Marvin Keller partners with several reliable maintenance vendors that help us out daily – one being Palmer Trucks in Effingham, IL. The partnership between Marvin Keller and Palmer Trucks began in 2021 when we acquired our first Kenworth Trucks.
From the start, Palmers has consistently provided excellent and timely service. They deliver parts to the MK Shop first thing in the morning and promptly respond to any inquiries. Whenever one of our Kenworth trucks needs a repair, they always do their best to get us in & out quickly.
Recently, we showed our appreciation to Palmer Trucks by treating them to lunch. This led to a productive discussion about the great service they provide. Marvin Keller values strong relationships like this and recognizes the importance of collaboration with reliable vendors like Palmer Trucks.
According to recent data released by the Women in Trucking Association, the number of female drivers in the trucking industry is climbing. An average of 12.1% of overall professional drivers who hold commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and drive heavy-duty trucks are female.
24% of Marvin Keller’s fleet consists of female drivers, which is above average for most carriers!
By creating a more inclusive environment and promoting opportunities for everyone, we can continue to break down barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like trucking. This shift not only benefits individuals by providing more diverse job opportunities but also contributes to a more dynamic and inclusive industry as a whole. #SupportWomeninTrucking
At our operations meeting every Friday, each of our driver managers takes a moment to acknowledge one of their drivers for their outstanding performance. We want to give a special thank you to the following drivers for their exceptional work, which serves as a great example of what it means to be an MK Driver.
Aaron Williams – Rescued a trailer from a towing yard that was very muddy and crowded. Thank you for being patient and having a good attitude.
Jessica and Terry Branham – Took the time to get a trailer that was stuck in the mud out. Thank you for being so willing to help out.
Merk Coleman – Had some great weeks of being our relay driver out of Cordele, GA. Thank you for being flexible as we figure this new position out.
Kerri Doss –Repaired a temp sensor on her truck that saved us time and money from an over-the-road service call. Thank you for being someone we can rely on.
Rick Merrill – Ran 3100 miles in a week which takes a lot of diligence. Thanks for going over and above.
Johnathon Neumann and Jeremiah Brubaker helped a fellow driver who was struggling with his fifth wheel. Thanks for being great team members.
Deb Coleman – helped a new driver move trailers around so that she could get to her load.
James Watson – Restacked and reworked pallets that had shifted and saved us the expense of paying someone to do it. We appreciate it!
Franks Rich, Charity Battley, Gifford, Libby, and Kamenn Gittinger have all worked extra days in the past few weeks to help us make on-time deliveries. We appreciate the extra work from all of you!
We have sent all Drivers a link to this survey to determine what we can improve and the effectiveness and performance of our Driver Training, Operations, and Driver Management Team. We care about your thoughts and opinions and really want your detailed feedback. Our simple goal is improvement.
Fill out as many questions as you can. View the form by clicking on the link below. Once your survey is complete, your driver manager schedules a time to talk about your response.
From the CNBC website, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company acknowledges “our mistake,” after a door plug on a 737 Max 9 blew out in the middle of an Alaska Airlines flight, creating a gaping hole in the fuselage and prompting a grounding of that aircraft type by federal regulations. [fortunately, no one was ejected from the aircraft]
“When I got that picture [of the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9], all I could think about — I didn’t know what happened to whoever was supposed to be in the seat next to that hole in the airplane,” Calhoun told Boeing staff during an all-hands meeting Tuesday, according to remarks shared by Boeing. “I’ve got kids, I’ve got grandkids and so do you. This stuff matters. Every detail matters.” [the panel was not properly secured and the pilots failed to diagnose the problem despite several cabin pressure warnings on previous flights]. This is an example of the consequences of poor safety and inspection habits.
A cynical person might conclude that a Boeing 737 is not a valid comparison to the dangers of a loaded semi-truck traveling at highway speeds in a congested area. I disagree. The potential for loss of life involving a semi is much higher and is proven by highway fatalities. In 2022 nearly 47,000 people died in the United States, and about 10% of these crashes involve Trucks. For Truck Drivers, it is critical to understand the potential for loss of life, injury, and property damage, take the necessary precautions, and develop the right safety attitude. This begins with genuine and routine inspections.
Importance of Routines in Trucking
Safe driving is essential for arriving at your destination without incident. Unfortunately, many factors can make your daily driving experience stressful and unpredictable. The good news is that by implementing a consistent daily routine, you can maintain a sense of confidence, calm, and control.
One of the most important elements of your routine should be trip inspections. This involves performing a complete and genuine (1) pre-trip inspection at the start of the day, a (2) walk-around inspection every time the vehicle is parked, and a (3) post-trip inspection at the end of the day. By following this regimen, you can maintain your equipment and prevent roadside breakdowns and crashes.
Another crucial aspect of your routine should be trip planning. This involves checking your route, paperwork, weather, and any potential hazards. By planning ahead of time, you can avoid unexpected delays and detours, which can help you stay on schedule and avoid unnecessary stress.
Having routines is crucial, but it’s equally important to avoid rushing through them. Cutting corners during your pre-trips and trip planning can lead to many issues such as late deliveries, breakdowns, and severe accidents. Stop taking shortcuts, follow your same routine.
Take advantage of our new maintenance campaign to expand your knowledge and earn Pro-Points! The campaign’s main focus is to provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to help you maintain the wear and tear on tractor tires.
Those who complete the campaign activities below by March 15th, 2024, will receive 200 Pro-Points!
All associates of any company are expected to treat others and be treated, with respect. Companies that value a culture of respect, like Marvin Keller, have higher levels of productivity, less turnover, better morale, and greater success overall. This is a source of great strength that flows throughout MK and leads to trust, which is the foundation of good professional relationships.
Respect is a major element of Professionalism and Teamwork. Trucking requires a lot of teamwork and being disrespectful is rude, unprofessional, disruptive, and causes chaos. Showing you care is the best way to help the team and help our customers. To paraphrase a popular proverb “The attitude you project to others will be reflected back at you” and “What you give is what you get.” If it seems everyone treats you poorly, it is probably you, not them. This is also called arrogance, and arrogant people tend to know “everything about everything” and end up making a bunch of mistakes causing grief for everyone on the team.
MK believes that associates who are valued and recognized for their accomplishments are more successful and engaged in their careers. Treating everyone fairly and being respectful of their input and ideas goes a long way toward company success. An open line of communication ensures that problems are addressed early and resolved before they spin out of control. Disagreements happen and should be done constructively and not in a condescending manner. During conflict, a respectful person knows there is another side to the story and uses common sense to get the truth, plus understands this could be a chance to learn something new. There are personality traits of humility and humbleness found here.
In closing, more respect is better so keep the LOADS of RESPECT coming at MK! And thanks for taking a moment to reflect on this article and consider how we all can improve. Be sure to pass along your ideas to your DM.
Insurance Open Enrollment will be held January 15th through Friday, January 29th for a February 1st, 2024 effective date.
If you do not wish to make any changes to your current coverage, no action is needed.
Attached is the information regarding the open enrollment. You will also receive a packet with the attached in the mail.
All paperwork must be turned in to me by 1/29/24. You can send via mobile capture under Safety Misc.
Medical Benefits:
There will be no changes to employee contributions and health plan design in 2024.
If you are making changes to your coverage or adding dependents, please contact HR and request a new enrollment form which must be completed and returned to Amanda.
To see what benefits you are currently enrolled in, please review your profile in Paycor or contact HR.
Non-Medical Benefits:
The vision plan will see a slight increase in employee contributions for this year’s renewal (see page 2 for new rate information).
There will be no changes to employee contributions and plan design for the Dental, Voluntary Life, Short-Term Disability or Long-Term Disability.
If you choose to keep your current non-medical elections the same, no action is needed.
If you would like to make an adjustment to your non-medical benefits (Ameritas, VSP, & Unum benefits), please contact HR for enrollment forms and additional information.
A common rule of thumb for dressing for work is to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Even if you have the job you want, it’s necessary to make sure you are dressed appropriately for work. What constitutes appropriate dress attire depends on the work you do. As truck drivers, wearing a suit and tie is certainly not expected, but you are still the face of the company that is being represented to customers, so it’s necessary that you maintain a neat appearance.
Dressing well helps to project a positive and professional impression to customers. When you spend time on your appearance, it shows that you take your job seriously and that you care about how you represent yourself and your company. Dressing professionally also improves your credibility with others. They are more likely to trust you and take you seriously.
Dressing appropriately includes wearing clean, well-fitting clothes without tears or stains. Ensuring you maintain good hygiene and keep yourself presentable helps to project an image of confidence and success to our customers. Small things like this can add up to more business and more money in your pocket.
Find something you can wear that will not only feel comfortable but also look presentable. 🦺👕👚👖
If you are unsure of how you should be presenting yourself, check with HR or your driver manager for the Marvin Keller rules of conduct.
We are honored to receive such positive feedback from our customers, like Kaitlyn at ADM, who recently acknowledged our top-quality service. We would like to extend our gratitude to you guys for representing Marvin Keller so well and providing excellent customer service. Keep up the great work everyone!
