2013 Business Class Honoree: Prime Inc.

More than 3 million 18-wheel trucks are currently in service in the U.S. carrying $382 million in cargo and traversing 256 million miles of highway each day, according to the American Trucking Association. But that’s no surprise to Dean Hoedl, director of finance for Prime Inc. On any given day, up to 5,000 of those units operate under the Prime logo. The nation’s 28th largest trucking company has posted an average revenue gain of 13 percent the past three years, while maintaining a forward focus on the most important variable in the trucking industry – well-trained, satisfied drivers.

“You need three things to succeed in trucking,” says Hoedl. “Trucks, freight and drivers. Obviously, the trucks are never a problem for us.”

With 2,786 locally-based employees and another 4,000 owner-operators nationwide, keeping all those drivers happy and healthy is a tall order. Prime has made it a priority in recent years, offering numerous driver wellness programs, reimbursements and incentives. The progressive approach is ultimately geared toward increasing the life expectancy of drivers, which Hoedl says is an average of 10 years lower than the rest of the population.

While healthy drivers are important, providing them with leading-edge tools is also key to Prime’s success. Implemented technology includes the use of its Trailer Tracs system, which allows constant monitoring of Prime’s refrigerated containers – even when untethered from the truck for parking, transfer or rail shipping. The wireless revolution also has prompted development of a proprietary mobile app which allows drivers to scan, send and receive bills of lading and other paperwork, increasing each driver’s efficiency and capacity.

“In this business, capacity is a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Hoedl. “The ability to guarantee capacity comes with better freight, which allows you to pay your drivers better, which allows you to grow and increase capacity.”

That overall capacity, and the trickle-down driver benefits, can be traced back to Prime’s Driver Training program. Rather than touting the shortest training period or lowest cost, the 43-year-old company focuses on comprehensive driver education, ensuring that its students are not only technically prepared, but also well-educated on what to expect from their new careers as drivers.

“This industry has a hideous track record for employee turnover,” Hoedl says. “Up to 100 percent at most companies. We have a significantly lower rate than our competitors, which has allowed us to better meet demand and grow.”[[In-content Ad]]