Clark County at Work: Pacific Trail Logistics, LLC.

Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

Business name: Pacific Trail Logistics, LLC.

Vice president sales and marketing: Bob Sanders.

Address: 10000 N.E. Seventh Ave., Suite 125.

What the business does: Pacific Trail Logistics is a freight-brokerage company; it serves as the middleman between food shippers and the carriers who transport food products throughout the United States.

Steps to build your business: Bob Sanders, vice president of sales and marketing, said his number one priority is hiring employees with a good work ethic. He also works to select shippers and customers who pay their freight invoices according to Logistics’ terms.

Greatest challenge: Sanders said customer loyalty in hard economic times is an ongoing challenge. He said rising health insurance costs for his employees is also an ongoing issue that doesn’t appear to be going away.

What’s ahead: Sanders said because Pacific Trail Logistics is growing, the company will be hiring experienced agents with a strong work ethic and offering incentives to keep them motivated.

A favorite part of the job: Sanders likes the interaction with new and potential customers, and taking their business from the ground floor and watching it increase.

Owner’s business history: Sanders was recruited by investors based in Yakima to start the company. He started a similar company in Portland in 1992 and left as president 13 years later to start Pacific Trail Logistics.

Year established in Clark County: January 2005.

Employees: Nine.

Telephone: 800-310-7749.

Fax: 360-213-2508.

Email: jeff@ptlogistics.biz.

Website: http://ptlogistics.biz

Hours: 7:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.