ORLANDO, Fla. — Large and small carriers were honored for creating the best workplace for drivers during the Truckload Carrier Association’s (TCA) annual convention, Truckload 2020: Orlando.
Best Fleets to Drive For Contest Nussbaum Transportation of Hudson, Ill., won for Best Overall Fleet in the large carrier category. Boyle Transportation of Billerica, Mass., won the top prize for small carriers.
The awards, presented by TCA and CarriersEdge, are the results of an annual survey and contest across North America among for-hire trucking companies. TruckRight sponsored the small carrier award and EpicVue sponsored the large carrier award.
Both Boyle Transportation and Nussbaum Transportation have been named to the Best Fleets Top 20 multiple times, with Nussbaum recently winning the 2019 Best Overall Fleet in the small carrier category. The categorization is based on how the Top 20 is broken down according to fleet size.
To be considered, fleets must be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor working with them, after which they are evaluated across a broad range of categories reflecting current best practices in human resources.
Nussbaum Transportation, with 442 drivers, was noted for its approach to new technology adoption, where a focus on personal needs ensures the enhancements optimize, rather than disrupt, driver efficiency. The company’s creative approach to HR and professional development programs also earned top scores across a variety of categories.
Boyle Transportation, with 133 drivers, stood out for its investments in driver support programs and operational efficiency improvements. Its guaranteed pay, provision of cell phones and connectivity tools, and a generous scholarship offering all demonstrated a willingness to invest in areas many fleets are reluctant to explore.
Fleet leaders who want to one day be listed on the Best Fleets’ Top 20, should be seeking out their drivers’ opinions more, contest and CarriersEdge co-founder Mark Murrell told Fleet Owner after the awards were presented.
This pro-active approach has become more popular in recent years, he said. “For the longest time, the only answer was we've got an open-door policy, drivers can come and tell us that they don't like it,” Murrell said. “Well, that really puts the onus on the drivers. And it can be risky to speak up. But now they've heard us say over and over again to go and ask the drivers.”
Murrell said it takes little time or money for fleets to survey drivers or to hold town-hall-style meetings. “Get the drivers involved, ask the drivers how they want to be evaluated, put together a scorecard to get input from the drivers on what they would like to see what they think is fair,” he suggested. “Because they often have much more stringent criteria than the companies. But they also have a different perspective. So they'll give ideas for things that the company may not even be thinking about.”
It’s all about building a community of drivers and other fleet employees that feel like they are being heard, Murrell added.
Both Boyle and Nussbaum have driver satisfaction scores above 93% and driver turnover rates less than 20%.
“We’ve been aware of these fleets for years, watching them continue to refine their offerings and raise the bar for the industry,” said CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy. “With such creative ideas and strong buy-in from drivers on their efforts, it’s easy to see why they’re seeing such great results.”
Each January, TCA and CarriersEdge announce the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For winners — broken down by fleet size. The highest scoring fleet in each category is named an Overall Winner during TCA’s Annual Convention, held this year at the Gaylord Palms Resort.
The Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For for 2020, which were all recognized on stage at TCA 2020 this week, are:
- America's Service Line of Green Bay, Wisc.
- American Central Transport of Kansas City, Mo.
- Bison Transport of Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Boyle Transportation of Billerica, Mass.
- Central Oregon Truck Company Inc. of Redmond, Ore.
- Challenger of Cambridge, Ontario
- Fortigo Freight Services Inc. of Etobicoke, Ontario
- Fremont Contract Carriers Inc. of Fremont, Neb.
- FTC Transportation Inc. of Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Garner Trucking Inc. of Findlay, Ohio
- Grand Island Express of Grand Island, Neb.
- Halvor Lines, Inc. of Superior, Wisc.
- Load One Transportation & Logistics of Taylor, Mich.
- Motor Carrier Service LLC of Northwood, Ohio
- Nussbaum Transportation Services Inc. of Hudson, Ill.
- Prime Inc. of Springfield, Mo.
- Thomas E. Keller Trucking Inc. of Defiance, Ohio
- TLD Logistics Services, Inc. of Knoxville, Tenn.
- Transpro Freight Systems Limited of Milton, Ontario
- Wellington Motor Freight of Aberfoyle, Ontario
TCA and CarriersEdge also identified five Fleets to Watch (honorable mentions):
- Averitt Express Inc. of Cookeville, Tenn.
- Brenny Specialized Inc. of Saint Joseph, Minn.
- Leonard's Express of Farmington, N.Y.
- Melton Truck Lines of Tulsa, Okla.
- Wilson Logistics Inc. of Springfield, MO
“To be bestowed the title of overall winner requires a strong combination of outstanding programs, high satisfaction levels, and great results in safety and retention, and these companies should be very proud,” TCA President John Lyboldt said. “A special congratulations to Nussbaum for winning the award twice in a row – that’s an even more difficult feat.”
The Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest is open to any fleet operating 10 or more trucks, regardless of TCA membership status. Nominated fleets are evaluated in areas such as: Driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record.
