If you ask Michelle “Shelley” Koch, president of K&J Trucking Inc., to describe the most pressing issues she sees as a challenge for her company, the answer comes swiftly and directly. “It’s one 100% about drivers,” she says. “We can work within any regulation and any industry issue that arises. The only real ongoing problem the trucking industry faces is attracting, training and keeping good drivers.”

Founded in 1979, Sioux Falls, S.D.-based K&J Trucking provides 48-state refrigerated service from facilities in South Dakota and Oklahoma. The carrier mainly hauls fresh and frozen meat products, as well as ice cream and produce.

K&J Trucking Tractor Specifications Model: Kenworth T660; 72-in. Aerodyne AeroCab sleeper Wheelbase: 230 in. Engine: Cummins ISX15; 485 HP Clutch: Eaton Easy Pedal Transmission: Fuller 13-speed Front Axle: Dana Spicer Power Steering: TRW TAS65 Rear Axle: Dana, tandem; 3.42 ratio Rear Suspension: Kenworth Air Glide Hubs: Dana LMS Brakes: Bendix Spicer RSD ES ABS: Bendix Wheels: Alcoa Tires: 275/80R22.5 Michelin XZA3+ steer; 295/75R22.5 Bridgestone M720FE drive 5th Wheel: SAF-Holland, air slide Air Compressor: Cummins 18.7 CFM Air Dryer: Bendix AD-IS, heated Fan Clutch: Borg Warner Fuel/Water Separator: Davco FuelPro, heated Batteries: (4) PACCAR 2800 CCA Starter: PACCAR Alternator: Bosch 160 amp Block Heater: Immersion, 1500 watt Fuel Tank Heater: Arctic Fox Mirrors: motorized, heated Lighting: Truck-Lite Seats: Sears Atlas Series Fuel Tanks: dual aluminum, 120-gal.

“All of our loads are time and temperature sensitive,” Koch states. “For example, we haul meat from the Midwest to West Coast ports for export. If we miss a delivery window at the ship, it can cost us over $25,000 to have that freight shipped by air to its destination. Driver satisfaction and equipment reliability are absolutely essential to our success.”

Koch goes on to relate that the top consideration when specifications for K&J Trucking’s fleet are being written is drivers. “We spec a better than average fleet truck, what some would call an owner-operator rig,” she says. “We try to give drivers what they want, within reason. For example, we have some drivers who have been here for 10 or more years, so we are happy to supply them with extra large sleepers. Also, we add Espar Airtronic bunk heaters to our tractors, and we spec convenience items like refrigerators.”

Investing in technology
K&J Trucking, Koch notes, is both small enough to provide vehicles specified to help gain driver acceptance, and large enough to invest in advanced technology that it believes will enhance customer service and the efficiency and productivity of its operation. About one year ago, the company selected the R:COM Fleet Management solution from Blue Tree Systems to meet customer needs for better visibility into loads and to provide food safety data that is increasingly required to meet safe handling regulations.
“We chose Blue Tree’s R:COM solution initially for location tracking and temperature management in transit,” Koch says. “One of our goals was to get ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest food safety regulations our customers are facing.”

The R:COM solution provides K&J Trucking with accurate up-to-the-minute temperature data through direct connections to trailers’ refrigeration units. The live information and alarm notifications also are enabled to alert the fleet’s managers via text message if a problem arises after hours. Historical temperature data also is available to customers and food safety agencies.

While K&J Trucking is using Blue Tree System’s trailer tracking and temperature management features to enhance customer service, the carrier is finding that the systems lower its refrigeration unit fuel costs. “We’re seeing refrigeration unit fuel use drop,” Koch states. “Our fuel costs are down enough that we expect the systems to pay for themselves within a year.”

Fuel savings
The largest source of refrigeration unit fuel cost savings for K&J Trucking is the ability to monitor and shut down refrigeration units when trailer doors are open. “A pre-cooled trailer that is unloaded quickly actually holds its temperature more efficiently, especially on multi-stop loads, because a running refrigeration unit pulls in warm air,” Koch explains. “R:COM data confirms that this practice protects loads, so even skeptical customers have been impressed with the Blue Tree technology.”

K&J Trucking’s maintenance technicians have been outfitting its trailers with the Blue Tree R:COM solution since June 2012. Based on the carrier’s three- to four-year trade cycle for trailers, the entire fleet will be fitted with R:COM systems within two years, although Koch says the savings from lower fuel use may lead to retrofitting existing trailers sooner.

The K&J Trucking fleet currently includes 165 refrigerated trailers, split evenly between Great Dane and Utility models. Until this year, the fleet has been equipped with Thermo King refrigeration units, but new trailers are being specified with Carrier units, as well.

“We’ve had good experience with both makes of refrigeration units over the years,” Koch says. “However, changes in our customer base put our equipment on different lanes, so we opted to make some changes to be sure we can access dealer networks wherever our vehicles are operating.”

K&J Trucking Trailer Specifications Model: Utility VS2RA Length: 53 ft. Refrigeration Unit: Thermo King; Carrier Landing Gear: SAF-Holland Atlas 65 Axles/Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT; air, sliding; Quik Draw slider pin release Oil Seals: National Air System: Haldex Anchorlok chambers; Phillips Qwik-E gladhands Brakes: Hendrickson ABS: Meritor WABCO Automatic Slack Adjusters: Haldex Tires: 295/75R22.5 Bridgestone Ecopia Wheels: Accuride steel disc TPMS: MTIS with ThermAlert Anti Dock Walk: Hendrickson Surelok Lighting & Electrical: Grote, LED

Choosing tractors
Tractors in the K&J Trucking fleet include between 18 and 25 company-owned units and 25 vehicles that are leased. The carrier also utilizes the services of about 100 owner-operators. Company tractors are primarily Kenworth T660 models with Cummins engines, along with a few Freightliner Cascadias fitted with Detroit DD15 powerplants.

“Our tractor choices, after considering drivers, are based on how efficient they are to own and operate,” Koch relates. “Also, with trade cycles of three to five years or 400,000 to 500,000 miles, we are always looking closely at resale values. Almost everything we operate is under warranty, so our own shop mainly handles preventive maintenance. For warranty work we use dealers, and for road calls we access manufacturer help lines.

“First and foremost, we are accountable to our customers,” Koch adds. “Service is always our number one priority, from their first contact to the delivery of their load. To accomplish that goal, and avoid problems before they happen, we continue to focus on people and on the equipment we need to get the job done.”