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Customer News

Walmart Customer Spotlight

Author: Mitch Wilson, Customer Team

Today’s customer spotlight is one you may be familiar with – Wal-Mart! Walmart distribution centers (or Walmart DCs) receive merchandise that is not delivered directly to the stores. At the DCs, merchandise is held, sorted, and delivered to Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and even customers via direct delivery. One distribution center can support up to 100 stores. In the event of a natural disaster, Walmart also has disaster DCs in place to support local communities. An individual Walmart DC unloads over 200 trucks each day. Each facility is over 1 million square feet in size, with over 50 million square feet combined across the US!

We have seen a tremendous increase in volume for Walmart in the past year. What started with a few loads per week has grown to 40 to 50 loads. Our main shipping states include TX, MO, SC, AL, and GA with the majority of these loads going to Missouri, Kentucky, or back to Illinois. The majority of this freight is drop and hook at their DCs which makes it nice for Drivers. We haul all sorts of commodities from furniture and pet food to toys for the little ones on Christmas!

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Announcement & Hot Topics

Who Are We?

Author: Greg Allsop, Recruiter / Trainer / Driver

Hello, I am Greg Allsop. Many may know me as a driver recruiter, a position I have held for the past 5 ½ years. I am also a part of the driver training team, conducting Smith System Defensive Driving, remedial training, and backing training. I also deliver loads when necessary.

My trucking career started at Marvin Keller after attending Lincoln Land Community College Driving School and receiving my OTR training from Frank Rich here at MK. After full-time driving, I was recruited to join our Recruiting and Training team here at Marvin Keller. I enjoy what I do to help drivers find their way to Marvin Keller and to help them become safer professional drivers.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending my time with family and friends, especially my 5 grandchildren, working on home improvement projects, hunting, and outdoor activities.

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Announcement & Hot Topics

Make It Monday

Author: Mindy Miller, Customer Team

Are you getting tired of take out? Are you looking for ways to eat healthier on the road? Well, we have a solution for you!

Our very own Mindy Miller has been cooking it up in the MK kitchen. She has found a new appliance, the Mini Dash Waffle Maker, that allows her to create quick, healthy meals. She cannot wait to share some recipes with all of you. Check it out below!

I have found success utilizing the Mini Dash pictured above. This one is on sale right now for $5.00 (50 pro points) at Walmart. The normal price is around $9.00. You can also get a double pack, that comes with one Mini Dash Waffle maker and one Mini Dash Griddle. This is selling on Amazon for $30.00 (300 pro points.) To get you started, I have provided TWO recipes for you to try below.

Easy Breakfast Chaffles with Egg and Bacon — Get it, cheese waffles, chaffles!

  • Step 1. Preheat the waffle maker. When it is hot, spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Step 2. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese of your choice on the bottom of the waffle maker.
  • Step 3. Crack an egg, break the yolk.
  • Step 4. Sprinkle some real bacon pieces on that.
  • Step 5. Add more shredded cheese on top.
  • Step 6. Close the lid on the waffle maker.
  • Step 7. Cook for around 3 minutes.

This is a great little snack, especially if you are eating low carb or doing the Keto Diet.

Lunch Meat Chaffle Sandwich

  • Step 1. Preheat the waffle maker. When it is hot, spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Step 2. Place a slice of provolone cheese on the bottom.
  • Step 3. Add desired lunch meat on top of cheese slice.
  • Step 4. Place another cheese slice on top of the lunch meat.
  • Step 5. Cook for 3 minutes.

This is a quick and easy low carb sandwich!

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Announcement & Hot Topics Uncategorized

In Memory of Steve Von Behren

Steve was a long time member of the Marvin Keller Family. He joined the team in 2013 and was eager to share his skills and knowledge to help develop incoming Drivers. Steve was an instrumental part of the Marvin Keller training program until he retired in April of 2020. Not only was Steve a professional Driver, but he was also a talented musician. Steve was happy to join in with a few other members of the MK Family to provide live music entertainment at our 2019 Driver Appreciation Celebration.

We were devastated to learn that Steve passed away this week after his valiant fight with cancer. We are grateful for the time we had with Steve and that his talents will continue on at Marvin Keller through the students he inspired and developed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

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Announcement & Hot Topics

5 Things More Likely to Happen Than Winning the $750 Million Mega Millions Jackpot

1. Being Killed by Hornets, Wasps or Bees: 

As painful as a bee or wasp sting is, chances are it won’t kill you. The National Safety Council estimated the odds of dying by a hornet, wasp or bee sting are 1 in 54,093.

2. Becoming President of the United States:

If you had your hopes set on the Oval Office, the chances of becoming president could be about 1 in 32.6 million, according to The Motley Fool. Those odds increase drastically when you’re between the ages of 40 and 72, have a law degree, are a military veteran, or a man of faith above six feet tall. 

3. Becoming a Movie Star:

You can’t have it all right? Apparently, fame and fortune don’t go hand-in-hand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly pay for actors was $32.89 per hour as of May 2017. Although few acting jobs will put you on the A-list, landing a role for a big-screen film is far easier than winning the lottery. You’re better off buying a ticket to Los Angeles than spending the national average of just over $200 on lottery tickets a year. 

4. Going to the Emergency Room With a Pogo Stick-Related Injury

To be fair, pogo sticks are hard to use. Just be aware that if you have the misfortune of spending an afternoon on one, your chances of bouncing your way into the ER are about 1 in 115,300, according to Deseret News. 

5. Having Conjoined Twins

Your odds of birthing conjoined twins are about 1 in 200,000, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your odds of giving birth to normal identical twins? About 1 in 250.

Categories
Customer News

Tate and Lyle Spotlight

Author: Melissa Shain

Tate and Lyle is becoming a larger customer for Marvin Keller as we have become primary on about 15 new lanes for them this past year.  They are becoming much more focused on service to their customers so they are getting rid of many brokers.  They think of Marvin Keller as one of their top carriers, providing excellent on-time service.

 Did you know that one of Tate and Lyle’s biggest competitors is ADM?  Not only does Tate and Lyle have a need for dry van carriers, but the majority of their freight is on bulk liquid tankers and railcars.  Tate and Lyle ship their 50# and 2000# bags of dextrose or dry “sugar” in the dry vans as well as their dry starches and specialty products.  These specialized products can be very pricy if something were to happen to them in transit. They are specifically engineered for their customers and their individual needs for their trademarked products.

Tate and Lyle is obviously known for the food products their ingredients go in- beverages, spices, dressings, soups, cake mixes, the list goes on and on.  But, did you know their ingredients also go in different industrial products like extra adhesive packing tape, paper, and insulation?  Their ingredients also go in personal care products like hair care, skincare, and sun care.  These less known products are typically the ingredients we are delivering to their customers.  The well-known beverage companies are receiving their liquid sugar on railcars or bulk liquid tankers.  We haul extremely important “secret” ingredients for Tate and Lyle’s customers and deliver all around the United States.  

Categories
Maintenance & Equipment

Tidy Trucks

As drivers, you have so many responsibilities and tasks to keep track of while being on the road. With all these responsibilities, you may struggle to stay organized.

No Fear! We are here to help you by providing tips and tricks to help keep your truck clean, organized, and tidy!

Here are two great ideas to aid in your organization brought to you by Driver Manager, Mike Richards.

  • Keep an Organized Dash-

I found keeping my GPS off to one side and my phone off to the other worked best.   Both of these are still in my line of sight but do not block my ability to focus on the road.  I was able to keep an eye on my directions while safely maneuvering my truck. 

  • Use Organizational Tools

Here are two of my favorite organizational tools to use in the truck.

Self-adhering Lights:  These are perfect to put anywhere in your truck, just turn them on with a tap. Easily stick them inside cabinets or above your bed for more lighting.

Hooks/Velcro:  Self-adhering hooks and Velcro can be put just about anywhere to create a spot for an item that was previously creating clutter.

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New Hire Introduction

The Newest Member of MK!

Everyone please give a warm welcome to Mark Favreau! Mark came to us from Indiana. He was initially from New York and moved to Indiana about 4 years ago. He was originally an E.M.T. before he decided to switch industries. Mark has 16 years of driving experience and is eager to get on the road!

After getting to know Mark a bit more, one of his passions is motorcycles. Just read his shirt! He enjoys riding his bike and recording his trips with his video camera.

We are glad to have you on our team, Mark!

Categories
Announcement & Hot Topics

ADM Protein Drop Lot

Hey, MK Drivers! A quick update about our ADM Protein Drop Lot. Our current drop lot at ADM Protein (27th Street) is now just for empty trailers. Loaded trailers must be dropped in the New Drop Lot highlighted in yellow.  The new lot is located on the South end of the building, closest to Hubbard Ave. Please ensure we are dropping trailers in the correct lots. Thank you for your help with this change!  MK Team

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Announcement & Hot Topics

Welcome to the Marvin Keller News Feed

You guys asked for it, so here it is!  We will now be using our MK Drive app to provide news and updates so you can stay in the know about what’s happening at Marvin Keller!  We received feedback that you want more communication about Customers, Equipment, Fellow Drivers, and the Trucking Industry in general.  Well, we listened and here is where you will find it.   We want you to feel engaged and understand the part you play in the success of this company.  As always, we are very thankful to have each one of you on our team! We look forward to your ideas and feedback.