Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Empty Trailer Locations for After Hours

You should always take an empty trailer with you even if the load is a drop and hook. If an empty trailer cannot be found and you are on a drop and hook, you may bobtail after confirming there are not any empty trailers at the locations below. If you are on a live load, please check the following locations below:

Empty Trailer Locations for After Hours

If in Effingham IL, check the following locations:

  1. Banker Street Drop Lot
  2. Sherwin Williams
  3. Koerner Distribution

If in Mattoon IL, check the following locations:

  1. Hydro Gear
  2. Rural King
  3. Justrite
  4. Mars – last resort

If in Sullivan IL, check the following locations:

  1. MK Terminal Lot
  2. Agri Fab

If in Decatur IL, check the following locations:

  1. 27th Street drop lot
  2. Stratas

Drop and hook locations that require an empty – must not bobtail

  1. Edwardsville
  2. Flora
  3. Gibson City
  4. Jacksonville

IF YOU MUST HAVE AN EMPTY TRAILER TO LOAD, CHECK THE OTHER LOCATIONS ENROUTE TO TRY AND LOCATE A TRAILER.

All this information will be located in the resource library for when you may need it!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

MK Shows Our Appreciation to Our Truck Repair Associates!

A huge shoutout to our friends at Truck Centers, Decatur Trailer, and Fleet Masters. All shops and their team members go above and beyond with the services they provide for us.

To show our appreciation, we decided to provide lunches to each repair shop! We can’t thank these companies enough for all they do and for keeping our trucks moving. Thank you Fleetmasters, Decatur Trailer, and Truck Centers!

Truck Centers Appreciation Lunch:

Lunch at Truck Centers
Team Members at Truck Centers
Team Members at Truck Centers & Greg S.

Decatur Trailer Appreciation Lunch:

Decatur Trailer Team Members & Greg S.
MK Poster hung at Decatur Trailer
Decatur Trailer Team Membeers
Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Why Choose Love’s?

Due to the chaotic increases in the price of fuel the past few weeks, our team members Kassie, Tiffany, and MK Driver Harold C. recently met with our Love’s Representative to learn more about our discount program and the Company itself.

Love’s started in 1964 by Tom and Judy Love when they bought an abandoned service station in Watonga, OK. It was originally named Musket Corporation and within 8 years they added 40 gas stations. In the early 1970s, they launched a new concept by adding a Mini Stop Country Store to their gas stations. By 1973, they began using their family name and became Loves Country Stores.

Marvin Keller partners with Love’s for a discounted fuel rate because of the number of gallons we purchase. Our Love’s discount rates are as follows:

  • OPIS cost minus 0.02
  • Retail minus 0.08
  • OPIS cost minus 0.16 in Illinois.

Love’s offers us a better discount than the other competing fuel companies so we ask our drivers to fill up at Love’s stops when possible. In addition, they have a very nice Rewards Program that allows drivers to earn points which can be redeemed for free showers, drinks, and other merchandise. Click this link to see more information about Love’s Reward Program.

Today they have over 500 Loves Travel Stop locations across the US and they take pride in the cleanliness of their Truck Stops. They continue to offer new amenities to help professional truck drivers like dog parks, laundry facilities, and lots of parking spaces. Loves remains a family-owned company. Tom, Judy, and 3 of their 4 children still work for the company and make a commitment to visit each store at least one time per year. 

With that being said, we’ve made the decision to change our fuel limit from 50 gallons to 25 gallons at Pilot and Flying J Centers. Please call your DM if you have any questions and choose Love’s!

How can I see these fuel discounts?

In order to see these discounted prices, download the Comdata FleetAdvance App. It’s the only app that connects to your Comdata card, allowing you to find the best fuel prices and manage your Express Cash balance directly from your phone. It’s free to download, easy to use, and the features are designed to help you save time and money Below are a few features that the FleetAdvance App has to offer:

  • Find fueling locations with the lowest diesel and gas prices near you or other destination.
  • Get quick recommendations on where to stop based on the best price available.
  • Rate your favorite locations using a scale of one to five stars and see how other drivers have ranked the location.
  • Monitor the Express Cash balance on your Comdata card. Transfer available funds to your primary bank account.

Reach out to your Driver Manager if you are interested in downloading the Comdata FleetAdvance App!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

MK’s first-ever music video!

In honor of our new 68 mph program, MK came out with our first-ever music video. We hope you enjoy it! And remember, strive to be great and increase to 68!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Mission 2022 “To the Moon”

You may have noticed a life-sized astronaut appear in our last company video and there is a very good reason as to why!

We have a new mission plan this year so you and Marvin Keller as a whole can be even more successful. This year, we’re focused on expanding our fleet!

What is our mission?

Mission 2022 “To the Moon”

Our focus is on recruiting! The main goal is to add more drivers to our team. We will achieve this by implementing new recruiting techniques.

Goal: expand our fleet to 140 drivers and above

How can we achieve our goal and reach the Moon?

We want to reach our goal to the moon and there are many ways we accomplish this! At MK we’re beginning to implement different techniques to recruit drivers, such as better advertising, updating our website, and so on. Furthermore, there are ways you can help MK reach its goal too.

You can refer drivers to Marvin Keller! Not only will you be helping MK reach its goal to the moon, but you will also receive a cash bonus for your referral. What an easy way to earn some extra cash! Contact your DM if you have a referral.

Any referrals will help with expanding our fleet and reaching our mission to the moon!

Categories
Industry News

12 facts & tips on how to improve your fuel performance!

Increased demand and reduced supply are quickly driving gas prices higher. As fuel prices continue to skyrocket, below are a few tips from team members Travis and Greg S. on how you can improve your fuel performance!

  • LOVES is MK’s preferred fuel station: We recieve the best discounts!
  • Drive at or under the posted speed limit: faster speeds encounter more air resistance, requiring the engine to work harder and compensate with more fuel.
  • Each MPH over 60 mph equals a 1/10 decrease in MPG
  • Set a speed that is responsible.
  • Aviod hard braking and sudden stops by maintaining a proper following distance of 6-7 seconds.
  • Coast as often as practical: Loaded trucks can coast long distances. For example, when approaching a stop sign, ramps, speed zone, or construction zones, use momentum of truck instead od the accelerator.
  • Accelerate in a relaxed, measured, and deliberate manner.
  • Shift smoothly and at lower rpms.
  • Check tire pressure daily using a calibrated tire gauge on both trucks and trailers.
  • Shut the truck off: turning the truck off even if its for a few minutres or short period of time helps with fuel performance.
  • Tractors burn up to one gallon of fuel per hour while idling.
  • Track your weekly fuel economy.

Spread your knowledge and practice these habits every day to see improvements!