Category: Performance

Categories
Performance

Driving Excellence: The Impact of Driver Scorecards

Our elite fleet is recognized as one of the best in the industry, thanks to our commitment to high performance standards. Every quarter, we assess individual driver performance through what we call Driver Scorecards. The scorecard helps us identify both strengths and areas for improvement. With these results, our team is able to give the proper tools and resources that are needed to help every driver perform at the highest level.

Key Categories in the Scorecard:

Driver time:

  • Miles Driven: We track how many miles each driver covers in the quarter.
  • Total Driver Time: We analyze the total time spent driving during the quarter.
  • Available Drive Time: We examine the percentage of available drive time based on the driver’s schedule.

Safety:

We closely monitor several key safety metrics to ensure safe driving practices:

  • Harsh Brakes
  • Speed
  • Cruise Control usage
  • Idle Time
  • Anticipation (smooth driving)
  • Hours of Service (HOS) violations

The Purpose of the Scorecard:

The goal of the quarterly scorecard is to provide actionable insights for both the driver and the company. Here’s why we invest in this process:

  • Recognizing Strengths & Areas for Improvement: The scorecard highlights where drivers excel and where support or training may be needed.
  • Setting Goals & Improvement Plans: Both drivers and driver managers look at the data and work together to establish improvement goals. Whether it’s reducing harsh braking or increasing available drive time, the scorecard provides a clear foundation for performance goals.
  • Accountability: Your individual performance impacts the entire fleet. This shared responsibility ensures that we all work together towards achieving our collective goals and maintaining our standing as a top-tier carrier in the industry.

The Driver Scorecard is more than just a report—it’s a tool for growth, accountability, and continuous improvement. Our goal is to help every driver achieve elite-fleet status, where safety, efficiency, and performance are fully optimized. By collaborating closely, we ensure that each driver remains safe, efficient, and consistently performs at their best, setting the bar for excellence and leading the way in the industry.

Categories
Performance Recognition

MK Elites – Q4 2024

We would like to present the MK Elites for October to December 2024! Congratulations to the following drivers! Your dedication to prioritizing safety and upholding these high standards is deeply valued.

  • Terry Branham
  • Jessica Branham
  • Dave Bruchman
  • Junrey Montejo

The Pro-Formance Scorecard is designed to evaluate your driving skills based on 12 different risk factors. Breaking down your performance into specific categories helps you identify the areas you need to improve. These factors are divided into these sub-categories: Safety, Compliance, and Performance, each rated out of 100. The goal is to score green in all three categories to achieve MK Elite Status!

A driver can earn 1,000 Pro-Points for each green score in Safety, Compliance, Performance, and MK Elite (green in all three categories). This means you can get up to 4,000 Pro-Points!

You can find the Safety Scorecard in the Resource Library.

Keep up the great work and strive to improve your driving performance! We’re here to help in any way we can!

Categories
Performance

Top Producers of 2024 – Q4

Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in which they 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 2024 – Quarter 4!!

Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter

  • Miller Team
  • George Robinson
  • Terry Hodge
  • Kyle Luesmann

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

  • Branham Team – 48,623
  • Richard Merrill – 38,287
  • Bruchman Team – 36,516
  • John Kledzinksi – 33,855
  • Anthony Collins – 33,758

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

  • Deb Coleman – 23,261
  • Christopher Le – 22,905
  • Judy Collins – 21,749
  • Daniel Schmitt – 21,542
  • Bobby Palmer – 20,956
Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics Performance

Unlocking 10 MPG: Driving Strategies to Boost Fuel Efficiency

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Minimize Idle Time: Excessive idling significantly drains fuel. Henry emphasizes turning off the engine whenever possible.
  4. 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?”
  5. 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.

Categories
Performance Recognition

Top Producers of 2024 – Q3

Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in which they 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 2024 – Quarter 3!!

Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter

  • Johnathon Neumann
  • Daniel Nunez & Junrey Montejo Team
  • Anthony Dent
  • Kyle Luesmann
  • Dale Benolerao

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

  • Richard Merrill – 42,204
  • Bruchman Team – 39,244
  • Branham Team – 38,754
  • Orville Merrill – 36,814
  • Allen Fitzgerald – 35,783

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

  • Caprice Dean – 25,546
  • Judy Collins – 24,139
  • Franklin Rojas – 21,990
  • Deb Coleman – 21,406
  • Kenneth Fuller – 21,052
Categories
Performance

The Power of Communication is Keeping it Professional

Statistics have overwhelmingly shown the importance of effective and plentiful communication in the workplace. According to Forbes, poor communication is expensive; it costs U.S. businesses approximately $1.2 trillion every year. It results in low productivity, greater workplace conflicts, and high turnover rates. Conversely, effective communication increases trust in the workplace by almost 75% and productivity by around 25%. To communicate more effectively remember the three C’s of communication:

  • Clarity: ensure your messages are clear and easily understood to avoid misinterpretation and include all necessary information
  • Concise: avoid adding too much or unnecessary information, which can lose the attention of the other party
  • Consistency: a regular line of communication allows for reliable and transparent information flow

You also need to be aware of the manner in which you communicate. It’s helpful to prethink what you are going to say, focusing on logic and rationality. Offer professional viewpoints, not personal or emotional ones, and express your feelings and perspectives in the context of the business environment. Be assertive with your speech. Assertiveness is the neutral middle ground between passive and aggressive; it allows you to effectively communicate your point while still being respectful.

If you’re expressing negatives, do it in a constructive way without personalizing or being petty or childish. Keep emotions out of the equation and be objective. Stay neutral, speak calmly, and avoid aggressive speech or body language. Make eye contact and remain upright to show you are friendly and approachable. Maintaining a positive attitude and tone of voice even when discussing difficulties is a trait of professionalism. Always practice active listening, which is listening to actually understand what one is saying, not just waiting so you can reply.

Clear and effective communication also improves teamwork. Positive interactions build trust by increasing transparence, honesty, and a willingness to help. When everyone on a team understands their objective and is in constant communication with each other, increased productivity and problem solving result.

For a better communication experience at work, remember to keep it clear, concise, consistent, and complete; these will help you to be the consummate professional.

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics Performance

Top Producers of 2024 – Q2

Each quarter, the Producer Badge is awarded to drivers who are in the Top 10% of the fleet in which they 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 2024 – Quarter 2!!

Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter

  • Miller Team
  • Johnathon Neumann
  • Kyle Luesmann
  • Robert Willis
  • Terry Hodge

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

  • Bruchman Team
  • Richard Merrill
  • Branham Team
  • Wesley Ryden
  • John Kledzinski

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

  • Deb Coleman
  • Gifford Libby
  • James Watson
  • Dennis Anthony
  • Terrance Parks
Categories
Performance Recognition Safety

MK Elites – Q2 2024

We would like to present the MK Elites for April to June 2024! Congratulations to the following drivers! Your dedication to prioritizing safety and upholding these high standards is deeply valued.

  • Jessica Branham
  • Terry Branham
  • Dave Bruchman
  • Rhonda Miller
  • Junrey Montejo
  • Daniel Nunez

The Pro-Formance Scorecard is designed to evaluate your driving skills based on 12 different risk factors. Breaking down your performance into specific categories helps you identify the areas you need to improve. These factors are divided into these sub-categories: Safety, Compliance, and Performance, each rated out of 100. The goal is to score green in all three categories to achieve MK Elite Status!

A driver can earn 1,000 Pro-Points for each green score in Safety, Compliance, Performance, and MK Elite (green in all three categories). This means you can get up to 4,000 Pro-Points!

You can find the Safety Scorecard in the Resource Library.

Keep up the great work and strive to improve your driving performance! We’re here to help in any way we can!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics Performance Safety

The Most Effective Trip Planners Do This

The most successful drivers ensure they are giving themselves plenty of time to be safe, follow DOT rules, and still make pickups and deliveries on time. Marvin Keller’s veteran drivers credit good trip planning to their success. Here are some of the important things to consider when planning your trips.

Plan for 20 to 30 minutes to do proper pre and post-trip inspections. This will help prevent time-consuming and costly repairs on the road, like blown tires. Ensuring your rig is DOT-compliant will also help prevent you from being stopped for random inspections or put out of service if an inspector notices something that’s not right.

Plan your route ahead of time; know the roads you plan to take and where you might stop for breaks and fuel. You may want to call ahead to get a parking spot for the night. Your driver manager can help with that as well.

Give yourself extra time to account for any potential delays, such as traffic congestion, construction slowdowns, or inclement weather.

Check the MK Drive app. Our drivers have created a wealth of information about shippers and receivers that can help you plan ahead. And remember, if you’re having trouble with trip planning or with anything else, you can always get ahold of your Driver Manager. They’re here to help.

Make sure you’re planning ahead to arrive on time to shippers and receivers. In the current economy, many trucking companies are all fighting for a small amount of business, and service has become a priority in order to compete. Do your part to make sure we remain a professional, elite fleet.

Categories
Performance Recognition Safety

MK Elites – Q1 2024

Since switching to Samsara, we have been working on a new Safety Scorecard to calculate and award MK Elites!

The Pro-Formance Scorecard is designed to evaluate your driving skills based on 12 different risk factors. Breaking down your performance into specific categories helps you identify the areas you need to improve. These factors are divided into these sub-categories: Safety, Compliance, and Performance, each rated out of 100. The goal is to score green in all three categories to achieve MK Elite Status!

Congratulations to the following drivers who earned MK Elite Q1 2024:

  • Jessica Branham
  • Terry Branham
  • Dave Bruchman
  • Jeremiah Brubaker
  • Daniel Nunez

A driver can earn 1,000 Pro-Points for each green score in Safety, Compliance, Performance, and MK Elite (green in all three categories). This means you can get up to 4,000 Pro-Points!

You can find the Safety Scorecard in the Resource Library.

Keep up the great work and strive to improve your driving performance! We’re here to help in any way we can!