"Three of our 10 drivers have gone more than a million miles without an incident, and a few more are getting close," says Rich Raham, director of logistics of Sandridge Food Corp. of Medina, Ohio.

The company bought its first Kenworth truck in the early 1980s. That first truck was followed by more W900s, and later with T600s. With the recent purchase of eight T2000s, the firm's safety record looks to stay on course.
The Sandridge commitment to safety starts at the top. "We're a small enough fleet that our company can focus on it, and the steps we take can really have an impact," says Raham. The company uses two methods to help meet safety goals: purchasing vehicles with safety in mind, and providing drivers with proper training.
"As far as the vehicle, it's hard to beat the T2000 when it comes to safety features," says Larry Lewis, the transportation manager. He points to visibility, maneuverability and fatigue-fighting comforts. "These trucks are pulling in and out of docks, so visibility when backing up is key," says Lewis. "Backing up the T2000 is like backing up a cabover -- you can see better."
The small stuff adds up, considering the nature of the miles Sandridge drivers log. The vehicles haul refrigerated trailers loaded with salads, soups, desserts and entrees from the company's headquarters to grocery warehouses in neighboring states. The routes include cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cleveland. "The average route is about 750 miles," says Lewis. "These aren't drives where you get on the interstate and call it a day. We have customers in hard-to-reach places."
Raham, meanwhile, thinks drivers overall are more alert in the T2000. He and Lewis credit the 75-inch sleeper's spaciousness and comfort. "Some sleepers have a few pieces pushed together to create the bed," Lewis says. "The sleeper in the T2000 is all one piece, front to rear. It makes a difference." A comfortable ride is another weapon in the battle against fatigue. "All the T2000s have Air-Ride cabs," Raham says. "It's a smoother ride, which keeps the drivers more comfortable and more alert."
A tight turning radius, meanwhile, helps the drivers maneuver through city traffic and squeeze into tight spots once they reach their destinations. "The tight turning radius is one of the first things the drivers notice," Raham says.
As for training, the company helps drivers achieve their impressive safety numbers. "We have quarterly sessions to reinforce safety lessons that a driver can apply to their life on the road," Raham says. In the last year Sandridge led seminars on defensive driving, extreme weather driving and nighttime driving.
Extreme weather tips include allowing extra time, keeping even more distance between vehicles and knowing the forecast before departing. "If the weather might get bad, we allow our drivers to leave earlier -- even if it means paying them a little more," Raham says. "It shows we're willing to hold up our end of the bargain."
There are other ways Sandridge holds up its end of the bargain, including a strict maintenance schedule. The safety and maintenance efforts pay off when the insurance premium is due. "There are fewer choices when it comes to insurance carriers," Lewis says. "Our efforts ensure we get the best premium."
Sandridge finds additional ways to reduce costs. "We're improving mileage all the time," says Raham. "Last quarter we averaged 6.5 miles per gallon. This quarter, with the new T2s fully integrated, we're looking at 6.7 miles per gallon. That's excellent considering our in-city miles. We achieve that by spec'ing the engine and the design of the T2000."
The engine is a 435 horsepower Cummins N14, governed at 69 mph. "We gear fast and run slow," Raham says. "That keeps drivers in the sweet spot and gives them power."
The aerodynamic design of the T2000 plays a role in fuel efficiency. "Our mileage is up significantly from what it was a few years ago," Raham says. "We have the exhaust tucked behind the cab, which reduces wind resistance." Further streamlining the vehicles are fairings that have been extended to protect the refrigerated trailers.
Reduced weight also plays a role in fuel efficiency. "Cutting weight definitely helps with our mileage," Lewis says. "But to be honest, we did it for our load capacity more than anything else."
Spec'ing the Kenworth AG200 system saves about 250 pounds when compared with other suspension systems. Sandridge saves another 248 pounds by spec'ing aluminum drive wheels and 62 pounds through the purchase of aluminum steer wheels.
But in the end, safety is first and foremost on the minds of Raham and Lewis. "The first question we ask is, 'Can we make this more safe?'" Raham says. "If we can find a way, we do it."