Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/99720
Safety Keeping you safe on the Road ERB International, of New Hamburg, Ontario, received the 2012 Volvo Trucks Safety Award at the ATA Management Conference in Las Vegas. L to R: Mike Cain, vice president of Original Equipment at Michelin; Tom Boehler, director of safety and compliance for Erb International; Wendell Erb, Erb International president and CEO; and Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks Sales and Marketing. Safety Pays for Volvo Trucks Safety Award Winner Erb International Driver's Digest 12 V olvo Trucks celebrated the excellent performance records and safety-first focuses of Erb International, naming them winner of the 2012 Volvo Trucks Safety Award. The company received $25,000 to be used toward their safety-related activities. The fleet was recognized during an awards ceremony at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas. The 2012 Volvo Trucks Safety Award marks the fourth consecutive year Volvo Trucks has recognized the outstanding safety achievements of North American fleets. Michelin America Truck Tires again joined Volvo as a supporting sponsor of the award. "Volvo is synonymous with safety. It permeates our company culture," said Magnus Koeck, Volvo Trucks vice president, marketing and brand management. "Erb International has clearly demonstrated the importance of safety within their organization. We're pleased to acknowledge those commitments and how they translate into safe performance on the road." "ERB International has an outstanding commitment to the safety of their DDQ312.indd 12 employees and others," said Mike Cain, Michelin vice president of Original Equipment. "We're pleased to join Volvo Trucks in recognizing both the safety cultures and excellent performance records of this fleet." In early 2012, Volvo Trucks invited all fleets across the U.S. and Canada with more than five Class 8 trucks to apply for the annual awards. Fleets were ranked by their accident frequency rates, using the U.S. Department of Transportation definition of a "recordable accident," as well as their accident prevention programs. Erb International, Inc. of New Hamburg, Ontario (http://www.erbgroup.com) began as a one-man operation in 1959 and now employs more than 1,200 staff and 140 owner-operators across a network of 10 terminals. Erb International operates more than 240 trucks, and in 2011 recorded an accident frequency rate of just .294 while logging 27,210,747 miles on the road. Erb International focuses on employee training and performance by establishing an employee and driver wellness program, encouraging and supporting driver participation in Truck Driving Championships, offering a driver performance monitoring and incentive program and collecting driver performance data for use in developing driver risk assessment reports. They also stress preventative safety through a hazard prevention program, active communication of safety reminders in all terminal driver's rooms and available driver supervisors and trainers at each terminal. "We are absolutely thrilled to win the Volvo Trucks Safety Award," said Wendell Erb, Erb International president and CEO. "When there is proven technology like Volvo offers that can improve safety for us, we will be right there to add it to the spec of the truck. What we see with Volvo is the safety side of the equipment is definitely an added bonus. Volvo is competitive in everything and at the same time, they are a very safe truck," continued Erb. "I'm just so proud of everyone at Erb International for their achievements," said Tom Boehler, director of safety and compliance for Erb International. "It's the employee's willingness to participate in our programs that makes us a success. Visit http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=rh8Pd-uoaZI&feature=youtu.be to learn more about Erb International's approach to safety. n 12/11/12 1:45 PM