Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Did you know?

UPDATE: If you have any questions or if for some reason the sticker is not scanning, please inform your DM.

Did you know that you can earn MK Pro-Points when you find an “I Spy” sticker on our trailers?

What is an “I Spy” Sticker?

To reward you for thorough pre and post-trip inspections, we have created stickers that display a QR code linked to our Drive MK App. We are placing these stickers on multiple trailers so when you are out doing an inspection and find one, you scan it in and receive MK Pro-Points.

After scanning, you will receive the “I Spy” Badge and the opportunity to level up with the more stickers you find on different trailers. More stickers you find = more Pro-Points!

Only 34 drivers have found these stickers!

How do you scan the QR Code?

Here’s how you scan it in.

  • First, you will open your phone and the Drive MK App
  • Go to ^ which is the Settings, and click “Scan.”
  • Using the camera, you will hover over the QR Code to “scan it in”
  • Type in the trailer number assigned to you
  • Then you will be awarded the badge along with MK Pro-Points

**You are only able to scan the sticker that corresponds to the trailer assigned to you.

Why?

We want to ensure that everyone completes thorough inspections to guarantee a safe trip and help avoid OTR breakdowns. So make sure when inspecting your equipment everything is in working order, AND you’re looking for the “I Spy” stickers. Will it catch your eye?

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

MK wants to Connect with You!

MK Connect Survey Results – Phase 1

We have completed the initial phase of the MK Connect Surveys and have compiled all of your responses to help Marvin Keller make improvements. Here are some of the key findings:

  • One daily problem reported by drivers was the After Hours Call Center. To tackle this issue, we started weekly meetings with their team to provide additional training opportunities, which has significantly improved the call center’s service.
  • Another challenge cited by drivers was workflow in BlueTree. To address this, our team has integrated workflow into the DriveMK App, which all drivers should be using. And since switching to Samsara after the BT ELD went down, we have received nothing but positive feedback regarding workflow.

Marvin Keller wants to connect with You! – Phase 2

Now, we will be initiating the second phase of survey questions that will focus on how we can help you enhance your overall performance. Let’s connect so we can better support you!

To access this short survey, click on the link below that contains your Driver Manager’s name. Once you fill out and submit the survey, your DM will schedule a call with you to go over your response. We appreciate your participation and look forward to reviewing your feedback.

Amy – MK Connect Phase 2

Tom – MK Connect Phase 2

Andrew – MK Connect Phase 2

Alex – MK Connect Phase 2

Lucas – MK Connect Phase 2

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Driver Spotlights

For the past couple of weeks of driver spotlights, we recognized the following drivers who went above and beyond! We appreciate you going the extra mile!

We would like to shoutout Molly Gribler. She noticed her copy of a BOL was missing a page and made sure she got it from the Shipper.  This saved us from headaches trying to bill the Customer for the shipment.  Thank you! 

Thank you to Ed Hrezo. He headed out really early in the morning so we could make an on-time delivery.  Thank you for helping to keep our Customers happy.

Kim Kuffel & Gifford Libby and Jessica Branham & Will Caldwell did Meet and Greets to help us get drivers home on time.   Thank you for being so willing to help out.

Kim Kuffel
Jessica Branham
Gifford Libby
Will Caldwell

Alvin Jordan, Sean Johnson, Dan Schmitt, and Ed Hrezo have all worked extra days in the past few weeks to help us make on time delivery. Thank you for being someone we can rely on.

Alvin Jordan
Sean Johnson
Dan Schmitt
Ed Hrezo
Categories
Safety

Fatigue Awareness

We’ve all had those days – drooping eyelids, endless yawns, and a wandering mind. We can often push through with caffeine, music, or podcasts, but this puts us at risk and endangers others on the road. This is called driver fatigue, and it can be difficult to recognize when we’re too tired to drive safely.

Driver fatigue causes slower reaction times, decreased awareness of surroundings, and impaired judgment. Studies show it can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Catastrophic accidents, such as a driver veering into oncoming traffic or forgetting to check their blind spots before changing lanes, can result from driver fatigue.

As a driver of a large vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are driving safely. Listening to your body and not pushing beyond your limits is crucial. Taking breaks and resting when necessary can help prevent fatigue. Remember, sleep is the best medicine for combating fatigue. If you feel tired or drowsy while driving, always pull over to a safe location and take a nap. Your safety and the safety of others on the road is our top priority!

Other tips to help manage Fatigue:

  • Know your body’s sleep needs and limitations
  • Plan your trips to include regular times of rest
  • Get the amount of sleep you require in one stretch if at all possible
  • Take a short nap between 10 – 45 minutes when feeling the onset of fatigue
  • Understand the effects of caffeine and stay away from stimulants stronger than a cup of coffee
  • Do not accept loads that will require you to exceed hours-of-service limitations
  • Eat healthy meals
  • Exercise regularly
  • Drink plenty of water

Watch out for the warning signs of fatigue, and if you experience a combination of any of the symptoms, DO NOT DRIVE. Always pull over to a safe location and take a nap.

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics Maintenance & Equipment

Did you know?

Did you know you can earn 200 Pro-Points by identifying maintenance issues and scheduling inspections for trailers?

Annual vehicle inspection reports (AVIRs) are mandatory for tractor-trailer safety, and there are many reasons why they are important to complete, such as:

  • Identifying unsafe conditions before they cause accidents
  • Pinpointing mechanical problems before costly breakdowns occur
  • Preventing DOT roadside inspections from placing you out of service or issuing infractions and fines.

We currently have some overdue AVIRs for our trailers, and we could use your assistance! Check out the list below to see which trailers require inspection or need paperwork scanned in. *Note that this list is constantly being updated daily so, PLEASE check for the trailer’s paperwork first. If the AVIR has already been completed, but the trailer still appears on the due list, please scan in the paperwork.

How to scan in AVIR paperwork:

  • In mobile capture, scan in the paperwork under maintenance, then AVIR
  • Then, you will need to enter the unit # and date

Once we’ve received the paperwork, we will reward you with 200 Pro-Points as a token of gratitude for your hard work. These are very important to complete, and we appreciate those who identify trailer AVIR dues and take the time to get them inspected. Thank you!

Trailer AVIR’s Due – List

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

The Benefits of Continuous Improvement

In order for all business to succeed, they must always be creating a culture of constant improvement.  Marvin Keller is no exception.  Understanding that adaptation and improvement is necessary to survive and thrive is important for everyone, no matter their role. 

Associates must keep in mind that there is ALWAYS room for improvement, no matter how well things are going in the present.  Those who have the improvement mindset understand that the purpose of improving is to constantly bring value to their company and customers in order to stay ahead of the rest. 

These team members are focused on the company goals and shape their behavior and actions to align with those goals.  All members of a team bring a set of skills and experience and contribute, but no one will ever know everything.  There is always room to improve, and it’s important to note that major changes for the better can happen incrementally.  Minor improvements over time can make a big difference.

Team players avoid casting blame on others and making excuses.  They accept responsibility and learn from their mistakes.  They also share knowledge with others.

One way Marvin Keller drivers show their constant-improvement mindset is by adding information to the MK Drive app so other drivers can take advantage of the shared knowledge.  They are also open to learning new technologies to improve the logistics process.  Small things like that go a long way.

Categories
Maintenance & Equipment

Best One of Central IL – Locations

Best One of Central IL Locations pdf.

340 Macon, Decatur, IL
(217) 423-3577
After Hours Service: (217) 519-0225

4071 E. Cundiff, Decatur, IL
(217) 233-4000
After Hours Service: (217) 519-0225

400 Northtown Rd, Normal, IL
(309) 454-1535
After Hours Service: (309) 454-1535

707 Bloomington Rd, Champaign, IL
(217) 351-4159
After Hours Service: (217) 351-4159

430 Radio City Dr, North Pekin, IL
(309) 673-2651
After Hours Service: (800) 779-8473

1301 Eilerman Ave, Litchfield, IL
I55 Exit 52
(217) 324-7170
After Hours Service: (217) 809-4639

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

New Tablets!

Marvin Keller Implements New Tablets to Enhance Your On-Road Experience

We’re thrilled to announce that our brand-new tablets have arrived! These tablets are designed to improve your driving experience and provide a seamless location for all your needs while on the road. We utilized the ELD system switch to introduce a new set of tablets and after thorough research, we selected the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 with Verizon as the perfect fit.

Some features include:

  • Unlimited Data – the freedom to use as little or as much data as you would like
  • A wide range of apps such as navigation, trucker apps, and DriveMK to provide you with more information at your fingertips.

Our tablets come with a variety of apps, including streaming services, music, and audio entertainment, all of which can be accessed through your own personal account information. We will continue to explore additional apps and functionality with the tablets on an ongoing basis. If you have any recommendations for apps you’d like us to include, please inform your driver manager.

The tablets are designed as a one-stop shop for all the information and tools drivers need to complete their trips with ease. We are confident that these tablets will make our industry safer, our driver’s lives easier, and our company stronger.

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Being a Team Player

Most companies want employees that are good team players.  But what exactly does being a team player entail?

  1. You hold yourself accountable; you take personal responsibility for your mistakes and work to improve.  You understand that your actions impact the entire group/company.  For example, if you neglect to clean out or do a post-trip inspection on a trailer, the next driver is stuck dealing with it and may be held up on their next load.  That impacts the driver and the customer.
  2. You have a positive attitude and a willingness to help others in the team/company.  Good team players are willing to help even when it doesn’t benefit them.  They understand what’s best for the company IS in their best interest and they will go above and beyond to invest in the team.  Positivity increases productivity.

Ways you can be a better team player:

  1. Offer help to others.  Team players always support each other; they all have a common goal.
  2. Problem Solve.  If you see a problem, offer a solution.  If you don’t know the solution, reach out to others to see if they can help solve it.
  3. Actively listen and respect others.  Understand that others have ideas as well.  Be considerate and open to their ideas as you would have them be open to yours.

Continue going the extra mile!

Categories
Maintenance & Equipment

Only 6 days left!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Take advantage of our new maintenance campaign to expand your knowledge and earn Pro-Points! This campaign focuses on the importance of tire inspections from a maintenance and safety standpoint.

Those who complete the campaign activities by October 20th, 2023, will receive 200 Pro-Points!

Thank you to those who have already completed the campaign. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Campaign Materials:

Tire Maintenance.pdf

Tire Maintenance – Campaign Form