Nussbaum, Prime Named Best Overall in TCA’s Best Fleets to Drive For

TruckingInfo.com

Mar 13, 2019

Nussbaum Transportation and Prime Inc., were named the Best Overall Fleet in their respective categories in the Truckload Carriers Associations’ 2019 Best Fleets to Drive For Contest.   Hudson, Illinois-based Nussbaum took top honors in the small carrier category and Springfield, Missouri-based Prime received the honor for the large carrier category. Prime and Nussbaum have both been named to the Best Fleets Top 20 multiple times, but are winning the overall award for the first time.   Nussbaum operates a fleet of 400 tractors, combining both high- and low-tech solutions to create a balance across its programs. The company scored high in several categories including having an industry leading scorecard and mobile app, a simple, effective driver outreach schedule and a formal career path and certification program.   Prime’s fleet includes 7,200 tractors, but was noted for maintaining a personal touch despite it’s size. The company hosts a variety of committees, social groups and educational offerings, providing contractors with a range of options for personal and professional development. New for this year, the company implemented a new program in partnership with Missouri Good Dads, to help drivers build and strengthen family connections while away on the road.   Both companies were also noted for their safety and retention numbers as well as satisfaction scores well above 90%.   “For several years, these fleets have been catching our eye with their range of creative programs,” said Jane Jazrawy, CarriersEdge chief executive officer. “Each year they continue to expand on those offerings, so it’s easy to see why their drivers speak so highly of them, and why they’re achieving such stellar results.”   Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey, now in its 11th year, that recognizes North American for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experience for their drivers. To participate, fleets must be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor working with them, after which they are evaluated across a broad range of categories reflecting current best practices in human resources.   From the nominated fleets, the top 20 finishers are identified as the Best Fleets to Drive For and are then categorized according to size. The highest scoring fleet in each category is named the overall winner.   The Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest is open to any fleet operating 10 or more trucks, regardless of TCA membership status. Nominated fleets are evaluated in areas such as: Driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record. The award is offered in partnership with CarriersEdge and is co-sponsored by DMC Insurance and EpicVue.   “Year after year, the overall winners are truly changing the game,” said John Lyboldt, TCA president. “It’s imperative that fleets establish driver-centric offerings which attract and retain a skilled workforce, while establishing programs that improve the work-life balance for their employees. Prime Inc. and Nussbaum Transportation have done just that. Congratulations to both winners on this well-deserved honor.”       https://www.truckinginfo.com/326830/nussbaum-prime-named-best-overall-in-tcas-best-fleets-to-drive-for

The new EpicVue+ includes live and on-demand TV, a fleet-centric channel, and more ways to educate and engage with drivers while on the road.

  In-cab trucking entertainment and communications provider EpicVue unveiled a new platform that combines DirecTV with fleet communications and driver training solutions—without the need for satellite hardware installation.   The new EpicVue+ was announced here at the Truckload Carriers Association’s annual conference at the Gaylord Palms Resort outside Orlando. EpicVue+ delivers DirecTV’s live and on-demand premium content, a dedicated fleet channel, and includes an interactive training platform that can be branded by carriers to provide exclusive content to their drivers.   See also: Making drivers feel at home on the road  

“With EpicVue+, our popular EpicVue experience has evolved, eliminating expensive hardware and lengthy contracts—and includes far more than just TV,” said Lance Platt, EpicVue CEO. “Our revolutionary new platform, designed specifically for truck fleets, is unlike any other available to the industry because it lets drivers enjoy the comforts of home entertainment while also keeping them connected with their carrier.”

 

Platt said that EpicVue+ is easy to install in tractors. He added that the solution promotes “job satisfaction and stronger employee connections while enhancing their ability to attract and retain drivers through entertainment, education, and engagement.”

 

Previous EpicVue on-the-road entertainment offerings required a satellite system to be installed on the back of cabs and a five-year commitment from fleets, Platt told FleetOwner. The new version relies on internet connections through mobile, WiFi, or broadband and a less-expensive system that connects to in-cab TVs.

 

As a bonus, Platt noted, drivers don't even need to set a DVR to make sure they don't miss their favorite shows. "Instead of forcing drivers to think about what they are going to record, we provide 100 channels of content," Platt explained. "We record every one of them for them. So now they can stop at any time and  go back and watch that game or that news event or whatever it is. And they don't ever have to worry about missing something because they were doing their job."

 

What EpicVue+ offers fleets and drivers

Platt broke down more details on EpicVue+ offerings:

 

Entertainment: EpicVue+ allows drivers to watch TV in their trucks with more than 100 channels of live programming from DirecTV’s Advanced Entertainment Platform with premium content from networks such as Showtime and Music Choice and a library of on-demand content. Drivers also can watch content on-demand, so they won’t miss their favorite shows because EpicVue automatically records every channel it offers.

 

Education: EpicVue+ provides a portal dedicated to training and education to help implement best practices and reinforce compliance. Fleet operators can easily manage content distribution or enable access to online driver training from partners such as CarriersEdge.

 

Engage: EpicVue+ includes a custom home screen branded for each carrier and a dedicated fleet channel to distribute company announcements and fleet news, promote incentives to reward drivers for performance, and acknowledge standout employees.

 

EpicVue+ can be self-installed, but the company also offers professional installation options. EpicVue also handles technical problems. The system and service are available without a term commitment and on a per-truck rate.

 

Platt said he’s most excited about the dedicated fleet channel on the EpicVue+ service. “The ability to engage drivers and showcase your company culture is invaluable, and it’s something we have been working on at the request of our customers,” he said. “We’ve been dedicated to the process of putting this package together, so needless to say, it's with great pride that we are able to finally offer it.”