Truck Topics
"Partnership for Success program": Express-1 and Fyda Freightliner
Expedited carrier Express-1 of Buchanan, MI has developed an alliance with a major expedited truck dealer to assist in its recruiting initiative known as the "Partnership for Success" program.
"Fyda Freightliner (of Columbus, OH), has partnered with Express-1 to provide top-notch service and support to the expediting industry," says Bobby Snyder, sales representative at Fyda. "We have been networking with Jeff Curry, the Chief Operating Officer of the company as well as recruiters Scott Hancock and Bill Welch to help them with this program."
The program, which began in late October, is focused towards straight truck and tractor owner-operators with team operations. For those qualified owner-operators who sign with Express-1, the company will pay the truck owner's next six (6) truck payments, up to a maximum of $1,500.00/payment. Express-1 will also offer the single straight truck owner-operator three (3) months of truck payments, again with a maximum of $1,500.00/payment.
The owner must commit to at least ninety days with the company to participate in the program.
Bobby Snyder states, "This program is for both the prospective Express-1 owner-operator as well as for the current Express-1 contractor who wants to upgrade to a newer truck. Fyda can supply both new and used straight trucks and tractors for those buyers. We provide a turn-key service."
"When we first met with the folks at Express-1 about this program, we were very impressed with the positive image they projected and their willingness through the "Partnership for Success" program to make payments for a contractor to buy his first truck or upgrade."
"I can't say enough about this program; it will help in not only creating loyalty between the company and the driver, but it also helps me find financing for the buyer because the lender will see financial commitment."
He continues, "We have an expediting display truck parked up at Express-1 and it's generated some interest already. Here in Columbus we have, between new and used, around 60 expedite trucks on the lot."
Express-1 COO Jeff Curry says that this program will "help newcomers to the business start out on the right foot, while at the same time assist the veterans update their equipment."
"I first contacted Bobby because I saw an example of Fyda's stretched Class 8 straight trucks and the idea was intriguing to me. Our partnership has been a very good fit, and Fyda is located in the heart of expediting country."
Curry says that for September 2004, Express-1 tractors earned an average of $1.85 per loaded mile, both singles and teams. And, company figures show 80% of all miles for those trucks were loaded miles.
Curry says, "We've tried to put ourselves in the shoes of the driver and find something that will help them and improve their bottom line. We believe that our "Partnership for Success" program will help new owner-operators towards that end. We're gratified that our contractor turnover rate is at an all-time low."
"Over the last two years, we've been able to develop in-house resources for tractor-trailer freight. We have shippers who now call us with their premium and emergency tractor needs, so we can offer the tractor owner-operator great freight opportunities."
"Also, on the tractor side, we've spent the last two years developing relationships with many truckload shippers. We hear from our customers that that the most important thing to them is coverage of their loads, and we offer them a solution."
Curry says that since Express-1's merger with Segmentz, Inc., business has increased dramatically, presenting all of Express-1's contractors with new revenue opportunities.