FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/12/06

Roehl’s driver-friendly policies lead to national award

 

When Roehl’s Greg Koepel was named last month as the ATA’s (American Trucking Associations) Human Resources Professional of the Year, it was really an award for Roehl’s leadership in driver compensation, home time, safety and support, Koepel, said.

 

“The ATA award emphasizes human resource practices that make driving a more attractive job by better meeting driver needs and Roehl is definitely on the forefront of the industry when it comes to supporting driver success,” explained Koepel who is the company’s Vice President of Workforce Development and Administration. “Let’s face it, when the president of the company trades his office for the cab of a truck every couple of months just to stay in touch with drivers and the challenges they face on the road… that’s commitment,” he added.

 

For example, Roehl has long recognized that driving is an important and valuable job that requires skill and sound judgment. As such, drivers should be paid well and independent surveys have ranked Roehl driver pay among the 10 best in the nation for years. More recently, the company introduced the industry’s only FIVE-STAR PAY™ plan which includes, among other features, practical-route miles pay — a pay system that not only increases driver income approximately 5 percent but is also fairer than the standard industry practice of paying drivers based on the short-route miles.

 

Roehl has also been an industry innovator in the area of home time; Roehl offers more home time across the board and more options, including one plan that allows drivers 26 weeks a year off. In addition to more time home, Roehl offers plans with guaranteed predictable schedules. “Drivers are like everyone else. They need to make plans, too, so a predictable schedule makes their life easier,” Koepel explained.

 

An area of vital importance to drivers is safety, Koepel noted. Here again Roehl is an industry leader, making safety its cornerstone value. “Absolutely nothing comes ahead of safety; it’s not even a question here,” he said. “And drivers have the final word when it comes to safety decisions related to road conditions.” As a result, Roehl has one of the top safety records in the nation.

 

Beyond that, the company works hard to give drivers the operational support that makes the day-to-day job of truck driving less frustrating, easier and more personally rewarding, Koepel said. That includes everything from the type of freight and routes it takes on to equipment, communication and fleet management practices.

 

Roehl’s steadfast focus on making driving a satisfying and rewarding career as evidenced by Koepel’s ATA award has made the company attractive not only to experienced drivers but also student drivers who find they’re one of top training programs in the industry.

 

For more information about Roehl’s leading driver focus and award-winning programs, call 800-257-6345 or visit www.GoRoehl.com.