One of the largest non-union trucking construction companies in the Pacific Northwest, Silver Streak operates 45 trucks, 12 side dumps, and two super solos. They are a majority Mack Trucks operation.

Headquartered in the Seattle area, Silver Streak was founded in 1982 by Tina Benson’s mother and brother. Benson started her own trucking company in 1993, bought her mom's in 1998, and merged both companies in 2013. She grew her fleet from just five trucks to 24 at that time.

“We have to be as efficient as possible. We had a Mack Truck that wouldn’t stop in our go-go-go situation. We never lost a beat and were performance all the way,” said Kevin McCann, fleet manager for Silver Streak.

McCann has a lifetime of personal experience, having begun driving trucks with his father after school when he was 16. With this real-world experience in the field, McCann knows what fleets need.

“It’s all about horsepower when leaving the gravel pits,” McCann said. Additionally, customers expect timely service without interruption. They have never experienced a de-rate event out in the field. “Time is money, and our trucks need to work.”

“Remember, we are hauling up to 105,500 pounds. These trucks have to be dependable,” said Benson, now president of Silver Streak.

Silver Streak Trucking traced its roots to the late ‘50s and ‘60s when Benson’s grandfather and father were hauling landscape materials and gravel. Building on that expertise, Silver Streak was founded in 1982 with just a single truck. Today, Silver Streak employs more than 70 people and operates a fleet of nearly 60 trucks, the majority of which are Mack Granite models.

“Time is money, and having trucks on the job working is how we survive,” said Benson. “Customers in our area are looking for fleets that can handle hauling from point A to point B safely, efficiently and on time, and Mack helps us accomplish that.”

Silver Streak has built its business on hauling sand, gravel, rock, and other building materials to job sites, as well as hauling waste materials away.

“We’re a close-knit family business — my son is now driving for us — and we depend on our trucks to be up to any challenge we throw at them,” said Benson. “That’s why we chose Mack. The combination of durability, driver comfort, and uptime is unbeatable.”

Media was given a chance to test the Mack Granite and other Mack models in a real-world application on a rainy Pacific Northwest day at a rock quarry in Maple Valley, Wash. The trucks handled the terrain with ease.

From a full stop, the trucks can rocket off the line, helping drivers keep up with traffic even when loaded down. Smooth shifts and the automated manual made for a pleasant drive for even the most novice of drivers while the pros expertly drove the 18-gear with little lag.