road tosuccess
Transcription
road tosuccess
2015 • Issue 1 Road to success the W H E R E T H E B E S T I N T R A N S P O R TAT I O N G E T T H E I R I N F O R M AT I O N Fuel and Tire Savings Have Never Been better record breaking fun Landstar Appreciation Days 2015 What We DO Outside the Box Solutions FROM THE CEO Jim Gattoni Landstar President & Chief Executive Officer This edition of The Road to Success magazine features many “firsts.” A first for all of the winners at Landstar Appreciation Days in Jacksonville this year, the first place a BCO should look to buy and save, a first load that is proof that What We Do works, and it’s also a first for me as Landstar’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (page 12). We’re pleased to report record turnout to Landstar Appreciation Days in January and share highlights from the successful event starting on page 16. Continue reading to find out more about the winner of the annual Landstar Truck Beauty Contest – a first time contestant who won with a custom beauty! It was the first time the Truck Driving Champion had ever entered a driving competition as well! That story is on page 22. But the grand prize for firsts goes to the proud new owner of the Landstar Deliver to Win truck giveaway powered by Comdata. Read Cleaning Up starting on page 20. Other BCOs say they feel like winners after they shop and save through Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program or LCAPP. Their testimonials of bulk buying and big savings starts on page 14. A big, heavy load and an agent who uses Landstar’s unique business model to his customer’s advantage is featured in What We Do on page 26. And whether you’re a trucker, a commuter or a traveling sales representative, be sure not to miss page 32 for some valuable tips on how anyone who spends time behind the wheel can avoid overexposure to a hidden health risk. Remember, health and safety go hand-in-hand. I want to take this opportunity to thank those BCOs and agents who put safety first every day. It’s your commitment that continues to make Landstar an industry leader! Southeast Trailer Service is your one-stop shop for expert semi-trailer repair and maintenance services. • 18 repair bays, paint & paint prep bays • Fully trained professional technicians • On-site DOT inspection • Authorized Wabash (Aurora) parts distributor • Complete parts accessibility for all manufacturers • Trailer pick-up and delivery • Emergency road service • Used trailer sales 3368 Moreland Ave. I-285, exit 53 Conley, GA 30288 Editor Patty McMenamin Managing Editor Ginger Whitcher Staff Writers Beth Milograno Berry Jeffrey Minton Contributing Writer Joe Beacom Design Natalie Wolf-Saggese Advertising Debbie Templeton The Road to Success magazine is published by Landstar System, Inc. The Road to Success is written and published for Landstar contractors, agents and employees. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of Landstar System, Inc. ©2015 Landstar System, Inc. 404-361-9777 2 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 3 12 departments 7 In the News 31 Word Search Puzzle 35 In the Spotlight 36 Safety Thursday 37 Upcoming Events 38 Landstars 16 14 inside 12 Meet the CEO Landstar’s New President and CEO Jim Gattoni 14 LCAPP: Membership Savings 19 Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program 16 Landstar Appreciation Days 2015 Brings Record Attendance 19 Custom Beauty 20 22 Landstar BCO Danny Dale Takes 1st Place with His Custom 2015 Western Star 4900 EX 20 Cleaning Up 2015 Landstar Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway Powered by Comdata 22 Gibbons Drives It Home Landstar BCO Billy Gibbons Named Landstar’s 2015 Truck Driving Champion 24 Myth Busters Busting the “Myth-Conceptions” of Canadian Border Crossing 26 What We Do 24 4 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 26 Landstar Canada Agent Trevolyn Menezes Thinks “Outside the Box’’ for a Customer’s Complex Load 32 Exposure on the Road Skin Cancer Prevention www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 5 in the news Landstar is Named Among TCA’s Top 20 OUR MODEL Landstar System, Inc. Landstar is a worldwide, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of independent sales agents, third-party capacity owners and employees. To find out more about Landstar and how we can put you on the road to success, visit www.landstar.com 6 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 The Road to Success The Road to Success magazine is published by Landstar System, Inc., a worldwide, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of more than 1,400 independent sales agent locations, more than 46,000 available third-party capacity owners, and employees. All Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2008 quality management system standards and RC14001:2013 environmental, health, safety and security management system standards. Landstar has been a SmartWay Transport Partner since April 2005. Landstar System, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Its common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol LSTR. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Landstar’s road to success is paved with the entrepreneurial spirit. Built on solid, long-term relationships, the company enables thousands to turn their dreams of owning their own business into reality. Those operating under the Landstar umbrella enjoy the strength and support of one of the industry’s most stable companies. This relationship enables independent small business owners to compete with the largest carriers in the industry. CEOs on Wheels For the fourth consecutive year, Landstar is among the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For according to a survey by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). The release of the Top 20 carriers identified in the seventh annual survey comes after months of nominations, interviews and scoring by the TCA and CarriersEdge. The nomination process began last year, when company drivers and owner-operators were asked to nominate carriers operating 10 or more trucks. Brad Bentley, president of TCA, said, “Clearly, these fleets are doing something right, and their efforts are paying off on multiple levels.” Nominees were evaluated in a variety of categories including professional development opportunities (training, coaching programs etc.), commitment to continuous improvement (including dispute resolution processes and inclusion of driver feedback in policymaking), annual turnover rate and the fleet safety record. A selection of each fleet’s drivers or owneroperators was also surveyed, with its feedback compared to management’s and incorporated into the final score. The results are the Top 20 carriers selected. This is Landstar’s fourth year participating in the survey and fourth year in the Top 20. “It’s great to hear that once again Landstar has been recognized by the owner-operators who help make Landstar an industry leader by providing excellence in safety and service,” said Landstar Executive Vice President of Capacity Development Rocco Davanzo. “We’re proud that owner-operators leased to Landstar feel that they have the freedom, opportunities and support services they need to successfully run their own businesses.” The announcement of the 2015 Top 20 was shared via Facebook and Twitter by both the TCA and the Best Fleets pages/feeds, as well as by press release. To find what makes Landstar among the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For, check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LandstarOwnerOperators, Twitter account @LandstarNow or visit www.leasetolandstar.com. Landstar considers its business capacity owners “CEOs on Wheels.” Unlike other owner-operators, Landstar BCOs receive a percentage of the revenue paid for each load they haul. With no forced dispatch, Landstar BCOs enjoy the freedom to choose their own freight and to run where they want to go, when they want to go there. www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 7 in the news Showing our PRIDE Take PRIDE in Landstar! BCOs who take PRIDE in Landstar’s trailing equipment could take home a prize reward from the Landstar Trailer department. P – Protect your surroundings R – Respect the equipment I – Inspect every time D – Detect safety concerns and report them E – Ensure safe and problem free operation “Our customers recognize Landstar as a premium carrier, which is synonymous with both well-maintained equipment and reliable operators, second to none,” says Landstar BCO Randall Rae. BCOs who take PRIDE in Landstar’s equipment by taking a Landstar owned or rented trailer to a shop for its 120-day inspection and/or repairs will be entered into a monthly drawing for a set of steer Introducing the New Landstar.com Landstar’s upgraded, updated website, Landstar.com, went live in March. If you haven’t checked it out, you should! The site features interactive models, videos and pages that we think tell our story better than ever. 8 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 L ANDSTAR tires. During the Safety Thursday Conference Call, Landstar will announce the winner BCO P.R.I.D.E. for that month. At the end of 2015, PROTECT your surroundings participants will again RESPECT the equipment be entered into a INSPECT every trip drawing for the grand DETECT safety concerns prize – a set of drive ENSURE safe and problem-free operation tires. The more times you take a trailer into a shop for inspection and/or repairs, the greater your opportunity to win. Congratulations to January’s winner for the steer tire giveaway, Perry Roth. Find out if you’re the next lucky winner – take PRIDE, and listen to the monthly Safety Thursday Conference Call to hear your name! Landstar.com was first launched in 1997. We’ve all come a long way since then – when online videos were a novelty and not the norm, before sites were interactive and certainly before users accessed the Internet from their mobile phones and various iDevices. The new and improved site has all of that and more – like a blog, where we can now share our thoughts on the industry, give you updates on Landstar and highlight company events. Visit the blog to sign up for email notifications. Not only is the redesigned website more functional, it’s just pretty to look at. In fact, Landstar BCOs and agents will recognize some familiar faces (and trucks), who volunteered to help us tell Landstar’s story and share with visitors what it really means to become an independent business owner within the Landstar family. You can see some behind the scenes shots in this issue on page 38, but you’ll really want to log on to get the full picture. www.landstar.com. www.landstar.com Landstar BCO Appointed to Women in Trucking Congratulations to Landstar BCO Linda Caffee for earning a seat on the Women In Trucking (WIT) Board of Directors. WIT’s mission is to address obstacles that might prevent women from entering the male-dominated industry. Linda and her husband Bob are expedite team drivers leased to Landstar Express America. The couple often speaks at expedite workshops and at the Expedite Expo. Linda is a moderator on Expediters Online and also on Women In Trucking forums. She is the chairman of the Trucking Solutions Health Council, a member of the Trucking Solutions Group, writes a blog for Expediters Online and maintains the Trucking Solutions Group Facebook page. Linda is also one of Freightliner’s Team Run Smart Pros. In 2014, TA/Petro recognized Bob and Linda with the TA/Petro Citizen Driver award. When you visit the North Las Vegas Petro Stopping Center, you will see their names on the facility entrance. Linda says she became involved with Women In Trucking to help bring awareness to other women and men about the everyday obstacles women in the industry face, as well as the different perspective they can bring. Landstar BCO Linda Caffee Landstar Receives 2014 Quest for Quality Awards Landstar is making space on the wall for the newest Quest for Quality Awards from Logistics Management. Landstar was one of a record 155 transportation and logistics providers to receive the ultimate vote of confidence in the magazine’s reader survey, which is regarded by many Landstar was one of a record in the 155 transportation and logistics transportation industry providers to receive the ultimate as one of the most vote of confidence in the important magazine’s reader survey measures of customer satisfaction and performance excellence. Landstar received 2014 Quest for Quality Awards in three categories: 3PL Transportation Management www.landstar.com Solutions, Dry Freight, and Industrial & Heavy Haul Carriers. The 2014 Quest for Quality awards were determined by more than 7,451 qualified buyers of logistics and transportation services who were asked to rate carriers, third-party logistics (3PL) service providers and U.S. port operators strictly on the basis of service quality. Award winners had to receive at least five percent of the category vote. Transportation service providers are rated on: On-time Performance, Value, Information Technology, Customer Service, and Equipment & Operations. Third-party logistics providers are rated on: Carrier Selection and Negotiation, Order Fulfillment, Transportation & Distribution, Inventory Management and Logistics Information Systems. For more information, visit www.logisticsmgmt.com. 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 9 IA80com LS Success 030415_Layout 1 3/4/15 2:55 PM Page 1 GET YOUR FREE CATALOG! •Go online to www.iowa80.com and request your FREE CATALOG of the finest selection in Chrome and Professional Trucking Accessories! •Or Call Toll Free – 866-4-IOWA80 (866-446-9280) •Shop online today! www.iowa80.com Dreams of Chrome Sweepstakes Find out more at dreamsofchrome.com Truck Accessories For The Professional Driver LS 2015 Exclusive LANDSTAR BCO Fleet Workers Compensation Plan. We’ve got you covered For The long haul. ∙ Pay as you go through weekly settlement deductions ∙ Weekly rates based on number of drivers ∙ Coverage for mechanics, sales and clerical personnel ∙ Coverage through State National Ins. Co. (AM Best Rated A) ∙ 24 hour toll free claim reporting through GAB Robins, Inc. ∙ Program sold and administered through Insurance Office of America Insurance office of America Easy to enroll! Easy to maintain! ∙ No Deposit/No Audits ∙ No Down Payment ∙ Superior Service www.ioausa.com An enrollment form is required to initiate coverage. You may obtain the applicant enrollment form from Landstar’s qualification centers or from the IOA web site, which is a hyperlink on www.LandstarOnline.com. Complete, sign and date the enrollment form and forward it to your qualification center. If you have any questions about this program please contact Dan Robertson or Tom Scalise at Insurance Office of America. [email protected] Phone: 1-800-243-6899 Dan ext. 4268, Tom ext. 4112 ∙ Fax 1-800-788-2324 ∙ E-mail: [email protected] 10 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 11 capacity to haul freight, finding a significant number of additional high quality owner-operators is a problem. It’s a challenge that Landstar works on every day. There are no drastic changes in the works. Just consistent, persistent work to be done. We’ll continue working with agents, BCOs and carriers to get customers’ loads covered, and keep our capacity busy. We have the lowest owner-operator turnover rate in the industry, and we have every intention of keeping it that way.” 12 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 Favorite Pastimes: Gattoni enjoys paddle boarding and golf, and follows the New York Yankees and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Career: A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he was employed by the audit division of KPMG LLP from 1987 until 1995 when he joined Landstar as Corporate Controller. In 2001, he was promoted to Vice President Landstar’s new President and CEO Jim Gattoni Officer (CEO) is by no means new to Landstar. “I started my career with Landstar in1995, and have worked closely with Henry Gerkens ever since,” said Jim Gattoni, Landstar President and CEO. The transition of the CEO role from Henry Gerkens to Gattoni began when Gattoni was promoted from Executive Vice President and CFO to President and CFO in January 2014. As part of his succession plan, Gerkens prepared to step down from the CEO position in December of 2014, remaining Executive Chairman until May 2015. “Over the years, I’ve worked closely with Henry. We share similar thoughts about the transportation industry, where it’s headed and our role in it,” said Gattoni. “Landstar provides the scale, systems and support to the large and small business owners that comprise the Landstar network so, in-turn, the company’s agents and capacity providers can effectively and efficiently support our customers.” Home Life: He and his wife, Ann, live in Jacksonville, Florida, with their three children. Education: Gattoni holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ramapo College in New Jersey. Meet the CEO Landstar’s new President and Chief Executive and Corporate Controller. Then in April 2007, he was again promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In 2013, he was named Executive Vice President and CFO and a year later, in January 2014, he was named President and CFO. On December 29, 2014, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Committed to Success: Gattoni says he intends to continue the focus on the success of agents and capacity providers with an emphasis on improving the systems and support provided by the Landstar team. “Everyone is moving from desktops and laptops to tablets and handhelds. The velocity of change in technology is accelerating. We must continue to enhance the tools that enable the agent network to provide superior service to shippers and quality freight opportunities to capacity providers.” And that is how he believes the company reached the $3 billion revenue mark during the fiscal year ended December 2014, and what he believes will foster continued growth in 2015 and beyond. One of the challenges in keeping the momentum going, he believes, is an ever present industry-wide issue. “The demand for truck capacity continues to climb, but fewer and fewer truck operators are entering the market,” says Gattoni. “Although Landstar utilizes owner-operators and other third party truck www.landstar.com The Best Value in Wireless. The Sprint Family Share Pack is the perfect plan for your data hungry family. Get 20GB of data to share on up to 10 lines when you switch to Sprint. Plus, save with the Sprint Discount Program. Visit a Sprint Store or sprint.com/save. 18 % Discount for BCO’s, Agents and Employees of Landstar Applies to select regularly priced Sprint monthly data service. Call 866-639-8354 Corporate ID: NALEA_ZZZ Activ. Fee: $36/line. Credit approval required. Plan: Offer ends 3/12/2015. No discounts apply to access charges. Includes 20GB of on-network shared data usage, 100MB offnetwork data usage and unlimited domestic Long Distance calling and texting. Int’l svcs are not included. Max of 10 phone/tablet/MBB lines. SDP Discount: Avail. for eligible company employees or org. members (ongoing verification). Discount subject to change according to the company’s/org’s agreement with Sprint and is avail. upon request for select monthly svc charges. Discount only applies to data service for Sprint Family Share Pack. Not avail. with no credit check offers or Mobile Hotspot add-on. Other Terms: Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details. © 2015 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners. N155013CA MV1234567 www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 13 LCAPP: membership savings Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program “Membership has its privileges,” “In 2014, Landstar BCOs saved over $27 million on fuel purchases through the LCAPP program... ” 14 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 was a famous ad slogan used by American Express in the 1990s and implied that those fortunate enough to qualify for and possess one of their elite credit cards would reap exclusive benefits. That’s still true for those owner-operators experienced and talented enough to qualify as Landstar BCOs. In addition to the freedom of non-forced dispatch, percentage pay and available freight, BCOs have exclusive access to a purchasing program that offers significant discounts on fuel, tires and other resources they need to successfully own and operate their own businesses. The Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program (LCAPP) saves thousands of BCOs millions of dollars each year! In 2014, Landstar BCOs saved over $27 million on fuel purchases through the LCAPP program thanks to the amazing discounted rates over the regular pump price. Towards the end of last year, Landstar owner-operators were saving more than 60 cents a gallon over the regular retail price, with some BCOs reporting savings of more than $1 per gallon of fuel! The average savings on fuel purchases through LCAPP for 2014 was around 24 cents per gallon. That equates to substantial savings when calculated throughout the entire year. The average retail price of on-highway diesel fuel for 2014 was approximately $3.83 per gallon, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). www.landstar.com At that price, an owner-operator who drove 110,000 miles this year and averaged 6.5 miles per gallon would save approximately $4,000 in 2014 on fuel purchased through LCAPP. Given that taxes aren’t paid on money saved, some financial experts say that additional dollars saved are even more beneficial to a businesses’ bottom line than additional dollars earned. Landstar BCO Rose Ruch is a team driver with her husband Bill, a Million Mile Safe Driver, and says that LCAPP fuel discounts make a big difference for their business. “If we’re getting 30 cents off the regular price and filling up with 400 gallons, that’s a $120 savings with a single fill up,” calculated Rose Ruch. “Over a period of time, it’s a huge savings. I’m so glad we have LCAPP out there helping us.” Fuel discounts aren’t the only reason the Ruchs love LCAPP. The couple has been exclusively purchasing their tires through LCAPP for the last decade and says the prices can’t be beat. “It’s definitely cheaper to buy tires through LCAPP than anywhere else,” said Rose. Last year, BCOs purchased nearly 33,000 tires through the LCAPP program. The savings for tires purchased through LCAPP generally ranges from 30 to 40 percent off retail price. The Ruchs were among the many BCOs who chose to take advantage of the amazing tire deals being offered by LCAPP vendors during Landstar Appreciation Days in January. In fact, buying tires has become among the main reasons they and many other BCOs come to the event. Ruch adds that she and her husband have made buying tires at Appreciation Days a tradition. At the 2015 event, the local TCI Tire Center was set up at the nearby Landstar Orientation Center in St. Augustine, Florida, offering deals on Michelin tires, including free installation, and excellent trade-in offers on tires and rims. “It’s worth coming to Appreciation Days just for tire deals,” said Ruch, who during this year’s event purchased four Michelin X One drive tires. “We calculated that we saved over $3,000 buying the tires at Appreciation Days. How do you beat that?” Landstar Million Mile Safe Driver Ken Rasmussen www.landstar.com doesn’t think you can, so he also purchased four new X One tires at this year’s event. “They gave me a really good deal,” explained Rasmussen, who has purchased so many tires through LCAPP he’s lost track of the number. “Buying tires at Appreciation Days is getting to be an annual thing for me. One year I’ll buy steer tires, the next I buy drive tires. Sometimes, whether I need them or not…I can’t turn down such good deals.” Rasmussen also said, that “you can’t beat” LCAPP fuel discounts and that the program is a “big plus” of being leased on with Landstar. Clinton Faulton didn’t get any discounts on fuel or tires at his former company and appreciates what LCAPP provides for BCOs. “I love LCAPP. It really helps make things more affordable for the driver,” said Faulton, who also purchased four X One tires at Appreciation Days. “I saved about $1,500 with the trade in. I was more than satisfied with that.” Just like the thousands of other BCOs who are saving money with LCAPP discounts every day! LCAPP…Don’t leave home without it! Last year, BCOs purchased nearly 33,000 tires through the LCAPP program. 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 15 landstar Appreciation Days A record number of BCOs and their families turned out for Landstar Appreciation Days held at Landstar headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, January 22 – 24th. More than 940 people attended the annual event which included catered meals, entertainment, contests, prizes and a tent full of the latest products and services offered by LCAPP vendors. During the event, Landstar’s new President and CEO Jim Gattoni took the opportunity to introduce himself to the audience under the big top, sharing a photo of himself as a young entrepreneur on a paper route, and telling tales of other odd jobs he’d held over the years. “I wanted to be a small business owner, but it was easier to get a job. So I applaud those who did start their own businesses, like those of you here this morning,” Gattoni said to the hundreds of BCOs gathered for breakfast and morning meetings. Gattoni, who became President and CEO at the first of the year, went on to discuss revenue per load and truck load trends in 2014, industrial production, fuel costs and regulations. Those topics were also on the minds of Landstar BCOs who had a chance during the first two days to ask questions and bring up issues of concern in an open forum with other Landstar executives and staff members. The question and answer sessions were followed by safety meetings and breakout sessions on key subjects like load securement, AA&E, heavy haul and expedited services. Some of the meetings on day two were “expedited” due to severe thunderstorms predicted to roll in about meal time, but the weather didn’t seem to make the steak dinner served that afternoon taste any less delicious. The night before, skies were clear for the Landstar Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway Powered by Comdata. Even as the sun set, it was a bright day for one lucky BCO. Read on to find out who drove off the lot with a brand new truck! 2015 brings record attendance 16 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com Truckers Against Trafficking More than 200 BCOs became certified with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) during Appreciation Days. The organization, which helps educate the public about ways to fight human trafficking, was on site to train owner-operators on the signs of the illegal trade, as well as reporting procedures. Human trafficking is a $32 billion industry which enslaves nearly 21 million people worldwide and is the second fastest growing criminal industry, according to TAT. Traffickers recruit online, in schools, shopping malls and in legitimate businesses such as restaurants, truck stops and motels. Truckers Against Trafficking recognizes that truckers and others in the transportation industry are the eyes and ears of U.S. highways and uniquely positioned to make a difference in the lives of those who are abused and prostituted in the trafficking industry. TAT training videos, wallet cards and other materials are used to certify members of the trucking industry so that when they suspect human trafficking, they can alert the proper authorities. On the TAT Facebook page, the group praised Landstar BCOs’ participation in the certification process. “During our training sessions, we 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 17 had in-depth and really enlightened conversations with so many drivers about human trafficking and the underlying causes. We so appreciate Landstar’s corporate commitment to fighting human trafficking, but also the incredible owner-operators who have such big hearts and want to end injustice for those being prostituted against their will.” TAT sold 30 trailer stickers and gave out hundreds of TAT window decals and wallet cards detailing steps to follow when trafficking is suspected. Landstar was just one of many TAT stops on the Freedom Drivers Project tour – a first-of-its-kind mobile exhibit designed to educate members of the trucking industry and general public about the realities of domestic sex trafficking and how the trucking industry is helping to combat it. The tour bus features a theater, artifacts from real-life trafficking cases, and portraits of individuals who are working to end human trafficking. For many visitors, the tour bus is their first contact with the illegal trade. All visitors leave with a few simple action steps that anyone can use to help create awareness and fight the problem. To find out more, visit www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org. Resources: National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-3737-888. BCO Benevolence Fund The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 2015 BCO 18 • Benevolence Fund BCOs lined up to help their own by purchasing raffle tickets and the 2015 design of the BCO Benevolence Fund lapel pin that went on sale during Landstar Appreciation Days. Traditionally each collectable pin is sold for $25 to raise money for the fund which provides financial assistance to Landstar BCOs facing hardships. This year, BCOs raised nearly $6,000 for the fund through pin and raffle sales. And LCAPP vendor Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers contributed another $2,000 to the fund. Just prior to the event, Landstar employees raised more than $2,500 through a raffle for premium parking spaces, and Landstar donated $2,000, bringing the grand total raised in January to over $12,500. The BCO Benevolence Fund was established in 2005. Per the fund’s charter, financial assistance can only be given to BCOs who do not have the cash or assets to meet their existing obligations and basic living expenses for their families. Only Landstar BCOs, truck operators employed by BCOs, and the immediate family members of each, are eligible to receive assistance from the fund. For more information regarding the fund or how you can donate and get your 2015 lapel pin, call Landstar BCO Services at 800-872-9541 and press any option to ask about the fund or send an email to [email protected]. Director of National Accounts for Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers Jack Hassett presents a VERY BIG check to the Landstar BCO Benevolence Fund. www.landstar.com custom beauty 2015 Landstar Truck Beauty champion - Danny Dale What began as a conversation during last year’s Appreciation Days, resulted in the crowning of a new Landstar Truck Beauty champion nearly one year to the day later. When BCO Danny Dale chatted with a Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program (LCAPP) vendor during the 2014 event in Jacksonville, he never imagined it would lead him to hoist the first place Truck Beauty Contest trophy 12 months later. But soon after that 2014 meeting with a representative from Western Star, the wheels were set in motion as the Roadstar and Million Miler from Anderson, Indiana, began designing his 2015 Western Star 4900 EX. “I custom-ordered this truck. I spec’d it all myself…and it all came about due to my meeting with the Western Star folks at Appreciation Days last year,” said Dale. He took delivery of the truck in October and began outfitting it with custom touches like fiberglass fenders, custom stainless steel boxes and a generator also covered in stainless steel. All that to go along with the already impressive factory-equipped options like cherry wood cabinets, a sliding rear window and leather heated seats. www.landstar.com The beautiful silver truck is powered by a Detroit DD16 engine with 600 horsepower and 2050 lb-ft of torque, as well as an 18-speed transmission. As proud as Dale was of his new rig, he never intended to be competing in the Truck Beauty Contest during Appreciation Days. But, he says a friend convinced him to put his truck in the event after he arrived in Jacksonville. “I thought ‘What the heck? I’m already here anyway,’” said Dale, who had never participated in any kind of truck beauty event in the past. After winning, however, Dale says he’s not opposed to competing again, adding that there’s still room to improve his truck. “I have a few more things I can do to trick it out a bit more,” he said. Second place in the contest went to Bob and Linda Caffee and their 2015 Freightliner, while Frank and Mary Bassett’s 2014 Kenworth took home third place. Congratulations to all who competed in the contest. See you next year! 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 19 cleaning up 2015 Landstar Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway Powered by Comdata winner At one time or another, many business travelers have likely faced a laundry crisis or two while out on the road and been forced to use the sink in their hotel room as a makeshift washing machine. Landstar BCO David Gray recently discovered that a hotel sink can also come in handy for washing something other than clothing. Although there’s no way to tell for sure, there’s a good chance that he might be the first person in history to wash his truck’s license plate in a hotel sink! In January, Gray won a 2016 Peterbilt 579 as part of 20 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 the Landstar Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway Powered by Comdata. Very soon after his exhilarating win under the big tent during Landstar’s Jacksonville Appreciation Days, Gray was checking out his brand new rig when a thought came over him. “I can’t put my old, dirty tag on that brand new truck,” recounted Gray later. So he did what any resourceful person would do upon returning to his hotel room that evening – he gave his tag a bath! “I soaked it in my hotel room sink with the little hotel shampoo they give you,” he said. www.landstar.com It turns out the cleansing gave his “old” tag the new lease on life it needed in order to accompany the shiny, viper blue Peterbilt – similar to the effect Landstar had on Gray’s professional driving career after he leased on in the summer of 2013. “I had always heard about Landstar and being able to pick your own loads and I always liked the sound of that,” said Gray. “I made the right decision. I should have done it a long time ago.” Born and raised in Chatsworth, Georgia, where he still lives with wife, Crystal, and his nine-year-old stepson, Gray learned to operate heavy equipment at a very early age. His father owned a construction company that specialized in underground utilities. “I was on a backhoe when I was 12 years old and had been driving single axle dump trucks since my early 20s,” said Gray, who worked as a mechanic, specializing in cooling systems after his family got out of the construction business. Over the years, he’d gotten to know some people in the trucking industry and began to think of the profession as a means to make a good living, doing something he was already familiar with. His foray working in the transportation industry as a company driver, however, did not go well, prompting a quick return to mechanics. As time went by, the bad taste left by Gray’s earlier experience in the trucking industry faded and he decided to give it another shot. For nearly a decade, he toiled around the trucking industry, first as a company driver, then as an owneroperator, until landing at Landstar. “I love not having to go where I don’t want to go and being able to schedule my trips the way I want,” said Gray, adding that he likes to work hard and venture out further during the summer months so that he can run primarily in the south during the winter. “And I make more money. I’ve made $40,000 more this first full year with Landstar than I’ve ever made anywhere else.” One of the main reasons for his success, said Gray, is the quality of Landstar’s Load Board. “I’m addicted to the Load Board. I can just stare at it for hours. It’s one of my favorite things to do…just looking at all the opportunities,” he says. Ironically, one thing he did not spend a lot of time staring at was the Peterbilt which sat parked outside the www.landstar.com big tent the day of the contest, held the first evening of Appreciation Days. Even though he was named one of the five finalists, he said, he didn’t check out the prize. “I was purposely not checking out the truck to avoid the disappointment,” said Gray. “I never thought I would win it because I’ve just never won anything in my entire life.” All that changed as he stood up on the stage before hundreds of his peers and lifted the box he’d selected to reveal a set of Peterbilt keys. “I hardly have any recollection of that moment. It just seemed like everything in the room slowed down,” said Gray. “I was overwhelmed.” Gray said the “newest” truck he’d ever owned was his current ride, a 2007 Freightliner Columbia that had 550,000 miles when he purchased it. He’d recently made the final payment on that truck, and had decided to keep it a while longer and just bear the cost of maintaining a truck, which now has over 900,000 miles. Not anymore. “It’s for sale now,” says Gray proudly, adding that he will likely also sell the van trailer he owns and use the money from the sales to purchase a much newer trailer and new APU to go with the brand new Peterbilt. Gray said the 579, equipped with a 450-horsepower Cummins ISX-15 engine, 80-inch high rise sleeper and Eaton transmission, is exactly what he would have purchased had he walked into a Peterbilt showroom to pick out a truck – right down to the color. “It’s perfect,” he said, adding that having a new truck with no payments drastically cuts his overhead, giving his business a lot more breathing room. “Winning this truck is a life-changing event…but even before this, coming to Landstar was a life-changing event. Whether I won this truck or not, I was never leaving Landstar. I am never driving anywhere else.” And never again with a dirty license plate! “Winning this truck is a life-changing event…” 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 21 “I was already at Appreciation Days and figured, if I’m here, I might as well try my hand at it,” said Gibbons, adding that he would be up for competing again at future Landstar events. Although he is new to driving competitions, he’s no stranger to driving large trucks in pressure-packed situations. A veteran of the U.S. Army for 14 years, Gibbons honed his skills driving large trucks in the military. He said he did tours in both the Middle East and South America and compared to situations in the military, the driving competition is like a walk in the park. “Don’t get me wrong, the course is challenging and it was a lot of fun testing myself. But, in the military, we’ve got to get our trucks in and out of extremely tight spaces, often in the dark and at times in stressful circumstances,” said Gibbons, who retired from the 2015 Landstar Truck Driving Championship Hats, shirts, jackets, mugs, golf balls, gizmos and gadgets... gibbons drives it home You’ll find them all when you shop the LandstarCompanyStore.com. Not only will you find items with the Landstar logo, you’ll also find items you can personalize to promote your business! It didn’t take long “He’s got skills and he knows how to use them.” 22 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 military in 2012 and drove long haul with several other companies before joining Landstar last year. Coming in second place in the annual competition was BCO Matt Saller with a score of 265, and Richard Mantooth’s 240 points were good enough to earn third place. Landstar will sponsor all three top place finishers to compete in the Florida Truck Driving Championship in June. BCO Bob Rupprecht won the Pre-Trip inspection portion of the competition, despite being tied with four other contestants with a score of 40 points. Time was the deciding factor in the competition and Rupprecht’s time of 5:12 was 25 seconds faster than the next best and earned him the Pre-Trip title. Congratulations to all who competed in the event, we look forward to another fierce competition next year! for Landstar BCO Billy Gibbons to make a name for himself at Landstar – about four months to be exact. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, it appears that he shares more than a name with famed fellow Texan Billy Gibbons, the guitarist of ZZ Top. They are both masters at their craft – one driving the sound of the legendary blues/rock trio, the other driving the highways delivering the goods America needs. After joining Landstar in September of last year, Gibbons, in January 2015, trumped the field of 23 in Landstar’s Safe Truck Driving Championship during Appreciation Days. He took first place with a score of 290. Even more impressive is that it was not only Gibbons’ first time competing in the Landstar event, it was his first time competing in any driving championship. www.landstar.com www.LandstarCompanyStore.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 23 Speedco is proud to service Landstar BCOs! With over 50 locations nationwide, Speedco is the only national network to specialize in quick lube and tire services for the trucking industry. We understand time is money! That’s why we get you back on the road fast. Every second of our time, every square inch of our stores are dedicated to one simple goal: getting your truck back on the road. Myth busters Myth Busters: Landstar Canada’s Vice President and General Manager Ron Kuperberg, Landstar Agents Shelley and Trevor Hagerman of TH Logistics in Sterling, Ontario; and Landstar Canada’s Area Sales Managers Andrew Hodge and Carlo Scenna Busting the “Myth-conceptions” about crossing borders A myth is defined as, “A traditional story, once concerning the early history of people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon.” Or in simpler terms, “A widely held, but false idea.” Drivers in the U.S. and Canada have some tales of their own, and many of them involve crossing the border with freight. From procedures to paperwork, permits and passport requirements; the process sounds daunting. But it’s getting better, according to Landstar Canada’s Vice President and General Manager Ron Kuperberg. “As border crossing procedures continue to improve over time, it’s gotten easier. A lot of the rumors and myths are not necessarily true,” Kuperberg explained. In January, during Landstar Appreciation Days he and a team of “myth busters” set out to dispel the rumors and concerns that might keep some from crossing the border. “BCOs veer away from crossing the border because of the stories they hear. Long line ups at the border, the need for Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) stickers and the need for a Free And Secure Trade (FAST) card,” explained Landstar’s Ontario Agent and “Myth Buster” Trevor Hagerman. Landstar has made the border crossing process less complicated than it sounds. Canadian Landstar agents 24 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 are well versed in border crossings and prepare a BCO’s Advanced Commercial Entry (ACE) and Advanced Commercial Information (ACI). Agents explain the procedures in detail to BCOs, while helping them to work with customs brokers. Agents also have access to all the tools needed to help a BCO through the Landstar Operating Systems Menu (LOSM). “This practice notifies the border agents of all applicable information about the driver, truck and load prior to the arrival at the crossing,” Hagerman said. While the myths associated with transporting freight across the border are widely known, many are unaware of the advantages to making the haul in and out of Canada. BCOs who transport freight from Canada into the United States not only see a larger settlement, but with the U.S. dollar gaining strength, there are a lot more exports from Canada to the U.S. and that is increasing reload opportunities. “As Landstar Canada grows and we bring on more agents, there’s even more opportunity for those BCOs willing to cross into Canada,” Kuperberg said. For more information about border crossing, contact the Customs Help Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-888-628-8404. www.landstar.com Lube Service: • Complete Oil Changes • APU Generator Service • Reefer Service • Fuel Filter & Lube • Gear Box Service • On-Site Oil Analysis Tire Services: • We service national accounts. • Separate tire bays for faster, more efficient service Call LCAPP for available discounts at 1-800-531-5227 To find a location visit www.speedco.com or call 1-866-SPEEDCO www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 25 What we do Outside the Box solutions Ironically, the metaphor “think outside the box” has become so banal that it now defies its own meaning. The cliché that aims to be synonymous with unorthodox, imaginative and creative thought processes has become a phrase that is anything but. As commonplace as saying “think outside the box” has become, however, those who truly possess the talent to do so are still few and far between. Landstar has long been an industry leader in providing unique solutions for customers, due in large part to its network of entrepreneurs like Landstar Canada Agent Trevolyn Menezes. Menezes and Landstar provided a bevy of “outside the box” solutions for a customer in connection with preparations for the 2015 Pan American Games to be held in Toronto this July. Each unique solution to the customer’s complex challenges seemingly led to another opportunity for the agent and Landstar. Essentially what began as a bid proposal for one international load has resulted in a chain reaction of projects that now has the customer looking to Landstar for all its freight challenges. “The customer has been very impressed with what we have been able to do for them,” said Menezes, whose 26 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 independent Landstar agency, Mentra Logistics, Inc., is based in the Toronto area. “Now, anytime they have a complex freight project, they come directly to us and say ‘handle it.’” Menezes first introduced his unique way of thinking to the customer last June when he bid on a project to transport some heavy industrial equipment for power generation from France to Canada. The freight consisted of three separate components that would eventually be part of a one-of-a kind compressed air underwater power generator to be used at the Pan Am Games. The freight was packaged in three large crates of varying size, the largest weighing approximately 11,000 pounds. Menezes said the customer initially was convinced that they needed to move it by air charter. “Once they shared with me their lead time of two weeks, I asked ‘Why are you bringing it by air?’ If you have two weeks, I can bring it by ocean and save you money,” explained Menezes, who was the only one to include ocean shipment in the bid on the project. Menezes arranged for the three crates to be transported by truck on step deck trailers from the factory in France to the port in Hamburg, Germany, where they were transloaded onto a flat rack, strapped www.landstar.com and lashed for their voyage across the North Atlantic to Montreal, Canada. After arrival in Montreal, the flat rack was loaded onto a truck and the freight taken to a warehouse where it was stripped down, assembled and reloaded onto a step deck trailer, then delivered on time to the customer’s door in Toronto. “They were very happy with what we did. We saved them a significant amount of money moving it by ocean, and got it there on time with no hiccups,” said Menezes, adding that his own margin of profit was increased as well, thanks to his solution. But that’s nothing new for Menezes, who has years of experience dealing in international transport, particularly in Asian markets. Originally from Bombay, India, his resume includes multiple large international transportation corporations and an array of positions and locations. He has physically worked in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Canada and has experience in Pakistan and other parts of the Middle East. Although his focus when founding his company in 2009 was international business, he quickly realized there was a lot of opportunity in North American trucking and intermodal transport. He found the trucking component of his business to be a challenge and began to look for answers. He “Googled” Landstar but initially did not think it was a good match for his company. “I wanted to find synergy with a company that saw value in my expertise in international business,” said Menezes, who changed his mind about Landstar after talking with representatives from Landstar Canada. “I found the model pretty interesting and I realized that these guys could make my life a lot easier on the trucking side. My biggest challenge was finding capacity and, at Landstar, I click a button and there’s capacity.” The “synergy” Menezes found with Landstar since becoming an agent in July of 2013 has really paid off. Three weeks following the aforementioned international move, the same customer contacted Menezes with a “bit of a challenge.” Three large steel structural pieces that would eventually make up a massive fabrication tank for the compressed air power generator needed www.landstar.com to be transported from a factory in Bradford, Ontario, to downtown Toronto. Each of the three pieces measured 17-feet wide. Menezes worked with Landstar’s Heavy/Specialized department to begin devising a plan. The first order of business was finding an owner-operator with the knowledge and experience to handle the super loads. Landstar BCO Greg Olesniewicz was just the man. “The BCO played a very important role in the successful planning and execution of this project,” said Menezes. As he explained, given the complex logistics of bringing massive structures into a downtown environment, the move took a lot of planning between he, Olesniewicz and the Heavy/ Specialized department. Along those lines, Menezes’ talent for creative thinking showed up again during a strategy visit at the fabrication site. Given that it was the width – not the height – of the pieces that were oversized, Menezes proposed stacking two of the steel structures and welding them into a single piece allowing them to be moved in one shipment versus two – saving time and money. His idea worked, saving the customer a significant amount of money. “The move was extremely successful,” he said. As proof, it wasn’t very long before the customer again reached out to the agent. Menezes says he received a call around 4 p.m. one afternoon with a request for an emergency shipment of underwater lift bags – another component of the power generator for the Pan Am Games – going from Rhode Island to Toronto, by the next day. “We did it overnight and got the freight there by 6:15 a.m. the next morning,” said Menezes. “I wanted to find synergy with a company that saw value in my expertise in international business.” 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 27 Landstar Canada Area Sales Manager Carlo Scenna says Menezes’ willingness to take on challenging projects has been beneficial to Landstar, his agency and his customers. “He likes this stuff. He likes to come up with creative solutions to complex situations,” said Scenna, urging more agents to be open-minded “Thinking outside the box can earn you more business, save your customer money and make more for yourself.” and use Landstar’s resources and expertise to unlock more business opportunities. “Don’t shy away from the big, ugly stuff or challenging projects. Thinking outside the box can earn you more business, save your customer money and put more in your own pocket.” Menezes agrees and says his relationship with Landstar is benefitting both parties. “I’m very fortunate that I’m working with a team that is very supportive and very creative so when presented with a challenge, everyone works together to get it done,” said Menezes. “I feel I made the right decision and chose the right place for my business. I’m happy I came aboard and look forward to more growth and success.” Another example of Menezes’ talent for creative thinking: he proposed stacking two of these steel structures and welding them into a single piece allowing them to be moved in one shipment versus two – saving the customer time and money. 28 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 29 on the road W O R D S E A R C H Locate the hidden words from 2015 Appreciation Days page 16 BWYTWNVNTZETACUDEOD YRDGCJACKSONV I LLETE LAUNNAHUNDREDSBAUOT FTWWUFREEDOMZ IHWJFI ASRALFWDJZDNGLNAOYD SDEUEATISIVICONRDKE LNLDCVNTGLLA IUUEDCP PAFI IKIOHEPTAMINNUX ELFEOFHGI PARRFXEMLE LWANMUFURTYEIELSEBO DERCONVERSAT IONSAIV RAUERECORGRNVBTDLNU I TPFNI PTNEMERUCESOL VHKDASWI CONTESTSNTS EEOTNJNJEELCUDONOTA RRIAJITCBMLSEILIMAF SORGAN I ZAT I ONLJRBGE NTBREAKOUTRCAQNNLQT DATADMOCGHABVDUKSDY Annual Appreciation Audience Awareness Bcos Benevolence Breakout Bus Cards Certified Comdata Contests Conversations Difference Drivers Educate Eligible Entertainment Expedited Families Forum Freedom Fuel Fund Gattoni Giveaway Hundreds Jacksonville January Landstar LCAPP Load Lucky Meals National New Organization Raffle Safety Securement Tent Training Transportation Trends Truck Vendors Visit Weather check your answers on page 37 30 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 31 Emerging from the winter months with some exposure on the road parts of the country having recently experienced historic levels of snow, it may be unlikely that concern about the dangers of too much sun and skin cancer is at the top of anyone’s priority list. But as improbable as it may seem for those most severely affected by the winter storms, warm, sunny weather is on the way and the risk of developing skin cancer from overexposure should always be on the minds of those who earn a living behind the wheel. Truthfully, the dangers of exposure to the sun are present any time of year, especially for those who work out in the elements or those who spend a lot of time on the road. According to experts, window glass does not effectively block out the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. These UV rays penetrate through glass and can cause damage to our skin without us even realizing it. Drivers, particularly truck drivers, are subjected to a lot of sun exposure everyday through the windows of their vehicles – primarily on the left side of the face and arm. A study published in the May 2010 edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shows that drivers are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer lesions on the left side of their bodies more often than their right. In the study, researchers examined the medical records of 1,047 people with skin cancer. They found that 52.6 percent of those patients had skin cancer on the left side of their bodies as opposed to 47.4 percent on the right. Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, occurred much more frequently on the left side – 74 percent compared to 26 percent on the right side. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation. It is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancers in over two million people diagnosed annually. According to the Foundation, each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the easiest types of cancer to cure, if diagnosed and treated early. When allowed to progress, however, skin cancer can result in disfigurement and even death. are you protected? 32 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com It’s important for truck drivers and others who travel by car to protect their skin by blocking out the sun’s harmful rays. The first line of defense against skin cancer is daily use of a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Installing protective window film or tinting is also an option, though there are special requirements for truck operators. The tint or film must be in accordance with the FMCSA’s regulations that it does not reduce light by more than 30 percent on the left and right side windows of the truck. The second most common area for skin cancers is the arm, according to the Foundation, so in addition to applying sunscreen, avoid propping your elbow on the open window while you drive. For safety sake, you should keep both arms inside the car and your hands on the wheel; for sun protection, long-sleeve shirts are an option. Ears are another high-risk area for skin cancer, so put on a hat that shades your face, ears and neck. If you wear a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen. And while a hat helps shade your eyes, experts also suggest wearing sunglasses with UV protection as UV rays can also damage the eyes. Follow these suggestions to help prevent overexposure to the sun, see your doctor for an annual skin exam, and the forecast for your health is certainly looking brighter. What to Look For There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Because each have many different appearances, it is important to know the early warning signs. Skin cancers may be painless, but still dangerous. If you notice one or more of the warning signs, see a doctor right away: • A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored • A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that: - changes color or texture - increases in size or thickness or is irregular in outline - is bigger than 6mm or 1/4” – the size of a pencil eraser - appears after age 21 • A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, bleed, or does not heal within three weeks Source: www.skincancer.org 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 33 Transportation management solutions • Air • Ocean • Rail Intermodal • truckload • LTL • Heavy Haul/Specialized • expedited Environmental, Health, Safety & Security Landstar’s environmental, health, safety & security (EHS&S) program is the right thing to do. It enhances the value of the organization to Landstar customers and the environment we operate within through the supportive actions of its agents, employees and capacity providers. Landstar’s commitment is to: • Reducing, and where feasible, eliminating the generation, discharge, disposal or spilling of hazardous materials. • Train its employees in how to conduct their activities in an efficient, responsible manner, consistent with this policy. • Meet or exceed the environmental, health, safety & security requirements of regulatory agencies and strive to meet other requirements as known to Landstar. • Monitor its performance to determine progress toward the achievement of EHS&S program goals and objectives through appropriate measurements and internal audits. in the Spotlight Strong Start for 2015 performance with respect to EHS&S programs. • Promote and communicate its EHS&S programs to Landstar customers, agents, employees and capacity providers. • Encourage its customers, agents and capacity providers to institute sound practices consistent with these objectives. • Work to continuously improve its management practices with respect to EHS&S. Revised: 05/14 Commitment to Quality Landstar’s Commitment to Quality is the cornerstone of the planning process for its Landstar Management System. It is the basis for continuous improvement and to establishing goals and objectives that support the company’s Critical Success Factors, which then flow to all Landstar departments. This commitment starts with executive leadership and flows throughout the entire Landstar organization. Landstar expects to be recognized by its customers as the provider of superior transportation logistics services and transportation management solutions. improvement is encouraged and expected by everyone within the organization. • Involve each Landstar employee and strive to influence the actions of its third-party capacity providers, agents and key vendors in the process. • Conduct regular meetings of management to review performance of the company’s Critical Success Factors, key initiatives and improvement opportunities. Landstar Vice President and Chief Safety & Operations Officer • Conduct regular meetings of management to review Landstar’s pledge is to be a positive influence within the transportation and logistics industry and we accept the responsibility to do so. • Create and maintain an environment in which continuous Joe Beacom • Identify and understand the requirements of its customers and strive to offer innovative solutions to challenges. • Ensure that all Landstar employees fully understand the requirements of their job and the role their job plays within Landstar. • Provide transportation services and transportation management solutions that meet or exceed the requirements of its customers. There are many moving parts in today’s transportation environment that require our collective attention and understanding. The rapid and significant decline in the price of fuel is a welcome sight for average consumers and something truckers need to appreciate when evaluating existing and future load opportunities. As the average cost of diesel fuel has declined from $4 per gallon to $2.92 per gallon, a corresponding decrease in fuel surcharge will not make the load less profitable, yet at first glance one could draw this conclusion. The load search and selection mindset and Load Alert subscription may need to be updated to reflect this change. Generally speaking, absent fuel, the industry revenue per load has remained strong through the first couple months of 2015. During that time, capacity has remained relatively tight. We will have to see whether that dynamic will continue to keep rates healthy for the next several months. It remains to be seen what the longer term impact from reductions in energy exploration and extraction will have on fuel cost, the movement of certain associated commodities and the industry’s platform and tanker truck capacity dedicated to this segment of the economy. West coast port congestion is expected to see relief over time, as workers get back to normal operations. In the near term, the backlog of containers destined for Los Angeles and Long Beach is anticipated to exceed what can move on rail and is expected to find its way to motor carriers, which may include Landstar agents and capacity providers equipped to move containers. One would expect the challenging weather impacting much of the country thus far in 2015 will soon subside. Proper communication and coordination among Landstar capacity providers and agents made the volatility in transit and service to customers manageable. A well-deserved thank you to the truck driving professionals who used sound judgment while working in these less than ideal conditions. Safety must come first. To do anything less is unacceptable to Landstar and its customers. Revised: 02/14 34 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 35 upcoming events March 19: Safety Thursday 25-29: Landstar Annual Convention, Orlando, FL 26-28: MATS, Louisville, KY SAFETY THURSDAY You’re Invited to Participate! 2015 Safety Topics June 18: Safety Thursday April 16: Safety Thursday July July 1-3: BCO All-Star Celebration, Orlando, FL 3-4: Independence Day Observed 16: Safety Thursday May 21: Safety Thursday 25: Memorial Day Observed August 20: Safety Thursday 27-29: GATS, Dallas, TX Landstar’s monthly safety call September 7: Labor Day Holiday 17: Safety Thursday October 15: Safety Thursday November 19: Safety Thursday 26-27: Thanksgiving Holiday Observed December 17: Safety Thursday 24-25: Christmas Holiday Observed Each month, Landstar holds a Safety January Hazardous Materials Responsibility February Managing Cargo Risk March Work Zone Awareness April Speed & Space Management May Sharing the Road July Safe Backing August Managing Breakdowns September Intersection Collision Avoidance October LSO Best Practices November Winter Driving / Skid control Thursday Conference Call and various safety events at agencies and truck stops across the country. Every faction of the Landstar family participates in the monthly safety call – including our President and CEO Jim Gattoni, BCOs, agents, employees, third-party capacity providers, state and federal DOT officials and other interested parties, like Landstar customers. Everyone is invited to participate. Landstar’s Safety Thursday Conference Call is always on the third Thursday of the month at 12 p.m. (noon) ET. On Safety Thursday, June Vehicle Maintenance Best Practices 36 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 December Health & Wellness dial 877-717-5921. www.landstar.com Note: Dates of events are subject to change. Visit www.landstar.com for up-to-the-minute information. On the Road Puzzle Answers - from page 31 BWYTWNVNTZETACUDEOD YRDGCJACKSONV I LL ETE LAUNNAHUNDREDSBAUOT FTWWUFREEDOMZ I HWJF I ASRALFWDJZDNGLNAOYD SDEUEATISIVICONRDKE LNLDCVNTGLLA I UUEDCP PAFI IKIOHEPTAMINNUX ELFEOFHGI PARRFXEMLE LWANMUFURTYE I ELSEBO DERCONVERSAT I ONSAI V RAUERECORGRNVBTDLNU I TPFN I PTNEMERUCESOL VHKDASWI CONTESTSNTS EEOTNJNJEELCUDONOTA RRIAJITCBMLSEILIMAF SORGAN I ZAT I ONL JRBGE NTBREAKOUTRCAQNN LQT DATADMOCGHABVDUKSDY www.landstar.com Advertising Index Southeast Trailer Service............ 2 TA/Petro............................. 5, 29 IOA......................................... 10 Iowa80.com............................ 10 idleAIR.................................... 11 Sprint...................................... 13 Landstar Company Store.......... 23 Speedco.................................. 25 Michelin Tire............................ 30 Randall Reilly.......................... 39 Landstar.................................. 40 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 37 landstars Behind the Scenes Landstar.com has a brand new look thanks in no small part to the willingness of many Landstar BCOs and agents. The familiar faces you see on the site “volunteered” to participate in day-long video and photo shoots. The BCOs who volunteered their trucks and the agents and customers who opened up their businesses to us and some who coerced their families, might not have known exactly what they were in for. “Ok, now smile.”“Look at the camera.”“Don’t look at the camera.”“Great! Now do it again, just once more.” “Can you just drive that route one more time, please.” “Just turn around and drive back the same way you came.” We appreciate the models’ patience with the camera crew, the early mornings, late nights and, in some cases, an uncooperative Mother Nature. THE VOICE OF THE AMERICAN TRUCKER The photographer sat roadside along SR 179 in Sedona, Arizona, waiting for the perfect shot as the truck drove by (again and again and again, and just one more time after that). The photo crew used a drone to get shots of the trucks from the air. Overdrive is the premier magazine for leased owneroperators and independent owner-operators. Get business and equipment features relevant to the owner-operator trucker, as well as trucking news, truck driving jobs and other trucking industry information of interest to the independent contractor delivererd to your tablet, mobile phone, and home. The photo crew put the top down on their rented convertible to get great video shots along side the trucks. 38 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 www.landstar.com www.landstar.com Subscribe for free now at overdriveonline.com/subscribe 2015 Issue 1 | The Road to Success • 39 is your career on the Road to Success? Driven to succeed? SCAN OUR CODE Congratulations! Landstar BCO, David Gray - winner of the 2015 Landstar Deliver to Win New Truck Giveaway Powered by Comdata Left to Right - Comdata Vice President of National Sales Bob Terneus, Landstar President & CEO Jim Gattoni, Landstar BCO David Gray, Comdata Senior Vice President Ethon Stanford and Comdata Director of National Accounts Brad Worley When it comes to driver appreciation Landstar delivers! ✔ ✔ ✔ www.lease2landstar.com 1-800-435-4010 VAN•REEFER•FLATBED•STEPDECK HEAVY/SPECIALIZED•expedited www.facebook.com/LandstarOwnerOperators 40 • The Road to Success | 2015 Issue 1 ✔ ✔ TWO Landstar Truck Giveaways Landstar Appreciation Days with great food, entertainment, prize raffles, truck beauty & driving competitions, plus interaction with senior management and more Safe driving awards and recognition programs ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ BCO All-Star Celebration honoring Million Mile Safe Drivers and Landstar Roadstars ✔ Landstar Safety Meetings with prizes and chances to enter truck giveaway ✔ Landstar Safety Cruises Free lunch during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Comped meals Thanksgiving and Christmas if you’re on the road Landstar Star of Quality recognition for going above and beyond to service a customer, agent, employee or fellow BCO Enduring business relationships with agents, customers and employees High-profile loads and the opportunity to be featured in Landstar publications www.landstar.com