Heavy Duty Trucking, September 2018

HDT SEPTEMBER 2018 8 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM wo very different fleets Two passionate leaders One important thing in common A love of drivers that comes from the very top Thats what struck me after recent conversations with Joyce Brenny and Cari Baylor Joyce is co founder of Minnesota based open deck carriers Brenny Transportation and Brenny Specialized running about 60 trucks Cari is the third generation owner of Indiana based Baylor Trucking a 200 truck dry van truckload fleet founded in 1945 by World War II veteran Caris grandfather Chester Baylor Both emphasized a company culture based on treating people right and with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week this month I wanted to share some of their insights I called Joyce Brenny after she posted on her Facebook page that the companys turnover was down to 1379 or what Brenny prefers to call an 8621 driver retention rate A couple weeks later she posted that retention among drivers at the company longer than three months but less than a year was now 100 Our retentions always been probably better than most but I think right now were really impressed with it she told me That three months to one year usually was our hardest to manage and most difficult stage so thats something were super proud of How did they do it By re emphasizing the company culture The Brenny Road Map to Success is all about providing champion customer service being champions of safety maintaining a service attitude and emphasizing core values of trust communication commitment accountability and results Weve honed back in on that we make sure everything revolves around it any decision coaching mentoring revolves around that she said The people that come to our company are the ones that roll up their sleeves and say Yeah I want to be part of that Brenny emphasized the importance of putting your people first I always give a little speech that at Brenny youre allowed to be a human being You dont have a work brain and a home brain you have one brain We want to know whats going on in your personal life How can we help our team members so they feel good about their job Brenny even comes in and bakes chocolate chip cookies for the drivers each morning during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week It sounds corny but it was I love you guys and wanted to do something extra special because you deserve it I talked to Cari Baylor after getting an announcement that the carrier is raising its professional driver wages by 7 Our drivers are a different breed she explained We want to make sure that we employ people who share the same values love of country and taking care of the community and taking care of the family We cant be all things to all people but were going to reward attract and pay for professionals that embrace our culture and the things we stand for For instance the company works to make sure drivers dont get stuck with a meager paycheck through no fault of their own whether that be breakdowns shipper delays or family health issues Each week someone from its driver advocacy group sits down with payroll and makes sure that if for instance a driver whose son was seriously injured in a car accident wasnt able to get his miles that he would still get a living wage during that time period Were not going to do gimmicks were not going to do asterisks Baylor said Thats not who we are Weve never had a sign on bonus and were never going to have one We want you to come here because you believe in us and believe in what were doing here and you trust us to treat you right Why are drivers so important to Baylor When I look back at all the cherished moments of my life theres a truck driver in every one Baylor said Whether its my father grandfather or our Baylor trucking professional drivers Were just trying to take care of our own For the love of drivers Deborah Lockridge Editor in Chief dlockridge@ truckinginfo com With 28 years covering the trucking industry Deborah Lockridge is known for her award winning in depth features on diverse issues She can be reached at 205 989 6467 or dlockridge@ truckinginfo com EDITORIAL The people that come to our company are the ones that roll up their sleeves and say Yeah I want to be part of that T