Category: Announcement & Hot Topics

Being a professional driver is more than just obtaining a CDL, hooking a trailer, and holding a steering wheel. It’s a complete set of skills and a range of knowledge that takes time and practice to hone. Obtaining a well-rounded set of skills and always learning new ones is what turns an inexperienced rookie into a seasoned veteran

• The basic trucking skills, considered “hard skills” are absolutely necessary to properly haul a load.
• Vehicle Operation and Maneuvering skills.
• Safety and Compliance regulations.
• Route Planning and Navigation: veteran truckers probably remember the days of getting out a Rand McNally road map to plan their trips; these days technology has made things a lot easier with commercial truck-specific GPS devices. It’s still helpful to know how to use a paper map in case technology fails.
• Cargo Handling and Securement: It’s absolutely imperative to know how to properly secure cargo. If cargo is not properly loaded or secured, it can cause damage to the cargo or even cause the trailer to tip when turning, which has happened at MK before when a trailer was not properly loaded. If you are hauling a trailer that doesn’t appear to be safely loaded or secured, do NOT leave with it. Always reach out to your DM for instructions.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspections: use your checklist, know what the DOT is looking for when they inspect so you know what to pay attention to. Ensure you cover all the bases before you leave so you can be sure you’ll pass a DOT inspection.
• Logbook and Document Management: ELD has made logging much less cumbersome. The days of paper and pencil logging and mailing in trip packs has been replaced with the press of a button on a tablet. It’s still important to know the HOS rules to maintain compliance.
• Hazmat: regulations related to hazmat shipments cause extra scrutiny in cases of inspections. As MK hauls hazmat loads, it’s necessary to know what placards to use, how the BOL should be marked, and, as always, secure with at least two straps on the back!

To really be the all-star trucker, it’s helpful to have the “soft skills” to be the consummate professional.

• Time Management: drivers must have the ability to plan and prioritize tasks, manage their schedule, balance driving hours with rest, and meet appointments. It takes discipline and practice, but the best drivers always make sure they plan ahead and have enough time.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Having clear and effective communication and being positive and professional with Driver Managers, Customers, Shippers, and Receivers is not just good customer service; it also benefits the driver. When you treat people well, they tend to do the same in kind, making your job and your life easier.
• Problem Solving and Stress Management: Every driver knows that trucking isn’t perfect. Problems arise constantly and it’s important to be able to remain calm and focused under pressure. When unexpected situations occur, remaining calm and being able to think quickly, and be resourceful in order to solve challenges is paramount. Having patience when things go wrong or delays occur sets one apart.

• Adaptability: Being flexible and able to adapt to changes is the essence of intelligence.
• Attention to Detail: Drivers should be focused on accuracy and competence of job duties, including safety protocols and cargo and paperwork handling, among other things. Accuracy and diligence prevent issues down the road.

Besides the above skills, it’s also extremely helpful to have some relative tech savvy.

• GPS & ELD Proficiency: It always helps to learn how to correctly log all your activity on your ELD and use your navigation devices.
• Mobile App Usage – Most customers and brokers now require tech usage for tracking, paperwork scanning, etc. MK has also taken advantage of new technologies and the proliferation of apps by using the MK Drive App as an all-in-one information and ELD hub. You can get almost anything you now need just from your phone. Knowing how to be proficient with technology gives you a leg up. It helps to always be open to new technology as improvements and requirements will always change.
• Basic Mechanical Knowledge: Owner/Operators know this better than anyone else; having a basic working knowledge of truck mechanics can help save lots of time and money on the road. Being able to perform minor repairs or fix problems with your truck without having to wait for a
  mobile repair unit and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on relatively simple repairs is empowering and satisfying.

Marvin Keller encourages every driver to gain new skills and further their professional career growth. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your manager if you would like help with advancement.

In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent is more important than ever. As we are almost one quarter into the year, our recruiting goals are clear: we aim to retain our current drivers and hire at least two new drivers per week. Expanding our fleet benefits not just our business, but everyone involved, creating a stronger and more reliable team. But recruiting isn’t just about placing ads—it’s about building relationships, creating an environment where drivers want to stay, and empowering our current team to be our best recruiters.

Recruiting Goals for This Year

One of our main objectives for the year is to retain our talented team while also expanding our fleet. We are aiming to hire two new drivers each week. Our recruiting team has grown, and having more eyes on potential applicants, we have had back-to-back successful weeks and have multiple drivers in orientation lined up. Our team is working hard to achieve these goals.

However, simply growing in numbers isn’t enough—we need to ensure that our drivers are satisfied, engaged, and committed to their roles. By retaining our experienced team members and recruiting new drivers, we can achieve long-term growth that benefits everyone in the company.

Advertising Efforts: Where and How We Are Looking for Talent

To meet our recruiting goals, we are actively advertising in a range of locations, casting a wide net for qualified drivers. Our efforts span several states, reaching talent in areas where there is volume of freight and where we need it most. Here are the regions where we are currently focusing our recruitment efforts:

Flexible Schedules: Catering to the Needs of Our Drivers

One of the key factors in attracting top talent is offering a variety of schedules to meet drivers’ needs and preferences. We understand that flexibility is essential to many drivers, so we offer the following schedule options:

• 4/4 Schedule: Drivers work for four days and have four days off, providing a balance between work and personal time.
• 5 ½ Days Schedule: A slightly longer work schedule, but still offering a good work-life balance for those looking to maximize their time on the road.
• Extended 14-Day & 21-Day Tours: A great options for those who prefer to work for longer stretches and earn more.
• Team Drivers: Pairing up with another driver to share the workload and increase earning potential.
• Lease Purchase Program: For those looking to own their own truck, start their own business, and work with greater independence.

Referrals – Why Your Efforts Matter:

Last year, we spent a little over $165,000 on advertising dollars. While traditional advertising is our leading recruitment strategy, we’ve discovered referrals are much more effective and cost-efficient. Instead of spending large sums on recruitment agencies, we prefer to reward our current drivers for bringing in candidates. Not only does this approach save us money, but it also brings in more reliable and committed drivers. We believe that our drivers make excellent recruiters and we want to reward you for your efforts.

Your past contributions in referring drivers have been a great driving force in growing our fleet. Driver testimonials have proven more effective than traditional advertisements because they bring a personal touch. Your recommendations and experiences resonate more deeply with potential drivers than a generic job ad ever could.

Note – When you refer a potential candidate to us, it is not a reflection of you as a driver. We conduct an extensive interview process to determine if your driver lead is a good fit for our company. All leads are good leads.

Conclusion:

For 2025, our recruiting and advertising efforts are focused on expanding our fleet, retaining drivers, and utilizing the power of referrals to build a strong, reliable team. Through strategic advertising in key regions and offering flexible schedules, we are attracting top talent. However, you have the opportunity to be the driving force to our growth and earn big rewards. Your referrals and testimonials help us find the best candidates and build a successful team. We are grateful for your ongoing efforts, and we look forward to another successful year together.

Clocks will spring forward at 2 a.m. Sunday, March, 9. Make sure you change your clocks before you go to bed Saturday evening!

When you’re out on the interstate, have you ever seen those trucks that say “our most valuable asset sits up front?” While Marvin Keller may not have that decal on our trailers, we still do our best to live up to that creed. This involves investing in driver training and coaching and providing all the necessary tools, materials, and equipment needed to effectively do the job. It also includes treating our drivers like valued members of the team who have families and personal lives and who need and deserve a good work/life balance just like workers of any other profession.

We hear horror stories from new drivers who have come from other companies; they talk about being kept out for six or more weeks at a time, sitting for four or five days without a load and without pay, or low-quality “jiffy training” for rookies that only lasts a week or so before they get tossed out on the road to fend for themselves. None of these situations makes for a successful driver and we want to ensure that our drivers are prepared for being out on their own.

Training any employee is an investment. Training a professional driver takes a lot of time, effort, and money. Many trucking companies won’t hire drivers without experience because they don’t have the resources or don’t want to invest the time or money that it takes to properly train them. MK has developed a great team of driver trainers to give one-on-one instruction for up to six weeks, depending on experience level, and we’re always looking to bring on more driver trainers to ensure we can help bring in new drivers, regardless of their experience level. Our in-house CDL training program is a huge investment in our drivers. We now have a permanent in-house trainer to help prospective drivers from the very beginning, training for their CDL while being imbued with MK’s values from the start to get them prepared for their careers with MK.

MK driver managers are working on your behalf to help you in your travels. They work to make sure you have all the information you need and to help you with any issues. They are there to coach you and help you succeed and they act as an intermediator, advocating for your benefit. Your driver manager lays out the expectations for your assignments and follows up on improvement plans. Everyone is given an opportunity to improve as long as there is a good-faith effort to do so. We want drivers to succeed and are investing in the resources necessary to help facilitate that improvement. We always want to make sure drivers feel safe on the road and encourage everyone to get enough sleep and take breaks when needed. Safety is not a priority at Marvin Keller, it’s a CORE VALUE; it is not to be compromised.

While drivers who stay out weeks at a time can make the most money for themselves and for the company, today’s crop of drivers wants more home time and flexibility, so MK has become flexible as well, customizing drivers’ preferred work schedules and even accommodating driver moves to different states when possible. We also allow drivers to bring along their furry family members in order to create the most pleasant job experience possible.

At MK, we work hard every day to try to provide everything our drivers need to be successful and feel valued. Providing the best work experience possible isn’t cheap, but we think it’s an investment worth making.

possible as a professional truck driver, you’re not alone. While many drivers are completely content just enjoying the ride and having the consistency of reliable paychecks that come with a company job, some of you may have an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to do more. At Marvin Keller, we understand the desire to grow and develop professionally, and we are committed to helping anyone in that path if they are so inclined.

There are a few ways a driver can advance at MK. One is through our Lease/Purchase program. Do you want to own your own truck, decide what loads you want to run and when you want to run? The L/P program might be right for you. In order to be successful as a business owner, there are skills and qualities you must possess:

• Must have a strong work ethic and be a self-starter. Once you are in charge of your own business, you must have the motivation to do what you need to in order to be profitable and successful. Business owners understand that profitability is the ultimate goal and it requires someone willing to take on that responsibility and the risks involved in order to reap the greater rewards that come with it. 
• Have a plan and be organized. Successful business owners set goals, keep lots of notes, and don’t get discouraged when things aren’t perfect. You must be able to save money to keep in escrow so you have it when truck problems arise or if you can’t work for some reason. It requires having a plan and having a backup plan if things don’t go as planned.

Some of MK’s owner/operators have even brought on their own drivers and now manage their own teams. The sky is the limit; the only question is how high you want to go.

If you do not quite want to venture out as your own boss but still want the opportunity to develop professionally, perhaps being a driver trainer is for you. MK is also always looking for all-star drivers who want to train the next generation of truckers. If you lament the state of the new crop of rookie drivers on the road, what better way to make an impact than to train those drivers to your standards and those of MK? Of course, trainers should be drivers who are committed to excellence in their own careers and should embody the traits necessary of a good driver:

• Strong work ethic and a willingness to help without being asked.
• Acts in a professional manner even when no one is watching.
• Believes that there is always something to learn and is never satisfied or complacent.
• Takes responsibility for mistakes and makes the effort to improve.

Marvin Keller is invested in your success and we want you to have the tools to succeed and help provide the opportunities for you to do so. We succeed when you do and we want our drivers to be happy and fulfilled in their careers. If you are interested in being a trainer for MK or would like more information on the Lease/Purchase program, reach out to your driver manager for more information.