Winning 2018 Best Fleets To Drive For Helps Keller Trucking Customers

On January 30th, 2018, we at Keller Trucking were informed that we are one of 20 for-hire trucking companies in the US or Canada that can bear the honorable distinction of Best Fleets to Drive For! This annual award is produced by CarriersEdge, in partnership with Truckload Carriers Association.

The benefit this award brings to our driver recruiting efforts is probably obvious, but the benefits to our trucking customers are not so self-explanatory. So here are my 6 reasons why customers benefit from using fleets that are the best to drive for.

1. The single largest issue in the transportation industry is hiring and retaining qualified drivers.

We’ve always been focused on our drivers and their wellbeing. As most of you know, we’ve been experiencing a driver shortage for years, and it’s only projected to get worse. There are two parts to making sure our fleet is operating at maximum capacity, driver recruiting and driver retention. The recruiting side ensures we have a steady stream of professional drivers coming to drive for us to make up for attrition while the retention efforts ensure we keep our best and valuable drivers in their Keller Trucking tractors!

Within the last 3 years, we changed up some of our policies to be more driver friendly and try to provide a one of a kind culture at Keller Trucking.

2. The qualification process takes an in-depth look at the operations to provide exemplary customer service.

The evaluation process has four stages that review and analyze the operations, programs offered to drivers, driver retention program statistics along with safety performance. This is the place where we share the one of a kind programs or perks we have at Keller Trucking. Additionally, we’re scored on the customer service team and dispatchers. Fleets who have earned the award are doing everything in their power to succeed at the very difficult task of hiring only the most top notch drivers; which ensures we are providing our customers with exemplary service.

Here’s a simplified infographic of the evaluation process.

3. Driver feedback through surveys

This point expands upon point #2. The driver surveys keep the fleets honest about the policies and programs that are offered to the drivers along with asking questions about the company culture.

4. We’re focused on growth

We at Keller Trucking want to continue to grow. Not just grow our fleet to offer additional capacity, but grow in other areas of logistics as well. By continuing on the path of growth, we are able to further service our current and future customers. One of the best ways to do that from a transportation standpoint is by hiring and retaining professional drivers. This award solidifies our position in the industry as one of the best suited companies to achieve that.

Recommended Reading: Lean on Me to be your Dedicated Contract Carrier

5. Our Drivers are Happy with their jobs

Anne M. Mulchy said “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.” Many programs offered to Keller Trucking employees focus on the employee as a whole. The best example is our flexible home-time schedule. We have a variety of schedules that fit the family needs of our drivers. From the customer’s seat, they should have a comfort level working with us as they know we treat our drivers with respect and support giving our employees the quality of life they deserve.

6. Shows innovation throughout the organization

In the press release announcing the winners, TCA President John Lybolt stated, “It’s not easy to be named one of the Best Fleets to Drive For… It simultaneously requires commitment to an individual carrier’s operations and a vision for the future of the industry as a whole.”

Part of this award shows that we’re participating in new and innovative ideas in reference to drivers. Innovation doesn’t stop there. If you see innovation in one area of the company, it’s a good indication that we’re doing the same in our entire operation; with the end result always providing our customers responsive people using resourceful thinking to provide flexible solutions.

View Keller Logistics Group’s New Capabilities Video

ABOUT BEST FLEETS TO DRIVE FOR

Best Fleets to Drive For began in 2008 and is a program which identifies trends, shares best practices, and publicly recognizes the for-hire carriers providing the best workplaces for their drivers. This award is open to any for-hire trucking company operating 10 trucks or more in the US or Canada – fleets do not have to be members of TCA to participate and there is not cost to participate. To be considered, the fleet must be nominated by a driver or independent contractor currently working for them, then complete the evaluation process.