The Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge announced the 2012 winners of Best Fleets to Drive For, a survey and contest that identifies North American for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their drivers.

This year's winners are as follows:

- Best Cartage - Kernersville, N.C.
- Bison Transport - Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Boyd Bros. Transportation, Inc. - Clayton, Ala.
- Celadon Canada - Kitchener, Ontario
- D.J. Knoll Transportation - White City, Saskatchewan
- Don Hummer Trucking - Oxford, Iowa
- Erb Group - New Hamburg, Ontario
- Fremont Contract Carriers - Fremont, Neb.
- Gordon Trucking, Inc. - Pacific, Wash.
- Grand Island Express - Grand Island, Neb.
- Kriska Holdings - Prescott, Ontario
- Landstar System - Jacksonville, Fla.
- Motor Carrier Services - Northwood, Ohio
- Paramount Freight Systems - Ft. Myers, Fla.
- Sammons Trucking - Missoula, Montana
- Steelman Transportation, Inc. - Springfield, Mo.
- Tennant Truck Lines - Orion, Ill.
- Trimac Transportation - Houston, Texas
- WTI Transport, Inc. - Tuscaloosa, Ala.
- Yanke Group - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

In addition, five companies have been identified as "Fleets to Watch" for demonstrating innovation in their driver programs:

- American Central Transport - Liberty, Mo.
- Epes Transport System, Inc. - Greensboro, N.C.
- Liberty Linehaul, Inc. - Ayr, Ontario
- Melton Truck Lines - Tulsa, Okla.
- TimeLine Logistic International - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

CarriersEdge interviewed human resources representatives and executives of the nominated fleets about their corporate direction, policies, and programs. Fleets were evaluated in a number of categories, including benefits, advancement opportunities, commitment to employee personal growth and team building.

"We saw a 35% increase in the number of fleets that not only agreed to participate, but completed all their interviews and paperwork on time to make it to the final segment of the competition," says Gary Salisbury, TCA's 2011-12 chairman and the president and chief executive officer of Fikes Truck Line Inc. "But I have to say it's not easy to become a Best Fleet...it takes serious thinking outside the box and a willingness to do whatever it takes to improve the quality of life for your drivers."

The survey/contest organizers reported on a number of trends. For instance, more fleets seem to be offering drivers profit sharing as part of their compensation packages. Also, fleets appear to be replacing their traditional safety-based bonus systems for more comprehensive programs. Although safety is still a critical component, today's drivers are also being rewarded for their performance in areas such as fuel efficiency, on-time deliveries, and maintaining current training.

The survey found that company drivers are driving the same number of miles and earning about the same income as last year. For owner operators, miles are also flat, but income has increased by a scant 5%.

When it comes to continuing education, today's drivers seem to have many different and more flexible options than in the past. Nearly half of the fleets surveyed said they are offering tuition reimbursement for drivers who take accounting, management, or similar programs at a college. They are also making a better effort to send drivers to conferences and trade shows and to help them earn various professional accreditations.

The next phase of the contest is to announce the highest scoring fleets for Best Overall Fleet for Owner Operators and Best Overall Fleet for Company Drivers. These overall winners will be honored at the TCA Annual Convention in Kissimmee, Fla., in March.