Driver Advisory Board Meeting
June 14, 2021
Oasis Convention Center
Meeting Attendees – Drivers
| William Dedmon | Alan Godfrey | Katherine Poteat |
| Thomas Miller | Jesse Dennis | Charles Smith |
| Mark Snider | Robert Jones | Sasha Bailey |
| Anthony Eck | Bryan Brooks | Kirsten Rothlander |
| Sean Fitzgerald | John Connell | Victor Blackburn |
| Tobais Alexander | Emily Plummer | Blake Nichols |
| John Ogren | James Abell | Matthew Keen |
| Tyler Lockhardt | Justin Humiston | David McBroom |
| Danny Crisp | Frank Kumre |
Meeting Attendees – Inhouse
| Robert Low
President & Founder |
Steve Wutke
VP Sales & Marketing |
Kevin Bergman
Director of Maintenance |
| Rodney Rader
Director of Technology |
Brianne Madura
IT Manager |
Jim Guthrie
Director of Operations |
| Stan Auman
Operations Supervisor |
Jim Wilkins
Director of Flatbed/Tanker |
Brett Vonwiller
Manager of Tanker |
| Justin Kaufman
Manager of Road Assist |
Shaun Ryker
Manager of Payroll |
Andrea Mueller
Media/Onboarding Manager |
| Stan Kasterke
Training Program Manager |
Clayton Brown
Marketing Manager |
Jason Seymour
Operations Supervisor |
| Sean Ross
Flatbed Sales |
James Ely
Operations Supervisor |
Darrel Hopkins
Director of Leasing  |
| Paul Higgins
Purchasing Manager  |
Steve Field
Director of Safety |
Bill Boehning
Director of Security |
| Ryan Harrington
Manager of Intermodal |
Chris Holtmeyer
Fleet Maintenance |
Keith McCoy
Director of Marketing |
| Doug Tamm
Shop Manager |
Mitchell Coiner
Media/Onboarding |
Drew Martin
Manager of Leasing |
Agenda
- Intro | State of the Industry | State of Prime (Jack Porter, Strategic Planner & Darrel Hopkins, Prime Inc. Controller)
- Reefer Sales | Sales Strategy | Top Customers (Steve Wutke, VP of Sales & Marketing)
- IT Update | Mobile App Update (Brianne Madura, Information Technology Manager)
- Refrigerated Operations (Jim Guthrie, Director of Operations)
- Flatbed & Tanker Operations (Jim Wilkins, Director of Flatbed/Tanker & Brett Vonwiller, Manager of Tanker)
- Driver Recruitment Stats & Strategy (Andrea Mueller, Media & Onboarding Manager)
- Prime Training Program (Stan Kasterke, Training Program Manager & Stan Auman, Operations Supervisor)
- Safety Regulations & Stats (Steve Field, Director of Safety)
- Tractor & Trailer Shops | Road Assist (Kevin Bergman, Director of Maintenance & Justin Kaufman, Manager of Road Assist)
- Closing Remarks (Robert Low, President & Founder)
Key Discussion Points & Takeaways from DAB Members:
State of the Industry | State of Prime
- Discussed employment and trucking market trends
- Pandemic impact on trucking lifestyle and market
- 100,000 business closed in 2020 during COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2019 – 1,100 Trucking Companies Closed
- 2020 – 3,100 Trucking Companies Closed
- FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse has disqualified 57,000 drivers
- These are not drivers we want to share the road with, but still has an impact on the industry
- Truck availability is down causing less capacity for our customers
- Contact your local representative and senator regarding ProAct legislation
Sales UpdateÂ
- Discussed sales updates with current customers
- Majority of rates have increased – continue to rise
- Customer Advisory Board event took place in May
- Our customers’ biggest concern is capacity
- Positive feedback from customers for our fleet
- Current rates are up 18% and projected 2021 4th Quarter Rates are to be up to 25 Cents Per Mile
Success Leasing
- Truck shortage in 2020 due to COVID-19
- Current truck shortage in 2021 due to parts and labor shortages across the country
- Solutions:
- Extend truck life of both company and lease trucks
- Limit pedigree inventory to problem trucks or >525k miles
- Continue to run trucks without unnecessary components – assuming productivity is not compromised
- Track unleased days to push all available trucks
- What’s new with trucks?
- 2022 Peterbilt
- Full digital dash option in new model
- 2022 Freightliner
- 3% better fuel economy
- Full Dash Option ($1,000 upgrade)
- Started 2-year truck bid for next model year trucks
- 2022 Peterbilt
- DAB Proposed Action Items:
- Create videos on new truck models & features
- Establish a designated parking area for lease trucks in Pittston, PA
- Improve the white glove experience during the upgrade process
- Solutions:
IT & Prime Mobile AppÂ
- Discussed usage of Prime App and New Features
- Currently receiving nearly 600 E-Fund change requests per week via the Prime Mobile App
- Ask DAB feature now available in the app for drivers to ask DAB members questions
- Discussed adding an Ask Prime option for drivers to ask inhouse associates questions
Refrigerated OperationsÂ
- Truck availability down from 2020
- Load Choice Program
- Not a load board – never intended to be
- Not adding additional trucks presently but will continue with current drivers testing and evaluating the best fit for the program long term
- Partnership with Fleet Managers is most important key to each driver’s success
- Focus remains on maintaining our industry leading revenue per truck per week results and providing the high level of customer service that allows us to achieve our rates and volume commitments from customers
- New pay package for B & C seats
- C Seats – $800/week for first 30 days, $900/week after that
- B Seats – $900/week for required number of training miles
- AB-5 action in CA is very concerning for our business model and we are monitoring closely. Some activity to expand this nationally. We encourage all to contact their congressional representatives to express their support of their business model.
Flatbed/Tanker Operations
- Get with your fleet manager if appointment location details are inaccurate
- New terminal in Minooka, Illinois slotted to be finished by end of the year
Driver Recruiting & Media
- Working on updated Prime discounts page
- 3D map of Prime facilities – virtual walkthrough idea discussed
- Referral bonuses do not apply to rehires or someone who is driving for a current small fleet owner– benefit comes from Prime recruiting these drivers for you
- Orientation/Onboarding revamp – creating a more Prime-like experience
- Number of applicants are increasing
Prime Training Program
- PSD/TNT continuing to work on a training reporting system – trainer, instructor, trainee evaluation
- Need more accountability for trainers/instructors – cleanliness of trucks, attention to detail, and communication with fleet manager
- 1,449 PSD’s hired – 1,319 TNT’s placed YTD
- DAB requests:
- Weekly checklists
- Random truck inspections for instructors & trainers
Safety
- In 2020:
- Total miles traveled decreased 13.2%
- Total number of highway accidents were up 7.2%
- Total accidents involving big trucks down 2.2%
- From May 1, 2020 – March 12, 2021:
- 382 Accidents involving Prime trucks – 61% Non-Preventable
Maintenance | Road Assist
- Looking for different ways to improve the Denver Yard
- Putting up no smoking signs around the Millennium Building
- DAB Requests:
- Lockable showers in the plaza – shower rental on the app
- Less trailer inspections 3-6 months overdue
Driver Advisory Board Members Meeting Feedback
| DAB Member | Sean Fitzgerald |
| Key Takeaway(s) | I think the biggest take away from this meeting was that I believe that this is the first meeting that you could really see the passion from the drivers and the inhouse staff about this company and moving forward to action. |
| Action Item | Checking up on the TNT training. Making sure Success Leasing is checking on these trucks before they’re being released. |
| DAB Member | Mark Snider |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Freight is solid, drivers are needed. |
| Action Item | So much is driven by the other divisions, me being in intermodal we have action items with day cabs and containers. |
| DAB Member | Bryan Brooks |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Great meeting. My takeaway was that Prime needs to focus on retention of experienced drivers. We all know that prime is a great training/starter company. Prime has changed some pay to try and bring in new drivers and keep them through the training program. However not much is being done to keep drivers with a couple years under their belt. It was stated that the average time a driver has been with prime is only three years. |
| Action Item | Focus on experienced driver retention. |
| DAB Member | John Ogren |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Fantastic back & forth. I enjoyed the format vs the traditional presentation & follow-up Q&A. Seems to be more interactive. |
| Action Item | Communication of the “end game” for load choice |
| DAB Member | Robert Jones |
| Key Takeaway(s) | A-B 5 could wreak havoc with our business model. |
| Action Item | Recruit – Recruit – Recruit |
| DAB Member | William Dedmon |
| Key Takeaway(s) | That Prime is a company that cares about its drivers’ voice and they will do what it takes to continue growing our company with the family atmosphere that they endorse while being a major player in the trucking industry. I’m blessed to be a part of it! |
| Action Item | Driver Responsibility for trailer Maintenance
Load choice expansion Terminal maintenance and growth (more terminal sites) Rising freight rates and truck demand (a need for continued growth) Driver retention (new and veteran) and lowering turnover rate Increase driver recruitment Trainer evaluation and spot truck inspections Inbound/Outbound organization for more efficient operation. App improvements |
| DAB Member | Tyler Lockhardt |
| Key Takeaway(s) | We could use a good mentor program outside of normal social media and training. We could control it better if we used a different platform. It could also be a place for people to exchange ideas on efficiency and good practices. |
| Action Item | Service items in the app and a load lock exchange. |
| DAB Member | David McBroom |
| Key Takeaway(s) | There are certain areas that need work still, like there would be anywhere honestly. The safety / health concerns of some trainees really struck home because of my own experience in that kind of situation. Communication also has areas to improve on all ends of that spectrum. Between drivers to each other, to their inhouse team, and to the teams that cover. |
| Action Item | Really trying to nail down some solutions to help promote clean and safe training / living environments for students is huge. Really trying to light that fire for quality recruitment is another great focus area, as it will foster an even better future for our associates and customers alike. Trying to find, relieve, and prevent delays in loads through clear communication and appropriate information passed between all parties is another great area to promote growth. Loads are up, quality of rates are going up, we just need to keep providing the absolute best service in the industry that we are all capable of! |
| DAB Member | Katherine Poteat |
| Key Takeaway(s) | It was great to be able to meet and discuss things in person again! I think having the meeting with Jack earlier before our meeting worked out well since the management team had time to look things over and respond. So glad to see changes coming to hold trainers more accountable and improve our training program. |
| Action Item | Reduce down time for drivers, especially teams, in between loads.” and “Consider paying company drivers equal detention to what lease drivers are receiving since detention pay is now listed as part of our load info. Our time is equally valuable. If that absolutely cannot be done, specify company detention as part of the info we receive. |
| DAB Member | Blake Nichols |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Lots of good ideas but we need to put them into action. |
| Action Item | Putting together an action plan 4 our ideas and start implementing them asap |
| DAB Member | Charles Smith |
| Key Takeaway(s) | I was extremely impressed with how much action management seemed to be willing to take on several things, and doubly so on things that could be dealt with right away. I also liked that things that we’ve had questions about for some time were answered and understood that sometimes, we don’t know, or we haven’t gotten there yet is a perfectly reasonable answer |
| Action Item | Card readers for vending machines and laundry machines. |
| DAB Member | Emily Plummer |
| Key Takeaway(s) | 1.) Training will be investigated a little more with the cleanliness of trucks.
2.) We need more drivers, so we need to help recruit more if possible, 3.) Rates are going up and we are at a really good place right now freight wise. |
| Action Item | 1.) Making sure we all have our FM’s cell number.
2.) Leasing paying more attention to the new/used trucks thar are ready to be given away. 3.) Looking at raising up the fee for clean DOT inspections for company drivers. |
| DAB Member | Sasha Bailey |
| Key Takeaway(s) | There is a major issue with the TNT program that needs definite overhaul to reduce the number of drivers leaving while in the program.
Love the pay scale change for TNT. I do believe that will make a difference. I think the Ask InHouse feature will be well used |
| Action Item | N/A |
| DAB Member | Frank Kumre |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Need better compaction with all personnel at prime |
| Action Item | N/A |
| DAB Member | Anthony Eck |
| Key Takeaway(s) | Our training trucks need to be held more accountable for not keeping a clean truck, our trainees need to feel more comfortable with coming forward about issues with their trainers.
Freight is up and CPM is going up which is good. Truck availability for loads is down. |
| Action Item | No smoking signs still need to be placed. |
| DAB Member | Thomas Miller |
| Key Takeaway(s) | I was very happy to see most everyone engage in the meeting. The discussions we have in the room are vital for the DAB to be an integral part of the Prime Inc. organization. Getting the wants and needs of drivers across to the management in a clear and concise manner without “heated” discussions is paramount. Thank you to Prime, the management team, the drivers, hotel staff, and anyone who had a hand in putting it all together! |
| Action Item | 1. Random truck inspections for cleanliness on tracing trucks. PSD and TNT. These should be conducted by the training department, not security as suggested.
2. Designated parking for drivers, Success Leasing, Pedigree, & shops, and hold them to it. All locations. 3. Either a designated washout bay, or at least the ability to switch the 3rd bay in Springfield to washout only during busy periods. |
