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On this episode of ACE Relocation Nation, Dan Lammers and Anthony Johnson get real about the high costs of ignoring the small stuff — especially when it comes to preventative maintenance in the moving and trucking industry. From costly breakdowns to retirements of ACE legends, this episode blends humor, wisdom, and serious lessons for anyone in relocation or logistics.

You’ll also hear personal stories about gym gains, keto diets, legendary leaders, and some playful golf trash talk — because no ACE podcast would be complete without it. 🚛💬⛳

🔧 What You’ll Learn:

• How skipping DVIRs and minor repairs can cost 150% more
• What proactive fleet maintenance really looks like (and how it saves money)
• Real-world breakdowns and how they wreck delivery schedules
• Why retirements of Chris Shipp & Mike Quigley mark a new era at ACE
• The sales transition that’s keeping ACE strong into 2026
• The secret to thriving while others in the moving industry shrink
• Thoughts on economic trends, fuel prices, and consumer demand
• Plus: Fitness updates, golf drama, and college football predictions

In this episode of ACE Relocation Nation, we dive into the importance of preventative maintenance for fleets, highlighting how regular DVIRs (Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports) and proactive truck maintenance can prevent costly roadside breakdowns, unexpected towing expenses, and delivery delays. As leaders in the moving and storage industry, ACE Relocation shares valuable insights for truck drivers, owner-operators, and fleet managers looking to improve vehicle safety, lower repair costs, and maintain DOT compliance. We also explore key updates in the relocation logistics sector, including how smart investments in fleet upgrades, technology, and driver safety culturehave helped ACE thrive while other moving companies struggle. This episode also celebrates the retirement of two industry legends, discusses trends in trucking economics, like fuel prices and inflation, and touches on leadership, company growth, and relocation best practices in 2026.

00:00 | 🎉 Anniversaries & Luggage: Trouble or Trip?
04:00 | 💪 Fitness Over 50: Diets, Keto & Gym Talk
08:30 | 🛠️ Fleet Maintenance Tips That Save You Thousands
11:00 | 🚨 Breakdowns, Towing & the Hidden Costs of Delay
13:00 | 📋 DVIRs, Inspections & Avoiding Roadside Repairs
14:30 | 👋 Farewell to a Legend: Chris Shipp's Impact at ACE
17:00 | 🎤 Quigley’s Sales Legacy & ACE’s Culture of Humor
20:00 | 📈 Sales Growth in 2026: Who’s Carrying the Torch?
22:00 | ⛽ Fuel Prices, Inflation & Signs of Economic Recovery
24:00 | 🌬️ Santa Ana Winds & Big Rig Safety First Moments
27:00 | 🖥️ Office Moves & Why Dan Lost His Weather Channel
28:00 | 📦 ACE Hauling + Booking Growth Explained
30:00 | 💡 Why Other Movers Are Failing (And ACE Isn’t)
34:00 | 🧠 Leadership Lessons: Real Apologies vs. “My Bad”
36:00 | ⛳ Golf Drama, Chili Spoons & Rule Sticklers
38:30 | 🏈 Indiana’s Cinderella Football Season Preview
42:00 | 🎙️ Shoutouts, Retirements & Wrapping Up Ep. 99

ACE Relocation Systems

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Welcome to Episode 98 of Ace Relocation Nation! Host Dan Lammers skips the typical year-in-review and instead delivers a season-by-season breakdown of what 2026 will mean for the moving and relocation industry.

From navigating severe winter weather to preparing for the summer peak season, Dan shares what moving professionals, logistics managers, and relocation companies need to know to stay ahead this year. He covers everything from DOT inspection readiness, safety strategies, economic forecasts, and migration trends, to how Ace Relocationis preparing for growth.

Whether you're an over-the-road driver, a dispatcher, a logistics coordinator, or just a fan of behind-the-scenes business strategy — this episode is loaded with value and insight.

🔍 In This Episode:

• ❄️ How winter storms, icy roads, and flooding impact moving operations
• 🔧 The importance of proactive DOT inspections in spring
• 📦 Why spring is key for onboarding new clients and building revenue
• ☀️ Summer peak season strategies: pricing, military contracts, and flexing capacity
• 📊 2026 economic outlook: fuel prices, tariffs, and relocation trends
• 📍 Where Americans are moving: Texas, Florida, Georgia & more
• 🧠 Why forecasting and long-term planning sets Ace Relocation apart
• 🔭 Plus: Dan’s new telescope, family holiday stories, and what’s ahead for Episode 100!

Get expert insights on the moving industry in 2026 with Dan Lammers on Ace Relocation Nation. This episode covers winter weather risks, DOT inspection prep, peak season strategies, and key relocation trends across states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Learn how fuel prices, military contracts, and the economy impact your moving business strategy. Perfect for professional movers, logistics teams, and relocation companies planning for growth.

00:00 – 🎉 Kicking Off 2026 & Episode 98
01:00 – 🔁 2025 Reflections: The Year We Had to Have
01:40 – 🔭 Dan’s Christmas Telescope & Stargazing Dreams
02:35 – 🚁 Wishlist: Why Dan Wants a Drone Next
03:00 – ✈️ Family Holidays, Rose Bowl, & Crimson Matchup
04:20 – ❄️ Winter Weather Warnings for Moving Crews
06:00 – ⚠️ Safety on the Roads: Snow, Ice & Flooding Risks
07:00 – 🙌 Honoring Movers Working Through Harsh Winters
07:55 – ⛓️ Chain Laws: What Drivers Must Know
09:15 – 🧑‍⚖️ TV Lawyers vs. Truck Drivers: Dan’s Rant
10:20 – 🌸 Spring = Growth: Onboarding Clients & New Starts
11:45 – 📈 The Off-Peak Secret to a Profitable Year
12:30 – 🔧 DOT Inspections: Brakes, Tires, Lights & More
13:45 – 🗺️ Where Are People Moving in 2026?
14:30 – 💸 Economy, Fuel Costs & Political Impacts
16:50 – 🔄 Stability Returns: Why Dan Feels Optimistic
18:30 – ☀️ Summer Peak Season Madness: May to August
20:45 – 🪖 Military Contracts & Resetting Government Rates
23:00 – 🚛 Flexing Crews, Trailers & Small Shipments
24:15 – 🔥 Peak Season Pressure vs. Spring Prep
24:50 – 🍂 Fall Vibes: Beautiful Weather, Slower Pace
26:00 – 🏈 Fall Sports, Revenue Wrap-Up & The Icing on the Cake
27:10 – 🧁 Looking Ahead: 2027 Planning Starts Now
28:00 – 🧱 Ace’s Values: Long-Term Vision & Legacy
29:30 – 🎙️ Episode 100 Tease & Listener Appreciation
30:45 – ✨ Final Thoughts & New Year Wis

ACE Relocation Systems

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In this high-impact year-end episode of ACE Relocation Nation, host Dan Lammers is joined by Anthony Johnson Jr. (AJ) and special guest Laura Marion, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ACE Relocation Systemsand XPAT Relocation Solutions.

Together, they unpack:

• 📉 The 2025 U.S. economic landscape, including tariffs, mortgage rates, and the government shutdown
• 📦 How ACE achieved $2–3M in revenue growth while others downsized
• 🚚 11 years running as Atlas’s #1 hauling group
• 🌍 A 20% increase in international corporate relocations via XPAT
• 🏥 The rise of healthcare and biotech verticals, and how warehousing demand is shifting
• 🏢 ACE’s commercial services expansion — with a $5M growth target for 2026
• 💻 Investment in relocation technology: from Samsara ELDs to client-facing inventory portals
• 🔐 New service provider contracts, background check protocols, and DOT safety bonuses
• 📈 The 2026 strategy theme: “Routes to Results” and how the team plans to hit 6–7% revenue growth

Whether you're a relocation professional, logistics partner, or curious about how ACE continues to lead through disruption, this episode offers real insights, real strategy, and real momentum heading into 2026.00:00 🎧 Intro & Welcome – Dan, AJ, and special guest Laura Marion

01:27 🏈 Hoosier Football Hype – Big year for Indiana
02:34 💼 2025 Economy Overview – What’s happening and why it matters
03:12 📉 Tariffs, Uncertainty & the Government Shutdown – Laura’s economic analysis
05:16 📊 ACE Grows Despite the Market – Up $2–3M in 2025
06:12 🚨 Industry Shakeups – ACE steps in as others exit
07:12 👋 Exit Stories & Retirement Trends in the Industry
08:16 📏 Lean Budgeting & Smart Scaling – ACE’s operational approach
08:41 🚚 #1 Hauling Group at Atlas – 11-year streak continues
10:06 🇺🇸 Government Volume Down – Rebound expected in 2026
12:08 🌍 International Relocation Booms – XPAT up 20% YoY
13:15 👥 Leadership Changes & Sales Team Alignment
14:16 🏥 Healthcare Logistics & Hospital Warehousing Growth
15:52 🧬 Biotech Relocations – From Boston to San Diego
16:17 🏢 Warehouse Evolution – Vaults vs. Racks & Hospital Deliveries
17:41 🧱 Commercial Services Strategy – $5M growth target for 2026
19:07 💸 Real Estate Costs Driving Warehousing Demand
20:47 📦 Flexible Storage Use Cases – Retail overflow & transition support
21:06 💻 Client Portals & Warehouse Tech – Real-time inventory tracking
22:02 🚀 Tech Expectations from Clients – Arrivee, tracking & automation
24:57 🔐 Background Checks & LaborNet – ACE50 discount code explained
28:17 🛡️ Safety Bonus Program – $200 for clean DOT inspections
30:23 📡 Samsara Rollout & Telematics Fee Simplification
32:31 🌱 Local Growth Focus – AJ’s 2026 priority in San Diego
34:22 📈 Budgeting for Growth – Planning for a 6–7% revenue increase
35:33 🧭 “Routes to Results” – Strategic theme for 2026
36:47 🙏 Closing Thoughts – Thanks to Laura, AJ, and the listeners

ACE Relocation, Laura Marion, international growth, logistics tech, Atlas Van Lines, corporate relocation, warehouse strategy, XPAT Relocation, 2026 business outlook.

ACE Relocation Systems

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