GPT NEWS DRIVING PERFORMANCE Issue 2 GPT News · 2016-08-12 · GPT NEWS DRIVING PERFORMANCE Issue...
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GPT NEWS DRIVING PERFORMANCE Issue 2 GPT News Driving Performance Quarter 2 2016 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY IN THIS ISSUE Find out all about the latest equipment upgrades we’ve made! GPT is implementing a new aerodynamics system, and made a big change with equipment! Page 3 We’ve created a fitness routine just for our drivers! Find out how you can improve your physical wellness in 20 minutes a day! Page 5 State of the Industry by Mike Holland We are finally in the full swing of summer and the miles keep rolling! Great Plains is adding customers, adding trucks, and our lanes and freight are expanding. We are working hard together to grow and improve as a company. As we succeed in bettering our communication, our performance also improves. The state of the industry is still a major topic of discussion. Last quarter the article discussed performance, higher standards, and self-policing. These will continue to be a focus for everyone at GPT, as we must always strive to improve. This must be a collective effort, from Bob’s office to everyone across the company. As the backbone of the American economy, the trucking industry is also an accurate measure of its state. This industry accounts for 70% of the freight shipped in the United States. I believe the industry right now is at a low point. Despite a cautious outlook by some for the rest of 2016, other experts have a more optimistic view of things to come. Freight was harder to find in the first few months of the year and there are many statistics to back this. Many companies struggled to stay afloat. We were successful because our operations team has a great assortment of customers and brokers. They filled the gaps that the slower industry created. Slow or not, we were able to add 10 trucks to the fleet through the second quarter, and turnover has lowered while miles per truck remain steady. We accomplished this because everyone has made a strong effort to improve communication. We also added a rock star recruiter, Kevin. He enjoys speaking with the drivers you refer, so send them his way. Some of you have met him already. If you haven't, you can read about him on page 4. The trucking industry is both unique and challenging. We must always remember that proper communication, a focus on safety, and a positive attitude will win every time! Thank you for all your support. We couldn’t do it without you.
Transcript of GPT NEWS DRIVING PERFORMANCE Issue 2 GPT News · 2016-08-12 · GPT NEWS DRIVING PERFORMANCE Issue...
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE Issue2
GPT News Driving
Performance
Quarter 2 2016
STATEOFTHEINDUSTRY INTHISISSUE
Findoutallaboutthelatestequipmentupgradeswe’vemade!GPTisimplementinganewaerodynamicssystem,andmadeabigchangewithequipment!
Page3
We’vecreatedafitnessroutinejustforourdrivers!Findouthowyoucanimproveyourphysicalwellnessin20minutesaday!
Page5
State of the Industry byMikeHolland
Wearefinallyinthefullswingofsummerandthemileskeeprolling!GreatPlainsisaddingcustomers,addingtrucks,andourlanesandfreightareexpanding.Weareworkinghardtogethertogrowandimproveasacompany.Aswesucceedinbetteringourcommunication,ourperformancealsoimproves.
Thestateoftheindustryisstillamajortopicofdiscussion.Lastquarterthearticlediscussedperformance,higherstandards,andself-policing.ThesewillcontinuetobeafocusforeveryoneatGPT,aswemustalwaysstrivetoimprove.Thismustbeacollectiveeffort,fromBob’sofficetoeveryoneacrossthecompany.
AsthebackboneoftheAmericaneconomy,thetruckingindustryisalsoanaccuratemeasureofitsstate.Thisindustryaccountsfor70%ofthefreightshippedintheUnitedStates.Ibelievetheindustryrightnowisatalowpoint.Despiteacautiousoutlookbysomefortherestof2016,otherexpertshaveamoreoptimisticviewofthingstocome.
Freightwashardertofindinthefirstfewmonthsoftheyearandtherearemany
statisticstobackthis.Manycompaniesstruggledtostayafloat.Weweresuccessfulbecauseouroperationsteamhasagreatassortmentofcustomersandbrokers.Theyfilledthegapsthattheslowerindustrycreated.
Slowornot,wewereabletoadd10truckstothefleetthroughthesecondquarter,andturnoverhasloweredwhilemilespertruckremainsteady.Weaccomplishedthisbecauseeveryonehasmadeastrongefforttoimprovecommunication.
Wealsoaddedarockstarrecruiter,Kevin.Heenjoysspeakingwiththedriversyourefer,sosendthemhisway.Someofyouhavemethimalready.Ifyouhaven't,youcanreadabouthimonpage4.
Thetruckingindustryisbothuniqueandchallenging.Wemustalwaysrememberthatpropercommunication,afocusonsafety,andapositiveattitudewillwineverytime!
Thankyouforallyoursupport.Wecouldn’tdoitwithoutyou.
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE|Issue2 2
FASTFACTS
Driver Spotlight byChristieMoe
8.38mpg
$775/quarter
Fuelmileageisanimportantaspectofthetransportationindustry.Weconsultedwithourmostfuelefficientdriver,BrianDavis,togetsometips.Briandrivestruck6017(a2016Freightliner).Heaveraged8.38mpgfortheentire2ndquarter.Incomparison,theaverageacrosstheGPTfleetis7.15mpg.
Hisnumber1tipistoalwaysbelegalonweights.Makesureyouarescalingeverytimebeforeleavingashipper.Forbestresults,theloadneedsevendistributionaswell.Alwayscheckallyourtiresforproperinflationduringyourpretripinspection.Thecrossfiresshouldalwaysbeintheclear/yellow.
Brianalsorecommendsrunningthetruckat57mphasoftenasyoucan.Irealizethismaysoundcrazy,andyoumaywonderifyoucanmakeanymoneyrunningatthatspeed.I’dsayitdependsonhowmuchtimeyourloadhasandifyouhaveplannedwell.
BrianDavisintruck6017averaged8.38mpgfortheentire2ndquarter.Followhistipstoimproveyourmpg!
AtGPT,wevalueourdriversandappreciatewhattheydotohelpfosterourteamatmosphere.Ourindividualperformanceisanimportantaspectofwhatwedo,butourteamperformanceiswhatmakesourcompanygreat.
JimStovallhasbeenwithGreatPlainssince2010.Heisarealassettousasheisalwaysateamplayer.Therearemanyqualitiesthatmakesomeoneateamplayer.Jimexhibitsallthesequalities.
Heisreliableandcanbecountedontomakeontimedeliveryandpickup.ReliabilitymakesJimaconsistenttopperformeratGPT.Partofhiskeyisconstructivecommunication.Heisclear,direct,honest,andrespectful.Heisanactivelistener.Jimmakestheefforttounderstandandconsiderothers’ideasandpointsofview.
BeingateamplayermeansthatJimisanactiveparticipant.He’sengagedinwhat’sgoingonandtakesinitiative.Healsomakessuretoinformhisteammates.Heisprompt
It’scrucialthatyouuseyourcruisecontrolasoftenaspossible;90%shouldbethegoal.AccordingtoBrian,“nooverspeedoridling…EVER!”
Brianalsosuggeststurningthe“A/Coffwhenclimbinghills,evenonhotdays”.Itmightbeinconvenientanduncomfortable,butusingtheA/Cdoesconsumemorefuel.Theengineworkshardergoinguphill;turningofftheA/Ccancompensateforthat.Andofcourse,youshouldalwayshavethetrailertailsdeployed,andshiftthetruckat1300rpm. ThatisacliffnoteversionofMr.Davis’waystoget8mpg.PleaseletCaseyorBobknowwhenyoutrysomeofthesetipsandhowtheyimproveyourmpg!
FuelBonus:At8mpg,Brianearnstwocentspermileeachquarter;thisisabout$775inhispocketeverythreemonths.
Brianearnsabout$775quarterlyasafuelbonusforrunning8mpg!
tocalldispatchandcommunicateanyissuesorpotentialissues.Heworkswithotherdriversanddispatchtomakeeachloadasuccess.
JimiscommittedtotheGPTteam.Hetakesagenuineinterestinhisteammembers.Whenhe’sattheyard,heofferstotakeothersouttolunchordinner.Healsocaresabouttheworkwedo.Heisalwayspleasantandamiablewithcustomers,shippers,andreceiversbecauseitreflectswellonGPTasawhole.
Animportantpartofbeingateamplayeristreatingothersinarespectfulandsupportivemanner.Jimsupportshisteammatesandtreatseveryonethewayhewantstobetreated.
Jim,wevalueyourgreatattitudeanddedicationtoourteam.Bybeingateamplayer,youhelpourcompanysucceed.ThankyouforallyourhardworkandcongratulationsonearningourDriverSpotlight!
JimhasbeenwithGPTsince2010.Heisthedefinitionofateamplayer.HisamazingteamworkisthereasonhemadeourDriverSpotlightforquarter2!
Good to Know: Fuel Mileage ByMikeHolland
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE|Issue2 3
NEWEQUIPMENT
Recently,wedecidedtoequipourtrucksandtrailerswithThermoKingreefersandAPU's.Severalfactorsdroveourswitch,butthebiggestreasonwasourneedforamorereliableAPU.TherewereseveralrecurringissueswiththeCarrierAPU’s,causingexcessivedowntime.WehadgoodluckwiththeCarrierreeferunits,butwecanstreamlinerepairswithThermoKing.AdriveronlyneedstostopatonelocationforrepairstoboththereeferandAPU.
TheserviceintervalsonourcurrentAPU’sareevery1,000hours.TheTKmodelsonlyneedserviceevery3,000andusea7,500BTUfuelpoweredheater.Thismeansmoreheatinthewinter,andaquietnight’ssleepastheunitdoesnotneedtorunwhileheating.Thestand-aloneheaterreducesidletime,andthusreduceshoursontheunit.Thisextendsthewarrantypackage.Also,mostThermoKingservicelocationsonlyworkonThermoKing’s.ThedriverwillnotneedtowaitbehindmajorenginerepairstohaveaminorAPUorreeferissueresolved.
TheserviceintervalsarealsogreaterontheC-600reefers.1,000hourshasbeenourstandard,buttheC-600intervalis3,000.Thiswillsaveusonservicesanddowntime.AllTKmodelshaveanelectronicfuelpumpthateliminatestheneedforhandprimingifrunoutoffuel.Gotothemenuscreen,scrollthroughtheoptionsandselectthe“primesystem”option.Alsowiththeelectronicfuelpump,theservicetechsnolongerneedtoinstallfullfuelfilters.Theyjustusethesameprimingmethodthedriverscanuseinan
OurtrailerswillnowbeusingtheSmartTrucksysteminsteadoftheoldaerodynamics.AsidefromnewreefersandAPU’s,GPTwillalsobeputtingbiggerlogosonourequipment!
Aerodynamics, Reefers, and APU’s; Oh my! byCaseyMittag
Thermo King Reefers & APU’s ThereareseveraladvantagestothenewThermoKingAPU’sandreefers.ReliabilityoftheAPUandstreamlinedrepairsareamongthetopreasonsGPTchoseThermoKing.
New Aerodynamics Driversdon’thavetoworryaboutdeployingthenewaerodynamics.Thenewsystemisalsonotassusceptibletodamage.
FORMOREINFORMATION
Ournewequipmentshouldprovideamarkedimprovementovertheold.ForspecificinformationonournewequipmentnotcoveredinGPTNews,contact:
out-of-fuelevent.
Asforthenewaerodynamicsystem,webelieveitoffersmanyadvantagesovertheoldsystem.TherearefewerconcernswiththeSmartTrucksystem.Thedrivernolongerneedstocloseordeploythetails;thesystemisalwaysreadytogo.Thereisnoneedtoworryaboutdamagetothetailswhenbackingtoacustomer’sdockorwhileparkedattrucksstops.Also,thedoorswillstayflushtothesideofthetrailerwhenopen.
TheSmartTrucksystemiscomposedofsidefairingsandanundertray.Thesidefairings,mountedattherearofthetrailer,redirecthigh-energyairflow.Theundertrayincreasesairflowthroughtheaxles,coolingthetiresandbrakesandincreasingthelifeofallcomponents.Last,theundertraysdonotshowscrapes,unlikethesideskirts.Theundertrayisdesignedtocrumpleintheeventthatadriverneedstobackintoadeeploadingdock.Thisisolatesanyscrapemarkstotheleadingedgeoftheundertray,hidinganyimperfections.
Somearguethattheskirtandtailsystemsaremorefuelefficient,butsinceit'snotalwaysinuse,itcan'tguaranteeconsistentsavings. TheSmartTrucksystemrequiresnoextraworkonthedriver'spart,andisalwaysfunctioning.Thismakesitamoredependablesystem.
Wehavehighexpectationsforournewequipment.Weoweittoourcustomersanddriverstoofferthebestequipmentintheindustry.Thismindsetwillcontinuetomotivateourmaintenanceteamforyearstocome.
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE|Issue2 4
FORMOREINFORMATION
QuestionsabouttheDriverSafetyIncentiveProgram?Youcancontact:
Safety: Incentive Program bySaraEdmondson
Assomeofyouknow,inlateAprilweaddedanewmembertoourofficeteam.Forthosewhohaven’thadthepleasureyet,meetKevin!So,whoisheandwhatdoeshedo?Inshort,KevinmanagestheHumanResourcesaspectsofGreatPlainsTransport.HeconcentratesonDriverRecruitmentandRetention,butwearsmanydifferenthats.
Whenyoureferotherdrivers,referthemtoKevin.Hewillreviewcandidateapplicationsandmakedecisionsabouthiring.We’restillrunningourreferralbonusprogramthatwelistedinourfirsteditionofGPTNews.SonowwouldbeagreattimetotellyourfriendstocalltheofficeandaskforKevin!Sendasmanydriverstousaspossibleandwewilldothelegworktomakesuretheyareagoodfitforthecompany.Youalldoagreatjobofreferringdriversalready,andwethankyouforthat!Keepupthegoodwork!
Kevinalsofunctionsasadriverliaison.Youcancontacthimifyouhaveconcernsaboutmilesordispatch,orproblemswithpersonnel.Heisagreatlistenerandapro
ProgramWinnersApril2016:TimothyBarrett,MelvinLayton,DavidShort,DuaneChilders
ProgramWinnersMay2016:BurlBachtenkircher,BartCameron,DonMalone,KenParmalee
ProgramWinnersJune2016:AaronGiertz,MichaelHerman,KelvinWhittingham,DavidSpoon
KevinjoinedourteaminApril,2016.Heisournewrecruiter,andalsohandlesHumanResources.
BeginninginApril,weimplementedanewDriverSafetyIncentiveProgram.ThegoalistorewarddriverswhoprovidethesafestenvironmentforthemselvesandothersontheroadwhilerepresentingGPT.
AttheendofeachmonthGreatPlainsTransportwilldrawnames,andthosedriverswillwinthespecifiedprize.Eachmonthwillhaveadifferentprize,increasinginvalue.Foreachmonthadriverremainsinthepool,theirnameisentered1time.Example:IfJohnisasafedriverinJulyanditisnowAugust,hisnameisentered2timesfortheAugustmonthlyreward.IfhecontinuestobesafeinSeptember,he’llhavehisnameputin3timesfortheSeptemberdrawing.Cleanroadsideinspectionswillalsoberewarded.Qualifyingdriverswillhavetheirnameenteredinanextra1timeforeachcleaninspection.
Driverswillbedisqualifiedfortherestoftheprogramifthey:
•Areinvolvedinanypreventableaccident.
•Receiveapreventableviolationontheroad(driver/vehicleinspectionreportviolation,ticket,orwarning).
•Haveamajorhoursofserviceviolation(over1hourinduration).
•Getwrittenupforanyreason.
CongratulationstoallourSafeDriverwinners!Therearedifferentprizesdependingonthemonth.PleaseclaimyourprizewithSaraorChristiewhenyoucometotheyard.Remember,wewilladdyournametothedrawingagainEACHmonththatyoucontinuetobesafeforachancetowinthenextreward!Keepupthegreatwork!
Introducing Kevin byChristieMoe
athelpingfindsolutions,sopleasebringyourconcernstohim.Hewilldohisbesttogetresults.Kevinhasagenuineinterestinwhat’sworking,andwhat’snotworkingoutontheroad.
Sincestartinghere,Kevinhasalsotakenontheresponsibilityofmanagingbenefits.Hecanansweryourquestions,orhelpgetyousignedupforinsurance.WorkingwithourrepresentativefromBlueCrossBlueShield,Kevinmanagesourbenefitspackages.
KevinisalsooneofthemainmonitorsfortheGPTFacebookpage.Heworksextrahardtorespondassoonashecantomessages,andresearchesanswerstoquestions.
Kevin’sofficeislocatedattheendofthehall,nearesttothefrontdoor,inDan’soldoffice.YoucannowfindDaninthelastofficeontheleft,closesttothebackofthebuilding.Youcanemailhimat:
[email protected] orreachhimonhiscell:320-444-7686.
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE|Issue2 5
PROPERFORM
Squats,2minutes:bendatyourhipandpushyourbuttback,squatdownuntilyourhipjointislowerthanyourknees,anddrivethroughyourheelsasyoumoveup.
AlackofexerciseisanissueformostOTRdrivers,andcanleadtoserioushealthconcerns.Obesity,heartdisease,arthritis,bloodclots,anddiabetesareallpreventablewithregularexercise.However,findingtimetoexercisecanbedifficult,andgoingtoagymalmostimpossible.
Withthehelpofsomeofourdrivers,we’vecomeupwitha20-minuteroutinethatyoucandoanywhere,withoutequipment.Makesurethattheareaisclearandsafe!Besuretowearreflective,brightcoloredclothingifexercisinginlowlightconditions!Bemindfulofyoursurroundingsandpotentialhazards.
Youmaywanttouseatimeronyourphonetokeeptrackoftimeforeachexercise.Tostarttheexerciseroutine,alwaysremembertotakeacoupleofminutestostretch,topreventinjury.Afterstretching,startwitheitherajogorrun.Trytomaintainaconsistentpaceasyoujogforabout10minutesstraight.Tokeepyourheartrateup,trynottostoporchangepacewhilejogging.
Next,doasmanysquatsasyoucanin2minutes,whilemaintaininggoodform.Forapropersquat,standwithyourfeetjustwiderthanyourhips.Pointyourtoesoutwardalittle.Lookstraightaheadandputyourarmsstraightoutinfrontofyou.Keepyourspineinaneutralposition;don’troundyourbackoroveraccentuatethenaturalarchofyourback.Yourweightshouldbeontheheelsandtheballsofyourfeet.Now,breathein,bendatyourhipandpushyourbuttback.Keepyourspineneutral,yourchestoutandshouldersup.Squatdownuntilyourhipjointislowerthanyourknees.Keepingeverythingtight,breatheoutanddrivethroughyourheelsasyoumoveup.
Afterthesquats,do2minutesofhighknees.Standstraightwithyourfeethipwidthapart,lookingstraightahead,andarmsdownbyyourside.Whilejogginginplace,liftyourlegsuphigherthannormal,bringingyourkneeasclosetohipheightaspossible.Yourarmsshouldfollowthemotion.Touchthegroundwiththeballsofyourfeet.
Followingthehighknees,do2minutesoflunges.Keepyourupperbodystraight,withyourshouldersbackandchinup(pickapoint
Jumpingjacks,2minutes:standwithyourfeettogetherandyourhandsbyyourside.Jumpyourfeetouttothesideandraiseyourarmsaboveyourhead.Jumpbacktothestartingposition.
tostareatinfrontofyousoyoudon'tkeeplookingdown).Makesuretoengageyourcore.Stepforwardwithoneleg,loweringyourhipsuntilbothkneesarebentatabouta90-degreeangle.Yourloweredkneeshouldnottouchtheground.Risebackintoastandingpositionandrepeat,steppingforwardwiththeoppositeleg.
Onceyou’vecompletedthelunges,followupwith2minutesofbutt-kickers.Forthisexercise,standwithyourlegsshoulder-widthapart.Yourarmsshouldbebentatyoursides.Flextherightkneeandkickyourrightheeluptowardyourglutes.Bringtherightfootbackdown.Astherightlegcomesdown,flexyourleftkneeandkickyourleftfootuptowardyourglutes.Repeatinrapidsuccession.
Finishtheexerciseroutinewith2minutesofjumpingjacks.Standwithyourfeettogetherandyourhandsdownbyyourside.Inonemotionjumpyourfeetouttothesideandraiseyourarmsaboveyourhead.Immediatelyreversethatmotionbyjumpingbacktothestartingposition.
Youcanadjustthisroutinetofityourneeds.Ifneedbe,juststartoutwithjoggingaroundyourtruck.About42lapsaroundyourtruckandtrailermakeupamile.Asyouprogress,youcanaddextradistanceortimetoyourrunandeachofthe5exercisesinthisarticle.Switchuptheexerciseseverynowandthenforbetterweightlossresults.Thisroutineisagreatwaytogetyourheartpumpingandburncalories,butyoucanalsofindotherexercisesonlinethatarejustasbeneficial.Thereareevenvirtualrun/walkcontests.
Cardioexercisehasmanyhealthbenefits.Ithelpsincreasethestrengthofyourheartandlungs,lowerbloodpressure,andincreasegoodHDLcholesterol.ItcanalsoreducelevelsofbadLDLcholesterolandtheriskofosteoporosis.Togetthebestresults,youneedaconsistent20minutesormoreofanelevatedpulse.It’simportanttorealizethoughthatsomethingisbetterthannothing.Even5minutesor10minutesisbetterthansittingstill!
Health and Wellness: Fitness on the Road byChristieMoeandColleenRamsey
Highknees,2minutes:Standwithfeethipwidthapart.jogginginplace,liftyourlegsuphigher.
Lunges,2minutes:stepforwardwithoneleg,loweringyourhipsuntilbothkneesarebentatabouta90-degreeangle.Risebackintoastandingposition.
GPTNEWSDRIVINGPERFORMANCE|Issue2 6
GPT News Driving
Performance
2001stAveSEMapleton,ND58059
