Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Why Choose Love’s?

Due to the chaotic increases in the price of fuel the past few weeks, our team members Kassie, Tiffany, and MK Driver Harold C. recently met with our Love’s Representative to learn more about our discount program and the Company itself.

Love’s started in 1964 by Tom and Judy Love when they bought an abandoned service station in Watonga, OK. It was originally named Musket Corporation and within 8 years they added 40 gas stations. In the early 1970s, they launched a new concept by adding a Mini Stop Country Store to their gas stations. By 1973, they began using their family name and became Loves Country Stores.

Marvin Keller partners with Love’s for a discounted fuel rate because of the number of gallons we purchase. Our Love’s discount rates are as follows:

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

Love’s offers us a better discount than the other competing fuel companies so we ask our drivers to fill up at Love’s stops when possible. In addition, they have a very nice Rewards Program that allows drivers to earn points which can be redeemed for free showers, drinks, and other merchandise. Click this link to see more information about Love’s Reward Program.

Today they have over 500 Loves Travel Stop locations across the US and they take pride in the cleanliness of their Truck Stops. They continue to offer new amenities to help professional truck drivers like dog parks, laundry facilities, and lots of parking spaces. Loves remains a family-owned company. Tom, Judy, and 3 of their 4 children still work for the company and make a commitment to visit each store at least one time per year. 

With that being said, we’ve made the decision to change our fuel limit from 50 gallons to 25 gallons at Pilot and Flying J Centers. Please call your DM if you have any questions and choose Love’s!

How can I see these fuel discounts?

In order to see these discounted prices, download the Comdata FleetAdvance App. It’s the only app that connects to your Comdata card, allowing you to find the best fuel prices and manage your Express Cash balance directly from your phone. It’s free to download, easy to use, and the features are designed to help you save time and money Below are a few features that the FleetAdvance App has to offer:

  • Find fueling locations with the lowest diesel and gas prices near you or other destination.
  • Get quick recommendations on where to stop based on the best price available.
  • Rate your favorite locations using a scale of one to five stars and see how other drivers have ranked the location.
  • Monitor the Express Cash balance on your Comdata card. Transfer available funds to your primary bank account.

Reach out to your Driver Manager if you are interested in downloading the Comdata FleetAdvance App!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

MK’s first-ever music video!

In honor of our new 68 mph program, MK came out with our first-ever music video. We hope you enjoy it! And remember, strive to be great and increase to 68!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

Mission 2022 “To the Moon”

You may have noticed a life-sized astronaut appear in our last company video and there is a very good reason as to why!

We have a new mission plan this year so you and Marvin Keller as a whole can be even more successful. This year, we’re focused on expanding our fleet!

What is our mission?

Mission 2022 “To the Moon”

Our focus is on recruiting! The main goal is to add more drivers to our team. We will achieve this by implementing new recruiting techniques.

Goal: expand our fleet to 140 drivers and above

How can we achieve our goal and reach the Moon?

We want to reach our goal to the moon and there are many ways we accomplish this! At MK we’re beginning to implement different techniques to recruit drivers, such as better advertising, updating our website, and so on. Furthermore, there are ways you can help MK reach its goal too.

You can refer drivers to Marvin Keller! Not only will you be helping MK reach its goal to the moon, but you will also receive a cash bonus for your referral. What an easy way to earn some extra cash! Contact your DM if you have a referral.

Any referrals will help with expanding our fleet and reaching our mission to the moon!

Categories
Industry News

12 facts & tips on how to improve your fuel performance!

Increased demand and reduced supply are quickly driving gas prices higher. As fuel prices continue to skyrocket, below are a few tips from team members Travis and Greg S. on how you can improve your fuel performance!

  • LOVES is MK’s preferred fuel station: We recieve the best discounts!
  • 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.
  • Aviod 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 momentum of truck instead od 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 its for a few minutres or 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.

Spread your knowledge and practice these habits every day to see improvements!

Categories
Safety

IL Road Condition Link

Below is a website that shows Illinois’s current road conditions. It is a web-based interactive mapping site that provides the ability to search and display several sources of transportation data.

If there is unexpected weather coming your way, you can check this site to see up-to-date and accurate road conditions. This tool can help you if roads suddenly get worse while over the road. Your safety is important to us. Check out the link below!

IL – https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/winterconditions/

Below is an image as to what the site should look like:

Bad weather coming your way? View up to date information on IL road conditions.
This information can be found in the resource library when you need it!
Categories
Technology

User Guide for Samsung Tablet

Below is a driver guide for navigating through the hardware and features of the tablet. If you want a hard copy just ask! And please if you have any questions give us a call. We’re here to help!

Samsung Galaxy Tab: User Manual

This document will also be put in the resource library so you can access it whenever you may need it!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

MK mourns the loss of a previous Customer Service Representative

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Darlene DeVore. Darlene passed away on February 1, 2022. She was a valued member of our team from 04/04/2005 – 08/31/2018 when she retired. Darlene was a hard worker and she will be missed by many.

Condolences can be offered to the family at www.reedfuneralhome.net.

Categories
Safety

Prepare for Winter Weather

As cold weather approaches, we want to make sure you are taking the necessary safety precautions and are equipped with some winter weather essentials. While on the road and as the weather changes, do not hesitate to shut down if you need to make that call. No load is worth putting yourself in harm’s way. Stay safe and warm!

Winter Weather Essentials Continued:

  • Heavy duty jumper cables
  • Tire chains or traction mats
  • Have at least a half tank of gas at all times during the winter
  • Even though they say Washer Fluid wont freeze it can still freeze in the tubes by the wipers. Adding a bottle of 91% rubbing alcohol to your washer fluid can prevent this from happening
  • Most importantly, if you don’t feel safe or the conditions are changing rapidly please pull off at your next safe place to park.
Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

How can I earn more Pro-Points?

Did you know that there are numerous ways you can earn Pro-Points? We want to make sure you’re aware of how to earn more points so you can be recognized for your outstanding performance, strive for the most points, and in the end be successful!

Below are some of the different ways you can earn Pro-Points:

  • Interacting within the app: Simply use and engage within the app. For instance, drivers are awarded 50 Pro-Points for sharing their knowledge by adding a note to a Shipper or Receiver.
  • Earning badges: Within the Drive MK App, there are many badges that we award Pro-Points for. The highest earning badge is the Work Streak Badge; keep a work streak and you can earn up to 5,000 Pro-Points! 
  • BlueTree Scorecard: You can earn 1,000 Pro-Points for each green score in Safety, Compliance, Performance, and MK Elite (green in all three categories). Meaning you can get up to 4,000 Pro-Points! 
  • Outstanding Performance: DMs award Pro-Points to recognize their driver’s extraordinary performance.

Where can I find my Pro-Point Balance?

Open the Drive MK App and follow the steps below: 

  • Click the ^ icon at the bottom right
  • Click on “profile” 
  • You should be able to see your Pro-Point balance under your name
  • If you click on your balance, you will be able to see your lifetime balance, how many points you’ve spent, and how many are available.

What can I spend my Pro-Points on? 

Did you know you’re able to spend your points on any item at any time? You can exchange your Pro-Points for a variety of things, such as gift cards, tools, TVs, or even cash in your points on your weekly settlement! In addition, you can send us a link from Amazon with a specific item and we will get it ordered as soon as we can. Check out the drivers below on how they spent their Pro-Points!

If you have any questions, ask your DM for more information on our Pro-Point System. You can find all this information in the Resource Library when you need it!

Categories
Customer News

New Business – Royal Canin Edwardsville

Now that we are back as a primary carrier for Mars Petcare, we have the opportunity to start hauling freight from their Royal Canin division. We pick up preloaded shipments from the Edwardsville site and deliver to PetSmart in Ottawa, IL & to Animal Supply Company in Bartlett, IL.

Royal Canin was started in 1968 in France when a veterinarian named Jean Cathary came to believe that food could impact the health of animals. They strive to make nutrition a cat or dog’s first medicine and their philosophy is to make a better world for pets. By 1974 Royal Canin had expanded internationally and their products were being sold in eight countries across Europe.

By the mid-1980s the brand was launched in the United States. In 1997 Royal Canin was the first pet food company that offered a nutritional program based on the size and age of dogs. Mars acquired them in 2001 and they continue to grow with new offerings such as breed-specific food, a wet range of cat food, food for pets with allergies, and even liquid designed for tube feeding so vets can help pets in critical condition.

The Marvin Keller Account Reps work hard to grow and increase volume with our current Customers. We are always looking for more drop and hook lanes to keep our Drivers moving!