If you weren’t able to make it to MK’s Driver Appreciation Luau Party last weekend, here’s what you missed!
This video highlights some of the advancements we’ve made within the past couple of years and goes into the different aspects as to why Marvin Keller is the best! Click the image below to check it out!
To prevent potential DOT violations, here are some step by step instructions on how to send your duty logs from BlueTree:
If an officer requests you to send your duty logs to them directly, here are some steps to help (It’s not in the DOT Roadside Inspection screen like you might expect):
Below are two files including these two different methods on sending your duty logs. They will be placed in the Resource Library under the tag “Driver.” That away you can always go back to it in case you might need it.
Let us know if you have any questions!
It is with great honor to be able to announce our title of “Best in Class” amongst our Vertical FleetNet benchmarking group for the fourth quarter consecutively. We are amazed at our fleet’s efforts in operating our equipment safely and efficiently.
This success comes to us as a byproduct of your meticulous inspections. Your thoroughness partnered up with our well-structured vendor network are two components that make this achievement a reality. We are positioned in a grand place to make educated, efficient repair decisions that drive our company towards optimal operation.
We are grateful for the care you put into our equipment. Your efforts are praised not only by every single member of the MK staff but also by the members of the TMC who work to better understand the reasons behind unscheduled breakdowns. We are proud to claim the title of Best in Class!
Author: Greg Allsop
As a driver, I know what it’s like on the road and I know that everyone here at Marvin Keller Trucking appreciates what you do each and every day.
You are an important part of why we are successful. Our success is due to a combination of thorough pre and post-trip inspections, on-time deliveries, safe driving skills, and the friendly, professional way you treat our customers. These are all part of the reason why our customers continue to trust us with their freight. So much so that they are tendering more and more freight our way. How can we ensure to benefit from the influx of freight? By hiring more drivers!
In recruiting, Kyler and I reach out to prospective drivers on a daily basis in an attempt to grow our fleet. We have great success in recruiting drivers, but with such a booming market, we are requesting all hands on deck.
We believe that our drivers make excellent recruiters. Your past efforts in referring drivers have been a great driving force in growing our fleet. We find driver testimonials outperform advertisements on job boards because it gives a personalized effect. We are inclined to reward you for sharing your personal message of why you chose Marvin Keller Trucking and why you choose to remain a part of this great team. Your personal touch will go a lot farther with potential drivers.
We often hear from referrals that have spoken with one of our drivers who are really happy with Marvin Keller but when asked they cannot remember the driver’s name. We can help with that – business cards with your name and MK contact information. This way when the referral calls us they have all the information on who they spoke with. If you wish to order business cards to assist in approaching possible recruits, your driver manager or I will be happy to assist you.
If someone that lives within our inclusive hiring area calls in to speak with someone in recruiting and completes an application you will receive a $100 application bonus, 500 MK Pro Points, and The MK Referral Badge. You do not need to screen the referral, we will do that for you.
Once the driver is hired, you can receive up to an additional $1000. The first $500 will be paid out to you once the driver has completed their first dispatch. Then after they have driven 90 days with us you receive $250. The remaining $250 will be paid out after they have driven 120 days (6 months) with us.
The bonus is available for referring all types of drivers, including experienced drivers, student drivers, or even drivers that wish to get their CDL. We have an IN-House Training Program for those drivers wishing to get their CDL Class A license. If you have any questions about that program please don’t hesitate to call me.
Over the past few weeks, MK has had some stellar weekly performances. We have had record-breaking weekly gross margins and some of the lowest percentages of broker freight. To add to the hype, the entire fleet has been on a steady incline since this time last year. Things are on the upswing here at MK and we couldn’t do this without all of you.
What factors are behind the increased performance? Is the performance spike due to a strongly knit customer base or a hardworking, dedicated fleet? The answer should come as no surprise; it’s both!
With the recent announcement of the Mars PetCare return accompanied by the increase of load offers across the board, we have more than enough freight to go around. In fact, we are in a great position to be selective with our freight that caters to our fleet. We are motivated to benefit from the increased offers from our network.
How can you help? This is where we see the benefit of having such a strong, dedicated fleet working with us. One way you can help us is by keeping us in the know with your availability and schedules. Communicating changes in ETAs and delays is also exceptionally helpful in keeping our fleet running smoothly. As Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Keeping us informed is the power that keeps us moving forward.
What are other ways you can think of to help keep your driver manager informed?
Author: Amanda McKee
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the TCA’s (Truckload Carriers Association) 40th Annual Safety & Security Division Meeting in St. Louis, MO.
The event brings truckload safety professionals together to discuss problems, share ideas and seek solutions to make our businesses better and our roads safer.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to hear several great presenters including Drivers, Trainers, Safety Professionals and Industry Attorneys.
In addition to the educational sessions, I was able to meet with several vendors and learn about the latest products and services for our industry.
I was able to take away several ideas on how to continue to develop our safety program.
I met with a technology company that offers a service that identifies where our greatest risks are and assists with developing training plans to prevent accidents. There are so many aspects of safety, and being able to identify the highest risks allows us to focus our time in those areas.
One Trainer shared his experiences training Drivers on the new safety features that many trucks are equipped with today. This provided insight on how we can better prepare Marvin Keller Drivers for their experience in a new truck. During his presentation, the Trainer stressed how important it is to understand how the safety systems work and to strive to stay one step ahead of them so the technology doesn’t have to be used. He did admit that learning the new features took some time to get used to, however, he stated it has made him a safer driver.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to connect with so many people who have been in the industry for years and are so passionate about safety. There are many great trucking companies committed to the safety and security of everyone on the roadway.
Check Out Our Current CSA Scores
Click here to see our CSA trend over the last 12 months
Click here to see our current fleet CSA Violations
Last month we saw a 1% increase in our Unsafe Driving score due to a speeding violation. We also saw a 1% increase in our HOS Score. We received three hours of service violations in May including general form and manner – failing to enter load information and update trailer numbers in BlueTree as well as certifying logs.
Our Vehicle Maintenance score decreased by 7% and is currently the lowest I have seen at 11%! This is a reflection of the professionalism and dedication to safety by the entire Marvin Keller Team. Our commitment shows through conducting thorough inspections on the equipment, reporting any defects and resolving issues before heading out on the road.
Keep up the great work and stay safe!
On May 21, 2020, right in the middle of the country’s COVID shut down, we received the news that we lost one of our biggest customer accounts, Mars Petcare. I just remember feeling completely shocked – we were hauling 40 or more shipments a week for them! It was a giant blow for our Customer Team because we had spent so much time building our entire network around the lanes we hauled for Mars. We signed up for all kinds of freight coming out of areas where we were not going to have trucks. So, like so many other companies that go through adversity, we had to adapt and overcome.
The Customer Team worked hard to sign new customers as well as increase the number of shipments with our existing customers. We not only survived but ended up coming out of the past year stronger than when we started. In addition, we made sure to stay in contact with Mars Corporate and the Mattoon plant all year long to remind them that we are still here if they needed help. About 5 months ago, they finally reached out and had us help haul some lanes that their new carriers were falling behind on. They realized that they had made a mistake contracting with carriers who were not providing the same type of service that Marvin Keller provided them. We were invited back to bid this year and we were awarded lanes out of Mattoon and Gibson City again!
This says a couple different things:
1. We have the best fleet of drivers on the road.
2. Our customer service is top notch.
We are so happy to have Mars back. The freight is very carrier friendly – most of it is drop and hook on both sides. We will be delivering to Lancaster, TX, Columbia, SC, West Jefferson, OH and a few other locations. I look forward to continuing to prove ourselves as a true asset to Mars Petcare.
An announcement was shared from our customer, Nestle, reminding us of the 100 mile yard sale that stretches along highway 25 from Jackson, MO to Kennett, MO this weekend. The yard sale started on Tuesday, May 27th and will last through Monday, May 31st. This event is expected to bring in a large crowd and additional traffic to the area. Drivers who will be arriving to Nestle in Bloomfield, MO or Sikeston, MO should practice additional caution and be mindful of the increased foot traffic along this route. An increased following distance should also be implemented to prepare for more frequent sudden stops.
The Bloomfield and Sikeston plants will be running normal shipping hours during this holiday weekend. Bloomfield’s drop lot will be available to all drivers 24/7.
The following customers will be closed on Monday, May 31st for Memorial Day.
How did the tradition of wearing of a red poppy in remembrance of the fallen soldiers begin? Submit your answers through a Blue Tree message.
Have you ever wondered why some carriers are pulled into the scales for inspections more frequently than others? The company’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) Score is often used to determine if a truck should receive an inspection.
Click here to see our CSA trend over the last 12 months:
Click here to see our current fleet CSA violations:
What is a CSA Score?
CSA scores are based on a carrier’s DOT Inspections. Every violation (citation or warning) noted on a DOT Inspection results in points added to the carrier’s CSA score. These violations fall into one of 8 Categories (Unsafe Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-Service Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, Controlled Substances & Alcohol, Hazmat, Driver Fitness & Insurance/Other).
Marvin Keller’s CSA Scores are top notch and a reflection of the safety minded Drivers on our team. Continue doing what you are doing!