CDLjobs.com Trucking Jobs Blog

DECKER ANNOUNCES DRIVERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY 2007

Fort Dodge, Iowa – Decker Truck Line, Inc. is pleased to announce that Warren Erxleben was selected as the May 2007 Driver of the Month for the Flatbed division. Warren, his wife Vicki and their children reside in New Liberty, Iowa. Warren enjoys spending time with his family and working on cars and tractors when he is not on the road. During the nomination process, Jerry Chapman, Warren’s driver manager, spoke highly of him. “Warren is always willing to help out when needed; he recently covered a load for us that no one else would do even though he knew it would put him home late on the weekend,” Jerry said. Congratulations and keep up the good work, Warren!

Selected as Driver of the Month for the Reefer/Van division was Todd Wulf. Todd, his wife Dana and their three children reside in Lakeville, MN. When Todd is not on the road driving for Decker, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, and woodworking. Mike Kehoe, Todd’s driver manager had only praise for his work. “Todd has always been a team player, taking loads and staying out longer than two weeks if we need him,” Mike said. Congratulations and keep up the good work, Todd!

Drivers and owner-operators are nominated each month by their dispatcher, and are selected based on their overall performance within all areas of the company, including: operational productivity, safety record, maintenance/care of equipment (including idle time), payroll, billing and customer service. All drivers and owner-operators selected for driver of the month during 2007 are eligible for the honor of 2007 Driver/Owner-Operator of the Year.

About Decker Truck Line Inc.
Decker Truck Line Inc. is under sole ownership of Don Decker, with corporate offices in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Additional terminals are located in Davenport, Iowa; Mediapolis, Iowa; Mason City, Iowa; Hammond, Indiana; Masury, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; and Hutchins, Texas. Decker is a diversified carrier, transporting flatbed, refrigerated and dry van freight to the 48 contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces.

MARTINI, INC. RECOGNIZES SAFE DRIVERS

Drums, Pa. – Martini, Inc. recently held its annual safety meeting, recognizing drivers for safety milestones at the company.

“We held a breakfast meeting on March 24 to present safety awards for first, second and third places as well as other awards,” says Gary Potter, Safety/Loss Prevention Director.

Quarterly safety awards are given to drivers who have completed a full quarter of safe driving. First place received $200, second place received $150 and third received $100. The winners were:

Local Drivers:

First place -- David Plewinski, Avoca, Pa..

Second place --- Dan Andreuzzi, Drums, Pa.

Third place --- Allen Bogert, Wapwallopen, Pa.

Over the Road Drivers:

First place -- Joseph Fioretti, DuBoistown, Pa.

Second place --- John Pollino, Berwick, Pa.

Third place --- Harry Balliet, Mountain Top, Pa.

Owner Operators:

First place -- Les Tomlinson, Mifflinville, Pa.

Second place --- Ron Shaver, Falls, Pa.

Third place --- Charles Phillips, Biglerville, Pa.

The 2006 Driver of the Year Award went to Allen Bogert who received a plaque and a check for $500 for his achievement.

Dwight Phoenix of Walton, N.Y. received a plaque for 20 years of service and 2.5 million accident free miles. He received a check for $2,500.

The quarterly and annual safety awards are given to encourage safe driving among the fleet as well as to keep communication open. “It’s fortunate that we’re small enough to give such personal attention to our driving force,“ says Potter.

For more than 30 years, Martini has continued to expand its tractor/trailer base, and its school bus and brokerage divisions. If you are interested in making a career move with Martini, call 866-460-8464 or visit us online at www.gomartini.com.

WESTERN EXPRESS & SMITHWAY MOTOR XPRESS ANNOUNCE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT

New growth and opportunities expected

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE and FORT DODGE, IOWA — Western Express, Inc. and Smithway Motor Xpress Corp., two premier truckload carriers that haul diversified freight nationwide, today announced agreement on a plan for Western to acquire Smithway. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2007, subject to approval by Smithway’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. Smithway’s experienced senior management team and employees are expected to remain at Smithway and play integral roles in delivering the companies’ combined services to the truckload market.

Together, the companies present a powerhouse of experience, stability and opportunity in the industry. The acquisition will build on Western’s established dry van operation by combining the dry van operations of both companies. Additionally, Smithway’s flatbed operation is expected to offer Western the market presence and reputation to make the combined flatbed operation a force in the industry. On a combined basis, the companies would operate approximately 1,600 tractors in dry van operations and 1,400 tractors in flatbed operations.

Wayne Wise, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Western, said, “Western is very excited by the prospect of adding Smithway’s operations to our existing business,” says Wise. “Western has a history of growing through strategic acquisitions, and Smithway would be an exciting chapter in Western’s growth story.”

The combination of the two companies places it in the top 15 truckload carriers measured by revenue, creating more opportunity for their combined customer, employee, and driver bases. “Besides the many obvious synergies between the two companies’ dry van and flatbed operations, the Smithway people were key to our interest in a transaction,” Wise says. “We are always looking for strong performers, and we look forward to working with the existing management team as they continue to manage and grow their business from their existing locations.”

G. Larry Owens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Smithway, is also pleased with the acquisition. “Smithway’s fleet and truckload transportation services brings tremendous value to Western, creating an even stronger company in the truckload market,” says Owens. “By joining our complementary services, the combined company gives the Smithway business operations the right platform from which to achieve their full potential. In addition, our employees will benefit by being part of a larger, more diversified organization. This is an excellent time to join our driving team.”

Drivers and owner operators interested in the new opportunities presented by this exciting change should call 866-322-2148 or visit www.smxc.com.

TRANSPORT AMERICA RECOGNIZES 2006 DRIVERS OF THE YEAR

Eagan, Minnesota — Minnesota-based carrier Transport America formally recognized their 2006 Drivers of the Year. With their families present, Company Driver Troy Kasprowicz and Contractor Douglas Gardener were recognized during a presentation on the operations floor of the Transport America corporate headquarters facility. Each driver was presented with the James B. Aronson Award in recognition of their outstanding service to Transport America and its customers during the past year.

Kasprowicz, with the company for 6 years, and Gardner, with the company for 10 years, were selected for this top honor from among the recipients of Transport America’s 2006 Drivers of the Month. The Director of Safety, the Director of Fleet Operations and the drivers’ Team Leaders cast votes for those candidates who ranked highest in a number of areas, including on-time performance, preventable accidents, equipment utilization and input from their fleet manager and support center management input.

“Given the selection criteria, being chosen as Driver of the Month is quite an accomplishment,” said Peggy Farra, VP Driver Recruiting & Safety. “But, the fact that they these drivers have been selected as the best of the best speaks volumes about Troy and Doug and their outstanding service to the company.”

About Transport America
In operation since 1984, Transport America provides a variety of truckload freight carriage and logistics services. Its team of dedicated professionals, supported by advanced technology and information systems, provides time-definite and other responsive services to customers in the United States and Canada. Learn more about Transport America by calling 866-804-9222 or at www.transportamerica.com.

Central Freight Lines, Inc. Wins TMTA Grand Trophy for Safety Program

Dallas, TX - (Market Wire) – Central Freight Lines, Inc., a leading LTL carrier and one of the largest intrastate carriers in Texas, is an award winning company. Their values, great programs and exceptional benefits prove to be a strong foundation that has led this company straight to the top.

After Central Freight Line’s Line-Haul division won the First Place Award of the Truck Safety Contest for Texas Carriers from Texas Motor Transportation, the company was entered into the Corporate Safety Exhibit in competition for the TMTA 2007 Grand Trophy. CFL was up against seven other strong companies that had also earned TMTA First Place Safety Awards in different categories. The Grand Trophy is awarded to the Motor Carrier that has the most complete and most effective Safety Program in Texas. After the judging of the eight carriers, TMTA announced Central Freight Lines has earned this honor.

This prestigious state level recognition has been earned by CFL three times within the last six years. It has also won the American Trucking Association’s top National Safety Award (the President’s Trophy) four times within the past twenty years. Once a carrier receives this award, the carrier is automatically ineligible for consideration for the award for a period of four years.

All the awards from the Texas Motor Transportation Association including the 2007 Grand Trophy will be presented July 25th in San Antonio, TX. An awards luncheon will be part of the TMTA Annual Convention.

To learn more about this award and the great Safety Program Central Freight offers, please contact Bill Wilson, VP of Human Resources/Risk Management, at (972) 579 4111.