The prototypical mental image of a truck driver is a male. There’s a reason for that. Throughout history men have dominated the trucking industry, but that is changing. The amount of women in trucking is increasing, but women still only make up 7% of the total driver population according to the Women in Trucking Association.

Comparatively to their male counterparts, women have a lower accident ratio, longer tenure and more total miles per year and per month. In fact, women, on average, put on 52,682 miles compared to 50,344 miles for men.

A fact that the trucking industry should be proud of is that there is no gender pay gap in the trucking industry which is something to think about on today, March 8, as it is International Women’s Day. Women have excelled around the world for years in everything that they do, be it trucking or not. Simply, every day should be International Women’s Day.

Kottke Trucking employs some amazing women throughout our company. We are thankful and grateful for everything that you do, be it behind a desk or behind the wheel. There’s not enough words to accurately depict what you do to keep the world and the trucking industry running. Thank you.

Kottke Trucking National Sales Manager Ada Brewster

BUFFALO LAKE, MINN – Kottke Trucking is proud to announce the promotion of Ada Brewster to the position of National Sales Manager. In the position, Brewster will be a key part in Kottke Trucking’s setting of planning and execution throughout the United States. Brewster has been with Kottke Trucking since April of 2014 and was formerly the Southeast Regional Sales Manager.

“We are excited for Ada to start in her new position,” said Kyle Kottke, General Manager of Kottke Trucking. “Ada will be integral in helping us achieve our business and growth plans. We are very proud to have Ada as part of our family.”

Brewster’s contact information is unchanged. Brewster can be reached via email at [email protected] and via phone at 320-510-0033

Kottke Trucking has been in business since 1938 and for the past three decades the primary business is to transport dry, refrigerated and frozen food items. The third-generation owned company mainly operates in the Midwest, South and Southeastern parts of the United States. Kottke Trucking’s fleet consists of 170 drivers and 30 support staff. Kottke Trucking is based out of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota with offices in Eagan, Minnesota and Wildwood, Florida.

Every holiday season, for over 20 years now, Kottke Trucking has been involved with the Trucks and Toys campaign. The trucking industry from around the state of Minnesota comes together to collect toys that are given to children in need. Kottke Trucking alone this year collected and donated over $5,000 of toys.

Kottke Trucking donates these collections to three charities in outstate Minnesota: Santa’s Closet of Renville County, Common Cup Ministries and the McLeod County Christmas Project.

We are proud to have our office in Buffalo Lake be a drop off site for these toys. We collected over $4,000 of toys and cash donations and Kottke Trucking donated another $1,000 to that to get to our grand total of $5,033.

The reach of our Trucks and Toy donations did not stop in Minnesota this year. With our recent acquisition of a terminal in Wildwood, Florida, we saw a need to also help those in need in the state of Florida.

The charity we worked with in Florida is the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. This program takes at-risk children and places them in one of six different locations throughout the state of Florida in a true home setting. Through the donations of drivers and employees of Kottke Trucking, we were able to donate six 54” Spalding basketball hoops, one for each location of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

We are incredibly thankful for all the generous donations of toys and cash that have helped us have a successful Toys and Trucks campaign this holiday season. Thank you for helping us spread holiday cheer for over 20 years, it truly makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Marlene Hamblin with Santa’s Closet volunteers dropping off toys at the Santa’s Closet location in Danube, Minnesota.