“We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Greg Hamm, vice president of Field and Government Recruiting. “We are committed to providing meaningful employment opportunities and a supportive work environment for veterans.”

Since its establishment in 1969, the Veterans Employment and Education Commission’s Employer Awards Program has recognized companies demonstrating exceptional dedication to veteran employment and support.

With veterans comprising approximately 20% of its workforce, Werner is proud to offer specialized programs and benefits designed for the military community. According to a company press release, “Werner offers uniquely designed programs and benefits tailored toward the military community, reflecting a long-standing commitment to aiding veterans in their transition to civilian careers.”

Key Programs Include:

• Veteran Hiring Initiatives: Focused recruitment strategies aimed at attracting qualified veterans.

• Mentorship Programs: Pairing veterans with seasoned mentors for guidance and support.

• Skills Training and Development: Offering veterans pathways to enhance their skills and career growth.

“Our commitment to the military community is unwavering,” said Nathan Meisgeier, president and chief legal officer. “We’re proud of our team’s work to support our nation’s heroes. These awards reflect our dedication to creating a thriving environment for veterans and their families.”

Source: The Trucker

Image: Werner

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“This prestigious recognition underscores Werner’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace for women across the organization,” the company stated in a recent media release.

Nathan Meisgeier, the president and chief legal officer of Werner, remarked, “This recognition from Forbes reaffirms our efforts to create a workplace that supports and uplifts all associates. At Werner, we strive to build a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. With 16% of our professional drivers being women—double the national average—we are committed to driving positive change both within Werner and across the industry.”

The company has implemented several initiatives aimed at enhancing the careers of its female employees, such as their Women’s Leadership Alliance established in 2011, which focuses on leadership development and mentoring. Furthermore, Werner is dedicated to ensuring women occupy critical roles, including Road Team Captains, Operation Freedom Drivers, and Driver Ambassadors.

“Werner’s exceptional performance in these areas highlights the company’s dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the workforce,” the company mentioned in the release.

To explore more about Werner’s efforts in diversity and inclusion, visit Werner.com.

Source: The Trucker

Image: Werner

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In a remarkable journey, NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings will be joining Werner’s professional truck driver Jennifer Evans for a week-long, 1,200-mile trip starting from Joliet, Illinois. Their route will take them through various truck stops and travel centers, with Mullings documenting her experiences to offer valuable insights to travel center leaders dedicated to enhancing driver services.

“Truck stops and travel centers serve as the home away from home for more than 3 million professional truck drivers,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “By experiencing life on the road through the eyes of a professional truck driver, I have an incredible opportunity to help our industry meet the unique needs of the truck driving customer. Providing drivers with safe and secure places to stop and rest is the No. 1 priority of our industry. By ensuring a positive experience for truck drivers, we can help to ensure that commercial drivers remain in this critical profession while spurring others to consider a career as a professional driver.”

Having led NATSO for 25 years, Mullings is no stranger to the industry. She regularly visits truck stops and travel centers. In 2014, she sold her home and embarked on an extensive 40,000-mile road trip across 49 states in her 30-foot Airstream trailer, interacting with hundreds of NATSO members along the way.

“We are excited to collaborate with NATSO, as this initiative will provide invaluable real-world feedback from professional drivers to enhance the safety and overall experience at truck stops nationwide,” said Werner’s Vice President of Safety and Compliance, Jaime Hamm. “Jennifer Evans’s unique insights as a female professional driver will add exceptional value and a unique perspective on the road.”

Jennifer Evans has been an outstanding driver with Werner since 2003, earning numerous safety awards and driving 1.3 million accident-free miles. She also contributes as a Driver Ambassador and was part of Werner’s 2019 Road Team. Besides her professional contributions, Evans actively volunteers at Touch-a-Truck events and participates in Nebraska’s annual Special Olympics truck convoy.

Source: The Trucker

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“Inventory levels in general are now more normalized,” Leathers said during a June 11 presentation at the Wells Fargo 2024 Industrials Conference in Chicago. “As people and retailers are selling through goods, they’re back into a replenishment cycle that we haven’t seen in a couple of years. And that can be very meaningful as we set up for this coming fall and peak season.”

The trucking sector has experienced a downturn for nearly two years, with capacity far exceeding freight demand. Although consumer demand has remained fairly stable during this period, Leathers pointed out that there are no indications of a major increase in spending. “We’re not banking on any kind of significant uptick in consumer behavior, nor are we assuming that the consumer suddenly goes silent,” Leathers said.

“Everyone got their inventories out of whack post-COVID no matter how good they were as a retailer,” Leathers said. “But the really good retailers have gotten back to normalized levels. They feel like they’re where they need to be — that they don’t have any sort of bloat left over. Now they’re back to normal replenishment. So, as they sell through, they’re replenishing and preparing for what could look like a more normalized fall. Those are all encouraging signs.”

Leathers mentioned that this year’s bid season has shown improvement compared to 2023, which saw significant turmoil as carriers tried to maintain pricing.

“This year has seen a more stable approach,” Leathers explained. “There is still some pricing pressure, but there is much less turmoil. This suggests that both parties recognize we are nearing an inflection point. Therefore, it’s not a good time to make drastic changes to your carrier providers.”

Leathers concluded that Werner plans to maintain its current course.

“From a rate perspective we’re going to be disciplined,” Leathers said. “We’ve been public about that. I don’t think the industry has any more to give. Whether the industry chooses to or not, we don’t, and we’re not.”

Source: Transport Topics

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To transport this festive symbol of the season, a special edition Kenworth T680 truck, celebrating Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, has been adorned with a custom graphics wrap. It will soon embark on a journey to bring the tree to its final destination on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.

The highly-anticipated Capitol Christmas Tree Tour commenced on November 4 in Elkins, West Virginia, where the Monongahela National Forest is based. The journey will conclude on November 17, when the tree, named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe, is delivered to its destination. This name, meaning “bright tree” in the Shawnee language, is pronounced as ‘wa thame tech we.”

Under the theme “Endlessly Wild & Wonderful,” this year’s tour promises awe-inspiring sights. The truck itself proudly displays the U.S. Capitol Building, a scenic sunset over the forest, and most importantly, the iconic U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. This magnificent display is sure to captivate and spread holiday cheer.

Werner Enterprises has been chosen as the exclusive carrier for the 2023 tour. With skilled drivers Jesus Davila and Tim Dean at the helm of the T680 Signature Edition truck, this tour promises to be a fantastic experience.

The full 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour is:

• Nov. 4: Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Elkins, West Virginia

• Nov. 5: Downtown Summersville, Summersville, West Virginia
• Nov. 6: Mitchell Chevrolet, Marlinton, West Virginia
• Nov. 7: Tamarack Marketplace, West Virginia
• Nov. 8: High Lawn Elementary School, Huntington, West Virginia
• Nov. 9: White Palace at Wheeling Park, Wheeling, West Virginia

• Nov. 10: 84 Lumber, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Nov. 11: Mylan Park (a.m. event) and West Virginia University (p.m. event), Morgantown, West Virginia
• Nov. 12: Swilled Dog/Raymond’s Gymnastic Center, Upper Tract, West Virginia
• Nov. 13: Davis Yard, Davis, West Virginia
• Nov. 14: WV Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Romney, West Virginia

• Nov. 15: Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
• Nov. 17: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C.

Source: CCJ Digital

Photos: Kenworth, Werner

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To recognize Dean’s unparalleled dedication and commitment to safety, a special ceremony was held at Werner’s headquarters in Omaha, attended by Dean’s family, as well as Werner associates. This well-deserved accolade highlights Dean’s exceptional career and commitment to ensuring the utmost safety on the road.

Reaching 5 million accident-free miles is an extraordinary feat that few drivers can claim. According to the American Trucking Associations, the average professional truck driver typically drives around 2 million miles throughout their career. Therefore, Dean’s accomplishment is equivalent to circling the globe more than 200 times, a truly awe-inspiring achievement.

“Today, we have the pleasure of showcasing what greatness looks like in the daily work of the American professional driver. It’s the accomplishment of waking up every day, working hard and delivering goods that matter, both safely and on time, to those who have entrusted us to do so,” said Werner’s Chairman, President and CEO, Derek Leathers. “We commend Tim for his contributions to Werner and the industry as a whole and are incredibly proud of him for his unwavering commitment to safety over the last 35 years. We look forward to Tim’s continued success on the road as a professional driver, one safe mile at a time.”

Dean has been a valued member of Werner since 1988 and has received numerous accolades for his outstanding contributions. He served as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain from 2009 to 2010 and has been a Werner Road Team Captain and mentor since 2005.

Throughout his impressive career, Dean has competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships for 22 years, consistently achieving top rankings. He was named the Grand Champion in 2012 and 2018. In 2019, he was honored with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance IDEA (International Driver Excellence Award) and recognized as the Nebraska Trucking Association’s Driver of the Year.

As of August 2023, Werner boasts an honorable achievement of having 2,175 professional drivers who have collectively driven one or more million accident-free miles. Currently, 639 of these exceptional drivers are actively part of Werner’s fleet.

Source: Truckers News

Photo: Werner Enterprises

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