Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/388078
60 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2014 operator, it's a little easier for us than a company who has both," Dye says. Owner-operator David Vandiver of Lindberg, Ohio, says the program's per- fect for him since he does his own main- tenance on his 1997 Kenworth W900, with nearly 2 million miles on it. Dye says the company also pays for mandatory quarterly inspections. "It helps the drivers keep their equipment up," he says. Paramount gives drivers $150 for every clean inspection. The company's "King of the Road" program also rewards drivers every month they don't have an accident. For a driver's fi rst accident-free month, he or she receives a hat, and other gifts are given for every consecutive safe month. After 12 consecutive months, the driver receives a "King of the Road" letterman's jacket, and then patches for it with more consecutive months of accident-free driv- ing. "It's a big pride thing," Dye says. Paramount's emphasis on safety is evi- dent in the recognition it's received from the Ohio Trucking Association, which has awarded the company both the Safe Fleet Award and the President's Award for Overall Fleet Safety three years in a row from 2011 to 2013. On the fl ip side, if a driver has an accident or gets a speeding ticket, he or she completes immediate safety train- ing through an in-cab PC/scanner with a 7-inch screen that runs on Wi-Fi and also enables driver logs and paperwork scanning. Drivers watch the required safety video via the Paramount website in their truck instead of waiting until they're at a computer at home. "It's an immediate remedial training," Dye says. Talking it out Communication with and among drivers also is key to overall satisfaction. Three years ago, Paramount started an owner- operator committee made up of four drivers. The committee meets quarterly, and it releases a newsletter following every meeting to update drivers on what was discussed. The committee members are voted on by all Paramount drivers and receive a one-year term. Every Paramount driver is assigned to a committee member for representation. Dye says the committee is so popular, there's a waiting list to serve on it. The Jeffersonville, Ohio-based company also connects with its drivers through its monthly national conference call, where all drivers can call in and dis- cuss their concerns. "I was a little hesitant to do it at fi rst, but I've been completely shocked by how well it's been received," Dye says. Vandiver says the monthly call is a great way to "work things out." Vandiver says his other favorite things about driving for Paramount are direct deposit, the discounted fuel card, all miles being paid, the discounted parts program and its onboard communications. Para- mount also offers fi nancial and business classes for its owner-operators. Vandiver began working at a fuel sta- tion as a teenager and worked as a welder, fi refi ghter, fuel transporter and machinist before landing in trucking in 1991 with Roadway Express. He became an owner- operator in 2002, and in 2008, the fi rst driver to lease with Paramount. "I told Paramount what I needed, and I eventually got everything I needed," Van- diver says. High on his list was a steady haul, and he now hauls auto parts in a dedicated line. "The fl exibility we offer as a company is key," Dye says. "It gives the guys a lot of freedom to run the way they want to run." By staying with Paramount as it grew, Vandiver has been able to pass on jobs he doesn't want because there are plenty of other accounts and enough drivers to cover them. "Anyone who leases on has a lot of choices," he says. Paramount also can help an owner- operator "with nothing in their pocket" get back on track, Vandiver says, thanks to the fuel card and cash advances for food. "Our 100 percent owner-operator model is built upon bringing in the best possible owner-operators that we can fi nd," Dye says. "We take great pride in providing a safe and rewarding environ- ment for owner-operators. New rules and regulations make it tougher each year for the owner-operator driver, and we strive to fi nd and develop programs that allow them to excel in the organization." CC J I N N O VATO R S profi les carriers and fl eets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking's challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact Jeff Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com or 800-633-5953. Paramount Freight Systems director Trent Dye accepts the Best Fleets to Drive For award in the owner-operator category at the Truckload Carriers Association's annual convention in March in Grapevine, Texas. Paramount owner-operator David Vandiver enjoys strong company dis- counts on parts since he does his own repairs on his Kenworth W900, which has nearly 2 million miles.