Category: Announcement & Hot Topics

In honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Marvin Keller would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of our drivers. We want to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication you put into keeping this country moving. Every load you haul improves the lives of others. Your contributions to the industry are valuable and we appreciate all you do!

From our team here at Marvin Keller, thank you for delivering our freight safely, securely, and on time, but also keeping the highways safe. We can’t wait to celebrate you at our Annual Driver Appreciation Party this Saturday!

When dropping an empty trailer at our drop lot in Decatur IL, please drop them on the west side of the lot. DO NOT drop empty trailers on the southeast side of the lot. That is where loaded trailers go. View the diagram below for reference.

If you have any questions about this, please get with your driver manager. Thank you!

We all have personal goals that inspire us. Whether it’s paying for your child’s college tuition, starting your own trucking business, or buying your first home, we all have a dream worth achieving.

Our Mission

Marvin Keller’s purpose is not only to haul loads safely but we’re committed to helping people. Thus, we’d like to help you! By using our services and resources, MK is providing drivers the opportunity to make their dreams a reality.

Dream Manager

Your Dream Manager, a.k.a Driver Manager, is ready to help you fulfill your dreams and goals. Discuss your personal goals with your Dream Manager and collectively come up with a plan to successfully achieve them.

Harjung’s Dream

“Don’t let your dreams remain dreams forever.”

Let MK help you achieve your dreams. Talk to your DM today.

Dream Manager.pdf

In the event your workflow does not populate on your ELD, follow the steps below:

1. Check the DriveMK app to locate load details.

2. Send a Bluetree message of all load updates.

• Example of what to send on your ELD:
  • No workflow – Load 1191077 HMT 17097 at 0900 7/20
  • Load 1191077 DMT 17097 at 1000 7/20
  • Load 1191077 HPL 20465 at 1030 7/20
  • Load 1191077 Arrived at receiver 1800 7/20

3. Continue to use the app for your load details until Monday. Your driver manager will update prior to payroll being processed to ensure you are paid for all loads completed through the weekend.

4. Please call afterhours if your load details are not on the app.

*We must leave the load in an errored state to send to our development team for resolution. This process will allow for the development team to identify the root cause of the workflow error to improve our workflow communications. Thank you for helping to improve this process!

High diesel prices have been affecting all of us and we’d like to help you. We want everyone to be aware of the fuel discounts that we and our vendors have to offer.

Love’s is our preferred fueling location because we receive the best discounts. The discount rates are as follows:

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

Though if there isn’t a Love’s in your area/route, TA’s & Petro’s would be a great 2nd choice.

Lastly, with Pilot’s, Flying J’s, and other out-of-network locations you won’t receive as great of discounts and there are constraints. Such as, Company Drivers are limited to 25 gallons of fuel.

11 Tips & Tricks on how to improve your fuel performance

There are many other ways you can save money and improve your fuel performance other than just relying on our fuel discounts. Read some of the tips below:

• 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.
• Avoid 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 the momentum of the truck instead of 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 it’s for a few minutes or a 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.

Apply these tips and see your fuel performance improve!

We’re officially on the most trending social media platform, TikTok! Follow us @marvinkellertrucking for more exclusive videos and share them with your family and friends!

Click on the image to be directed to our TikTok page!

Below is an important audio clip from Joe Keller, President & CEO of Marvin Keller.

Message from Joe Keller

We’re here to protect our company and you guys! We want to ensure you guys that nothing has changed and we will continue to operate as normal.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your DM!

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!

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:

Decatur Trailer Appreciation Lunch: