BULLISH ON EXPEDITING
I have posted several times this year, regarding the difficulty in finding experienced team drivers. While specializing in runs exceeding 1000 miles, it is evident and imperative for our company to attract and sign on quality experienced teams. We are a very small company and do not have the benefits of hiring a full time recruiter. We have advertised on E/O with few results, and have determined that we must begin with another method of getting the attention of the quality teams that we know to exist.
We have decided to build a show truck that should get the attention of all who attend the shows in Louisville, Detroit and Dallas. This truck will take a few months to build so we will not be in Louisville this March. We hope to have the participation of the truck manufacturer, the sleeper manufacturer, a very skilled woodworker, and a variety of electronics manufacturers. We plan to build a truck that will turn heads and create interest in our company. Most importantly we plan to “staff” this truck with our new drivers/partners/recruiters who will on a daily basis be good will ambassadors as well as spread the word of our company to skilled experienced teams. Hopefully, this venue will produce for us quality teams and allow us to expand our fleet to a point just below that of diminishing returns. We plan this expansion with care to insure that our divers/partners maintain or increase the income they have become to expect from our company. If and when our expansion begins to reflect negatively on the income of our drivers/partners, we will stop our growth or more likely begin to enter other arenas.
Being one of the smallest carriers in the industry, the workload now shouldered by my wife and me is quickly becoming more than we can handle. We knew this day would come when we reinvented our business three years ago, and while grossly overworked, it is very satisfying to have reached this milestone. Beginning in January, we will be adding a position to our tiny staff. This person will begin as GM and will assume the day to day operations of the business, hiring additional personnel as our growth dictates. The staffing of the office will allow me additional time to pursue outside contacts for future growth.
I hope by years end to be pursuing dedicated runs and new customers for future growth.
I will post an announcement of our selections for both the GM position and our new recruiting team on January 1, 2005.
The decisions for expansions are based on a banner year and trending growth over the past three years. Our customer base continues to grow with nothing more than our service record and reputation as the catalyst. Driver retention has improved by becoming more selective, and taking the time to understand the prospective drivers needs and desires. If we suspect that the prospect has goals that we cannot meet, we have learned to pass over that individual and continue looking for the right driver/partner.
Fueling this growth for us is the automotive industry and their suppliers. It is my belief that this segment of our industry will continue to grow for the next 5 years at a minimum.
Most trade publications indicate that the transportation industry in general will be in a boom phase for the next five years as well. Also noteworthy in the various publications is the recognition of the shortage of drivers.
The experienced expedited drivers are the backbone of the industry. Their skills and willingness to weather storms while others are sitting on the side of the road, is only one example of why this industry thrives. Living out of a truck for weeks at a time is not an easy task, and it takes a special person to do this kind of driving. It is about time that all expedited companies recognize the value of these dedicated professionals and treat them accordingly. Respect, recognition and an income that can provide for their families and their futures is all most of these hard working individuals require. We are dedicated to the success of our drivers/ partners, because it is they who allow us our successes.
Here’s wishing everyone a most prosperous New Year...
and let 2005 be the year of the expedited driver!
