More than a dozen Transport America drivers donated their time and the company donated its trailers to help support the Minnesota Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Noran Clinic MS 150 Bike Tour in June. The Bike Tour raised more $1 million and boasted more than 2,400 riders taking part in the effort.
Transport America loaded twelve 53-foot trailers full of bikes and hauled them to Duluth for those participating in the bike tour. The company also donated a reefer trailer to carry lunches and beverages for the event. Transport America has sponsored the event for 12 years.
Reid Ransom, Millis director of personnel and recruiting, hands over the title to new owner-operator Richard Tojek.
Millis Gives Trucks to Drivers
In June, Millis Transfer gave away the first two trucks in the company’s truck give-away program to drivers Richard Tojek and David Weidig.
Millis started the program in early 2001 for company drivers who were interested in becoming owner-operators. The company made a commitment to the drivers in the program to give them a truck if they drove the truck for two years and logged at least 210,000 miles. “Millis is giving the trucks away early because our drivers were so successful with the program,” said Director of Personnel and Recruiting, Reid Ransom.
Tojek has become an owner-operator, but Weidig remains a company driver for Millis – he opted to sell his truck and use the money for his upcoming wedding.
Companies Honor Schneider
Three companies recently recognized Schneider National as a top carrier.
Tire maker Michelin named Schneider as the “2001 Michelin Truckload Carrier of the Year,” while paper product manufacturer Georgia Pacific and snack food maker Frito Lay selected the company as their National Carrier of the Year 2001.
Schneider earned honors on the basis of its on-time delivery record, volume, load acceptance reaction, and overall customer service.
Johnsrud Transport’s founder and chairman Leon Johnsrud, and his daughter Jackie Johnsrud, the company president, poses with one of the company’s five, patriotic, red-white-and-blue Kenworth T800s.
Johnsrud Transport’s Patriotic Rides
For the United States’ bicentennial observance in 1976, food grade, bulk liquid hauler Johnsrud Transport hand-painted the stars-and-stripes on one of its tractors. Today with the country’s renewed spirit of patriotism, the company decided to go with the patriotic theme again.
“I thought now was the perfect time to do a remake of the truck we painted in the ’70s,” said Leon Johnsrud, the company’s founder and chairman of the board. “Our five red-white-and-blue trucks are symbols of patriotism that draw lots of positive attention toward our company and the trucking industry as a whole. Our drivers really take pride in driving these tractors, and customers love them.”
The Kenworth T800s have made appearances at schools near the company headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, at local Kenworth dealerships and at the Iowa Truck Driving Championship. The company hauls liquids such as vegetable oils, dairy products, juices and chocolate in 48 states, Canada and Mexico.
CFI Drivers of the Month
Contract Freighters Inc. recently named its May 2002 drivers of the month.
Company Driver of the Month was Dennis Platt, of DeWitt, Iowa, who joined CFI six years ago. It is the second time he has received driver of the month honors. Company Team Driver of the Month was awarded to Michael and Sandy Borton, of Bell, Fla., who joined CFI in 2001.
Contractor of the Month was Bill Coffman of Stockbridge, Ga., who joined CFI in 1999. Contractor Team of the Month was John and Sherry Hufford of Bell, Fla., who joined CFI as a priority team three years ago.
Winners are automatically nominated for the 2002 year-end award in their respective category.
