Apex Transit attributes its expansion to a dedication to safety and a focus on drivers.

For the Ivanov family, the American Dream is not a corny ideal. It is demonstrated daily at Apex Transit, a prosperous freight company in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded by Stan Ivanov, his wife Marina, and brother Serge. Apex, which has about 100 workers and contractors, maintains 65 trucks that transport ordinary freight and car parts throughout the central and eastern regions of the nation.

Sons of Ukrainian immigrants, Stan and Serge came to the United States over twenty years ago. A few years later, Marina did the same with her Ukrainian family. Apex was founded in 2009 as a result of her father’s choice to become an owner-operator.

Stan, who is currently president of Apex, adds, “I was in the construction industry around the time of the 2008 crash, and I saw what my father-in-law was doing, and I became drawn to trucking.” Before I made the decision to buy my own truck, I drove with my father-in-law for a while. At that time, we decided on Volvo. Since the beginning, it has been Volvo.

Around the time of the 2008 crash, I worked in the construction sector. After observing my father-in-law’s work, I developed an interest in trucking,” recalls Stan, who is currently president of Apex. Before deciding to buy a truck of my own, I drove with my father-in-law for a while. Then, we decided on Volvo. Volvo has been involved since the start.

Concentrated from the start

Since the beginning, the Ivanovs have been deliberate in every facet of Apex Transit’s growth. As they started branding the business in 2013, their attention to detail was already noticeable.

Marina recalls, “We’re all sitting there trying to come up with a name.” We kept returning to Apex for some reason. Stan had already imagined the emblem to be quite simple. In the end, we concluded that Apex Transit was fantastic. Our goal was for the name to embody and convey our company’s vision. Apex makes an effort to differentiate itself from other trucking companies. Our goal is to lead the industry and instill our family values in each and every client we serve.

“We wanted the name to represent and reflect our vision for the company. Apex strives to set itself apart from all the other trucking companies.”

Marina Ivano – Co-Founder/COO Apex Transit

They also understood that the equipment they selected would serve as a symbol of their new business. They bought a used Volvo VNL sleeper as their first truck.

“We’ve placed a lot of emphasis on image since day one,” Stan explains. “These trucks demonstrate our concern for our equipment, which will demonstrate to our clients that we also care about them.”

Prioritizing safety and driver focus

The Ivanovs and the rest of the Apex management team take great satisfaction in putting the drivers’ needs first. They are acutely aware of how crucial the men and women behind the wheel are to the business because of their own recent experience behind the wheel.

“I’m the one that makes the final decision on truck specs. I’m always going to spec the units with safety being the first priority, but they are also specced for the driver’s comfort…because I was a driver myself,” Stan Ivanov says.

“I’m always going to spec the units with safety being the first priority, but they are also specced for the driver’s comfort…because I was a driver myself.”

Stan Ivanov – President/Co-Founder, Apex Transit

“It’s the small things, like adding seats that can be heated or cooled.”Therefore, the drivers feel at ease and like it whether they are in Texas or the north,” Marina continues.“They value those minor benefits.Stan has experienced what it’s like to travel for eleven hours while seated in a truck.He is aware that the driver will be safer and get more sleep on the road if he can make them more comfortable.

“”It’s the small things, like adding seats that can be heated or cooled.” Therefore, the drivers feel at ease and like it whether they are in Texas or the north,” Marina continues. “They value those minor benefits. Stan has experienced what it’s like to travel for eleven hours while seated in a truck. He is aware that the motorist will be safer and more rested while driving if he can make them more comfortable.

At Apex, safety is our guiding principle. Every driver must meet the requirements of a safety review before being onboarded. They can take part in the company’s weekly safety bonus program when they are onboarded. The safety bonus program rewards safe driving and holds drivers responsible for their own actions. The dedication to safety and driver satisfaction has all but eliminated turnover.

“This place has an amazing culture. Everyone is easy to get along with and work with. Vindal Ogletree, an Apex Transit driver, says, “We have a lot of fun.” “They prioritize family and safety.” provide the driver with what he requires while driving.

Ogletree claims that since joining Apex Transit almost two years ago, he has never worked for a finer company. He has been a truck driver for 20 years, and he has driven almost every make and model, but his new VNL 760 has swiftly emerged as his favorite.

Ogletree says, “I’ve been in a Volvo for a long time; that’s what I’m used to.” “It’s just about impossible for me to get into another truck right now, especially if it doesn’t have dynamic steering.”

A catalyst for change

At Apex Transit, Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) is now a requirement for all new truck orders. The company is marketed on VDS for its capacity to lessen driver stress and increase their safety in both routine and emergency scenarios.

Having an effect

“I know what diversity can do for a company. We started off with just myself, my husband and his brother. I got to see how important my perspective and my ideas could be in helping this company become what it is. Diversity of opinions and voices are crucial,” says Marina. “Having more women in the industry would thrill me. We have daughters and they should be able to see themselves running this company one day and thriving. My advice to young women considering the trucking industry would be to stay strong and know your power. You have a lot to add. Just because this is traditionally a man’s world, doesn’t mean that you are not valuable in it. Be bold, the world needs your voice.”

In their native state, Marina is a member of the North Carolina Women-in-Trucking Council’s advisory board and the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Trucking Association.

She is also quite involved with the American Trucking Association on a national level. Her recent efforts have been concentrated on passing new laws to increase the number of truck parking spaces. Truck drivers spend an average of forty-five minutes a day searching for a parking spot, and there are currently eleven trucks on the road for every available overnight parking place. In order to fulfill the demand, the proposed bill is intended to be a crucial first step.

Additionally, the bill seeks to make nighttime parking safer. According to Marina, this is a means of encouraging more women to pursue careers in trucking. “The driver shortage can be resolved if we can raise the percentage of women in the trucking business from 6.3% to 8.9%. Female drivers will be more inclined to pursue driving as a career if they feel secure parking when required to do so for their hours of service. We firmly believe that this parking bill can help achieve this.

Considering the future

The issues they started with over a decade ago are considerably different from the ones presented by the expanding fleet and duties. Stan Ivanov pauses as he crosses the lot on a Monday morning and watches drivers get ready to go for the week: “I definitely have a sense of pride.” Sometimes we may take a minute to stand back and consider all of the sacrifices and hard work that have been made, even though it might be difficult to see while you are involved in day-to-day operations. We have created an amazing business together, and I am thankful to everyone who has helped along the way.

Marina Ivanov agrees and sees a bright future ahead for the team at Apex Transit, “For us, this is our dream. Plan B is not an option.”