Reliability on every haul: Why Buckeye Floridian Materials trusts Mack

When you’re responsible for transporting construction aggregate to and from construction sites, you need trucks you can rely on. Trace Plaugher, owner and president of Buckeye Floridian Materials, says he chose Mack trucks for his operation because he needed trucks that could “run strong and reliably.”

The Ada, Ohio fleet was founded in February 2022 by Plaugher and his wife, Alena. They previously had an asphalt paving business in Florida, which they sold during COVID and then moved to Ohio. Plaugher worked for someone else for a few years before starting his own business which has grown to three trucks — all of them Macks.

Plaugher calls what he does “dump trucking” and explains that while his grandfather and father were involved in trucking, he fell in love with the construction side of things. “I like being able to move stuff around.”

The fleet runs a reconditioned 1998 Mack CL-713, a 2013 Mack Granite and a newly purchased 2026 Mack Granite. “I chose Mack because they have been around for the last 126 years,” he says. “They are the longest running vocational truck manufacturer in the United States.” But it’s more than just the longevity of the company that keeps Plaugher loyal to Mack. He also likes the fact that “with Mack, it is kind of like one big family. Everybody knows everybody and they really seem to cater to the small business owner.”

Plaugher also was impressed with the fact that Mack sought fleet input during the design process for the new Granite. “When they designed the new Granite, they got a lot of feedback from fleets that are using this truck day in and day out. I appreciate the fact that they were able to mold these trucks around opinions and feedback from the people using the trucks.”

Dealer support and connectivity are vital

Another positive about his experience with Mack is the support he gets from his local dealer, Flag City Truck & Equipment in Findlay, Ohio. “They take great care of us and are very accommodating,” he explains. Plaugher describes Flag City’s service manager, Jeremy Roszman, as “the best service manager he has ever dealt with in the industry.” He particularly appreciates the fact that when a problem arises, Roszman tries to walk him through it to see if it can be fixed without having to bring the truck into the dealership.

Plaugher also likes the connectivity features that came with his new Granite which allow him to check the vehicle’s health and perform some diagnostics, helping to eliminate downtime.

Uptime is critical to Buckeye Floridian Materials given that its market area is within about a 100-mile radius of Ada; cold Midwest temperatures can impact the construction season, so the company needs to make sure all three of its trucks are operational during construction season. The connectivity features and the dealer support Buckeye Floridian Materials get from Mack ensure that its trucks are on the road hauling asphalt, construction aggregate and demolition debris when their customers need them.

Plaugher also relies on the dealership for help in finding the right truck with the right specifications for his operation. He credits Flag City’s Mike Hale, truck sales, with helping him fine tune specs. “I figure out what I think will work best and he gives me recommendations for other specs to consider.” Plaugher and his wife then discuss their options to determine the perfect spec for their trucks.

The driver challenge

Plaugher says finding drivers has been a challenge and recent staff turnover has meant searching for drivers in what he calls “a wide-open job market.”  He has seen drivers jump from job to job thinking things will be better elsewhere. “I think we now have a good crew and have found the right people for our operation.”

Describing the Macks as “good looking trucks,” Plaugher says once drivers get into them, they fall in love with them. “One of our drivers has nothing but great things to say about the new Granite.”

Looking to the future

Whether or not Buckeye Floridian Materials expands will depend on economic conditions, according to Plaugher, although he admits he likes where things currently are because the operation is easy for he and Alena to manage.

If Plaugher does decide to expand, Hale says he will help him find the right new or used Mack for the fleet. “Trace loves Mack trucks and I am excited to get him into another Mack when the time is right.”

Success factor

Plaugher says success is based on having the right tools for the job and his Mack trucks fit that description. “Mack gives us all the tools we need to run a successful and efficient business, which allows me to feed not only my family but the families of the people who drive for us.”

He explains that his experience with Mack has been superior. “You can’t beat the quality, the toughness or anything about the Mack.”