May/June 2019
THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP THANK YOU FOR 10 YEARS
This year marks Big G’s 10th year as an employee-owned company, and we are reminded of how fortunate we are that the previous ownership group sold the company back to the employees instead of to a larger carrier or investment firm. Instead of undergoing job losses and layoffs, Big G has grown in size and profitability, all while employees earn shares and see increases in their retirement accounts without any money out of their pocket. News of Falcon Transport’s abrupt closing hit social media and trucking sources on April 27, when the 116-year-old company reportedly sent email and Qualcomm messages announcing the closing of all locations and directing employees to stop working. According to news reports, this came as a shock to the estimated 550 employees who lost their jobs due to the closing. Falcon had been family-owned until September 2017, when they sold to CounterPoint Capital Partners, a private equity firm in Los Angeles.
“AS AN EMPLOYEE-OWNED COMPANY, WE OFFER STABILITY AND SECURITY KNOWING WE ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS TO A GROUP OF INVESTORS OR SHAREHOLDERS.”
owners and the employees. The legacy created by the owners continues, and the employees are given the opportunity to share in the success of the company. When employees participated in an employee benefit meeting in December 2009 and heard the news that Big G Express was 100% employee-owned, there were many questions and some skepticism about the future of the company and what this would mean for them. No one could have predicted the magnitude of that announcement or how different things could have been if Big G were sold to someone else. As an employee-owned company, we offer stability and security, knowing we are not just numbers to a group of investors or shareholders. The employees are our shareholders, and we all benefit from the success of our company! Our leadership team makes decisions based on the long-term sustainability of Big G and not for a short-term profit.
As owners of a family- owned business reach a certain age, they must think about the succession plan for their business and how it will move forward, not to mention how they will eventually retire from the business. Creating an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and selling the company’s shares to the employees is a win- win situation for both the
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SERVICE — IT’S WHAT WE SELL
Man, I cannot believe we are already five months into 2019. I was joking with some of our operations team members a few weeks ago about how fast the year is moving. We are practically ready to start preparing for the Christmas holiday spike we all know and love! I want to take a few minutes to thank you all for what you do daily. We have some demanding customers with high expectations. Often, when we are making sales calls, the customer will ask us, “What makes you different?” Without hesitation, I tell them, “Our people.” In theory, our equipment and services are the same as the competition’s. But our drivers, our mechanics, and our office personnel — that’s the difference. We all play a key role in our customers’ successes, and those customers, in turn, play THE key role in our successes at Big G Express. Our driving associates get face-to-face with our customers more than anyone else in the company. You are the face of Big G. I am proud to say our drivers are the best in the industry, and our service record proves it. Please help us stay on top by delivering on
time, having clean equipment, being courteous, and most importantly, treating our customers the way you want to be treated.
You never know … Santa could be watching. Remember: pretrip, communicate, and be safe. Have a great week! –Bill Putman, VP of Sales
SHOP TIPPS
The East Tennessee Maintenance Facility’s driver’s room is now open for business, and the response has been terrific! We have greatly increased the room’s size, added another restroom, and built a much larger shower. We added theater seating, computer work stations, and a laundry room where you can freshen up your clothes. Please stop by to see the guys in ETN and share a cup of coffee. I would also like to remind everyone that the East Tennessee Maintenance Facility is staffed to handle any needs you may have regarding keeping your truck fixed. Larry and his team of quality technicians will be more than happy to take care of your maintenance needs. Use this location when you can, as they are normally not as busy as some other locations where wait times are high. Thanks to everyone who did the truck survey last week. It is important that we hear your opinion concerning the equipment we use and purchase. I had the opportunity to speak with many of you and enjoyed listening to your comments. We pride ourselves on the equipment we offer and want to hear from you. We will take your ideas and comments and try to apply them in the future.
As always, thank you for what you do and please know the maintenance team is here to help! –Tim Tipps, VP of Maintenance
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NEED CASH FOR COLLEGE?
Because we are members of TCA, you and your family members are eligible to apply for a scholarship. APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL JULY 12, 2019
PERFECT INSPECTIONS FOR MARCH/APRIL
ANDREW TYLER JOHN STETLER KENNETH PUCKETT MICHAEL HENDRICKSON
DANIEL DAWES RICKY ADAMS
LAWRENCE COOK PERRY DIXON H. WAYNE PRUITT
ERNEST STAPLES MARCUS SHARP JAMES SANTANA JAMES CULBERTSON
Truckload.org/scholarships
D. ANDREW HATFIELD MARKUS SHINLEVER
Since 1973, the TCA Scholarship Fund has been helping students with ties to the truckload industry by awarding up to 50 scholarships per year to full-time undergraduates.
GARY HENDLEY DAVID FISHER
Questions?
SCHOLARSHIPS@TRUCKLOAD.ORG
2019 TENNESSEE TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS Big G Express and IKE Transportation are proud of the six drivers who were selected to compete in the 2019 Tennessee Truck Driving Championships. The two- day competition consisted of a written exam, pretrip inspection competition, and the driving course. Big G Express participants (listed L to R) Robert McGuire, Casey Patrick, Maria Smith, Jeff Walker (IKE), Andrew Strickland, Eddie Lindsey
703-838-1950
Big G Express is proud to recognize the graduates of our employee-owners! We are proud of all their accomplishments and can’t wait to see what they will do next! Congratulations to the class of 2019!
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DRIVERS MONTH of the MARCH
THOMAS WEBB
are working together and make an effort to keep drivers. I tell my wife I feel like I’m home at Big G.” Thomas’ advice for new drivers is to just give it time. “Especially if you have been somewhere where you have been mistreated, the first thing that goes wrong, you are ready to bail,” Thomas says. “It is important to realize that Big G is an irregular-route carrier, and it is our responsibility to deliver the freight that our customers have for us, and that freight will not always be convenient for us.” When Thomas isn’t out on the road, he spends time working around the house and remodeling. friendly. Dispatchers and planners have a whole lot more respect and realize the drivers actually produce the revenue.” Ed’s advice for new drivers is to “be on time and don’t hit anything. Don’t turn down loads and be courteous to the customers. We are the face of Big G, and you will be a lot more accomplished with kindness.” Ed lives in Madison, NC, and just bought a new house, so when he isn’t out on the road, he has been unpacking and getting settled. He also enjoys riding motorcycles when he is off.
Thomas has been part of the Big G family since October of 2014 and lives in Cookeville, TN. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, Thomas says, “I’ve worked at a lot of places. I like the way I’m treated here. People actually care, and we aren’t treated like we are just a driver. People have a cooperative attitude like we
EDWARD LINKOUS
Ed Linkous has been part of the Big G family since April of 2016 and actually spent a few months working extended coverage dispatch. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, Ed says, “The culture is different, and Big G is more driver-
APRIL
ALFRED AVERY
Alfred’s advice for new drivers is “Keep in communication with your dispatcher. Tell them what you want and what you expect.” Alfred lives in Mebane, NC, and when he isn’t out on the road, he enjoys grilling, walking trails with his potbelly pig, bowling, and doing stuff around the house.
Alfred joined the Big G family in October of 2017. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, Alfred says, “Big G gets me home when I want home and runs me when I am out and ready to run.”
PAUL SCHULTZ
There is more of a direct connection at Big G compared to my previous company. I like that I can be home every weekend at Big G. At my previous company, I was out for three weeks and off for 4 1/2 days. The equipment is newer, and I haven’t had many problems with it.” Paul lives in Castalia, Ohio, and when he isn’t out on the road, he enjoys volunteering with Boy Scout events. He is in a National Honor Society for Boys Scouts and serves as the lead adult in charge of culinary.
Paul joined the Big G family in June of 2018 and has been a professional driver for three years. When asked what makes Big G stand out from other carriers, Paul says, “I have only been with one other company, but Big G is one of the few companies with a manual transmission.
OPERATION SAFE DRIVER WEEK
IS JULY 14–20
Last year, nearly 11,000 citations were issued to truck and bus drivers. Law enforcement pulled over or inspected more than 42,000 commercial vehicle drivers during 2018’s Operation Safe Driver Week and issued 10,709 citations and 29,908 warnings for unsafe driving. The top five citations issued were for violations of state and local laws (6,008), speeding (1,908), failure to use a seat belt (1,169), failure to obey a traffic control device (754), and using a handheld phone (262).
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced its annual Operation Safe Driver Week — which focuses on the unsafe driving of both trucks and cars — will take place July 14–20 and will focus on the dangers of speeding. Law enforcement officers will be looking for speeders while endorsing, promoting, and supporting the message: “Late won’t kill you; speeding will.” “For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in nearly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities,” said CVSA President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. “That is unacceptable, especially because it’s preventable. We will continue to educate the public on the dangers of speeding, and we will identify individuals who are speeding on our roadways and may issue citations as a deterrent to future speeding tendencies and to affect driver behavior.” In addition to speeding, law enforcement will be looking for other dangerous driving behaviors, including distracted driving, texting, failure to use a seatbelt, following too closely, improper lane change, reckless or aggressive driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, evidence of drunk or drugged driving, and more.
ABILITY ASSIST COUNSELING SERVICES
WHEN LIFE IS HARD, YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT
year, which gives our employees and their families a choice between single or shared visits. If you find yourself in need of financial advice, Ability Assist can put you in contact with a certified public accountant to guide you through difficult decisions you and your family may have to make. Ability Assist can also put you in contact with an attorney if you are facing legal problems, giving you the option to speak with an attorney over the phone and receive advice. Additionally, Ability Assist also allows us to offer our employees Health ChampionSM. This service gives you the support you may need in any health care situation. Health care experts will talk to you about any health concerns you may have, explain what your health benefits will cover, and speak with you about treatment options available to you. Setting up an appointment is easy and can be done either over the phone at 1-800-964-3577 or by visiting their website. Through Ability Assist, we also provide access to counseling resources, referrals, and information through GuidanceResources Online, which you can visit at GuidanceResources.com.
Life can be extremely difficult. Whether you’re faced with stress or anxiety while on the job or grieving over the loss of a loved one, having support is essential. It’s crucial to know you are not alone in these harsh times, and there are people who can help.
At Big G Express, we understand life can be turbulent, which is why we offer Ability Assist Counseling Services for all of our team members and their families. The professionals associated with this service are available for you to consult no matter which difficult circumstance you may be going through. Many of the services available for you and your family include legal support and resources, financial information, and work-life or emotional counseling.
These services allow us to offer unique solutions for our team members, and it comes with three face-to-face counseling sessions per
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
190 Hawkins Dr. Shelbyville, TN 37160 855-698-7130 www.biggexpress.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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BIG G’S 10 YEAR ESOP ANNIVERSARY
SERVICE — IT’S WHAT WE SELL SHOP TIPPS OPERATION SAFE DRIVER WEEK IS JULY 14–20 ABILITY ASSIST COUNSELING SERVICES
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
event, I’m amazed at the talent and expertise it takes to operate a truck. Every one of our contestants did a great job representing the company, and I hope next year we can field an even larger team in the event. I have three things to remind you of that are key to successfully growing our company in the tough business environment of today and in the future.
Greetings fellow employee-owners!
We are barreling toward the midway point of 2019, and that means our 10th annual ESOP meeting. Just a reminder: This year’s event will be on July 13 at the Nashville Zoo! Of course, we’ll
do a little “State of the ESOP” presentation, but most importantly, we will be announcing our updated stock price, and I’m confident it will be worth your time to be there.
1. SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSE!
2. SERVICE — IT’S ALL WE HAVE TO SELL!
I have just a few random notes to share.
3. RETENTION — ALL OUR PEOPLE IN EVERY JOB IN EVERY DEPARTMENT EVERY DAY!
I have had calls and comments from several folks about the seriously upgraded driver’s area at our East Tennessee yard, and I appreciate those messages! That upgrade is the first of a number of improvements we are planning for our facilities over the next several months. We look forward to sharing those plans in the near future. Last weekend, I had the honor of attending the Tennessee Trucking Association’s Truck Driving Championship with six of our professional drivers representing both IKE and Big G. Every time I attend this
As always, I appreciate everything you do to make the Big G family of companies great, and please let me know if there is ever anything I can personally do to help you!
–Randy Vernon, President
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