Truck.Net

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2009

 

Contact: Deborah Sparks, Vice President of Development

703/838-1950 or dsparks@truckload.org

 

 

 

 

            Orlando, Florida – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), an organization dedicated to representing the interests of truckload carriers, and CarriersEdge, the leading provider of online driver improvement programs, have announced the winners of the first annual Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest: Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc. of Fremont, Nebraska, was selected in the category for fleets with over 100 power units, and Wannemacher Enterprises of Lima, Ohio, was selected in the category for fleets with under 100 power units.

            Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest identifying the North American for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their drivers. Nominated carriers are evaluated on the range and depth of offered programs, the overall effectiveness of those programs across key metrics, and the responses of surveyed drivers. The top finishers are identified as Best Fleets to Drive For, and the highest scoring fleet in each category is named overall winner.

Both companies were officially presented with their awards at the TCA Annual Convention, March 8-11, 2009, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.

            Fremont Contract Carriers (FCC), which operates 312 trucks out of Fremont, Nebraska, won its category with a range of programs closely aligned to driver needs. For this fleet, investments in technology to improve safety and efficiency, along with profit sharing, driver wellness, and flexible performance rewards, combined to deliver strong results in safety, retention and overall driver satisfaction.

            “We’re honored to be named Best Fleet to Drive For in the over 100 power units category,” said Mike Herre, president. “FCC strives to promote a high quality work environment for our drivers, and we’re very pleased to be recognized for that.”

            Wannemacher Enterprises, which operates 56 trucks out of Lima, Ohio, won its category through a combination of innovative programs, such as its public safety video series – ongoing videos that address general issues of road safety and are aired as a public service on local television stations. The program has helped Wannemacher drivers maintain a safety focus, while extending the Wannemacher brand and promoting the trucking industry in general as a partner in safety.

            “Being selected as the Best Fleet to Drive For in the under 100 power units category is a real honor,” said Greg Wannemacher, president. “We’re not a big company, but we try to do creative things to keep drivers engaged and move the industry forward.”

The Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest was open to any fleet operating 10 trucks or more (whether TCA members or not). Fleets had to be nominated by at least one of their drivers (either a company driver or an owner operator). Nominated fleets were evaluated in areas such as driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, safety record, etc.

“All of the 2009 Best Fleets to Drive For demonstrate that companies of all sizes are offering great experiences for their drivers,” said Mark Murrell, president of CarriersEdge. “However, Fremont Contract Carriers and Wannemacher Enterprises went well beyond, with outstanding programs and unmistakable results.”

Deborah Sparks, TCA’s spokesperson, agrees. “These companies are great examples of the many outstanding workplaces in the North American trucking industry,” she said. “Both companies should be applauded for finding innovative ways to serve the needs of their drivers.”

 

 

Note: Publications that would like to receive a photograph of these companies accepting their awards should contact Deborah Sparks after March 12, 2009, at 703/838-1950 or dsparks@truckload.org.

 

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