Perkins Logistics News

Perkins Community Involvement

2011-08-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that Perkins participated in the Hamilton Town Center's Touch-A-Truck event this past Saturday. There were many children and their parents that attended the 3 hour event and it looked like everyone had a great time even though it was hot. There were several companies represented there but I can honestly say Dick McCorckle's freight liner and our recruiting trailer looked great and were very popular with the kids as well as the adults. The Noblesville Fire and Police Departments also had vehicles there. There was face painting and a coloring contest along with "Radio Disney" as well as the kids getting to be able to get in the trucks and look around, and yes they blew their big air horns repetitively!!

- Kevin Anderson, Director Of Safety at Perkins Specialized Transportation

Demand for more Drivers!

2010-07-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

A state of logistics report put out by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals on June 9, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. had some good news for the unemployed this week: "the U.S. trucking industry will need to hire about 200,000 truck drivers by the end of 2010, and will need to add another 200,000 drivers by the end of next year." *
Thanks to a recent upswing in the economy in the past few months, there has been a reduction in the number of applicants and a smaller work-force pool to choose from, which has led to the demand for more drivers. Wilson's report, "The Great Freight Recession" said: "the economy is showing stronger signs of recovery as we move into the second half of 2010." Wilson also pointed out that following a recession, growth in the freight industry goes up by about 10 percent.*
As of now, the demand for truckers is there and will continue to be for the next one to two years -- at least until these 400,000 positions are filled with the economy driving the demand. "How much of a driver shortage we have will depend on how much the economy picks up," Wilson says*
Perkins is seeing these same indications as our customers across the country continue to have increased volumes weekly. We entered our “busy season” about 60 days earlier than in previous years. This supports all the reports that we see about our industry and we project a very busy summer for our drivers!

*Information obtained from article posted on aol.com by Gwen Parks

Electronic Hours of Service!

2010-05-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

Perkins Specialized will be taking implementing Qualcomm's "Hours of Service" next month! This will help our transportation software better understand the best possible match of driver and load based upon the driver's available hours and the time restrictions on available freight booked!

By leveraging "Hours of Service" we plan to also maintain regulatory compliance and reduce potential violations that occur with today's "Paper Logs". No more losing paper logs, no more using a ruler to create straight lines! We will also be installing the EOBR sticker on our trucks which will help during roadside inspections! We will be able to hand the QualComm unit over to the official or even fax the logs to their office if necessary!

Welcome to 2010!

2010-01-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

As a result of in an in depth analysis of our operational procedures and running lanes, numerous changes have been, and will continue to be, implemented to improve our efficiency. These changes will also result in better utilization and more efficiency for our contractors as well as reduce contractor operating cost.

New target goals have been put in place with regard to empty miles vs loaded miles which will significantly reduce empty miles. Shipper and consignee points have been reviewed and lanes that have shown to be inefficient or unprofitable are being revisited by the sales team to get increases in rates or are being eliminated.

The goal is to right size the fleet with the best contractors and match them up with the best loads possible to maximize profitability for Perkins and our contractors.

Thank you!

2009-12-15T11:48:00.001-08:00

Perkins would like to thank our Customers for their business and support throughout this very challenging year. In 2009, we witnessed many changes in our business, your business and the many industries we serve. These changes challenged us all to “think outside the box” for ways to improve service, reduce expenses, yet remain profitable. We have weaved our way through multiple obstacles and have become more innovative and lean in an effort to stay competitive and bring value to your logistics network. Though these changes were necessary and at times painful, we remain committed to provide the service you and your customers have come to expect from Perkins.
Thank you again for your continued support and we would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Looking Bright for the New Year!

2009-12-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Perkins has been awarded a sizable roll out for Dicks Sporting goods 156 loads this is for store remodels starting the first week of January. This along with many other upticks in store fixtures accounts is a good indication that things are looking up. Between the new business that we have and the roll outs that we have been awarded 2010 looks to be a promising new year! We look forward to all new adventures and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010!

Perkins Drivers Prepare for Winter Driving!

2009-12-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

At Perkins, we have begun preparing for safe winter driving by following these 10 simple rules:

1. Radiators require proper winter coolant. Also, make sure there are no leaks.
2. Tires need to have good tread depth. Balding tires reduce starting traction by 30 - 50%.
3. Wiper blades must be in good condition to sweep snow and sleet off the windshield. If new blades are installed, check the arm pressure to ensure effective operation.
4. Heater and defroster, when functioning at their full capacity, will keep your windshield clear and you and your passengers warm.
5. Lights are particularly important in winter weather to ensure that you are clearly visible to other drivers. Be sure both headlights work on upper and lower beams, and are correctly adjusted. Check that stop, tail, clearance lights and directional signals work properly
and are clean.
6. Brakes need to be in top condition to provide uniform braking.
7. Muffler and exhaust system should be in good condition and tightly fitted so carbon monoxide does not seep into the interior of the vehicle where it could cause serious illness or death to the
driver or occupants.
8. Battery – cold weather lowers battery power – make sure yours is in good condition, and in case it is necessary, know the proper procedure for using a booster battery.
9. Fifth Wheel Lubrication – for tractor-trailer combinations, make sure a winter grade of lubricant is used on the fifth wheel. Some heavy summer grades of lubricant at low temperatures become too heavy and interfere with steering on slippery surfaces.
10. Windows and mirrors – windows should be cleaned to ensure good visibility. Mirrors also should be kept adjusted and clean for good visibility to the rear.

DOT To Rewrite Rules On Trucker Driving Hours

2009-11-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

After more than nine years of rule making and lawsuits, the Obama Administration has agreed to settle the long-standing legal dispute with safety groups and the Teamsters union over the truck driver hours of service (HOS) rules. Under the terms of the agreement, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will have nine months from the settlement date (October 26, 2009) to forward a Notice of Proposed Rule Making to OMB and 21 months to publish a final rule. The current rules will remain in place while the rule making is pending. The settlement reserves the right of the petitioners to go back to court if they don't like the resulting proposal.

In 2003 the HOS rules were revised to permit 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour period from the time a driver begins work, after the driver has been off-duty for a period of at least 10 consecutive hours. Under the 2003 rules, (which were re-issued in a 2005 rule making following the first legal challenge) a driver is limited to 60 hours on duty in a seven consecutive day period. AGC was successful in getting a provision in law, that was included in the 2003/2005 rules, permitting a construction driver to "restart" the weekly "clock" at any time after he or she has been off-duty at least 24 hours consecutively. The hours of service rule has been challenged in court numerous times by safety advocacy groups and the Teamsters Union. In July 2007, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that FMCSA did not follow proper procedural in drafting the rule but did not rule on the substantive merits of the rule itself.

In late 2008, FMCSA issued a final rule retaining the provisions of the 2003/2005 rule, which was again challenged leading to this latest action.

Voting Machine Project

2009-10-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

Perkins was awarded a 6 figure logistics project by the Marion County Board of Elections to deliver 1300 voting machines and related equipment to 336 sites requiring timed appointments, inside placement, and machine specific deliveries. Other contract requirements included:
· A three day delivery window
· Authorized personnel at destination for chain of custody receipts
· 24 x 7 on call personnel during the 48 hours leading up to and including election day
· On site personnel with equipment throughout the entire 24 hour election day for any emergency equipment replacements
· Strict chain of custody procedures for election results
· Retrieval and inventory of all machines and accompanying equipment
· Fixed price bid

Another successful logistics project completed on time and on budget by Perkins Logistics LLC.

Blanket Wrap Equipment Tracking

2009-10-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

Perkins Specialized has just implemented an electronic means of tracking our “Blanket Wrap Equipment”!

We always knew what each trailer had for equipment, but it took a lot of time to maintain.
Now, our drivers now can utilize our new QUALCOMM macro and input the amount of pads, straps, bars and sheets of plywood and press Send! Those values then are automatically inserted into the specific trailer’s record, (within TMW, our TMS program) for our management team to report upon!

We didn't stop there, we went another step, and implemented a map, (of the US) that displays the trailer’s position and their specific “Trailer Equipment” values for quick and easy recognition! Now if a manager needs equipment, they go to the map and can easily search for the closest trailer with the proper “Blanket Wrap Equipment” that they need!

Exceptional Times call for Exceptional Measures

2009-09-30T04:24:00.000-07:00

Over the past month, Perkins has embraced this thinking, by making exceptional changes in how we operate.

Perkins recently implemented the Driver Stimulus Plan for all Lease and Lease Purchase drivers. The plan calls for the weekly truck payments of Van drivers to be reduced by $150/wk to stimulate driver cash flow. For FB drivers the truck payment is two-tiered. Through the end of October, the truck payment is reduced by 100/wk, then beginning in November through April, the truck payment is reduced by $200/wk. Drivers have the option to keep the reduced payment schedule in place permanently or they may choose to go back to the original payment amount at some point in the future.

Additionally, changes are being made in the office, in an effort to make us more efficient in all aspects of our business. One of the more exciting changes takes advantage of technology. Driver Managers will be issued Blackberry phones and laptops so that they can manage their drivers even when not in the office, if needed. This will improve communication between the driver and their driver manager dramatically after normal business hours, if the situation requires it.

“Surviving Economic Crisis”

It has been a long road in our fight to survive this recession and we want to thank all of our Contractors for hanging in there and fighting side by side with Perkins. Perkins has signed many new contracts over the last few months resulting an additional 700-800 loads and higher rates. With the new business and the rate increases in existing business our contractors should see their revenue per mile increase over the next few months. This is exciting and great news for us all as we pull ourselves out of this economic crisis we have been in for well over a year.

Thank you to our contractors and customers for riding the storm out with Perkins.

New Heavy Haul Operation!

2009-09-14T04:24:00.000-07:00

Perkins Logistics LLC is pleased to announce the expansion of their heavy haul operation by adding 13 axle specialized trailers designed specifically for power generation, wind energy, earth moving, and a variety of over dimensional and heavy equipment applications. With this specialized equipment comes an entire back up infrastructure of knowledgeable personnel and procedures that have years of experience in handling products requiring:

A very detailed loading and weight distribution analysis.

A coordination with federal, state, and local officials for transporting these loads using the nation’s highways.

Experienced personnel to ensure proper permitting and escort services.

Appropriate security measures for sensitive cargo.

For assistance with planning an over-dimensional/heavy haul load call Perkins Logistics at 1-800-428-3762.

Perkins Specialized now utilizes “Geofencing”

2009-08-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

In an effort to make our drivers more efficient, Perkins Specialized installed TMW’s Auto Arrive/Depart module which is based upon GPS Geofencing. The definition of Geofencing is the practice of using GPS information from a device and comparing it against certain geographic information. By comparing the 2 pieces of information you can determine if that device, (tractor in our case) is within a specific geographic location or not, then automating certain tasks based upon the returned results.
By installing this program, a driver only has to send ½ of the macros that they used to. Previously when a driver used to arrive at a facility, they would send in an “Arrive Macro” that would update our TMW Systems software that the driver has arrived. Also, when the driver left that facility, they would send a “Depart Macro” with information like Trailer #, Weight, Count and such. After installing the AAD module, the drivers now only send the “Depart Macro”, as the “Arrive Macro” is detected by the GPS information from the truck and computed automatically!

Study Finds Successful Retailers Are Embracing Green Practices

2009-07-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

A survey of retailers' green behaviors finds that companies showing better-than-average growth in annual sales are addressing sustainability concerns across all corners of their business, rather than just a branding or cost-saving exercise.

The survey, conducted by Retail Systems Research in partnership with the Retail Industry Leaders Association, dug into the motivations for why retailers are adopting green practices, and how the companies make decisions on where to place their sustainability efforts.

Across the board, the survey found that environmental consciousness is on the rise among retailers: A similar survey conducted a year ago found that 44 percent of retailers considered sustainability a strategic issue, and then only as pertaining to specific departments.

Now, 48 percent of retailers see sustainability as strategic to the entire enterprise, and an additional 22 percent said it was of tactical importance to specific departments within the company.

The full report is available to download for free from RetailSystemResearch.com.