Arkansas Trucking Report Volume 23 Issue 2

weather, but it can also save you money
and time.
Maintaining adequate tread depth
is essential to safe driving in wet weath-
er conditions. Proper tread depth helps
the tire cut through standing water and
subsequently prevents hydroplaning
accidents. It’s important to inspect your
tires before you head out for your next
route to ensure they meet or exceed the
DOT tread depth standards. The DOT
standard is 4/32 for steer tires, 2/32 for PRO FLEET’S HUMBLE he knew it or not, he had started a com-
drive tires and 2/32 for trailer wheel BEGINNINGS pany that would solve problems.
positions. More than 30 years ago, Harold The same attention to detail and
Checking air pressure levels Ross started buying, repairing and sell- relentless pursuit of excellence upon
regularly is another important part of ing salvaged vehicles. Equipped with which Harold Ross built his reputation
driving safely in the rain. Improperly only a few tools and his own fortitude, is still the foundation of everything
inflated tires can result in premature he earned the respect and trust of many that we do. Our focus is not on vehicles
tread wear, reduced traction and less customers with excellent repair jobs, and automotive services. It’s on people.
control, which is the last thing you bumper-to-bumper lifetime warranties, Every person we meet is an opportunity.
want during severe weather. and the family-oriented, small town Not to make another sale, but rather to
While you can’t control the weath- way he did business. provide excellent service and tangible
er, you can control the preventive steps He passed on his skills and work solutions to their problems.
you take toward increasing your safety ethic to his sons and grandsons, who We are PRO Fleet, and our services
on wet roads. Remember to check your eagerly joined him in the family shop to include body and paint, towing and
tread depths and inflation levels before learn his trade. As the family grew and transport, and fleet asset management.
every trip! changed, so did the business. Whether ATR


TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR COMPANY’S


EDITORIAL COVERAGE





This exclusive editorial section is included in every single Insider Trucking
edition of the Arkansas Trucking Report and is reserved for A look at new products, services and news from ATR advertisers.
advertisers only. It is a place where advertisers may feature a
service, product or newsworthy item of their choosing — such as
Re-Capitalization through Transport
Enterprise Leasing (TEL.)
a new location opening, a new hire, a philanthropic event you Re-Capitalization program.
There are two parts of the Fleet
1. Buying your old equipment
2. Leasing pre-owned equipment to
you for your fleet.
participated in or hosted, etc. Each advertiser has the opportunity ment in your fleet, the hope is obviously
If you currently own the equip-
to grow equity in that equipment. The
hard part is often finding a buyer for
to submit an advertorial of 200 words plus an image (like a photo able to. Through TEL’s strong financial
your equipment at a price you are agree-
position, we are able to purchase your
equipment so you can access your equity.
The next step is to find a lower monthly
or logo). Insider Trucking is a way for you to reach 25,000 loyal expaNdINg To beTTeR SeRVe program.
payment that is suitable for you and get
your fleet outfitted with late model pre-
owned equipment through our leasing
cUSTomeRS IN NoRTHWeST
aRkaNSaS “We are committed to this area and look
forward to many years of service to our
upside-Down?
customers,” says owner Kevin Larson.
readers who are dedicated to the trucking industry and who are Northwest Arkansas area, The Larson 567. It defines durability and quality; the the equity you were hoping for in the
To better serve its customers in the
We know there are times when
Come see the new Peterbilt Model
Group-Peterbilt (TLG) is excited to
equipment you have bought has not
new aluminum cab structure is stronger
announce the opening of its new loca-
tion at 715 N. Bloomington, Lowell,
materialized. Though some creativity is
for long-lasting endurance and rugged-
reading Arkansas Trucking Report from cover to cover. ity will offer first class Parts & Service cab offers an ergonomic and comfortable involved, our Re-Capitalization program
Arkansas, on Jan 1, 2013. This facil-
ness and comes standard to meet severe-
can work when you are upside-down
service requirements. Inside, the roomy
departments, with highly trained tech-
as well. Contact Rob Hatchett with
nicians, experienced employees and
work space for drivers. On the job, the Transportation at 423-463-3399 or rob.
Covenant Transportation Group/Star
sloped hood and large, one-piece wind-
convenient hours in order to supply all
Submit your advertorial to be included in the next issue of your parts and service needs. The Larson the tight turning radius delivers more [email protected] for
shield provide exceptional visibility, while
more details.
Group’s mission is to gain customers
for life, through unsurpassed customer
maneuverability for congested jobsites.
service in all areas of the experience. THRee STepS To maxImIZe
The goals are to form a partnership with
TRaNSpoRTaTIoN pRofITS
eaRN moRe fRom WHaT yoU
alReady oWN Carriers know they should be more
the Arkansas Trucking Report and take control of your company’s 42 experience, the first time - every time. your cash flow = the value of efficient and work smarter not harder.
the customers and to provide a positive
Accessing your equity + Increasing
Here are three tips for maximizing prof-
its instead of just increasing revenues.
editorial coverage. arkansas Trucking reporT | issue 3 2013
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 2 2018 51

S TAT VIE W












HOW OFTEN DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW PARTICIPATE
IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WHILE DRIVING?



Gilmore Strategic Group surveyed Arkansas drivers about their awareness of, the consequences for, and participation
in distracted driving. The results revealed that Arkansans admit to engaging in the following distracted driving behaviors.



Frequent Sometime Rarely Never


Eat or Drink

27% 39% 13% 21%

Change Radio / Navigation

22% 36% 13% 29%


Make / Receive Phone Calls
27% 27% 17% 28%


Hand Thing to Child / Passenger
9% 23% 20% 48%


Send Email or Text Message
7% 13% 14% 65%


Browse Internet or Social Media

4% 6% 9% 80%

Apply Make-Up / Groom

4% 6% 7% 82%

1% Read Book or Newspaper

4% 95%

1%

Frequent Sometime Rarely Never

Source: Gilmore Strategic Group


52 Issue 2 2018 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

ADVERTISER

RESOURCE INDEX


Aon Transportation .......Inside front cover
ArcBest ................................................... 49
American Trucking Associations ........... 43

Arkansas Trucking Association ........16, 45
Arkansas Trucking Report ...........27, 38, 47
Counteract ............................................ 48
Custard Insurance ................................. 22
Dill Brothers Insurance ......................... 53
Drivers Legal Plan ................................. 30
Great West Casualty ............................. 18 Serving the transportation industry since 1982.
McLeod Software ................................... 41
MHC Kenworth ....................................... 9
2725 Cantrell Rd., Suite 201
NanoMech .....................Inside back cover Little Rock, AR
PrePass ................................................... 31 800-737-3037
ProFleet .................................................. 53 Dill Brothers Insurance www.dillbrothers.com
Regions Insurance ................................. 26 A Triangle Company
Rich Logistics ......................................... 15 Outstanding Service • Quality Products •Competitive Price
Southern Tire Mart ............................... 35
Stallion Transportation Group ..Back Cover
Stephens .................................................. 3

Subrogation Division, Inc. .................... 32
Summit Truck Group .............................. 4
TA/Petro ................................................ 25
The Larson Group ................................. 21
Truck Centers of Arkansas .................... 11
Utility Tri-State, Inc................................. 6
Wells Fargo ............................................ 44
Whiting Systems Inc ............................. 36
This edition of Arkansas Trucking Report
was made possible with the support of
these corporate advertisers. They support
the trucking industry by enabling ATA to
provide this publication to its members,
prospective members, elected officials
and the national trucking and business
community at large. They deserve your
consideration and patronage when making
your corporate purchasing decisions.
Thank you!
PLEASE VISIT ARKANSASTRUCKING.
COM TO SEE THE DIGITAL VERSION
OF ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT
WITH LIVE LINKS TO ADVERTISERS’
WEBSITES.


ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 2 2018 53

THE LAST WORD








Listen, Act, Respond







By Max Farrell four issues (as you would expect). However, noticing inefficiencies in load planning, you

Guest Writer the top issue within the pay theme wasn’t could put a task force together to map out
We’re all reading the about wanting more money. The top issues improvements in the process. When we close
same things: driver short- within pay were “I don’t understand my pay” the feedback loop, we have to respond. The
ages, driver turnover, a fire- and “my pay is incorrect.” By asking open- most toxic thing we can do is ask for feed-
hot freight market, etc. ended questions we can understand the root back and do nothing with it, followed closely
Now more than ever, of the issues causing drivers to seek new by acting and not communicating that feed-
trucking executives are opportunities. back led the charge.
wanting to take advantage of the business Listen to their expectations when they Here are a few ways you can close the
opportunities provided by the industry. But join your team. Expectations for a new hire feedback loop:
there’s a roadblock: it’s tough to find and are the glue that makes or breaks their trust
keep truck drivers. with your company. Aligning expectations RESPOND
For too long trucking companies have on pay, home time, equipment and commu- Share regular progress updates on
focused strictly on recruiting. But with nication are crucial and set your relationship company feedback. Highlight actions (even
recruiting metrics favoring the advertiser and up for success. small wins), bigger changes and clear up
not the trucking company, driver retention is Listen to the industry. Every company miscommunications. The rumor mill runs
being revisited. embraces safety and has an open door policy. wild if you don’t communicate directly and
Why? Because it’s less expensive to keep Those are table stakes. Pay attention to the continuously.
your people than it is to replace them. It’s pay raises and other incentives that are being Take advantage of multiple communica-
safer to coach drivers than to replace bad shared with drivers in your market. If you are tion styles to reach drivers in the way they
habits. And you can build a culture when seeing these trends, better believe your driver communicate. Connect via text, email, con-
people stick around. noticed it first. ference calls, town halls and even Facebook
Given anyone reading this also wants to Listen to the online chatter. Drivers are live to share updates.
improve driver retention, I have some simple sharing feedback somewhere. Forums and Show that deliberation is happening.
advice: Facebook are becoming increasingly popu- Sometimes drivers simply need to see that
• Listen to your people. lar avenues to talk shop. If you don’t know their ideas and issues are being discussed in
• Act on what they say. what’s being said, you can’t do anything the office and at the leadership level. Even if
• And respond to show them that about it. But listening is only part of the you can’t make a change, explaining why you
change is happening. battle. When we ask for driver feedback, it’s can’t goes a long way.
Below are a few tactics you can apply to important they see action come from it. There’s no silver bullet when it comes to
steadily make improvements in increasing driver turnover. But respect is more valuable
driver retention. ACT than higher pay almost any day. By commit-
Find small wins. For example, if a vend- ting to a continuous feedback loop with your
LISTEN ing machine is broken in the driver lounge, drivers you will show that your company
Listen to your drivers. Be open by asking get it fixed quickly. It’s a small thing, but it’s is listening, working to get better, and that
open-ended questions instead of survey ques- an indicator that your company is attentive their voice matters at your company. There’s
tions, which introduce bias. This allows driv- to driver needs. nothing more powerful than that. ATR
ers to share the good, the bad and the ugly. Act with bigger initiatives. Change
Here’s an example of why this is recom- is hard, but showing drivers substantial Max Farrell is co-founder and CEO of
WorkHound, a continuous feedback plat-
mended: when we analyzed 8500 drivers’ changes based on feedback can make all the form built to help carriers retain drivers
feedback last year, pay was one of the top difference. For example, if your drivers are and improve the truck driver experience.

Opinions expressed on this page may not reflect official policies or opinions of the Arkansas Trucking Association or the American Trucking Associations.

54 Issue 2 2018 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

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