Highly successful companies use distinct practices in building their workforces and offer more benefits to recruit and retain drivers when compared to all other trucking companies, according to new research in the 2013 Texas Trucking Industry Study.

To qualify as highly successful, referred to as a “HSS” company in the study, a Texas-based trucking company had to report revenue growth in 2012, a net profit margin of at least 10% in 2012, and a minimum of 11 drivers. It includes responses from 300 trucking company owners, CEOs and senior executives at Texas-based trucking companies.

“We think this study will move the research closer toward the Texas Trucking Alliance mission of providing scientifically quantified best practices in the Texas trucking industry,” said John D. Esparza, president and CEO of Texas Trucking Association.”

According to the study, 86% of HSS companies use contract drivers, compared to 42% of all other companies. Even so, 76% of HSS companies employ a mix of both contract drivers and employee drivers, compared to only 30% of all other companies.

Concerning recruitment venues, 91% of the HSS regards driver referrals as useful, compared to 66% of all other companies. The study also found HSS companies are twice as likely as all others to pay referral bonuses to referring drivers and the HSS companies that do pay bonuses appear to pay higher bonuses than all other companies: The average HSS bonus was $532 per driver referral compared to $321 for all others.

Regarding benefits and pay structure, the HSS companies appear to be more likely to offer these benefits tracked in the report than all other companies in 2013:

• Driver recognition awards, 67% vs. 45%

• Bonus-pay for accident-free driving, 62% vs. 44%

• Health care insurance, 57% vs. 34%

• Longevity bonus, 52% vs. 37%

• Commissions on sales, 35% vs. 22%

• Fuel surcharge pay, 33% vs. 21%

• Signing bonuses, 24% vs. 19%

• 401(k) retirement plan, 33% vs. 14%

More information is available at the TTA website.