Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/573961
52 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2015 is download the Freymiller Radio app on their mobile device and play it right over the truck's radio," says Freymiller. "Drivers don't have to pay $15 per month for a subscrip- tion, and they can easily take the app from truck to truck without having to set up an account. Whenever they want, they have access to country music playing 24/7 with a trucker theme behind it." The company uses the Freymiller Radio station to recognize employees for safe driving awards, even bring- ing employees into the studio to congratulate them live on the air. Getting the word out While the genesis of Freymiller Radio was to create another way for Freymiller to stay in touch with its company drivers, the station quickly evolved into an industrywide effort that creates two-way communication to encourage trucking professionals to stay in touch and be heard. "We want to salute all drivers on the highway, not just Freymiller drivers," says Freymiller. To get the word out about Freymiller Radio, the company has added signage to the back of its trailer fleet inviting other drivers to download the app and tune into the station. The company pushes Freymiller Radio out on its Facebook page and Twitter account, and also will set up remote live broadcasts at truckstops across the Midwest to engage with drivers personally on the road. Last month, the station broadcast live from the show floor at the Great American Trucking Show, owned by CCJ's parent company, Randall- Reilly. "We recently had country music legend Mickey Gilley come into our studio for three hours," says Freymiller. "He has a huge fan base, and he put the word out on his Facebook account. Every month, our number of listeners is steadily growing." Freymiller also is getting the word out to its shippers and receivers so they can hear the message the company is relaying to its drivers on the importance of their role in the nation's supply chain. "We want the general public to hear this as well, because you don't have to be a driver to listen to our radio," says Freymiller. "We are try- ing to put the awareness out there about trucking's essential role in our economy." Going the extra mile With a fleet of more than 500 driv- ers, communication between corpo- rate headquarters and employees can be a challenge, especially with assets spread across 48 states. Freymiller Radio is just the latest example of the lengths Freymiller executives go in order to create a family environ- ment, no matter how widespread. The company promotes a true open-door philosophy, allowing drivers to enter any part of the cor- porate offices and any department. "It takes everyone in the company to create that family environment," says Freymiller. "It's not just driver managers or people within our op- erations department." Freymiller and his four children who work at the company routinely visit with company drivers at lunch to listen to their concerns. "You wouldn't believe when you just go in and sit down and start a conversation with them the great things you'll see and learn from your drivers," he says. When a driver comes on board with Freymiller, the company pays for their airfare to come into its office for orientation rather than bringing them in on a bus. "We want to appreciate these drivers and make life easier for them every step we can," says Freymiller. If a driver voluntarily leaves the company, Freymiller will fly them back home. "Their life is hard enough out there on the highways," says Freymiller. "If I wouldn't take the bus, then why should I put a driver on a bus? I'm not satisfied with our driver turnover rate, but ours is well below the industry average because of things like this." CC J I N N O VATO R S pro les carriers and eets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking's challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact Je Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com or 800-633-5953. Freymiller Radio broadcasts ve days a week from a studio the company built at its Oklahoma City headquarters.