Fleet Focus

Atlas Van Lines driver wins AMSA top honor

The American Moving and Storage Association named Atlas Van Lines driver Charles Allen the association’s 2011 Special Commodities Super Van Operator. Allen, a specialized transport driver, has logged 3 million miles safely in his 27 years in trucking and received the Atlas Safe Operator Award for 16 consecutive years. The Super Van Operator awards recognize drivers who provide the best in safe, reliable and customer-oriented service.

 

HONORS

Decker Truck Line Inc., based in Fort Dodge, Iowa, selected Earl Lavine and Jerry Schad, in the flatbed and reefer divisions, respectively, as November Drivers of the Month… Epes Transport System, based in Greensboro, N.C., was named Walmart General Merchandise Gold Carrier of the Year and a top nominee for the Truckload Carriers Association’s Best Fleet to Drive For Award. Epes drivers garnered the following recognitions: Freddy Bell, TCA Driver of the Year Award finalist; Eric Betts, carrier referral contest winner of a Silverado truck; Tim Britt and Donald Washburn, referral contest winners of $5,000 each… Heartland Express Inc., based in North Liberty, Iowa, was named Walmart’s 2011 Sam’s Carrier of the Year.

 

EXPANSIONS

Decker Truck Line plans to add up to 50 new drivers in conjunction with the opening of its new $2 million, Bessemer, Ala.-based terminal, which will serve 16 Southeastern states for a fleet of nearly 70 primarily flatbed trucks…Monroeville, Ala.-based Hornady Transportation purchased 40 new International ProStar tractors equipped with auxiliary power units and new, 53-foot aluminum flatbed trailers… Kane Is Able Inc., a Scranton, Pa.-based logistics provider, purchased 50 new lightweight, automatic-transmission tractors… U.S. Xpress Enterprises, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., expanded refrigerated team service to 100 trucks and expects to have 250 tractors by yearend.