Jim Peeples, president and COO at Challenger Motor Freight, spoke upon receiving the large-carrier award.
File Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
3 min to read
Two for-hire fleets achieved the top honors in the 2022 Best Fleets to Drive For, after being among the Best Fleets Top 20 multiple times:
Best Overall Fleet in the small carrier category went to Garner Trucking of Findlay, Ohio.
Best Overall Fleet in the large carrier category was presented to Challenger Motor Freight of Cambridge, Ontario.
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The Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge presented the awards during TCA’s annual meeting in Las Vegas.
Now in its 14th year, Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest that recognizes the North American for-hire trucking companies who provide the best workplace experience for their drivers.
To be considered, fleets must be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor working with them, after which they are evaluated across a broad range of categories reflecting current best practices in human resources.
The Top 20 finishers are identified as Best Fleets to Drive For and then categorized according to size. The highest-scoring fleet in each category is named overall winner.
Garner Trucking, with 83 drivers, is well-known for its efforts to improve the industry’s image. It also stood out for its new entrant program and diversity efforts, according to a Best Fleets to Drive For news release, as well as recognition and driver support programs typically only seen in much larger companies.
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Challenger Motor Freight, with 1,052 drivers, was notable for its range of professional development programs that extend from driver apprenticeship through management training. Its investments in driver efficiency, cybersecurity, and military support also helped push it to front of the pack.
Tim Chrulski, chief operations officer for Garner Trucking, accepts the award for Best Fleet to Drive For in the small carrier category.
Photo: Vesna Brajkovic
CarriersEdge Chief Executive Officer Jane Jazrawy noted that both winners are seeing clear results from their efforts, with turnover under 35% and driver satisfaction above 94%.
“Both of these fleets have been in the Top 20 for several years, and we've seen how they continue to add new things year after year,” said Jazrawy. “With that steady effort, and a collaborative approach that includes drivers in the process, it’s no wonder they’re seeing the results they are.”
New Hall of Fame
New this year is the Best Fleets to Drive For Hall of Fame, which identifies carriers that have been named a Best Fleet for 10 consecutive years, or for seven consecutive years plus an overall Best Fleets to Drive For award.
“The Hall of Fame recognizes fleets demonstrating exceptional performance year after year,” said Jazrawy. “The inaugural entrants have continued to raise the bar for years, and their achievements demonstrate an enviable level of excellence.”
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The fleets entering the 2022 Best Fleets Hall of Fame are:
The Best Fleets to Drive For survey and contest is open to any for-hire fleet operating 10 or more trucks, regardless of TCA membership status. Nominated fleets are evaluated in areas such as driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record.
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