We know how important it is to find great talent, and we appreciate the effort it takes. That’s why, for this special campaign, we’re doubling our Referral Bonus from $1,000 to $2,000!
How to Participate:
To participate, simply refer a driver to join our Santa Sleigh Building Contest. The driver who creates the most Santa Sleighs by the end of the contest will win the grand prize: a brand-new truck seat! Plus, second and third-place winners will receive festive holiday gift baskets. Be a top referrer this holiday season and reap the rewards!
Steps to Build Your Santa Sleighs:
Application: Hitch a Sleigh
Applicant Interview: Meet the Reindeer
Applicant Hired: Receive Presents
Applicant Seated: Santa Arrives
Referral Period:
Referrals are good now through December 31st, 2024. Don’t miss out on your chance to win big this holiday season– start referring drivers today!
What if hitting 10 miles per gallon in your semi-truck was not just a dream, but an achievable goal? While the average semi-truck is 6.5 to 7.5 MPG, Henry Albert, owner-operator and President of Albert Transport, has shown it’s possible to push that number much higher. And no, improving fuel efficiency isn’t just about having the latest truck model –it’s about changing how you drive.
Last week, we asked the fleet to listen to the Freight Nation Podcast featuring Henry Albert and his successful career. If you haven’t already, please take some time to listen to it as this article is based on the key insights from that podcast.
Key Takeaways: Insights from MK Driver Feedback
We asked the fleet to share their thoughts after listening to the podcast, and after reviewing your feedback, several key takeaways stood out. Here’s a summary of the main insights:
The Mile-a-Pint Visual: Henry’s goal back in 2008 was to aim for “a mile per pint,” striving for 8 MPG. His success shows those small, consistent changes can lead to big improvements.
Comfort vs Fuel Savings: Henry emphasizes that saving fuel often means sacrificing comfort. For years, he used heating pads and a fan rather than idling the truck overnight.
Minimize Idle Time: Excessive idling significantly drains fuel. Henry emphasizes turning off the engine whenever possible.
Speed Control: Avoid driving faster than needed to make appointment times. Henry pointed out, “If you’re gonna get someplace and be there for 12 hours and you only need to be there for 10 hours, why are you hurrying to get there?”
Consider External Factors: Be aware of external factors that have an impact on fuel performance, such as the type of truck, terrain, the weight of the trailer, the type of lanes run, medical reasons, and weather.
Why Fuel Efficiency Matters:
Fuel efficiency isn’t just about cutting fuel costs. The fleet’s feedback reflected a shared understanding that when you conserve fuel, you also reduce tire wear, minimize brake maintenance, and lower overall maintenance expenses. This leads to fewer breakdowns and less downtime, ultimately boosting revenue. These profits can then be allocated to raises, bonuses, and the opportunity to invest in better equipment. Improving fuel performance benefits everyone involved.
Top Strategies for Better Fuel Performance:
Drawing on Henry’s experience and our own, how can we apply these lessons and strive for better fuel performance in our daily routines? Here are some strategies:
Control your Speed: Drive at 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.
Avoid Harsh Braking: Maintain a proper following distance of 6-7 seconds.
Coast When Possible: Use your truck’s momentum to your advantage. Coast into stop signs, ramp speed zones, and construction areas instead of accelerating unnecessarily.
Avoid Rapid Acceleration: Press the accelerator in a relaxed and controlled manner.
Monitor Tire Pressure: Low tire pressure increases rolling resistance, which reduces fuel efficiency. Check tire pressure daily.
Minimize Idle Time: Tractors burn up to one gallon of fuel per hour while idling. Shut the truck off when possible –even if it’s for short periods.
Track your weekly fuel economy and share lessons learned with others.
Achieving better fuel performance is more than just a lofty goal; it is achievable with the right driving habits and mindset. As Henry Albert’s experiences demonstrate, small adjustments like reducing idling, controlling speed, and improving acceleration techniques can significantly improve fuel efficiency. These changes not only help save money on fuel but also contribute to lower maintenance costs, longer truck lifespan, and fewer breakdowns.
Start today—continue to track your MPG, tweak your routine, and see the difference in your fuel efficiency. By making small changes, you’re not just saving money; you’re contributing to a more sustainable, profitable future for everyone at MK.
The workflow on your tablet is a great tool to keep the operations team updated on your progress. You’ve probably heard your Driver Manager express the importance of updating your workflow, but you may not understand why it’s so important and how it will benefit you as a driver. And it’s become even easier with the ability to update everything right from the MK Drive App. Just like the urgency and care of maintaining your hours of service (HOS), it is critically important to keep your workflow accurate and up to date. Like HOS, when errors occur or you fall behind with updates, it causes enormous problems and extra work for your DM and fellow MK Drivers. Our operations run best when the workflow is humming like a well-oiled machine.
Here are some reasons why keeping the workflow updated timely and correctly benefits everyone.
Customer service and retention:
Customers and brokers have placed increasingly greater importance on transparency over the past few years, especially with the proliferation of GPS tracking options for trucks. Those who have access to ELD info and receive EDI updates automatically through the TMW system automatically have access to the accurate tracking information they require. When updates are accurate and timely, customers’ trust in us as a reliable carrier is increased and we become more valuable.
Cash flow is everything in this business. Getting your loads closed out and your bills turned in as soon as you can helps MK invoice our loads and get paid so we can pay the bills. It also allows us to immediately process your settlements so you can get paid!
Operations efficiency:
TMW has systems in place to prevent time and data conflicts. When workflow information is incorrect or incomplete, it prevents the operations team from updating orders correctly and in a timely fashion. It often takes a lot of time to go back multiple loads and fix conflicts. These conflicts include incorrect times and incorrect or missing trailer numbers. We use TMW to track trailer movements as a failsafe in case the trailer GPS fails; we’re able to check the most recent locations.
Driver benefits:
Not only do good ETAs and in/out times help the Planning team make better decisions, it helps you when they know where you’re going to be and when so they can keep you moving.
When you have detention, it’s necessary to have those times in the system so the customer team knows to charge the customer and follow up with any documentation needed. In order for you to get paid for detainment, we need to know when it happens so we can make sure we can get payment from the customer or broker.
If you’re having trouble or you’re unsure of how to correctly use the workflow, reach out to your Driver Manager for help. You can always stop by the office for more instruction if needed. Help us help you by updating your workflow!
UPDATE: We are no longer receiving responses. We received a few responses and we will be including it in the next article! Thank you for your participation.
Each week, we post articles on various topics such as industry news, company updates, spotlights, and more in the Newsfeed section of the Drive MK App. In a few weeks, we’ll be publishing an article about fuel savings.
We would like you to listen to and provide feedback on an insightful podcast featuring Henry Albert, owner-operator and President of Albert Transport. He discusses how he consistently averages 10 miles per gallon, which can be a game-changer for anyone on the road!
Watch the podcast video here:
As you listen, consider these questions for your feedback:
How does Henry Albert manage to average ten miles per gallon?
What are the benefits of improving fuel efficiency?
How important is fuel efficiency to you?
What strategies can you use to improve your fuel efficiency?
If you encounter any trailers with a red tag, do not hook up to them. The red tag indicates that the trailer is not in service and cannot be used. We are in the process of selling our 2016 trailers, and all of these units will be marked with an out-of-service red tag.
For your safety and to maintain operational efficiency, please double-check that you are not hooked up to any red-tagged trailers. If you have any questions, please reach out to your DM.
Professionalism is one of the eight core values that shape our culture and success at MK. It encompasses more than transporting goods from point A to point B. Professionalism embodies key attributes such as knowledge, skill, experience, and character – elements that lay the groundwork for a successful career. Let’s explore these attributes in detail:
Key Attributes of Professionalism:
Knowledge: Professionalism starts with a solid foundation of knowledge. It goes beyond knowing road rules; it involves staying updated on industry regulations, safety standards, and best practices. This also includes understanding your vehicle’s mechanics, effective trip planning, and grasping route logistics. At MK, we believe in the power of continuous learning. Through training, coaching, and mentorship, we empower you to become better drivers and enhance overall safety and efficiency.
Skills: As professional drivers, you are equipped with various skills. From mastering tractor-trailer maneuvers and navigation to effective time management, your expertise is crucial. In addition, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution are also important. Your ability to apply these skills in challenging situations can significantly impact your success on the road.
Experience: Experience is gained over time and through the lessons learned on the road. Each mile enhances your ability to handle diverse scenarios, from bad weather to complex urban driving. We value your experiences and encourage you to share your stories with fellow drivers – hence the “add notes” feature in our app! This not only fosters team growth but reinforces our commitment to safety and professionalism.
Character: Good character is the backbone of professionalism, incorporating all of our values such as integrity, honesty, and respect–qualities that are essential in every aspect of a driver’s role. For instance, a driver who demonstrates good character follows safety regulations, has respect for others on the road, and takes responsibility for their actions. Upholding the value of professionalism means obtaining good character and applying these principles in your daily responsibilities.
Why Professionalism Matters
Professionalism sets the standard for conduct and performance within our team. Regularly evaluating your performance is key, as it identifies both your strengths and areas for growth. Our quarterly scorecards, supported by Driver Managers, highlight where you excel and where you can improve. Each individual’s goal is to continually develop and reach your full potential, which in turn boosts the team’s performance. When one member underperforms, it can negatively affect the entire team. When every team member commits to professionalism and self-improvement, it cultivates a culture of accountability and excellence.
Another reason why being professional matters is that it fuels our financial success. We’re all aligned with a common goal: to maximize our earnings. For drivers, this translates to every punctual delivery, safe driving record, and well-maintained truck contributing to the company’s profitability. By working together with a professional mindset, we create a network of reliability that attracts more opportunities and higher-paying loads. On the other hand, unprofessional behavior – such as poor trip planning or distracted driving – can lead to missed opportunities and lost income. When each of us brings our best to the table, we elevate the entire team’s performance and profitability.
Commitment to Growth & High Performance
As drivers, you have a responsibility to uphold the value of professionalism in everything you do. By continually expanding your knowledge, refining your skills, gaining experience, and demonstrating strong character, you contribute not only to your individual success but to the success of the company. Let’s make a pledge today to support one another in our journey of growth and professionalism—share your goals and progress with the team, and let’s drive toward excellence together!
A friendly reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. On Saturday night, make sure to set your clocks back one hour to “fall back.”
Despite our efforts to extend the campaign and increase engagement, we ended up with no completed sandcastles and only four participants in this quarter’s referral contest. Given the low participation, we will only be awarding one referral winner.
Since no full sandcastles were built and we have a four-way tie, we will conduct a drawing to determine the winner!
Based on the drawing, the winner of our summer referral campaign, who will receive the referral bonus, is…J’lonnie McLeod! Congratualtions!
Thank you to everyone who submitted a referral! We appreciate your help in growing the MK family. Stay tuned for a new referral campaign
If you’ve been concerned about the state of freight lately, you’re not alone. It’s been a particularly stressful couple of years, and it’s not just the little guys; no trucking company is immune to the current freight downcycle. Profit margins have been down at all of the major trucking companies and 3PLs, including Marten, Schneider, Werner, and RXO. It’s hard to say for sure when the market will turn, but most industry experts expect capacity to normalize sometime in 2025.
The current economic conditions have too many carriers chasing fewer loads, driving rates down. In order for this to normalize, carriers must exit the market, and this is happening. Larger carriers are downsizing to get by in the current economy and small mom-and-pop shops are exiting the market. While this adjustment is unpleasant, this is the normalization that is needed to bring the freight market back to equilibrium. Election uncertainty is also keeping rates static as companies and people pause spending while awaiting the results.
The right attitude to get through the downcycle is to maintain a long-term approach, focusing on good operational performance. The planning team will implement this by working to reduce downtime and minimize empty miles. As a driver, you can work on the following:
Practice good trip planning. You can be more efficient with your time if you know your routes and where you may need to stop for fuel or breaks.
Give yourself extra time to reduce the risk of delays due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic, weather, etc.
If you have suggestions on how to improve, let us know. We welcome new ideas.
These are times to be innovative and cost-conscious in order to find ways to remain profitable. The market will turn, we just need to do everything we can to minimize loss and make the most of what’s out there. As always, ask your driver manager if you need help maximizing your time or need help scheduling break locations. We will get through these tough times and emerge more resilient than before.
Just a couple weeks after Hurricane Helene passed through the Southeast US, leaving a vast swath of damage across multiple states with people still currently stranded and in danger, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida. If you’ve been to Florida or the Southeast in the past couple of weeks, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the disruptions: shippers and receivers closed or behind schedule, road closings and the traffic backups that result, or lack of truck parking due to all the evacuation vehicles. Unfortunately, there isn’t much good news on the horizon as Milton threatens to disrupt supply chains even more.
While Milton didn’t create as much trouble for Tampa as originally feared, it still dumped around 18 inches of water and left millions without power. The wind has whipped up a path of tornados and there is still the possibility of storm surges in the aftermath. Major distributors in the storm’s path such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and other food distributors moved their products to distribution centers outside of the impact zone and will move everything back in as the storm passes and power is restored. Economic losses due to the storms are likely to be in the billions of dollars. The loss of products, buildings, and equipment in the storm area will likely add to inflation as exports will be more expensive due to the shortages, especially in Florida’s citrus trade and tourism markets.
In addition to the national disasters wreaking havoc on the supply chain, recently the contract negotiations for the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the port workers union, reached an impasse in September, the union boss threatened to cripple the economy if their demands weren’t met. While the strike only lasted three days, workers are still behind as the strike affected 14 ports along the East Coast, including three of the busiest ports in the US. Any rerouting of freight bound for the Tampa Bay port might put additional strain on those ports.
At Marvin Keller, we’re adjusting our normal network to avoid the hard-hit areas, but considering a lot of our business is in Georgia, South, and North Carolina, and some in Florida, it will be difficult for a while. At this time there are still road closures from Helene that are projected to take a year or longer to reopen, causing considerable rerouting and probable traffic congestion. If you are heading into the impacted areas, you are advised to give yourself extra time for likely delays. Always reach out to your driver manager if you need help with routing or reserving parking for the night. We’re here to assist you and make sure you safely get where you need to be.
