Nothing says more about a fleet’s management practices than recognition by its employees. Nominated by company drivers and owner-operators, regional truckload carrier Best Cartage was named a 2012 winner in the Best Fleets to Drive For contest by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).

“This award attests to our excellence in creating the best workplace for our drivers,” says Richard Hepler, manager of HR and safety. “Compensation, benefits, safety records, turnover, career paths, training programs, commitment to improvement, and driver satisfaction are all weighed in the selection process. In addition, we feel that staying connected with drivers when they’re on the road is a very important factor in engaging and retaining our drivers.”

Founded in 1982 with one truck, Best Cartage is part of a group of transportation, logistics and fulfillment and distribution companies that operate 270 tractors. Kernersville, N.C.-based Best Cartage offers services along the East Coast with a concentration in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Tennessee, as well as local truckload service in its home state.

Other companies in the transportation operation include Best Dedicated, which develops and manages private fleets for customers in North America, and Best Specialized, a hauler of oversized loads east of the Mississippi River and in Texas. Collectively, the fleets haul more than 50,000 loads each year.

Filling the gap
“It’s easy for drivers to feel disconnected when they’re on the road,” Hepler states, “so we’re using onboard computing and mobile communications systems to fill the gap. This not only improves the quality of life for our drivers, electronic communications also make our operations more efficient. The exchange of information is handled electronically much more quickly, so the efficiency gains are spread throughout our organization.”

The need for more timely, better formatted reporting to make better management decisions that drive productivity gains—and a cell phone ban that limits communication with drivers—led Best Cartage to adopt PeopleNet BLU in-cab computers.

PeopleNet’s automated reports present data in a meaningful format, Hepler notes. “With current information we can counsel drivers about possible behaviors that undermine fuel efficiency and safety,” he says. “We used to spend several days each month manually pulling data and compiling reports for drivers and driver managers for each of our three different fleets. We now get weekly reports directly from PeopleNet, so we can spot trends earlier and be aggressive in heading off issues. For example, driver scorecards paint pictures about sudden changes in driving behaviors and vehicle performance.”

Warding off repairs
“If a driver’s behaviors are consistent but fuel efficiency has dropped, we know to check the vehicle,” says Stacy Earnhardt, maintenance manager. “In addition, the system’s Fault Code reporting is helping ward off costly major repairs. We treat an exception alert as a heads-up to take a closer look at a potential mechanical issue before it turns our delivery schedule upside down. Fault Code reporting also makes drivers feel more secure about the appearance of a check engine light. They know we’ve received the alarm and will be letting them know what’s going on or advising them as to what they should do.

“On our newest Freightliners,” Earnhardt adds, “we’re testing Daimler Trucks North America’s Virtual Technician to see if it will provide any added benefits.” The real time remote diagnostic system is available on Freightliner trucks with Detroit Diesel engine designed with BlueTec emissions systems.

Tractors in the Best fleets are serviced in two company facilities, one in Kernersville, N.C., and another in South Point, Ohio, which is where the Best Specialized fleet is based. The staff handles most non-warranty repairs, while Freightliner and Detroit Diesel networks are used for warranty issues. Any breakdowns are handled in-house or by preferred vendors, depending on the vehicle’s location.

The maintenance program at Best is similar for all three fleets. A basic inspection, lubrication and filter change takes place every 25,000 miles, while a synthetic blend of motor oil allows the company to extend drain intervals to 50,000 miles. Trailers are serviced on a variety of schedules ranging from 30 days to six months, depending on their duty cycle.

Best Cartage tractor specs Model: Freightliner Cascadia Wheelbase: 234 in. Engine: Detroit Diesel DD15, 455 HP Multi Torque Clutch: ZF Sachs Twin Extend Transmission: Eaton Fuller FRO16210C Driveshafts: Meritor Front Axle: Alliance Power Steering: Sheppard Rear Axle: Alliance Rear Suspension: Freightliner Airliner Wheel Seals: Scotseal Plus Brakes: Meritor Q Plus ABS: Meritor WABCO 6S/4M Automatic Slack Adjusters: Meritor Parking Brakes: Haldex Goldseal Longstroke Wheels: Alcoa Tires: Michelin XZA3 Plus and XDA Energy steer; X One drive 5th Wheel: SAF Holland Air Compressor: Bendix 19 CFM Air Dryer: Meritor WABCO SS1200 Plus Fan Clutch: Horton DriveMaster Batteries: (4) Alliance Group 31 Starter: Delco 39MT Alternator: Delco 36SI Lighting: LED Fuel Tanks: dual 100-gal.; 23 gal. DEF

“We track all service and repairs in TMT Fleet Maintenance software from TMW Systems so we can monitor costs,” Earnhardt says. “That information is also used when we make new equipment purchases, along with considering our customers’ needs, and the support we receive from manufacturers. Maintaining vendor and dealer relationships is a huge necessity in our industry. We need them on our side, so when we have any issues we know they will be there to support the fleet, train our technicians and assist in keeping our equipment running.”

Determining needs
Safety also is a focus of Best’s equipment specifications. The company is currently using roll stability systems on tractors and is evaluating a lane departure warning system, as well as looking at other collision avoidance technologies. “Cost justification is much more difficult with these systems,” Earnhardt says. “It’s not a simple cost-per-mile comparison. We hope we don’t hear of a situation where a driver knows the system prevented an accident, but we have to look at our history of accidents and what they cost to determine the need for a new system to be put in place.”

Most of Best’s tractors are now running on wide-base single drive tires, while fuel-efficient radials are spec’d on steer and trailer axles. “Along with our tire supplier, we track improvements or losses in MPG,” Earnhardt relates. “We’re also beginning to test a few trailer tire pressure monitoring systems to see if they will help improve fuel efficiency and extend tread life.”

Best Cartage trailer specs Models: Wabash, Great Dane, Hyundai dry vans Length: 53 ft. Landing Gear: Jost Axles & Suspension: Hendrickson Oil Seals: National Brakes: Meritor Q Plus; Abex linings ABS: Meritor WABCO Slack Adjusters: Haldex Tires: Michelin XT-1 Lighting & Electrical: Truck-Lite LED

Best Cartage also is investigating in-cab navigation and electronic driver vehicle inspection reporting systems, and its drivers are beginning to use eDriver Logs on the PeopleNet system to more efficiently track hours-of-service and comply with regulations. PeopleNet’s Fleet Manager is in place, as well, to give customers online access to real-time updates.

“Prospective and current customers like getting information without having to talk to anyone,” Richard Hepler says. “It’s all about productivity. How successful we’ve been in managing our own fleet is what gives us the credibility we need to assure them we have the right fleet management tools, skills and talent. We’ve grown our business because we provide the right solutions for customers and because we have the right solutions for our business.”