Traveling from our headquarters in Western Minnesota to Minneapolis this week, I passed a competitors truck on the road and the entire trailer was lettered with the following phrase:  “Our Most Valuable Asset sits 63’ Ahead” in bold letters on the trailer, with an arrow pointing to the cab of the truck.     It was bold and took up the entire side of the trailer – you couldn’t miss it.

This competing trucking firm is well known, has an excellent reputation in the industry and in my opinion, gets it!  What are they saying to both their own drivers, as well as the other drivers on the roadway is that we appreciate our drivers enough to basically “tell the world” and then they go one step further and invite other drivers to talk to the driver and ask them why.

We are in a competitive business, both for shippers and manufacturers business to load our trucks, but also in the people business, how do we insure that we have the men and women in the future to drive our trucks and what are we doing both here at Kottke Trucking, but also as an industry, to attract, train, retain and insure the survival of our industry for years to come?   We recently implemented a new driver pay package which puts us ahead of the pack of many of our competitors.  We did this for a number of reason’s – to instill a sense of pride among our current drivers that we do care and that they are as important to us as any new driver that comes on board.

Another reason, to say that as a trucking firm that has been in business for 77 years and in our 3rd generation of ownership, that we know that in order to make it to the 4th & 5th generations and beyond, this is an investment that we needed to do.  We are seeing those shippers that understand the value of the driver coming on board and allowing us the opportunity to sit down and discuss our operational expenses and why, when we ask for a rate increase, that a huge part of an increase covers the additional pay that we have implemented.

It’s not an easy decision and sometimes not an easy conversation, to sit across the desk from a Transportation Director or VP of Supply Chain and explain how decisions that they make today, will impact their business for many years to come – to insure the continuation of their own supply chain.

Necessity dictates that as an industry, our drivers pay has not kept pace with inflation for over 20 years and in order for our industry to survive, those of us who believe we are leaders in the industry, will make those hard choices and decisions and rise to the occasion.  My last name might be Kottke, but in the nearly 15+ years that I’ve now worked within the business my brothers and I purchased from our parents in 1996, I’ve come to realize more and more the importance of that “valuable asset” that sits in the cab of our trucks every day.

I recently read a book entitled “Driving to Perfection” by Brian Fielkow on how to create and achieve business excellence by creating a vibrant culture. We believe we are doing that here at Kottke Trucking, not only for our drivers, but for all of our associates.

We are just hours away from bringing in a new year and being forced to say goodbye to the year that was. This time of the year brings around the opportunity to do many of things, many of which I find important.

Before you usher in 2015, reflect upon your 2014. Did you meet your goals? Did you get where you wanted to go? Are you satisfied with your 2014? I sure hope that you were.

After reflection comes resolution. New Year resolutions are now quite cliché, but I still find that they are important to have. I find that it is important to have goals to strive for, but it is also imperative that those goals are attainable. It’s really a fine line to walk.

Make goals, but make sure they are a true possibility. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t keep dreaming big, but it is important to have goals you can reach and feel fulfilled about. Your goal in 2015 shouldn’t be becoming the President of the United States, that might be too big, plus it’s impossible since the election isn’t until 2016, but you get my point.

Finally, most importantly, be thankful for the time we have here on this little marble that we call Earth. Just being able to live is a beautiful thing and sometimes we forget the awesome gift that we have every day. Be thankful just to be in 2015.

Bad days will occur in 2015, bad days are inevitable, but don’t let them define you or your year. Make 2015 a great year and define it yourself.

Kottke Trucking through the Truckload Carriers Association was able to help Wreaths Across America. It’s a great program and this year saw over 130 truckloads of wreaths delivered for Arlington National Cemetery. Our Senior Vice President of Sales/Marketing Mike Udermann attended the gala this fall in Washington, D.C.

Udermann passed along the following note:

The Kottke Trucking box of wreaths.

WAA was able to place a wreath on every gravestone at Arlington National – it’s 150th Anniversary this year – 270,000+ grave sites of our veterans, as well as helping WAA place wreaths in over 1000 cemeteries of our military veterans across the globe – over 700,000 wreaths were placed.

As you know – this is near and dear to my heart with my son and daughter-in-law currently both serving – Matt is a Blackhawk helicopter pilot – and I personally wanted to thank you for providing me with your support for this program to help make it as successful as it was this year.

Pictures from the event can be found here.

Throughout the year there is a couple events that are close to our heart. Every June, we hold our annual golf outing that benefits the American Cancer Society, but we also have an event every Holiday season that is equally important.

This time of the year, we get to supply carts and carts worth of toys to area children that are in need of those toys. This is all possible through an organization named Trucks and Toys which we’ve been associated with for years because of our association with the Minnesota Trucking Association.

This year was another successful campaign and we can’t thank all of our employees enough for helping us get all of these toys.

The following is an email from safety director Brenda Kraft that was sent to our internal staff that I think is important for everyone to see:

I just want to take a moment to share the success of the Truck and Toys campaign. With all money contributions and applied discounts, Kottke’s raised over $4,000.00, which doesn’t even include the toys which were brought in! I cant begin to explain how grateful the volunteers at McLeod County, Renville County, and the combined 26 ministries of different denominations- the Common Cup were; I wish I could put into words the feeling that comes with tears of happiness shed and warm hugs of thanks, then I could pass it on to you–for you are the ones who made it happen! Thank you for your gifts of caring and sharing and God Bless!

Thank you all again for all of your support in all of our charitable events throughout the year. We hope you have a wonderful Christmastime and a marvelous New Year.

MORTON, MINN – Kottke Trucking held its first Driver of the Year program today and announced that Thomas Erickson of Ramsey, MN was crowned with the high honors.

Tom has been a life long driver of more than 40 years and has been with Kottke Trucking since 1992.  Tom’s dedication, safety and professionalism were cornerstone of his consideration and the cornerstone of his commitment to Kottke Trucking.

Tom’s dispatchers mention that he upbeat, easy to work with and likes to have some fun while working.  Some of our long time customers mentioned that Tom’s presence makes it easier to do business with Kottke Trucking.

Kottke Trucking’s Driver Board created the idea of the Driver of the Year and it was carried out by our staff.  There are four quarterly winners, named the Jim Doering Award of Excellence.  They were Robert Kistner of Gaylord, MN; Thomas Erickson of Ramsey, MN; Laurie Leonard of St Cloud, MN; and John Ashley of New London, MN.  All four recipients are the best of the best of the driving industry.  Jim Doering was Kottke Trucking’s first long time driver and stayed with our company for over 35 years.  The quarterly awards are named in his memory.

The Driver of the Year is named after our second generation visionaries:  Duane and Connie.  Their ability to build the base that our company stands on today, doesn’t go without notice.

Kottke Trucking has been in business since 1938 and for the past three decades the primary business is to transport dry, refrigerated and frozen food items.  We operate in the Midwest, South and Southeastern part of the United States.  Our fleet consists of 90 drivers and 20 support staff.

John Ashley

• Fourth Quarter 2014, Jim Doering Award of Excellence
• Candidate for Driver of the Year to be awarded Saturday, December 13, 2014

How many ways can you say goodbye?  Well, if you want to try to outdo John, you are on your own.  John’s smile stretches to each ear and his ears are always willing to listen.  John wants everyone to do their best and if he can give you a boost, he will.  Some would say the old ‘shirt off your back’ phrase was written because of John.

John’s nominator adds, “Whenever I see John, his truck looks great!  He takes care of the equipment he pulls and uses load locks, sweeps and seals his trailers.  He has always treated me very well and been friendly.  He is a very professional driver.  He definitely represents Kottke well.”

We asked John to share his feelings of this award and his start in trucking. 

“I feel very honored to receive the Jim Doering award. First, because it bears the name of a man I knew and respected. Second, because the nomination comes from fellow drivers, who share the road with me and know what it’s like out there. It makes it easier being with a company that appreciates and understands the drivers. I don’t feel like just a number.

“As a youngster all I ever wanted to do was drive. My first job when I was sixteen was driving a van delivering wedding cakes for a local baker. And now I get to drive the big trucks. Thank you and keep on truckin’,” Ashley said.

Rest assured, we’ll keep on truckin’.  Thanks for being part of our company for all these years.

This concludes the four finalists for the Driver of the Year.  Come to our website Saturday evening after 6:30 p.m. to see who be named the Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year.

Laurie Leonard

• Third  Quarter 2014, Jim Doering Award of Excellence
• Candidate for Driver of the Year to be awarded Saturday, December 13, 2014

Laurie likes perfect.  In fact, she strives for it.  If there is someone that is constantly looking to improve the lives of our drivers, Laurie is trying.  Whether it be that she is pressing forward to be the best fuel economy driver in the fleet or she is concerned about how a customer is working with our drivers, Laurie is there and trying to improve.  She is driving all of us to get better!

Laurie’s nominator added, “Laurie possesses so many characteristics that make her worthy for this award.  She is honest, has a great sense of humor, professional and a great leader.”

Those traits are indeed a great starter kit to  being a great driver.  Being that she does them all so well, makes her excellent.  

When we asked Laurie how she got into the industry and what this award means to her, she told us, “My trucking career ultimately started when I was still on bottles and in diapers.  Growing up, I rode many miles with my Dad, in numerous cab over Internationals, answered phones, dispatched loads, typed freight bills, stuffed statements, folded tarps and helped out in the shop. But, was NEVER allowed to drive a truck! That always made me mad.  So when the opportunity to get my CDL in 2007 presented itself, I jumped on it. I am a 3rd generation truck driver and proud of it!  Winning the Jim Doering award (earlier this year), to me, means that by taking everything I’ve learned along the way and incorporating it into the job I’m doing now, I must be doing something right. I have my parents to thank for the work ethic and my genes to thank for my love of driving.”

And we have to thank your parents for showing you the path.  Thanks to them!

Stay tuned in the coming days of all the candidates for the award and come to our website Saturday evening after 6:30 pm to see who will wear the crown of Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year.

Thomas Erickson

• Second Quarter 2014, Jim Doering Award of Excellence
• Candidate for Driver of the Year to be awarded Saturday, December 13, 2014

Tom, Tommy, Shaky or maybe known best as Mr. Local.  Tom Erickson has been a cornerstone of our company for over twenty years.  Starting his career as a long haul driver, his career change to a local driver become ideal as his understanding of the over-the-roads needs were clear.  Many of the things we start and end go through Tom.  Many of the things that we all take for granted go through this local fleet.

Tom’s nominator said, “We owe Tom a big thank you for all his efforts in delivering our loads so that we can continue to work or get some needed time with our loved ones.  This award would be a way to pass our thanks to him for his efforts.  You make our job easier by doing what you do.”

Tom probably can say it better than we can. 

“Driving truck isn’t just a job, it is a way of life. I have been driving truck for almost forty years.  My dad drove truck and his dad drove truck.   I guess you could say that it’s in the family,” he said when asked how long he has been in the industry.

“There are people who might think driving truck has to be an easy way to make a living, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than just getting in the truck and driving.  We drivers don’t just drive.  We also have to be able to get along with shipping and receiving clerks, we have to be able to schmooze with the dock workers.  We have to know all the rules and regulations for all the states we drive through, and for those who own their own trucks, they have to know how to work on and maintain their equipment,” Tom adds.

“I am very grateful for having been nominated for the award.  I realize it is an honor and I also realize there are many others who do exactly what I do every day, get in their truck and do what has to be done, for themselves and for their families.  I am proud of what I do and I’m proud of this honor,” Tom says proudly.

Proud you should be, Tom.  We are proud to have you.

Stay tuned in the coming days of all the candidates for the award and come to our website Saturday evening after 6:30 pm to see who will wear the crown of Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year.