational efficiency is inseparable from safety. As a transportation company trusted with critical and time-sensitive freight, Zwald integrates safety-focused planning into every stage of its operations. From dispatch and fleet maintenance to loading, hauling, and delivery. This approach supports reliability while protecting drivers, equipment, and the public.
Key strategies include:
Structured Dispatch and Route Planning
Dispatch operations are designed to balance efficiency with compliance. Routes are planned to account for road conditions, load requirements, and hours-of-service regulations, reducing fatigue and unnecessary risk while maintaining dependable service.
Fleet Readiness and Preventive Maintenance
Vehicles are maintained through routine inspections and preventive maintenance schedules to minimize breakdowns and ensure safe operation. Well-maintained equipment supports uptime while reducing exposure to mechanical and roadside incidents.
Safe Loading and Yard Operations
Loading procedures emphasize proper weight distribution, securement, and clear communication between drivers and yard personnel. Facilities are organized to manage traffic flow and equipment movement safely and efficiently.
Driver Accountability and Communication
Drivers are supported with clear expectations, ongoing safety guidance, and open lines of communication. This reinforces consistent decision-making on the road and encourages proactive risk awareness.
Operational Oversight and Continuous Improvement
Documentation, compliance tracking, and internal controls help identify issues early and support continuous improvement across divisions. These systems promote consistency while allowing Zwald to adapt as operations evolve.
Through these practices, Zwald Transport delivers dependable transportation services without compromising safety. Operational efficiency is not just about moving freight. It reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible operations and doing the job right, every time.
HUB International, Zwald Property Report
HUB International, Zwald Loss Runs
HUB International, Zwald Fleet Safety Manuals
Meet Your HUB Team
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Logan Haugen
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Tara Rundle
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Sheldon Satterthwaite
VP, Commercial Insurance // Future Retired Consultant
Sheldon.Satterthwaite@hubinternational.com
(360)-201-7201
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Don Watson
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Spencer Haugen
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Hayden Haugen
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Mike Godfrey
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Meredith Pennington
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Emily Lubman
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Alexander D’Arcy
Zwald represents the type of stable, well-managed operation underwriters value.
As a long-standing, family-owned transportation company with deep roots in Oregon, Zwald demonstrates consistent leadership, disciplined operations, and a strong commitment to safety across its fleet and facilities. Its diversified hauling services and long-term customer relationships further support operational stability.
From structured maintenance programs and experienced drivers to clear operational controls, Zwald operates with care and accountability. Characteristics that align with a strong risk profile.
Partnering with Zwald Transport presents a solid underwriting opportunity, offering alignment with a trusted regional carrier that prioritizes safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability.