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.
The app team rolled out new updates to Drive MK last week. In your Extras Menu, you will now see Quick Action buttons that provide a really easy way to notify your driver manager for certain events. Please use these buttons to notify your DM when you are empty – it will help speed up our planning process which means less wait time for you.
*Empty Call
*Loaded Call
*Breakdown Notification
*Directions Request
To access the Extras Menu, click on the circle with the arrow ^ on the bottom right of your screen.
Here are some other new features:
Drivers who have opted in to push notifications will receive a notification when we add a News Feed article or publish a new resource in the Resource Library. They plan to add a push notification when a driver receives a new load as well.
We revamped the News Feed and Resource Library so that they are easier to navigate and search.
Added emojis so you can react to notes and News Feed Articles
You can click on View Map on your Stops Page and it redirects to CoPilot and plans the trip. You don’t have to manually type in the addresses anymore. Click the video link below to watch.
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!
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 2023 – Quarter 4!
Owner Operators – Top 10% Total Revenue for the Quarter
Junrey Montejo
Robert Willis
Nicholas Harjung
Terry Hodge
Christopher Hopper
Company Drivers, OTR – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Richard Merrill – 40,557
Jessica Branham – 38,445
Allen Fitzgerald – 35,463
Orville Merrill – 32,028
Company Drivers, 4 On/4 Off – Top 10% Fleet in Total Miles
Ed Hrezo – 26,835
Deb Coleman – 25,249
Anthony Collins – 24,705
Jeffrey Efird – 24,203
Robert Benton – 23,740
Eric Doney – 22,121
When Drivers receive the Producer Badge, they earn 1,000 Pro Points. Being in the Top 10% is a great achievement and we appreciate the extra work these drivers put in to be our Top Producers! Keep up the great work drivers!
Our team would like to acknowledge a few of our drivers who have demonstrated exceptional levels of dedication, positivity, professionalism, and hard work. These drivers have been chosen for their remarkable contributions and commitment to excellence.
“It’s difficult to summarize Ken’s contributions in just a few sentences. Ken has been driving for 56 years starting at the age of 19. He drove for his uncle for 2 years and then bought his own truck. In 1989, his business grew to a 38-truck fleet running for ADM. He continued with them until Sept of 2001 when he came to Marvin Keller. Ken continued with MK until 2013 when he left to try his hand at running a body shop with his son. In 2018 Ken came back to MK and remains here today. Ken helps the shop by assisting with DOT Inspections on trailers, installing Samsara units on trailers, and identifying and repairing minor maintenance issues. Ken is also a part of our training program primarily working with students on backing skills, using and updating Samsara and Drive MK, or any additional training they may need. We’re incredibly fortunate to have Ken as a member of the MK Family.” – Amy, Owner Operator Program Manager
“Since Rick joined Marvin Keller in August, he has consistently ran 3000+ miles a week as a company driver. He is always timely and always provides the MK team with updates. His work ethic is second to none, and he is a great asset to have on the team.” – Lucas, Driver Manager
“The Branham Team recently paired up and they’ve been awesome since the start. They are consistently accurate with times and updates they send to us for ETAs. They stay on top of all their paperwork and turn in anything we ask timely. They go above and beyond when the company needs help with a load. The Branhams are true examples of our culture and the level of professionalism we strive for at MK.” – Alex, Driver Manager
“Robert started at Marvin Keller in September as a driver in our 4 on 4 off program. Since he started he has always been willing to work extra days and stay out to help make deliveries. Robert is always on time and is excellent at communicating with the MK team. He has been a great asset and is always willing to go the extra mile.” – Lucas, Driver Manager
“Charity has recently become a trainer here at Marvin Keller. Some of her strengths are attention to detail, a positive attitude, and of course, is always a hard worker. She is a perfect fit to teach new drivers and help them achieve success here at Marvin Keller.” – Andrew, Driver Manager
“Jerry is always willing to help out wherever he can. When we need a load delivered Jerry is always there to assist. His recent accomplishment is transitioning from a company driver to a lease purchase operator. Jerry always maintains a positive attitude, even when things are not going their way. We appreciate all that he does to help out Marvin Keller.” – Tom, Driver Manager
Thank you for all that you do and continue to do to help us be the best carrier out there! Keep up the great work!
Recognizing the Role of Truck Drivers
As we continue to navigate through the new year, the role of truck drivers has become even more critical in keeping the supply chain moving smoothly. Last year presented many difficulties, and we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to every one of you who worked tirelessly to deliver essential goods and resources to communities across the nation.
“As more than 80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks to meet their freight transportation needs, the impact of truck drivers is felt in every corner of the country.” The things that fill our lives and power our economy are made available thanks to a truck and a driver behind the wheel. We truly appreciate YOU and all the hard work and dedication that goes into being a professional driver. Thank you, MK Drivers.
