SECOND QUARTER 2019 • VOL. 7, NO. 2 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 2019 NYS Truck Safety and Education Symposium Fleet Safety Awards Workforce Development Attracting Potential to the Transportation Industry
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SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 5 Published by 5950 NW 1st Place Gainesville, FL 32607 Phone: (800) 369-6220 or (352) 332-1252 Fax: (352) 331-3525 www.naylor.com Publisher Jay Hula Editor Leslee Masters Project Manager Mallori Gallimore Advertising Sales Director Chris Vermeulen Advertising Sales Jason Zawada Project Coordinator Paige Durban Marketing Rebecca Santana Design & Layout Mahender Veer ©2019 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. PUBLISHED JUNE 2019/ NYT-Q0219/7433 Published for Trucking Association of New York 7 Corporate Drive Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: (518) 458-9696 Fax: (518) 458-2525 www.nytrucks.org SECOND QUARTER 2019 • VOL. 7, NO. 2 For inquiries regarding editorial content, please contact Carla Schlist, Marketing and Communications Manager, [email protected] or (518) 458-9696 ext. 105. President’s Message ...........................................7 Logistics Club Suggests Career Possibilities New logistics club at the Charter School of Applied Technologies (CSAT) offers students firsthand experiences in real logistics operations.....................8 Training Outside the Box One hundred students have successfully completed Wadhams Enterprises’ training program for drivers...................................................10 TANY Develops Workforce Development Taskforce....................................11 Success Through Second Chances Charlton Paul, Jr. overcame difficult obstacles and realized a childhood dream..............12 Recruiting: A Well-Oiled Machine PENN Power is addressing the technician shortage by facing the stereotype head-on ...........13 2019 NYS Truck Safety and Education Symposium ......................................14 Fleet Safety Awards...........................................16 Index of Advertisers...........................................17 8 13 14
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SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman Eric Hoxsie HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. Vice Chairman Barry Panicola Sprague Operating Resources LLC Secretary Terry Borwegen Borwegen Trucking, Inc. Treasurer Mark Giuffre United Parcel Service Immediate Past Chairman Chris Mix Mr. Bult’s, Inc. REGIONAL VICE CHAIRS Western Region Joseph Berti Speed Global Services Genesee Region Sean Dubman Wegmans Food Markets Central Region Stephen Erwin Clinton’s Ditch Co-Op, Inc. Eastern Region Joe Fitzpatrick Lightning Express Delivery Service, Inc. Metro Region Zach Miller NewYorkTruckStop.com REGIONAL SECRETARY/ TREASURERS Western Region John Stewart HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. Genesee Region Robert Peckham Vnomics, Corp. Central Region Mark Henderson Patriot Tank Lines, Inc. Eastern Region Becky Derway GilDer Transport Solutions, Inc. Metro Region Ken Tirone Hub Truck Rental Corporation COUNCIL CHAIRS Maintenance Council Swede Oun O&K Truck Repairs, Ltd. Safety Council Joseph Peplinski Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc. Safety Group John Simon Grand Island Sales and Service, Inc. AT LARGE MEMBERS Helen Brooks FedEx Corporation JoAnn Hayes George Hildebrandt, Inc. Penny Husted Charles J. Husted, Inc. Kenneth Staub Riverside Service Corporation ATA STATE VICE PRESIDENT Steven Wadhams Wadhams Enterprises, Inc. STAFF President Kendra Hems Director of Safety and Maintenance Programs Kate Kennett Marketing and Communications Manager Carla Schlist Membership Sales Representative Francis Johnson Events Manager Trina Avalos Accounts Manager Rebecca Ross Administrative Assistant Jennifer Andrelos PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DEAR VALUED MEMBER: Every year the American Transportation Research Institute conducts a survey of trucking companies across the U.S. to identify the top issues facing the industry. It was no surprise that in 2018, for the second year in a row, the driver shortage topped the list. While the driver shortage continues to capture headlines, the Trucking Association of New York (TANY) recognizes that the issue is much larger than just drivers. There is also a significant shortage of qualified diesel technicians. The industry also has an image problem, which discourages potential employees, particularly those of younger generations, from considering the trucking industry for any type of employment. There is no silver-bullet solution to addressing the workforce problem in the trucking industry. Rather, it must be a multi-pronged approach. In 2018, TANY convened a workforce development taskforce to focus on initiatives that would address not only the driver shortage, but also that of technicians and other positions in the industry. Action items the association is working on include: Younger Driver Pilot Program. Most states across the country allow drivers 18 years of age and older to obtain a Class A CDL to drive commercial vehicles within state borders. Unfortunately, New York State does not, which creates another roadblock when trying to recruit the younger generation into the trucking industry as drivers. TANY has drafted legislation which will create a three-year pilot program to allow drivers between 18 and 20 years of age to obtain a Class A CDL following the completion of extensive training requirements. Charter School of Applied Technologies Logistics Club. In 2017, TANY entered into a partnership with the Charter School of Applied Technologies (CSAT) in Buffalo to create a logistics club for their students (see article on page 8). The club has been a success and provided students an overview of the many career opportunities available to them within the trucking industry. As part of the program, many TANY members have volunteered their time to speak to the students and have provided tours of their facilities. CSAT has taken the next step by getting the course accredited and will be offering it as part of their curriculum in the next school year. For TANY, the next step is to use this as a model and begin working with other schools across the state to encourage them to adopt a similar program. Career Fairs. TANY is working with member companies across the state to participate in career fairs at local schools and BOCES. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce the trucking industry to students who are just starting to figure out what direction they plan to take after high school. Image Campaign. Later this year, TANY will launch a full-scale image campaign to highlight the career opportunities available in the trucking industry. Part of this campaign will include a dedicated website on which TANY members will be able to advertise their job opportunities. Workforce development is, without question, one of the most important issues TANY is working on for the membership. If you would like to get involved in the effort, please contact the association office and let us know. We will continue to keep you apprised of our efforts moving forward. Be safe, Kendra Hems, TANY President
8 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 FEATURE Talking to students about careers in logistics is one way of getting them interested in the industry. An even better approach is taking inquisitive young people to visit real logistics operations so they can see for themselves what’s required to move goods from one place to another. Students who belong to the new logistics club at the Charter School of Applied Technologies (CSAT) in the greater Buffalo area are loving the opportunity to get those firsthand experiences, according to Chris Bigouette, a CSAT social studies teacher and the club’s sponsor. The logistics club is a natural fit for CSAT, whose motto is “Where every day is a career day.” Bigouette, also a logistics officer in Army Reserves, spent five years working as a dispatcher for AAA before becoming a teacher. So LOGISTICS CLUB SUGGESTS CAREER POSSIBILITIES by Mary Lou Jay when he joined the CSAT staff last September, he was very interested in becoming part of the school’s new logistics program, starting with the logistics club. “We have a very strong partnership with SPEED Global Services, which is literally right next door to us,” Bigouette said. His brother Don, who works for the company and is active in TANY, has helped arrange the club members’ field trips. During their first visit to SPEED, students got to visit all the different areas of the operations including warehouse, packaging, dispatch, loading docks and office areas. “It was an eye-opening visit,” said Bigouette. “I didn’t know about this stuff when I was their age, and they had no idea of all the jobs that go into logistics – truck drivers, mechanics, dispatching, warehousing. It’s been very interesting to them,” he added. That initial trip set the tone for the club’s activities for this school year. “In meetings after that, we picked apart each section of the operation, what the jobs were, what the work entailed and the salaries associated with them. I don’t think a lot of the students realized that you can make a good amount of money even if you just have a high school diploma,” Bigouette said. The logistics club members also visited Penske and Praxair. “The companies have been great and super excited to have us. They really brought out everything to show kids what they could do in the future, how they could come in at the ground level and work their way up through the company even if they don’t go to college,” Bigouette said. “The kids were very receptive to that; a lot of them are tired of all of the pushing toward college.”
SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 9 INCORPORATING CURRENT EVENTS Club discussions often focus on real-world examples of logistics operations. During the holidays, for example, the students talked about the trucking side of the industry because of the uptick in the number of goods that are moved by trucks around that time of year. Bigouette invited two guests for a discussion on trucking safety. Swede Oun, owner of O & K Trucking Repairs, Ltd. and a TANY member, talked about the rules that truckers have to follow for OSHA and the NYSDOT. A New York State trooper told students about truck inspections and explained why they sometimes have to pull trucks off the road. That led to discussions about truck maintenance. After Governor Cuomo’s decision to ban large trucks from some highways during the January 2019 snowstorm, club members debated the pros and cons of that move. Although it was intended to keep motorists safer, it also brought business in some areas to a standstill, and cost companies millions of dollars. “The students were very interested in that, because they all knew what was going on,” Bigouette added. Although the number of students attending the class fluctuates, in part because of competing activities like sports, Bigouette said he has a core group of 12 who attend every meeting. There are students from every grade, 9-12, and some of the older ones have expressed some interest in logistics as a career possibility. “I have one 10th grader who is extremely interested. He wants to be involved in the maintenance and mechanic side of the trucking business, so he asks a lot of questions any time we go anywhere, which is great. It’s exactly what we want to see,” Bigouette said. LOGISTICS PROGRAM Bigouette and Laura Errington, CSAT’s business school to career teacher, have developed a new state-approved logistics curriculum. Bigouette will be teaching an introductory logistics course next year. “I’ve been trying out some of the things in the club that I want to use in the class,” he said. “We will start with the history of logistics, where the idea comes from and why it’s become so important. Being in the military, I’ll put that spin on it, too.” The class will include warehousing and supply management and trucking safety issues; Bigouette hopes to invite back the two speakers who talked to the club this year. Don Bigouette will teach an OSHA section so that students will be able to earn an OSHA certification. Toward the end of the year, students will work on a capstone project in which they will develop a solution for a supply chain problem. “They can put together the things that they’ve learned throughout the year and take that with them as they go forward to show that they’ve done something,” he added. Bigouette would like to see the logistics program continue to expand with more advanced classes in specific fields like trucking or supply chain management. In addition, he hopes to partner with local colleges that have logistics classes and programs. “From there, we’re really trying to see if we can move this into more schools across the state,” he added. Bigouette noted that there are many kids in New York who don’t know where they want to go or what they want do to. Having courses in logistics and supply chain management in the schools, and giving them an opportunity to learn more about industries like trucking, could point them toward a rewarding career and give them a good start in it. mp
10 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 The driver shortage is top of mind at most companies across the nation, and Wadhams Enterprises, a familyowned company based in Geneva, NY, is no exception. Having been frustrated by the pace of the response to their recruitment efforts when compared to their business needs, the management team and human resources department embarked on a problem-solving mission and conjured up a solution to keep the company competitive as well as sustainable. Wadhams frequently received inquiries from people interested in becoming drivers for their wellknown company, asking how they can obtain their commercial driver license. The company routinely recommended area schools with which they have admirable working agreements. While it has worked as a clear direction to guide most, the cost of going to a driving school is a debilitating obstacle for some. When you are dealing with a critical supply issue, every person who comes your way carries potential, they believe. The last thing Wadhams wanted to do was turn away prospects, so they devised a program that was a bit different from what others had been doing. The training program process consists of an introductory informational meeting between the company and the interested party to discuss career ambitions as well as the realities of the job. Wadhams is comprised of three divisions: Earl T. Wadhams, Inc., a bulk milk hauler and food grade tank carrier; RIST Transport, Ltd., a general commodities carrier providing truckload service, LTL, and third-party brokerage logistics; and ARG Trucking Corp., a regional transporter for bulk petroleum products FEATURE TRAINING OUTSIDE THE BOX and liquefied petroleum gas. Each division, understandably, carries very different requirements and demands, so one of Wadhams’ primary objectives during the process was to relay the differences among them to their pool of candidates, primarily addressing how each will fit into balancing family and personal needs. After consideration by the prospective driver and their application being received, the candidate then goes through a formal job interview process. Upon being hired, employees are enrolled in the training program, and are not a forward-paying student. An orientation schedule, benefits package, and an hourly wage are provided from day one. Applicants consistently range in age from 21 to 60, both male and female, providing a diverse workforce pool of applicants. Each employee is in the program for eight hours a day, on weekdays, for approximately three to four weeks. The training includes some classroom work, but mostly hands-on driving. Two facilities currently run the training program. The first was set up in Rensselaer in August of 2016 and the second was launched in Geneva in 2018. A retrofitted tractor resides at each location, where the sleeper section has been removed and three passenger seats have been installed. As a result, instruction is very individualized and highly detailed. The program, therefore, is limited to four trainees at a time, making the entire process highly selective and also a bit competitive. After successfully passing their test, trainees then move on to the next phase where they are directed to one of the three divisions within Wadhams Enterprises and further trained on the nuances of the that respective division. Several more weeks of instruction occur under the division supervisor before trainees are permitted to drive independently. Corporate Recruiting Manager Tom Mulvaney says the program has been very successful. A huge differential of the Wadhams Enterprises training program over many others in the marketplace is that it doesn’t require candidates to sign a commitment statement. Another drawing point is that the company will pay for the trainee’s hotel stay during the entire training program, no matter where in New York they live. Wadhams is of the opinion that inherent trust between the trainee and the company is built from the onset, solidifying loyalty to the company and minimizing turnover. Mulvaney admits Wadhams has lost a few candidates who went through the program and left for another opportunity, but overall the benefit has far outweighed the risk. Since the program’s launch just under three years ago, approximately 100 drivers have successfully completed the training program, passed the Department of Motor Vehicles road test, and earned their CDL. The company has taken measures at every step along the way to ensure their prospects have been trained thoroughly and according to state and federal standards, and that they are on their way to a career in trucking. Wadhams Enterprises is currently looking to expand the program in the Pennsylvania area, where they have terminals. For more information on their training program, call the recruiting line at (800) 334-1314 est. 1178. mp by Carla Schlist
SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 11 FEATURE I n a valiant effort to address the driver shortage epidemic as well as construct initiatives for industry career growth throughout New York State, TANY recently launched a workforce development taskforce. The initial meeting was held at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown on December 19, 2018, one day prior to a TANY Board of Directors meeting, and had about 20 TANY members in attendance. The determined group established a framework for the purpose of the taskforce, laying out priorities for the years ahead. They then moved on to reviewing activities that had occurred previously and projects that already contained momentum but welcomed support to carry them through. Kendra Hems, TANY president, indicated meetings with the Department of Labor were ongoing, the development of inspiring recruitment videos and a dedicated website conceptualized by the 2018 leadership class had been devised, and a legislative initiative about a younger driver pilot were a few of the immediate action items the taskforce could assist with. In early February, immediately following TANY’s Call on Albany event, the taskforce convened again and got to work constructing language in a bill that would propose the implementation of a pilot program. This proposed program would allow drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 to obtain a Class A CDL within New York State, operating as a system to bridge a critical gap in the recruitment process. The legislation would adopt the training requirements and curriculum that is included in the Federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements due to be effective in February 2020. In addition, once a younger driver completes the ELDT requirements, TANY would include an additional requirement for at least 300 hours of on-theroad training with a co-driver. TANY members had just come off of meeting with several lawmakers at the Capitol Building, all of whom were widely receptive to this proposed program. Senator Tim Kennedy, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo both agreed to sponsor the legislation, and TANY is currently taking precautions to make sure the language in the bill aligns with federal guidelines and that we have legislators to help us carry this bill to approval. Taskforce members will continue discussions on moving forward with these initiatives. If you are interested in being on the workforce development taskforce, please contact Kendra Hems at [email protected]. mp TANY DEVELOPS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TASKFORCE TANY President Kendra Hems and Chris Bombardier from Ostroff Associates discuss the workforce development initiative during the legislative briefing at the Bull Moose Club in Albany. Over 100 Brands [email protected] | 800-391-5777 | 1465 Emerson Street • Rochester, NY 14606 940065_DeCarolis.indd 1 1/23/19 4:10 AM by Carla Schlist
12 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 My name is Charlton Paul Jr., and I have been driving trucks professionally for 25 years; the last 22 with UPS Freight. Even as a child, as early as seven, I knew I wanted to be in the trucking industry. Looking back, I realize it was a way for me to see the world outside of my neighborhood. It was a dream and a vision that stuck with me. My youth wasn’t what you would call an easy road. Growing up in the inner city, there wasn’t much access or opportunity for boys and girls, and young men and women, to realize their dreams. It’s so easy to become a product of your environment when the resources in your community are limited. I don’t want to make excuses for anyone’s choices in life, but I would like to paint you a picture of my former reality and how I was able to overcome it. When I was around two years old, my mother was in a serious car accident and had to learn how to walk, speak, and just do the basic things in life all over again. As you can imagine, it was very difficult on our family. For years, though, we made do. I was a typical child who loved boxing and going to school, participating in things most kids do at that age. After my mother had suffered multiple strokes and my father didn’t come home for days on end, life got harder and scarier. By the time I was 15 years old (and my mother had grown worse from the strokes and also a broken heart), it became difficult to go off to school or to the gym because I couldn’t leave my mother alone for long periods of FEATURE SUCCESS THROUGH SECOND CHANCES time. As far as other family members or siblings, my older brother was in and out of prison. We just didn’t have access to the proper resources at the time, so massive responsibilities and burdens fell solely on my shoulders. After years of enduring pain from the situation I was in, it wasn’t long before, out of sheer desperation, I turned to making fast money to be close to home to check on my mother and also to have money to make sure she was fed. I dealt with the lowest of the low and I was no better because I, too, was now taking part in poisoning my community. I never wanted this type of life and even as a kid I knew it would take me nowhere fast if I didn’t make a change. Fast forward a few years when my mother was taken to a nursing home in Brooklyn and I was left trying to figure things out on my own. I signed up for school and enrolled in the optician program while working part time in retail. I quickly realized it just wasn’t for me. The turning point came when I was working a part time retail job and a coworker of mine brought me a newspaper advertisement which read: “Free CDL if you qualify.” CRST International had announced an open house at LaGuardia airport and, from that point on, an ounce of curiosity sent me on a path that drastically changed the course of my life. I believe that if, as an industry, we reach out to these communities and educate young men and women about a career in trucking, we can surely start to close the gap on the driver shortage. I also feel that we have a great opportunity to start a second chance program. Society says when you serve your time, your debt to society is paid, however, many employers won’t hire people with a criminal background. If we are serious about the driver shortage, let’s act on it by investing in people. I’m living proof that if you give someone a chance to succeed in life, he will take advantage of the opportunity. I can’t tell you how many people ask me about acquiring a CDL and starting a trucking career, but won’t have the opportunity because an employer is so focused on one mistake in their past. It’s possible to realize a healthy career, or even your childhood dream, despite having to overcome some challenging obstacles, as long as there are people along the way to help steer you in the right direction. mp Charlton Paul has accumulated more than 2 million accidentfree miles in his 24-year driving career. He is a member of the UPS All Star Road Team and has competed in the New York State truck driving championships in 2015, 2016, and 2017, finishing third place in 2015 and 2017. Charlton is co-chairman of the Comprehensive Health and Safety Process committee and was awarded the 2015 CHSP Award. He is a driver trainer, show steward, New York State certified foster parent and currently sits on the executive board of local union 707 as a trustee. by Charlton Paul, Jr., Professional Driver Trainer, UPS Freight
SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 13 Say the word “technician” and immediately some people conjure up an unfavorable image of someone with a dirty uniform working in a decrepit building with junk cars and rusted parts everywhere. The stereotype is strong, and the industry is aware. While we know it’s not reality, the image is not one that leads parents to prefer it as a solid career choice for their children. It’s also not an image that young students see as leading them on a lucrative or rewarding career path, therefore, it leaves our field with a systemic gap of needing qualified technicians and no one wanting to explore those opportunities. I wanted to bring awareness to future technicians of what it’s really like to have a career as a technician with a reputable company and sought out to do something to address this image obstacle head-on. I first reached out to the local BOCES in Mexico, NY, where I met with Carol Taormina, work base learning coordinator, with the idea of introducing students to the everyday life of a technician. Together, we coordinated the ability for students to be exposed to the field, up close and personal. After a successful conversation with BOCES, I then contacted several other local businesses in the area to see if they might also be interested in helping to form a collaborative alliance. Just as I suspected, many other companies were feeling the same, and so my list of like-minded business partners quickly began to grow. FEATURE RECRUITING A Well-Oiled Machine by Rusty Stetzel, Branch Manager, PENN Power Group Dave Holzwarth, Tracey Road Equipment, Inc.; Ray Gale, Gypsum Express, Ltd.; and Brad Stone, N.E. Controls, were “all in” on addressing the challenge with me. After coming together in a few brainstorming sessions, we were able to plan a twoday event that enabled about 50 students to see for themselves. On March 26, the heavy equipment and CDL technicians visited Tracey Road Equipment, which is the local Freightliner and Western Star dealer. The students then visited Gypsum Express, a leading trucking company with more than 650 tractors. The next day, the industrial and electrical technicians visited PENN Power Group, where Kurt Schultz, rental sales manager, provided a presentation to show them the ins and outs of a generator and how it functions. They were given a tour of the facility and were able to see each department, asking questions along the way. The students then went on to visit N.E. Controls, which designs and manufactures top quality controls panels and systems. Each facility offered students the opportunity to see, firsthand, what a workday in the field would be like. They were able to meet with other managers and take part in discussions on what it takes to work there as well as what each company has to offer. I look forward to continuing with these events, and am hopeful it helps spark the initiative in these young students because they are the future for all businesses. With the shortage of technicians and the standard stereotypical image, I and my business partners feel it is extremely important to reach out to the younger generation and not just tell them, but show them, what a career as a technician is like. Along with the most recent advancements in technology to help assist with daily activities, top-notch handson training shows students that they can have a successful career as a technician with an education that extends far beyond a college lecture hall. mp
14 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 The New York State Truck Safety and Education Symposium and Safety Exhibition that took place in Saratoga Springs, NY, April 9 and 10 experienced another record turnout with more than 330 people attending the event, a 10 percent increase over last year. Attendees moved between the Saratoga Hilton and Saratoga Springs City Center, listening intently to subject matter experts from various agencies and organizations who provided the most up-to-date insight on safety topics and issues facing the trucking industry. New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Executive Deputy Commissioner Ron Epstein and Mark Schroeder, acting commissioner for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYSDMV), kicked everything off by providing the opening remarks. FEATURE An emphasis was placed on the collaborative event coinciding with National Work Zone Awareness Week and the Move Over campaign that was currently running. The morning then took a somber turn as keynote speaker Karen Torres, a distracted driving awareness educator and advocate, spoke of her tragedy. She spent a full hour providing a compelling account of when her father was struck and killed in 2006 by a cement truck driver on a Long Island highway as he was filling potholes. It was an incredibly emotional session with hardly a dry eye in the house as she emphasized the harsh reality of a split-second decision by the truck driver, a retired firefighter who spent his whole career saving lives, to reach over for a water bottle, instantly taking her father. She concluded her presentation by saying, “A text, a snap, a quick glance in the other direction, is all it takes to change a life forever.” Maureen Kozakiewicz, a highway traffic safety representative with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), focused on drowsy and fatigued driving. She cited several statistics demonstrating how a lack of sleep mimics blood alcohol concentrations and that going 21 hours without sleep can result in surpassing the New York State legal limit of 0.08 percent. Recommendations to develop an awareness initiative of this profound impairment and a driver fatigue management program were also presented. Other breakout sessions throughout the day consisted of a comprehensive overview of preparing for full ELD compliance by Safety Investigator Timothy Grimley from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA); proper use and disposal of waste oil by 2019 NYS TRUCK SAFETY AND EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM by Carla Schlist
SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 15 Russ Mulvey, P.E., from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; collision reconstruction by Lieutenant Daniel Bates, technical lieutenant for the New York State Police; and preparing for autonomous vehicles by Rodd Hott, a fleet sales manager at Volvo Group North America. Human resources managerial topics of sexual harassment prevention and rest break and minimum wage laws were also offered. Several agencies are noted for coming together to hold the Truck Safety and Education Symposium, so it was a natural fit to conduct a press conference on the morning of Tuesday, April 9, coordinated by both the GTSC and NYSDMV, announcing the launch of a new distracted driving campaign. TANY Board Chairman Eric Hoxsie spoke at the podium and said, “Safety of all drivers on our roadways is a top priority for the trucking industry. Alarmingly, with the increased use of mobile devices, distracted driving is on the rise across the board. This is of significant concern to the trucking industry, where highways are our office. We encourage all drivers to be aware of the things that can cause distractions, keep your eyes on the road and help everyone travel safe.” A big attraction of the event is the Safety Exhibition, which offers companies and agencies the ability to connect with attendees on a much more informed level. Innovative products are showcased, inquisitive questions are answered, and in-booth raffle prize drawings are held. The 2018 Fleet Safety Awards were presented during lunch. Winners from each class, longhaul/truckload and pick-up and delivery, were announced and presented with plaques in recognition for their esteemed accomplishment at adhering to safe driving. Full coverage of the award luncheon can be read on page 16. The programming for the second day of the symposium was centered around state and federal agency updates. A Highway Oversize Overweight Credentialing System update by NYSDOT was provided as was a session by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets explaining why the spread of the spotted lanternfly is such a concern for trucking. Laura Dillon, safety investigator for the FMCSA, had a lot to unpack in her presentation. She covered the rollout of offsite compliance investigations nationwide, an overview of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse implementation, guidance on policies around marijuana use, the continued commitment programs for military service members and veterans, a diabetes standard overview, a review of the Crash Preventability Demonstration Program, Entry Level Driver Training and more. A Level I DOT Inspection conducted by Larry Johnson, a motor vehicle inspector, was a popular session that took place outside on an adjacent street to the City Center. A steady stream of participants also took advantage of having oneon-one discussions with NYSDOT representatives throughout the day. The ever-popular enforcement roundtable wrapped up the event. A panel, moderated by Sergeant Ray Weiss from the New York State Police, answered questions from attendees regarding current enforcement issues. Attendees were able to submit questions in advance or ask them from the floor. mp
16 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 Highway safety has long been among the Trucking Association of New York’s most important issues. Every year, TANY has the honor of recognizing those member companies who have made safety their top priority with the Fleet Safety Award. The Fleet Safety Award is given to carriers who have an accident rate at or below 0.5, no more than one accident per two million miles, based on their miles traveled in New York State. For 2018, there were more than 5.5 million accident-free miles among the applicants. The awards are divided into two operation types: long-haul/truckload and pickup and delivery. They are further broken out into three categories based on total New York State miles driven: small, medium, and large. The top three carriers in each category were recognized at an awards luncheon during the New York State Truck Safety and Education Symposium and Safety Exhibition April 9-12 in Saratoga Springs. One overall Grand Champion was selected from the first-place winner in each category FEATURE FLEET SAFETY AWARDS and those fleets that have received a Fleet Safety Award for at least five consecutive years. Walmart Transportation, LLC was named Fleet Safety Award Grand Champion for 2018. The company was selected based on out-ofservice rates, safety and maintenance programs, performance trends over the last three years, and more. Walmart Transportation, LLC logged more than 19.7 million miles in New York in 2018 with zero accidents held against them. Every year, TANY also recognizes carriers for the number of years they have consecutively won a Fleet Safety Award. A Gold Award was given for only the third time this year, to Walmart Transportation, LLC, for winning a Fleet Safety Award for 11 consecutive years. Also recognized were Terpening Trucking Co., Inc. (6 years), FedEx Freight (4 years), Genesee Bulk Transport, LLC (4 years), C.T. Express, Inc. (3 years), and Ray’s Transportation, Inc. (3 years). The Fleet Safety Awards are sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. mp PICKUP AND DELIVERY – SMALL CLASS 1st: DeCrescente Distributing Company, Inc. 2nd: Doritex Corporation 3rd: Shaker Transport, Inc. PICKUP AND DELIVERY – MEDIUM CLASS 1st: Greene Trucking, Inc. 2nd: Bossong’s Commercial Delivery, Inc. 3rd: A. Duie Pyle, Inc. PICKUP AND DELIVERY – LARGE CLASS 1st: FedEx Freight, Inc. 2nd: Terpening Trucking Co., Inc. LONG-HAUL/TRUCKLOAD – SMALL CLASS 1st: Speed Global Services 2nd: R.S. Maher & Son, Inc. 3rd: Kuhnle Brothers, Inc. LONG-HAUL/TRUCKLOAD – MEDIUM CLASS 1st: Shaker Transport, Inc. 2nd: HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. LONG-HAUL/TRUCKLOAD – LARGE CLASS 1st: Walmart Transportation 2nd: ARG Trucking Corp. 3rd: Grocery Haulers, Inc. ADDITIONAL FLEET SAFETY AWARD WINNERS: C. T. Express, Inc. Croswell Enterprises, Ltd. FedEx Freight, Inc. Genesee Bulk Transport, LLC J.D. Rugenstein & Sons, Inc. John Wojtowicz, Inc. Landmark Global National Pipe & Plastics, Inc. Night Hawk Transport, Inc. Ray’s Transportation, Inc. Speed Global Services Stewart’s Shops Corp. Walmart Transportation, LLC accepts the Fleet Safety Grand Champion Award from TANY Board Chairman Eric Hoxsie (left). by Carla Schlist
SECOND QUARTER 2019 • milepost | 17 Long-Haul/Truckload – Large Class: Walmart Transportation. Pickup and Delivery – Large Class: FedEx Freight, Inc. Pickup and Delivery – Medium Class: Greene Trucking, Inc. Pickup and Delivery – Small Class: DeCrescente Distributing Company, Inc. Long-Haul/Truckload – Medium Class: Shaker Transport, Inc. Long-Haul/Truckload – Small Class: Speed Global Services. www.mvfreightliner.com 315-736-3330 • [email protected] 703 Oriskany Blvd, Yorkville, NY 13495 Central NY State’s Full Service Freightliner Dealer 919450_Mohawk.indd 1 6/27/18 4:16 PM 6070 COLLETT ROAD WEST, FARMINGTON, NY 14425 SERVICES WE OFFER • 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ROAD REPAIR • NYS INSPECTIONS • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR • MEDIUM/HEAVY DUTY REPAIR • STORAGE TRAILER RENTALS • FULL SERVICE TRUCK AND TRAILER LEASING • FLEET SERVICE CONTRACTS • FULL COLLISION SERVICES (585) 869-3195 962988_Johnson.indd 1 01/05/19 1:49 PM INDEX OF ADVERTISERS COLLISION & BODY REPAIR DeCarolis Heavy Duty Parts��������������������������������������������11, 18 www.decarolis.com DRIVER RECRUITMENT DriverSource, Inc. ������������������������������������������������������������������4 www.driversource.net EMERGENCY ROADSIDE REPAIR Johnson Equipment Sales & Service, Inc. ��������������������������� 17 www.jesales.com EMPLOYMENT SCREENING, STAFFING & SERVICES DriverSource, Inc. ������������������������������������������������������������������4 www.driversource.net HEAVY HAUL SPECIALISTS Rock Tech Inc.��������������������������������������������� Inside Back Cover www.rtihauling.com INSURANCE HUB Transportation Insurance Services, Inc.������������������������ 4 www.hubinternational.com Skeele Agency���������������������������������������������Inside Front Cover skeele.com INTERMODAL & BROKERAGE SERVICES Leonard’s Express������������������������������������������������������������������3 www.leonardsexpress.com TIRE & WHEEL BALANCING Counteract Balancing Beads Inc.����������������������������������������� 18 www.counteractbalancing.com TOLLING & WEIGH STATION BYPASS SERVICES Bestpass����������������������������������������������������Outside Back Cover www.bestpass.com TRADE ASSOCIATIONS NY Metropolitan Trucking Association, Inc.��������������������������� 4 www.nymetrotruck.com TRAINING SERVICES & SCHOOLS Commercial Driver Training, Inc.��������������������������������������������3 www.cdtschool.com TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS SALES DeCarolis Heavy Duty Parts��������������������������������������������11, 18 www.decarolis.com TRUCK DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS Mohawk Valley Freightliner�������������������������������������������������� 17 www.mvfreightliner.com Navistar����������������������������������������������������������������������������������3 www.internationaltrucks.com/fuelsavings TRUCK LEASING/EQUIPMENT LEASING/RENTALS DeCarolis Heavy Duty Parts��������������������������������������������11, 18 www.decarolis.com TRUCK REPAIR DeCarolis Heavy Duty Parts��������������������������������������������11, 18 www.decarolis.com Johnson Equipment Sales & Service, Inc. ��������������������������� 17 www.jesales.com WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Modern Disposal Services, Inc. ���������������������������������������������6 www.moderncorporation.com FIRST PLACE CLASS WINNERS
18 | milepost • SECOND QUARTER 2019 943227_Counteract.indd 1 28/11/18 3:48 pm Trucks • Tractors • Trailers • Refrigerated Units • Storage Trailers LEASING • RENTAL • SERVICE 933049_DeCarolis.indd 1 10/09/18 7:41 PM
ROCK TECH INC. 68B Allen Blvd. Farmingdale, NY 11735 Whether you need your 160,000 lbs. excavator moved from Canada to South Carolina, or your rock crusher moved from the port to Connecticut, or even a skid steer moved across town, the choice is clear. Rock Tech Inc. is your heavy-haul specialist Super-load bonded in NY, PA and MD. RTI, also specializes in the removal of all types of excavated debris from your job site. State-wide dump trailer permits up to 117,000 lbs., down-state up to 120,000 lbs. We have teamed up with local environmental companies to offer you full service trucking and disposal of your contaminated materials. NYSDEC Permitted. www.rtihauling.com • 631-293-2305 Rock Tech Inc. 949946_Rock.indd 1 16/03/19 4:15 AM
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