“Giving is not just about making a donation,” Kathy Calvin, former president of the United Nations Foundation, said. “It is about making a difference.” Some issues within the trucking industry can seem overwhelming and "too big" to tackle. But those within the industry continue to push forward and take steps to make i community a better one. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
New Jersey logistics company supports Rutgers adult autism program
One New Jersey 3PL and trucking firm, Bettaway Supply Chain Services, has partnered with Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) to help adults with autism gain new vocational skills and—most importantly—build self confidence in their abilities and value as individuals able to earn a living. When the pandemic hit, however, RCAAS was shut down as the university and its on-campus operations came to a halt.
“With no students on campus there was no need for dining, recreation, other services and amenities. They all closed, and with them, the work-training and experience opportunities for adults with autism,” Christopher Manente, executive director of RCAAS, recalled. “We had no place for our program participants to go.”
With the program’s longer-term goals to expand from on-campus jobs into community-based placement and employment with local businesses, the partnership with John Vaccaro, president of Bettaway Supply Chain Services, couldn’t have come at a better time. Vaccaro, whose son Frankie is on the autism spectrum, found out about the RCAAS program during its initial design, and was one of the first local businesses to contribute funding.
“There was a real need,” Vaccaro noted. “There was really little in the way of quality [state] programs available for kids after they turn 18, and nothing after they turn 21.”
His son applied for the Rutgers program and was the seventh autistic adult accepted. Frankie thrived in the program, and by his 21st birthday, was holding down jobs in the university library and one at the on-campus pizzeria—and learning to successfully navigate the community on his own. Then the pandemic closed the campus, the jobs went away, and Frankie had to stay home without work.
Finding a new pathway, the first group of eight participants came on board at Bettaway’s Piscataway location in September 2020, beginning as interns. A variety of jobs were matched to each candidate, from data entry to repacking, to filling orders, staging inventory, doing product put away and other warehouse tasks. A highly trained team of job coaches and clinicians led by Manente were on site providing the support that each adult with autism needed for success, just as they had done with the on-campus program.
As candidates completed their internships, many transitioned to full employment and were placed on the Bettaway payroll.
“We have people who want to work. Just because someone talks or acts somewhat differently, doesn’t mean they are unskilled or incapable,” Manente said. “The biggest investments that are needed are in training staff and coworkers to understand the challenges faced by people with autism, creating effective employee support programs, and in providing opportunities for advancement and professional development for people on the spectrum.”
Sonwil Logistics helps drivers combat truck parking
One of the many hot topics in the trucking industry is parking availability for truck drivers on the road. The American Trucking Associations says that there are more than 11 drivers for every one parking space. Studies show that on average drivers spend nearly an hour of driving time every day trying to find parking and 58% of drivers say they have parked in unauthorized places at least three times a week.
Jason Ickert, president of Sonwil Logistics in Buffalo, New York, took to LinkedIn to declare the company’s latest push toward finding its truck drivers a safe place to park.
“Anybody who has logged any interstate windshield time, especially at night, has seen firsthand the challenge drivers have finding secure and safe parking en route,” Ickert said. “I had the opportunity during a driver appreciation event to speak with our OTR drivers about this issue specifically.”
As a result, Ickert launched a program at Sonwil contributing up to $20 per night for each driver to be used on truck parking.
“This is going to ensure they can purchase and plan their parking location in advance, rest easier knowing they have a safe space to sleep,” Ickert said. “Also, they’ll be more productive since they don't have to knock off earlier than the end of their HOS to find a space for the night.”
Ford donates $250K to National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering
Ford is donating $250,000 to the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) to create the Detroit Area Bridge Scholars Program, intensifying ongoing efforts to reach underrepresented students and prepare them for successful academic and professional careers in STEM fields.
Underrepresented students often face a trifecta of obstacles to overcome on their way to earning a degree in STEM fields: The overwhelming cost of school tuition, lack of preparation for university-level academic courses, and little guidance on how to translate academic skills to the real world.
The new donation from Ford helps NACME address all these issues, enabling the organization to collaborate with one of its 36 university partners, the University of Michigan, to create a digital boot camp and mentoring program that will provide high school students with scholarships, educational courses and mentorship opportunities. The program plans to engage 60 students across Southeast Michigan before they enter 11th grade and support their education through their first year of college – culminating with an opportunity to earn an internship at Ford.
“The number of ambitious, capable students the STEM field loses every year due to lack of funding and support is simply unacceptable,” said Ken Washington, Chief Technology Officer, Ford Motor Company. “Ford is committed to building bridges so that people from all walks of life have the chance to be successful in STEM – and make a difference at places like Ford by changing the way we move.”
TCA names 2021 Clare C. Casey Award recipient
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) awarded Tom Boehler, Erb Transport’s director of safety and compliance, the Safety Professional of the Year—Clare C. Casey Award. The announcement was made during TCA’s 40th Annual Safety & Security Meeting in St. Louis.
This honor is bestowed upon a trucking industry professional whose actions and achievements have made a profound contribution to enhancing safety on North America’s highways, TCA said.
Boehler started in the industry as a professional truck driver, and he became a driver trainer for Erb Transport in 1997. He later moved into the safety space and has been Erb’s director of safety and compliance since 2008. In this role, Boehler led the committee to design, plan, and implement the Erb Pro-Drive driver safety incentive program for reduced idling, speed, and hard-braking incidents. He led the analysis, selection, and implementation of event recorders in all Erb trucks to enhance driver safety and provide a means to coach safe driver behaviors. Additionally, through his leadership, Erb has initiated regular monthly driver tailgate sessions, regular online training, and semi-annual driver meetings for broader safety topics.
“We are thrilled to hear the news Tom has been named the TCA Safety Professional of the Year—Clare C. Casey recipient,” shared Erb Transport's President and CEO Wendell Erb. “Tom has dedicated his career to safety, and it is quite an honor to be recognized.”
On behalf of Erb Transport, Boehler has accepted numerous fleet safety awards from TCA, as well as winning the grand prize twice.
Canadian trucking companies band together to fight prostate cancer
The trucking industry in Canada has joined in the fight against prostate cancer and will be part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Plaid for Dad campaign once again this year.
On June 18, thousands of Canadians will be wearing plaid to raise funds for groundbreaking prostate cancer research and support programs that help Canadians affected by prostate cancer live longer and improve their quality of life.
So far, 11 teams have registered this year, including 700 9543 Manitoba Limited, Arnold Bros. Transport, Canada Cartage, Cervus Equipment Peterbilt Ontario, Jay’s Transportation Group, Kriska Transportation, Overland Container Transportation Services, Steed Standard Transportation, Sutco, Tandet, and Trimac Transportation.
The top supporters of the campaign from the industry include Sutco—Transportation Specialists who have raised $69,000 since starting in 2019 and has won the top team award in 2019 and 2020; and Arnold Bros. Transport who have raised $73,000 since 2017 and won the top team award in 2018. The Canadian Trucking Alliance was the top team in 2017.
Participants can show their support by sharing photos wearing plaid online using #PlaidforDad, registering your workplace on plaidfordad.ca, sending your dad a Father’s Day e-card as well as making one-time donations.
