Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Aug. 9, 2024:
Saia using renewable diesel in California
Saia (CCJ Top 250, No. 19) will begin use of renewable diesel at its locations in Oakland, San Jose, Orange and San Diego, California.
Renewable diesel, which will be supplied by Diesel Direct, is a cleaner-burning alternative to traditional diesel. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%; enhance engine performance and requires no engine modifications for use.
The fuel will power approximately 135 Saia tractors across the four markets and is projected to save 5,455 metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually (comparable to removing 1,185 cars from the road), according to Diesel Direct Account Manager Jeremy Model.
Averitt upgrades facilities for associates
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 22) recently completed several major facility upgrades at its corporate campus, including a newly reconstructed Wellness Center and an enhanced outdoor recreation area, as well as an expanded Driver Support Center at its service center.
Averitt’s Wellness Center, which originally opened in 2010, is an on-site health clinic exclusively designed for Averitt associates, spouses and dependents. Medical professionals at the Wellness Center provide a wide variety of health services, including acute and primary care, wellness and health promotion, health coaching, disease management, medication dispensing, and technology to support the delivery of care and coaching. Services are provided at no cost to Averitt associates and their families who are covered by the company’s health insurance.
Averitt completely renovated the building to allow for expanded services for its associates. Some of the new Wellness Center’s features include:
- Introduction of physical therapy services, including a dedicated room for PT sessions
- A meeting room for educational seminars and presentations
- A private room dedicated to injections and blood draws
Averitt has also expanded the outdoor recreation area located at its corporate campus. The area features new amenities such as:
- Pickleball and basketball courts
- Putting greens
- Shaded outdoor seating areas
The area features new amenities such as pickleball and basketball courts, putting greens, and shaded outdoor seating areas.Averitt
The company has also recently opened a new Driver Support Center at its Cookeville-area service center.
The expansion will allow Averitt to provide over-the-road drivers with many comforts of home, including a lounge, exercise and break areas, showers, and laundry machines. The company operates 18 other similar facilities for its 4,000+ drivers throughout the country.
Additionally, the Cookeville-area maintenance shop has been updated with a new office and breakroom, an updated parts room, and new bathrooms, further enhancing the working environment for the company’s maintenance professionals.
