example of setting the right process in place, he said, and it will pay dividends down the road. In fact, this practice was highlighted in one of the driver surveys, where he said he “never had an issue” with customers as a result of this. Te aim of the Best Fleet to Drive For


recognition isn’t just to give praise to trucking companies, but to help encourage practices that will benefit them in the long run. “Te foundation of this program is if companies


do progressive things then the drivers are happy, and the company will see results from that in safety, employee retention, and other improvements,” he said.


For his part, Pirnie said finishing in the Top


20 last year – their first year in the competition – spurred Grand Island to find ways to improve the driver experience. “We put in a drive-through truck wash – drivers


can pull up into the wash bay and get the entire tractor and trailer washed in five minutes,” he said. “If he wants to detail where the bugs are, it might take him 15. We let our owner-operators do that, too; the only requirement is they have to pull one of our trailers through at the same time.” Te company also put in a driver’s lounge and a


couple of quiet rooms where drivers can relax alone in a recliner and watch TV or use the wi-fi. Tere’s a big-screen TV in the the main area for movies, too. “We’re trying to make sure we s tay in the Top


Tom with his son, Jim


20 this year, so that process never ends,” Pirnie said. “It causes you to focus on what are the things you can do to make it the best place to work for.” While he’s working to keep that a constant,


Pirnie is also getting his company ready for another of those inevitable changes: His eventual retirement. With some 40 years at the company under his belt and his 60th birthday celebrated in September, Pirnie figures he’ll keep working for another five or so years. Whenever he does decide to step back, though, nothing will be left to chance. “We’ve been working on a succession plan for


a number of years. Jim’s in place to take over when I retire,” he said, then added with a laugh, “He probably doesn’t need me now, but I don’t want him to know that.” And that allows Grand Island Express a bit of


continuity in a field where change too often comes is big doses for family-owned companies. “I feel for other companies where they build


something and just don’t have that and end up having to sell it,” Pirnie said. “We’re very fortunate in that regard, that I have a son that wants to take the business over and run it.” Nt


Roadranger Academy ®


Keep Ahead of the Curve with Training from the Experts


The Roadranger Academy offers the classroom and hands-on instruction your technicians need to move more trucks through the bays and reduce comebacks.


Roadranger Academy Benefits:


• Learn timesaving techniques and shortcuts used by the experts.


• Learn how to more accurately diagnose a problem through hands-on training.


• Receive valuable class materials to reference what they learned, including service bulletins, Roadranger service manuals and troubleshooting guides.


For classes in the Nebraska area contact Jerry Gruber at (269) 342-3051. For more information on classes in your area visit www.roadranger.com


16 NEBRASKA TRUCKER — ISSUE 4, 2013 — www.nebtrucking.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24