FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, please contact:
Kim Bates, Carter Advertising
p: 678-819-3524, e: kbates@carteradvertising.com
Betty Nix, Boyd Bros.
p: 334-775-1332, e: bnix@boydbros.com
Michael Anthony, Boyd Bros.
p: 205.226.5121, e: manthony@boydbros.com
Four Million Blue Miles
Clayton , AL - They say you can not judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes. What about four million miles? Nathaniel Blue of Camden, AL, reached a milestone that very few have ever or will ever reach in one lifetime. Mr. Blue has driven not one, not two, but four million consecutive safe miles. What makes this an even more notable feat is that he did so with the same company, Boyd Bros. Transportation.
The trucking industry has seen its fair share of turn-over in its driver ranks. The national average exceeds 110% in the area of driver turn-over. Boyd Bros, with a turn over rate in the 66% range, learned early on how to retain its drivers. And Nathaniel Blue is one of those forward-thinking drivers who saw the benefit of staying with the same motor carrier. Mr. Blue has been driving with Boyd Bros for 29 ½ years. More importantly, he has been driving safely this whole time. No accidents, negative incidents or even a ticket for four million consecutive miles is a feat almost unheard of in this business.
Four million miles are a lot of miles to drive regardless of the safety record. But to put things in perspective: At the Earth’s equator the distance is 25,000 miles around, so in essence, Mr. Blue drove 160 times around the world….again, he did so without so much as a scratch on the bumper; Our moon is 238,857 miles from Earth, Mr. Blue has essentially driven the distance to the moon 16 times…and for Mr. Blue, not even a cracked windshield, beat that NASA; The distance from New York to California its 2,461 miles, so Mr. Blue would have driven that trip 1625 times; The average American, in 2005, drove 13,657 miles a year, at that rate it would take you 292.8 years to reach four million miles. Now, do all that, but safely, and you can see what a colossal achievement this is for Mr. Blue.
Kevin Spivey, Nathaniel’s Dispatcher, states, “I know that when Blue is assigned a load, he will get it there on time and safely. He has a strong work ethic, a pure sense of family, and the winning attitude which places him head and shoulders above the rest.” Boyd Bros. Transportation is very proud of Nathaniel Blue and all that he has accomplished while working here. “The company is honored to have such a conscientiously safe and determined driver-employee on board with us…” said Chris Cooper, Boyd Bros General Manager and third-generation transportation employee. Cooper went on to say, “…we value him as a Driver, and even more so as a member of the Boyd Bros. Family.”
In tribute of Mr. Blue’s achievement, Boyd Bros will be holding a formal celebration in his honor. The Alabama Governor, Mayor, numerous individuals among the transportation industry, Department of Transportation Officials, customers, vendors and other honored guests will be invited to join Boyd Bros and Mr. Blue’s family as we pay homage to such a valuable and irreplaceable person within the organization. Festivities are being planned for February 2, 2007, in Birmingham, AL.
When asked what advice he was given that may have helped him get to this point, Mr. Blue reflected for a minute, and in a humble tone responded, “Mr. Dempsey Boyd (founder of Boyd Bros. Transportation) told me when I first started driving that he loved trucking and all that it was about. l respected Mr. Boyd so much from that point on, and I wanted to learn the profession and grow to love it as much as him.”
Mr. Blue likes the challenge of traveling around the country and he enjoys meeting new and different people. He states, “I have the benefit of learning how to communicate with a variety of people that I encounter. I’m very blessed to have a job that I love.” And if you think he is ready to throw in the proverbial keys just yet, think again. His goal is to reach 5 million safe miles before retiring to his beautiful homestead in Camden, AL. Mr. Blue would be the first to admit that he could not have made it this far without the love and support of his wife of 29 wonderful years, Amanda Blue. Together they have five children and three grandchildren, each of whom, Mr. Blue is justifiably proud.
When asked what advice he has for new Drivers, he said, “Be courteous and always aware of the traffic around you, never lose focus or take your eye off the road for even a second, keep a clear mind.” And if you ask anyone at Boyd Bros, they would say he is correct in his assessment. One does not reach 4 million consecutive safe miles by just “steering a truck”…it takes a special person to be attentive enough to be called a “Professional Driver”. Nathaniel Blue’s commitment proves that he has more than earned that title.
Boyd Bros. Transportation Inc., headquartered in Clayton, Alabama, is America’s leading flatbed truckload carrier, sp ecializing in time-sensitive transportation of iron and steel products, lumber, roofing, and other valuable building commodities throughout the eastern two-thirds of the United States. For more information call: 800-543-8923 or visit us on the web at www.driveforboyd.com.
