Silk Road Transport
For more than two decades, Silk Road Transport has exhibited continued family involvement and a solid rate of growth.Founded by Jane Karlsten in Springfield, MA, in 1980 and incorporated three years later, Silk Road is one of the nation’s prime transporters of oversized and overweight cargo, including large road and rail vehicles.
The company opened offices and an equipment storeage facility outside the Steuben County village of Arkport in 1986. Four years later, in 1990, the headquarters were moved permanently to the Arkport location.
In the 23 years since its founding, Silk Road Transport has enjoyed tremendous success, with employment now at nearly 50 people and business growing at an average annual rate of 38 percent. Throughout that period, the firm has continued to increase its equipment assets, keeping Silk Road at the forefront of a very unique and specialized transportation field.
In addition to transporting large cargo, Silk Road also provides international freight forwarding and warehousing services.
According to Karlsten, Silk Road’s chief executive officer, attention to the customer is key to her firm’s success.
“We work at and for the business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. ‘24-7-365’ is the family business schedule,” she said. “We’ve proven to our customers that their needs have the highest priority for the Silk Road team.”
Another key to the company’s success has been family involvement. Three generations are actively involved. Karlsten is chief executive officer. Her eldest son, Art Booth, is company president and her younger son, Adam Booth, is a steel fabricator and equipment maintenance worker. Art Booth’s wife, Kathy, works in accounts payable and payroll. Granddaughter Jessica Booth is hours of service auditor and receptionist and grandson Tyler Booth, a high school student, works during the summers, primarily in equipment overhaul. Karlsten’s husband, Tom Karlsten is project coordinator and part-time truck driver. Jane Karlsten’s nephew, Todd Haraty, is vice president of operations.
Karlsten said family firms are more flexible than other enterprises and thus are better equipped to adapt to changes in the business climate. “Family businesses tend to be more elastic than other types of firms,” she said. “Generally, family businesses can act on and react to businesses changes and opportunities that the more structured types of businesses.”
Karlsten said it is important that her company’s offices fit in well with its rural location. Offices are located in a renovated farm house and the garages are well-kept so as not to disrupt the agricultural surroundings. Operating a large-scale trucking operation in as discreet a manner as possible, while making every effort to patronize local vendors and hire local people helps make Silk Road a valuable part of the local community.