Carrier Profiles
Carrier Profile: Panther II Transportation, Inc.
The focus of this edition of Carrier Profile is a company that has from it's founding just ten short years ago, developed into one of the major surface expedited freight carriers in North America.
An overview
"We have experienced a growth rate of 40 per cent every year over the last ten years," says Dan Sokolowski, President of Panther II Transportation, Inc. "The industry suffered a downturn with the events of 2001, but fortunately, business levels have rebounded during 2002 and Panther II is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth."
Sokolowski, a twenty year expediting industry veteran, attributes this growth to Panther II's dedication to customer service and says that is what makes his company unique in the expediting industry.
"Our ability to conform to our customers requests, our user-friendliness, our flexibility; these are all factors in our success. We've always been quite proud of our "can-do" attitude and making it work for our customers."
Panther II Transportation, Inc. of Medina, OH is a privately owned company with operating authority in 48 states and Canada. Using a 100% owner/operator fleet consisting of cargo vans, straight trucks and tractor-trailers, Panther II transports all types of expedited freight. The fleet size is currently over 900 units.
Panther II began development of their Special Services division in 2001. This division of Panther II handles all "specialty" freight, flat beds, temperature control, step decks, etc. This division has seen 110% growth over last year and continues to be a growing portion of Panther II's business.
The independent business people who populate Panther II's fleet earn high praise from the corporate side of the company: "Our contractors are Panther II's bread and butter; we can't service our customers without them," says Robert Senz, Manager of Contractor Support & Development for Panther II.
"We feel our fleet is composed of true professionals and they are a major part of why our company has grown so rapidly."
Dan Sokolowski echoes those statements: "I have the utmost respect for our contractors Our owner/operators and drivers are always ready to work in serving our customers. I admire them for their efforts and for what they go through out there on the road; they're hardworking, professional people."
"Our company really does maintain an "Open Door" policy; our contractors are always welcome to see me at any time of the day."
Panther II has a program that is unique in expediting - a program to assist the new owner/operator in getting his/her business up and running. As part of the company's orientation process, Panther II makes a concerted effort to educate the new contractor by utilizing a physical business plan which details costs, business strategies and other information about the expediting business in general and Panther II business methods in particular.
"Possibly the greatest challenge is educating the new owner/operator or driver that expediting experiences seasonal spikes, and that it's important to run hard during the busy seasons and to be prepared for the slow times," says Panther II's president.
New Recruiting Program
Bob Senz tells us that Panther II is currently experiencing record run count numbers with current business levels at 55% above 2001. The company has recently been awarded several large corporate accounts and also a very large defense contract; these have begun bearing fruit and Panther II is projecting an even busier third and fourth quarter in 2002.
Because of this expanded growth, the company is adding trucks of all sizes, particularly Class 8 tractors, in all of their service areas: "We have a MAJOR push on for EXPERIENCED expediters, both in tractors and straight trucks as part of our new "Survivor" program."
"We have recently reorganized our package to be more compatible to the demands of the experienced contractor. Our "Survivor" motto states that Panther II is a company "Where Owner Operators Don't Just Survive...They Thrive!"
"Our new program includes a new escrow that is 50% of the previous one, includes free use of the Trip Pak program, and free permits. We are offering some of the lowest insurance prices in the expediting industry, by which we have made a commitment to have one of the lowest deduction packages in the industry."
Senz continues, "Or, if you currently have an insurance provider, we have made it easy to keep that insurance company when you contract with Panther II. If you provide your own insurance and workman's compensation package, the settlement deductions are reduced accordingly.
Panther II is also offering an incentive package, which will pay a bonus for truck availability and load acceptance. Tied into this bonus package is an additional sign-on bonus for qualified owner/operators.
Bob Senz says, " I believe that this gives us a great advantage in this industry and is of great advantage to the experienced owners who may have chosen a different company than Panther at some time in the past."
He adds that, "We've begun our latest recruiting drive because we have been granted a new large governmental contract that will help keep our contactors some of the busiest on the road."
"I understand that contractors may have a legitimate concern with the overstaffing practices of some carriers; that is, too many trucks for the available freight. Our policy is not to add to the fleet until we need the trucks. We keep a close eye on the load-to-truck ratio."
Panther II's package for owner/operators includes: Fuel taxes calculated and filed Fuel and tire discount program Fuel surcharge No upfront money required 99% no-touch freight No forced dispatch Available Trip Pak Passenger policy 24-hour dispatch Direct deposit ComCardIn addition to the above, Panther II offers a number of other benefits including:
Optional medical, dental and vision insurance Stop-off and loaded layover compensation Canadian border crossing compensation Deadhead and detention compensationRequirements for Contractors
Panther II will allow a service life of 5 model years for cargo vans and straight trucks. The company also has a vehicle size category that they call "B" trucks, which are dock-high 12 footers.
All vehicles over 10,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight are required to have a sleeper. Panther II has one of the largest tractor-trailer operations in the expediting business and the company supplies trailers for all tractors leased to them.
Communication between truck and dispatch is achieved through the Qualcomm System. The company also requires that drivers possess a nationwide pager. Dispatching is handled on a First In, First Out basis by the dispatchers, not a computer program.
The company requires that all Panther II drivers possess a Commercial Drivers License with Haz-Mat endorsement. The age requirement for cargo van and straight truck drivers is 21 years old (no experience necessary); for tractor-trailers, 22 years old with a minimum of 1 year recent, verifiable driving experience.
All drivers must possess a good work history and a verifiable, clean driving record with no more than three moving violations in three years.
Endorsements
Bob Worthington is a cargo van owner/operator who has been leased to Panther II since the fall of 2001. He reports that Panther II has more than exceeded his expectations:
"Since signing on with Panther II, I've found that the folks at this company are responsive to my needs by allowing me the freedom to relocate to areas which I have found to be profitable."
"There is always someone available at the company to advise me and I don't feel like a number at Panther II. Settlements have always been timely and accurate and the few issues I have had have been addressed promptly."
"I've found that Panther II listens to both their customers and their contractors."
Freedom Express of Linden, TN has multiple straight trucks signed on with Panther II and owner Patricia Smythia says that this company is a good match for her business:
"Panther II has been a super expediting company. They've been extremely helpful with new drivers and introducing them to this business. They've also been of great assistance in finding new teams for our trucks."
Panther II Transportation, Inc. Recruiting Information
1114 N. Court Street
P.O. Box 713 PMB 208
Medina, Ohio 44256
800-640-7055
Web Information
Panther II Transportation, Inc. Homepage