Month: April 2024

Our commitment to a culture of driver safety goes beyond just making it a priority-it’s a core value that we uphold in every aspect of our operations. We understand that the well-being of our drivers is paramount, and we strive to create an ideal state where safety is above all else. The statistics from FMCSA highlighting 168,320 truck accidents in 2022, with 4,766 of those resulting in fatalities, serve as a reminder to remain vigilant and never to take shortcuts. As a professional driver, it’s important to do the right thing when no one is watching and develop reliable routines. Don’t think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it won’t happen.

Key factors contributing to CMV accidents such as driver fatigue, unsafe driving practices, and distracted driving, emphasize the need for comprehensive safety measures. Through ongoing training, and implementing the latest technology, equipment, and safety protocols, we are dedicated to ensuring that our drivers have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to operate safely on the road. Taking advantage of our driver safety technologies enables us to proactively identify risks at both the driver and fleet levels in real time, enhancing driver safety and performance while reducing the likelihood of accidents.

Safety is more than just a priority; it is a core value influencing all our operations. We foster a safety-conscious culture within our fleet to enhance road safety in the community and ensure our drivers return home safely every time. You must do your part to never compromise safety or put yourself or the company at risk.

It’s important to keep your truck clean. Everyone notices a nice, clean truck, especially shippers and receivers. When drivers make the effort to ensure that their trucks are well kept, customers notice this and are more likely to do business with that company.

The benefits of keeping the exterior of your truck clean go beyond just having a nice-looking truck on the road. Dirt, road salt, and debris can all contribute to rust and corrosion, causing early wear and tear and requiring costly repairs. Drivers also believe that the DOT is less likely to perform lengthy, full inspections on trucks that look clean and tidy. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the engine and air filters also help to extend the life of the truck. When it comes to selling your truck, a well-maintained, clean rig is going to have a higher value than one that has been neglected.

It’s not just the exterior of your truck that should be cleaned. Studies indicate that a messy, cluttered workplace lowers productivity; cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind, causing stress and poor performance. The cab of a truck is no different. It’s the driver’s workspace and often their homes during the week for OTR drivers. Keeping things neat and tidy will help drivers keep an open, clear head that’s ready for the challenges of the job. Besides just clutter, keeping the interior disinfected or sanitized regularly will keep mold, bacteria, pollen, and viruses at bay, improving driver health.

Making cleanliness a part of your regular routine is a great way to make sure this gets done.

• Spend at least 30 minutes a week organizing and cleaning; windows, sweeping, dusting
• Bed linens should be washed every two weeks.  Once a month is too long!
• At least once a month, do a deep clean that includes scrubbing the floor and upholstery with warm water and detergent
• Discard any unnecessary items as more clutter is harder to keep organized

Your truck is a reflection of you as a driver and the company as a whole. Keep it clean to project that image of professionalism and show you have pride in your job.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is resuming work on IL-121/Mt. Zion Road April 15, 2024. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction at times.

For those driving through this area, make sure to count for the construction traffic when trip planning or looking into taking an alternate route.

There’s no sugar-coating it; the past year has been an especially terrible year for freight. And the beginning of 2024 has been no picnic, either. But according to market analysts, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the long tunnel in this great freight recession we’ve been enduring.

As we inch closer to the end of the first quarter of 2024 we look toward the (usually) busier spring season for some signs of life in the freight market. Traditionally, spring brings at least a slight boost to the freight economy as seasonal purchases such as home improvement and gardening needs increase.  Reefer trailers are tied up with produce in the late spring and summer, providing van carriers with some extra freight. While we didn’t see that boon last year, indicators show that we might start seeing that again this year.

One tool that quickly shows the strength of the market is the Outbound Tender Reject Index, produced by the trucking industry company Freightwaves. This just measures how much-contracted freight carriers are declining from their customers. The more freight they decline, the better the market is for carriers as they are getting other freight or better offers. Conversely, the fewer freight carriers are declining, the fewer options they have and the more dependent they are on everything they can get.

To have an idea of when the market will turn requires a little background on how we got to this position in the first place. The major sectors which affect trucking freight are industrial production, construction, and consumer goods. When the demand for any of these is down, trucking will be affected. When the Covid pandemic hit, the government went on a spending spree, printing trillions of dollars in the forms of “stimulus” and “recovery” payments. Consumers then also went on spending sprees. The result was a boon for the trucking industry. Trucking companies bought more equipment and hired more drivers; brokerages popped up overnight to cover the excess freight. However, the hangover has lasted a lot longer than the party. All the spending created record inflation. When people have trouble just paying their bills, they’re not spending. The inflation has caused interest rates to surge; people aren’t buying homes and homes aren’t being built. Retailers have huge inventory gluts that are still holding strong from the pandemic splurge. All that adds up to a slow economy and less demand for trucks.

The good news is that inventories are beginning to return to normal, pre-pandemic levels. Analysts believe that freight rates have hit the bottom and probably won’t plunge any further. The market is currently saturated with trucking companies and as the less-resilient companies leave the market due to economic conditions, rates will go up for those still around. 

Marvin Keller has endured every freight downturn and will continue to do so. We are constantly innovating; every day we source and gain new customers and drivers and we optimize our network so we will be in a prime position to thrive once the market turns. Right now, the market is saturated with drivers.  With more and more truckers chasing a limited supply of loads, competition is tough and prices are low. In order to stay competitive in this market, drivers must step up their game and focus on providing customers with the best service possible.