Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
An increase in gas prices has effected local truck companies and farmers by creating higher product and delivery prices.
Metzger Trucking Co., Silver Lake, has resorted to charging customers a fuel surcharge per mile to offset increased gas prices. It's a charge the company normally would not assess.
Matt Metzger, vice president for the company, said the company spends $10,000 a day on gas for its 35 trucks since the gas price increase this summer.
The company delivers agriculture and grain storage products, with the shortest distance of 100 miles to Indianapolis and the furthest distance of 2,500 miles to California.
"We have to deliver smarter now with increased gas prices because it (higher gas prices) is making our job harder," Metzger said.
He said when drivers travel to states such as Indiana and Illinois to deliver products they try to find a way to bring back equipment to sell so a trip is not wasted.
Metzger said the company has 30 drivers and owns 35 trucks that get five to six miles to the gallon at $3 a gallon.
Gas prices were $2.30 a gallon at this time a year ago, Metzger said.
He also said product costs have increased to compensate for increased gas prices and companies are building more distribution centers closer to delivery sites to prepare for future increases in gas prices.
Creighton Brothers, Warsaw, also has been affected by the increased gas prices.
Ron Truex, general manager, said the company already has spent as much for fuel to plant crops this year that it spent last year to plant and harvest crops.
He also said it is costing more to operate the company's tractors and trucks.
"What we used to call profits, we now call expenses," Truex said.
He said increased gas prices have resulted in service companies charging increased rates to drive to look at the company's equipment, telephone and computer services.
"Nothing is immune from the increased cost of fuel and there is nothing we can do to prepare for it," he said.
He said delivery companies also are charging an increased surcharge for delivering items such as eggs and egg cartons.
Truex said he expects the farm's electric bill to increase because the cost of fuel has increased.
