TransCore, a provider of load matching services, announced CarrierWatch, which provides shippers and freight brokers with an immediate online method of validating and monitoring carrier credentials. Carriers can register their services at no charge. Subscribers can search the CarrierWatch database using as many as 60 different criteria, TransCore says. For more information, visit www.transcoreregistry.com.
ACS will provide its TripPak Express drop box document collection service to Werner Enterprises, which is retiring its proprietary drop box network. Werner had considered expanding its own network but decided instead to use TripPak, which has boxes in more than 1,500 locations, to reduce out-of-route miles and time delays.
State of Idaho has launched a website (trucking.idaho.gov) that combines the trucking-related services of the state police, transportation department and tax commission. The website features links for permitting, IFTA filing, paperless hazmat endorsements, license renewals, CDL record searches, road and weather reports, maps, safety regulations and other information and services.
Maverick Transportation has acquired Scottsboro, Ala.-based Parrett Trucking Inc. The 140-tractor flatbed carrier, which uses primarily owner-operators, will be operated separately under the name Parrett Trucking LLC. President and founder Mike Parrett will remain as president of the new company.
Once again, recruiting and retaining drivers is the No. 1 issue facing most carriers. And with a surging economy creating jobs, the situation will only worsen. The cause of turnover varies, and solving the problem usually demands considerable study followed by action. But top management usually lacks the patience for study. Executives want to act now. While there is really no substitute for digging into the heart of what’s wrong, here are six steps you can take if you feel compelled to address your retention problem immediately.
Reach out to recruits. Assign each new recruit a manager outside of operations to act as a mentor. At small carriers, that mentor might even be the owner. Large carriers can draw on managers in finance, sales and maintenance – any manager who wants to do more than pay lip service to retention.
Start by calling a recruit at home the week before orientation to make sure the deal remains closed. Then make time during orientation to get to know each recruit before he goes out on the road. Follow up with two to three telephone calls a week during the first month. Yes, this takes effort. But you will develop bonds with drivers and familiarize the entire management team with drivers’ problems.
