by Jack Roberts Finding new ways to do things better. That is the essence of innovation, and the qualities HDT looks for in its annual Truck Fleet Innovators every year – fleet executives who are trying to find new solutions, both simple and cutting-edge, to challenges faced by trucking fleets. The 2019 HDT Truck Fleet Innovators […]
by David Cullen Heavy Duty Trucking has been honoring forward-thinking fleet executives for almost 15 years now with our annual Truck Fleet Innovator Awards. This year’s winners are forward-thinkers, all of whom are helping by example to lead trucking by overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities. Each year, HDT’s editors sift through nominations received from members of the […]
Read this article on JOC.com. William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor Feb 20, 2019 5:19PM EST Truck driver pay needs to rise higher to attract new talent to trucking, but driver pay also needs to be more consistent from paycheck to paycheck if trucking companies, especially over-the-road truckload carriers, want to keep the drivers they do hire. […]
by: Jeff Crissey CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Editor Jeff Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com or 800-633-5953. Dan Wirkkala’s career at Smokey Point Distributing began as a driver recruiter when he was just 19 years old. A few months later, […]
Revenues More than Triple in the Past Ten Years Some anniversaries really are worth celebrating. For Don Daseke, hitting the 10-year mark in Daseke Inc.’s partnership with Smokey Point Distributing (SPD)— the first outfit to join the Daseke family of flatbed and specialized trucking companies — more than fits the bill. This occasion affords Daseke […]
Dan Wirkkala, president/CEO of Smokey Point Distributing (SPD), has known Jack Belmont and his company, Belmont Enterprises, for 20-plus years. During that time, SPD and Belmont have developed a mutual admiration. And each company has continued to operate according to the right philosophy: putting people first, be it their customers or employees. Not surprisingly, says […]
The Daseke family of open-deck specialized carriers has built a reputation for handling the biggest, bulkiest and heaviest of cargos efficiently and safely. Lately, they’ve been hauling away items you won’t ever see on their diversified fleet of trailers, but for what they represent to drivers, customers and others on the highway, they might be […]
Central Oregon Trucking Company and Smokey Point Distributing Bring Home Honors. It’s a very enviable award to have in the trucking industry. It says you’re doing things right and your drivers appreciate your efforts. It’s the hotly contested Best Fleets to Drive For® competition, and Smokey Point Distributing and Central Oregon Trucking Company both made […]
Move-in is complete for Smokey Point Distributing’s (SPD) new home terminal in Arlington, Washington, just north of Everett, Washington. Company President Dan Wirkkala says it’s something to behold. “Our new home is spacious, with beautiful décor. It’s a wonderful workspace and home-away-from-home for our drivers,” said Wirkkala. “It’s really something — jaw-dropping — and we’re […]
This December, several Daseke drivers volunteered to deliver wreaths to veterans’ cemeteries all over the country. These wreaths were then placed on the graves to remember the veterans’ lives, honor their service and teach the value of freedom. The laying of wreaths is made possible by the Wreaths Across America volunteers, who donate the wreaths, and the truck […]
