Daseke has announced the formation of Daseke Fleet Services, a new department dedicated to improving purchasing and equipment efficiency.

Daseke Fleet Services will focus on supporting the Daseke family of operating companies through lifecycle management of revenue equipment. The effort will include maximizing national purchasing power, improving maintenance programs, strategic deployment of assets, and high-level warranty management.

To head the new department, Daseke brought on three veteran executives with large truckload carrier experience. Brett Thompson has been named vice president of purchasing, Erek Starnes will serve as vice president of equipment operations and Gloria Pliler is the new director of purchasing. The three executives each have more than 30 years of trucking industry experience and will be joined by existing Daseke director of procurement Ken Snyder.

Daseke Fleet Services will be based in Phoenix and will report directly to Daseke president Scott Wheeler.

“The creation of Daseke Fleet Services is a significant milestone for Daseke, as we have reached a scale where we can improve our cost efficiencies in ways that support both our operating companies and our overall organic growth,” said Wheeler. “We’re especially pleased that three of the trucking industry’s top equipment and maintenance executives from one of the industry’s leading trucking companies have joined us to make Daseke Fleet Services a reality – another indication that our philosophy of investing in people is working.”

Related: Daseke, ArcBest, Radiant Release 1st Quarter Financials