Author: T. Ellis

Let me ask you a question: Would you keep working if you didn’t make a profit? Let’s say you have to commute a good distance to work, so you take into consideration the cost of your transportation, the gas costs to run your vehicle, the costs of child care while you’re gone, etc. Say you’ve had medical issues and have medical bills piling up, or your house needs maintenance, a new roof, furnace, etc. What would you do? You would either find ways to cut some of your costs, or you would find ways to earn extra money to cover those costs. Ideally, you’d do both. And when things are going well, you put aside some money to save for when things go south. How we run our personal lives is a lot like how businesses run. They have to find ways to cut costs while increasing revenue. It’s been a trying few years for the trucking industry, but the market is coming back, and it’s time for Marvin Keller to start making money again. Here’s how we’re going to do it.

1. Equipment Costs
   • Reducing truck idle, including utilizing idle-free systems. This can be accomplished with improved equipment and driver training. MK is always looking for the newest technologies and late-model trucks. Every generation of new trucks comes with new features that increase fuel efficiency. Fuel is the single greatest expenditure MK has, so the smallest improvements account for major savings.
2. Operational Improvements
   • Increasing customer rates. For the first time in years, customers are amenable to increased rates. While we’re not looking at doubling rates or anything unreasonable, if we’re able to increase 5 lanes we run 5 times a week by only $50, that accounts for a significant amount over time.
   • Working on connecting lanes and being strategic about new lanes. Deadhead is a revenue killer; finding ways to get paid to move to our next customer pickup is key to increasing our rate/mile. If we can’t increase lane rates enough to make up for deadhead, we can work on finding connecting loads to each customer pickup to bridge that gap.
   • Working with customers to gain drop/hook privileges. Sitting is another way to lose money, and it gives us another opportunity to come up with solutions to improve velocity. By working with existing customers to acquire drop/hook lanes and finding new customers who appreciate our ability to leave drop trailers at their sites, we’re keeping trucks moving, earning more money for the company and more money for you! It’s important to note that just like live-load and unload facilities, drop facilities have expectations of our drivers and our equipment. Always read facility notes in your Drive App or load remarks to ensure you are complying with all safety regulations and common courtesy when dropping and hooking. We have lost drop privileges at some facilities due to driver non-compliance, which affects not just you, but the whole team.

These changes are going to happen; we have to push hard to make improvements and be profitable to move the company forward and there’s no better time than the present. We look forward to everyone embracing these changes for the better and reaping the rewards of that effort. Next week: Truck utilization.

Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in who exceed the quarterly productivity goals. This badge symbolizes the driver’s hard work and success within Marvin Keller.

Congratulations to the following drivers who earned the Producer Badge for 2025 – Quarter 1!!

Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter

• Junrey Montejo & Daniel Nunez Team
• Shoemaker Team
• Miller Team
• Terry Hodge
• Johnathon Neumann

Company Drivers, OTR – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles

• Branham Team – 45,564
• Richard Merrill – 39,934
• Bruchman Team – 39,551
• Allen Fitzgerald – 35,207
• Orville Merrill – 33,915

Company Drivers, 4 On/4 Off – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles

• Franklin Rojas – 23,059
• Brian Doughty – 22,122
• Christian Johnson – 21,584
• Jefrey Efird – 21,581
• Deb Coleman – 21,424

We know you’ve heard us discuss pre and post-trip inspections before, likely more than once. But hear us out. This isn’t just about checklists, rules, or company policy. It’s about what kind of driver you are when no one’s looking. That quick walk around and careful look under the hood says you take pride in your work and says you’re a pro. A solid pre and post-trip routine doesn’t just protect the equipment, it protects you.

Here’s what a few extra minutes buys you:

Healthier Equipment

The truck you inspect today is the one that’ll run better tomorrow. Spotting a small issue early, such as a worn belt, low tire pressure, or loose wiring, can be the difference between a quick fix or a full-blown repair miles from home. When you take care of your equipment, it returns the favor.

 Fewer Over-the-Road Breakdowns

There’s never a good time to break down, but there is a better way to prevent it. Catching issues before you leave the lot means fewer surprises on the road, less downtime, less frustration, and more control.

DOT Compliance & Fewer Violations

Proper inspections help avoid CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) points by catching violations before roadside inspectors do. It also helps prevent costly fines and keeps our reputation solid.

Your Safety

No load, no deadline, no shortcut is worth risking your safety. A complete inspection can reveal hazards before they become emergencies. It keeps you and the others on the road safe. That’s something no one should take lightly.

Bottom line?

Pre & post-trip inspections may be routine, but they speaks volumes. We don’t just talk about them because it’s policy. We talk about them because they’re one of the strongest habits of a safe, reliable, top-tier driver. And that’s what we strive for every day.

You matter to this company, and your safety matters even more. That’s why we’ll never stop reminding you to take those 10 minutes for yourself and everyone counting on you to make it home safely.