Since 1971: Cox Petroleum Transport is a front runner in the petroleum transport industry

“The success of hiring a talented management team that aligned the company’s goals within  the various aspects of operation, created the foundation for the success of the business today.”

Cox Petroleum Transport is a third-party logistics carrier, specializing in petroleum product transportation. It services the western United States, hauling gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, ethanol, additives, and fuel oils. Additionally, the company transports lube oils nationwide, including in Canada.

Cox Petroleum is headquartered in Bakersfield, California.

The Silicon Review reached out to Jeremy Mairs, CEO of Cox Petroleum Transport, and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

Q. When it comes to longevity, Cox Petroleum Transport has it. I find it unique that an organization has what it takes to continue to offer services for over 50 years. How did your company continue to adapt?

We have been able to create personal relationships with our customers throughout the years and we have had the ability to adapt to a variety of customer requests. We pride ourselves on being a solution service business not a sales driven business.

We have weathered through the ‘70s during deregulation, changes in HOS, e-logs, the 2020 clean air act, and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the years, we have witnessed many changes in our industry. In the 1960’s, Cox Petroleum Transport was owned by a couple in Bakersfield, CA. We had humble beginnings in those early years, and by the 1990s the business entered a new era of ownership. What started as a small, local, family-owned business grew into a mid-size company. But despite the growth, we were able to maintain the integrity of being a family-owned business.

While the Mairs’ family continued to purchase the company, there was a renewed priority in both service standards and safety commitments. Through the success of these changes, our customer base grew which included expanding into new markets. Before long, we were operating in all of California and were considered one of the premier carriers in our industry. To this day, we continue to reinvest in our employees to create a safe and enjoyable work environment.

Cox Petroleum is dedicated to the continued advancement within the petroleum transport industry. We are committed to contributing to the research and development of future services in alternative fuels. Today, we operate 140 trucks throughout 8 terminals and haul petroleum products throughout the country.

Q. Setbacks are a part of every growing business. Tell us about a few roadblocks and learning lessons that helped Cox grow through the years.

In the early years, we were a young company working to get our foot in the door of the industry. The success of hiring a talented management team that aligned the company’s goals within the various aspects of operation, created the foundation for the success of our business today.

During the pandemic, strategic realignment with customers created greater profits. However, the initial phase of the pandemic was challenging. During this difficult time, we were able to right-size our business to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Q. Given that Cox is a leading third-party logistics carrier, how uniquely does it meet the needs of an increasingly diverse customer base?

Unmatched quality of service; you order, we deliver.

Q. What are the company’s values? What characteristics do you look for in employees to represent those values?

We believe our achievements are based on core values of integrity, commitment, and honesty. We adhere to strong ethical principles that have inspired us to be known as a reliable and trustworthy business.

When it comes to the hiring process, we have created a formidable top tier hiring process which ensures the applicants we attract meet the level of standards we regard as critical in the petroleum transport industry.

Q. What new endeavors is Cox currently undertaking?

Here at Cox Petroleum, we recognized the need for improvement on our social media platforms and web-based activities. A succession plan was established to reenergize our look and branding. We are now in the process of bringing our website and our logo into a current, modernized appearance.

Q. From an environmental standpoint, how do you think Cox is making an impact?

We enforce strict policies and procedures for deliveries to minimize the release of product into the environment. Additionally, our trucks operate on renewable fuels including DEF which reduces our carbon footprint. We support the California Clean Energy program by hauling some alternative fuels and participating in California Greenhouse Gas initiatives.

Q. Is there anything else you want us to highlight that we might have missed?

We believe every Cox Petroleum employee contributes one way or another to the overall success of our business. We recognize the value and appreciate the demanding and dedicated work of our employees. It’s a true testament of our success. Our hope is that we continue to grow and thrive, and we are excited about what our future holds for the next 50 years and beyond.

Jeremy Mairs, CEO | In His Own Words

My journey started with Cox Petroleum Transport in October 1995. At the time, I was working on trucks, but mainly digging up weeds. When I turned 16 and got my driver’s license, I worked nights in a maintenance shop after school, and weekends as a dispatcher. I then became an independent contractor, driving my own truck for Cox from 2003 to 2008. This is when I started to rise through the ranks, starting as a Terminal Manager, Safety Manager, Director of Maintenance, and then VP of Operations. In 2016, I began buying the company from my father. Overall, I am proud to say I have spent almost 27 years in the tank truck industry, and looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

“We support the California Clean Energy program by hauling some alternative fuels and participating in California Greenhouse Gas initiatives.”

“Today, we operate 140 trucks throughout eight terminals and haul petroleum products throughout the country.”