 |
PRESS RELEASES
TULSA, Okla., December 18, 2003 – Retaining good drivers is an ongoing challenge for most fleets. Turnover rates over the past two years have ranged as high as 120%, according to industry estimates. Plus, it’s estimated it costs more than $8,000 in recruitment and administrative expenses to replace a driver. One of the ways Melton Truck Lines Inc. of Tulsa helps retain its drivers is by letting their top drivers spec a new Kenworth truck.
Alton Jackson, one of Melton's Ambassadors of the Road, stands next to his Kenworth W900L Studio AeroCab.
Melton’s Ambassadors of the Road program, which began in 1999, recognizes drivers who have driven one million safe miles for the company and are dedicated and loyal to the carrier. Melton currently has 45 Ambassadors and has reduced its driver turnover rate thanks to the program.
“The Ambassadors is a goal for drivers who have been with us for awhile,” said Pat White, vice president of safety, loss prevention and human resources. “They see the recognition and benefits that Ambassadors receive. When we started this program, we wanted to acknowledge the accomplishments of these drivers and distinguish them within our fleet. Each driver has won many awards and honors for safety, courtesy and productivity.”
Melton says “thank you” by allowing the Ambassadors to special order a Kenworth W900 or T600. Instead of driving one of the company’s signature blue Kenworths, a driver can choose from among nine exterior colors and from a list of interior colors. Drivers also can spec up to $1,500 in options, such as chrome, a refrigerator and aluminum wheels. “These Kenworth trucks look great and our other drivers see these trucks as an incentive for excellent driving,” White said.
Each driver receives a personalized Ambassador leather jacket and special decals mounted on their Kenworth truck noting the honor. Once a year, drivers join Melton Truck Lines Owner and President Bob Peterson and other company management for brunch.
Allan Johnson, right, a Melton Ambassador of the Road, is shown next to his Kenworth W900L with Studio AeroCab sleeper.
“This is a phenomenal program,” said Allan Johnson, an Ambassador since 1998 who has logged over 1.5 million miles with Melton. “You can’t help but swell up with pride. Other drivers say they can’t believe it’s a company truck.”
Johnson said he chose a Kenworth W900 with 86-inch Studio AeroCab® sleeper because it’s dependable and comfortable. “When I’m driving in sub-zero temperatures, I know I can count on Kenworth to get me back home. Plus, I have plenty of leg room and room behind the wheel.”
Another Ambassador, Alton Jackson, said the program calls attention to the excellent work performed by some of the best drivers in the industry. “It shows newer drivers the rewards of staying on the road and doing a good job.”
Jackson, who’s driven more than 1.7 million miles for Melton, said he chose a metallic black, Kenworth W900 86-inch Studio AeroCab because it’s “an eye-catcher. It has a commanding style that catches the attention of other drivers.”
Kenworth is the truck of choice at Melton, which runs a fleet of flatbed trailers throughout North America. All of the company’s 500 tractors are Kenworths, while a majority of the 200 owner-operators who drive for Melton also own Kenworths, according to White.
“The culture of running Kenworth trucks was started by Bob Peterson who merged Melton with another company years ago,” White said. “We go with Kenworths because they are dependable, well-made and the best to service. They also prove their worth when it comes time to sell them.”
“They are also a major factor in driver recruitment,” White said. “When we poll drivers why they come to work for us, the quality of our equipment is one of the biggest reasons. They say they can tell we use good equipment and take care of it.”
Kenworth Truck Company, a division of PACCAR Inc, is a leading manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is the recipient of the 2003 J.D. Power and Associates award for Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Pickup and Delivery Segment Class 8 Trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. The World's Best.
|
