Check out our winter newsletter!
WINTER 2022
ROGER ROSS A MESSAGE FROM OUR CFO
growth. A continuous effort to develop a culture and work atmosphere that is focused on retaining and attracting employees is essential to growing the business, and employee owners can positively impact our work environment to achieve growth. Increased productivity (volumes) can be as simple as planning your day and week so you have the opportunity to exceed higher than expected targets. Utilizing the technology we have invested in provides us with the best opportunity to be as efficient as possible in performing your duties, resulting in lower cost. If you are behind the wheel, turning a wrench, or at your desk, you can impact productivity, efficiency, profit margins, and stock price!
Thank you for everything you do, and let’s have a great 2022!
Another year is under our belt, and since we are all shareholders, I am sure you are wondering what our stock price will be on Dec. 31, 2021. The great thing about being an employee-owner is knowing you can directly impact our financial results. Never underestimate how important your role is in creating shareholder value. To understand how you can impact stock price, let’s take a quick look at one of the primary factors that impacts stock price.
–Roger Ross Chief Financial Officer
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR CEO, GREG THOMPSON
I hope each of you had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thank you all for your hard work in getting us through yet another successful year. As we roll into 2022, remember that each of you in your specific positions plays a vital role in the future success of the company. As employee owners, you share in the rewards when the company performs well. Don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process. For years, we have consistently proven successful, and I know we would all like to see it continue. Let’s learn from the past and focus on what’s ahead.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOWS OR THE PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE CASH FLOW STREAMS
Investors determine how much they are willing to invest in a company based on various factors, including the estimated future cash flow streams of the business.
How can we increase our future cash flows?
GROW REVENUE AND PROFIT MARGINS
Looking forward to a great 2022!
Grow the business! This is much easier said than done, especially in this challenging labor market. However, it’s a necessity since increasing future cash flows is primarily generated from revenue
–Greg Thompson Chief Executive Officer & President
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• Do NOT Use Engine Brakes: When you encounter slippery conditions, do NOT use your engine brakes. This can lead to a jackknife.
THE SAFETY MESSAGE
• Do NOT Drive if You Don’t Feel Safe: Do not outdrive your experience. If you don’t feel safe, then find a safe place to park and stop. Keep Operations informed. • Always Use 3 Points of Contact: This is a must, particularly in cold, snowy or icy conditions. This should be second nature to you at all times, but especially in winter months. Again, the above tips should be followed year-round, whether you are driving a CMV or your personal vehicle. Also, during the winter months, make sure to pack warm clothes, extra blankets, a good sleeping bag, extra drinking water, and nonperishable foods in case you get shut down in an area without accommodations. These are just a few suggestions that will help make driving in winter weather safer and more successful. Again, if you don’t feel safe then don’t go! Also, make sure you have your mirrors adjusted correctly and your seat is adjusted high enough that you can see all your mirrors so you can regularly scan them. This will help eliminate or reduce any lane change or sideswipe accidents. It is a good rule of thumb to maintain your lane unless you just have to change. Each lane change increases the chance of a lane change accident.
I hope each and every one of you had a merry Christmas and happy New Year’s Day and that this newsletter finds you and your family doing well. The beginning of January means that winter weather is either already occurring or is right around the corner. As beautiful as the snow can look (I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder), it can bring challenges to the trucking industry. If you haven’t already done so, it is time to equip your truck with winter gear and supplies as well as take some precautions. Most of these tips are to be used year-round but are extra important during the winter season.
• Slow Down: Reduce your speed on wet roads and especially on snow-packed roads.
• Do a Vehicle Inspection: Perform good pre- and post-trip inspections.
• Increase Your Following Distance: It takes a greater distance to completely stop your vehicle in inclement weather. Following distance is controlled by you and is an easy way to help avoid accidents.
• Avoid Sudden Maneuvers: These include fast braking, sudden acceleration, and abrupt lane changes.
Until next time,
–Tim Clark VP of Safety
• Watch for Black Ice: Watch the vehicles around you. If you see spray coming off their tires, then it is wet. If you don’t see spray, then it is ice and the roads are freezing.
• Make sure your emergency triangles are in good order and have some kitty litter on hand — it’s an inexpensive way to gain traction when stuck in ice and snow. Keep your tanks on the side full and always keep your phone charged. • Protect your batteries! Battery power is critical any time of year, and cold weather will put a strain on the best of batteries. Keep the power in the battery by turning off the main switches beside the seat when leaving the truck parked for a few days. Inverters should only be turned on if it is being used and turned off when not in use. You should always be thinking about saving battery power so they don’t leave you stranded in the cold. Winter weather can reach up and bite you when you least expect it, so be prepared. Thanks again for all you do, and remember we are always here for you if you need us. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need us, and I hope to see you at one of our facilities soon!
SHOP TIPPS
Hello, drivers! Winter is here, and we hope you are ready for the frigid temperatures we will be seeing during the cold season. Please remember to plan ahead, know what the forecast is at your destination, make sure you are prepared if you are stranded. We want you to be safe all winter! Here are a few things you can think about before you head out. • Tires, brakes, and engine oil and coolant checks as well as an air tank purge and ice removal off the trailer air lines and radar are things that should be done daily. • Keep your windshield washer bottle full and keep your wipers in good condition. You can extend the life of the wipers by keeping the ice cleaned off of the blade and the glass. • Keeping the cooling system in good order is critical in surviving the winter season. Scan the ground for leaks daily and keep some tools around so you can tighten up those clamps. Cold temperatures will cause rubber and silicone hoses to contract and start leaking. Simply tightening the clamps a little will stop the leak, protecting the engine.
–Tim Tipps VP of Maintenance
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER ELITE FLEET
PERFECT INSPECTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER RAYMOND VAUGHN
RAYMOND VAUGHN GARY SMITH MARKUS SHINLEVER PHILIP SPAULDING STEVEN KELLEMS JEREMY YORK NICOLAS ADAIR ERNEST SINGLEY JASON BECK DONALD BURGIN ALLAN DRAKE JOHN DEE SHAWN MCLAUGHLIN JEFFREY BAKER ALFRED DOTTERWEICH DONALD SHERFEY JEREMY YORK JOHN MARSHALL RAYMOND HALL LAWRENCE ROBERTSON
WILLIAM DIXON III JAMES VAUGHAN GREGORY OBRIEN ROBERT TRAVIS SCOTT TAIF RODNEY SIMMONS FREDRICK KNIGHTON ADAM TYDINGS JAMES SWEAT BILLY SMITH GARLAND MULLINS SR. GREGORY OBRIEN CARLIN HICKS LYNNWOOD BARLEY JR. DENISE BECRAFT DONALD HAYES RAY PARKER VINCENT WILLMARTH GARY CLARK
SUKOJI BROWN SAMUEL MCDOW PAULINE CUMER BRIAN LINDSEY JASON VAUGHT DAVID HERT HIRAM CRITTENDON JR. JAMES MOORE RICKY REED MARCUS SHARP DIAMOND GARRETT CHARLES THOMAS EVERETT KNILE LEE FITCHGERALD WYNN SHAWN MCLAUGHLIN PAULINE CUMER
1,000,000 Accident-Free Miles
Edward Dobbs
500,000 Accident-Free Miles
Edward Owen
Bryan Taylor
Raymond Bragg
Thomas Sharpe
250,000 Accident-Free Miles James Hotsinpiller Franklin Tankersley Jeffery Duncan Timothy Simpson James Santana Hiram Crittendon Rebecca Eaton Cline Dotson Steven Kellems Nicolas Adair Donald Malone
MICHAEL LITTRELL MOMODOU SAINE TIM TUCKER
THANK YOU to every driver who received a PERFECT INSPECTION. THANK YOU to our Elite Fleet drivers — you represent over 8 million safe miles. We appreciate your dedication to SAFETY and to protecting our employee-owned company! –Greg Thompson, CEO & President –Kristi McFarland, Executive Vice President
125,000 Accident-Free Miles Mark Demankowski Barry Helveston
Thomas Gray Robert Williams Ladarius Tuggerson Gregory Barnes Johnathan Johnson Christopher Meade
Craig Jackson Alan Husmann Elide Moore Adam Tydings Anthony Gray Earl Henrick Jason Gerardo
Kenneth Lott Thomas Clark
A CLEAN CAB CAN MEAN A FREE PASS! Inspectors assume that if the cab and dashboard are clean and well cared for, then most of the time, the rest of the truck will be well cared for, too. CLEANLINESS COUNTS.
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DRIVERS MONTH of the
SEPTEMBER
JAMES PLATT James started with Big G in June of 2014. Before coming on board here, he worked for J & R Schugel. He started trucking in October of 2011 just as soon as he turned 21. One of the most memorable moments of his career was driving with his dad down the interstate and talking with him on the CB as they PAUL FLYE Paul started with Big G in June of 2021, his first driving job was with Raven Transport in 2017. One thing that sticks in his mind since he started driving is the kindness of some of the people he has met. Driving a truck can put one in some difficult situations, and the JAMES (JAMIE) SANTANA Jamie joined Big G in April of 2018. He started his trucking career with CR England in 1996 and drove there for many years and also was a company trainer for them. Some of his favorite roads to travel are I-75 headed to Florida. He has seen most of the U.S. and really loves the back roads in Iowa. He lives in Lewisburg as a widower and loves spending time with DONNA BROOKS Donna has been working with the Big G family off and on since 2005 and steadily since September 2019. Her first driving job was with Werner in 2000. Looking back, one of her fondest memories of being on the road is the first time she took her kid for a trip and
his road buddy, Dogi. When not in the truck, he enjoys firing up his smoker, playing guitar, and joining in group AA meetings. His advice for new drivers: Always pay attention to your surroundings, have a good trip plan, and communicate with your fleet manager. Also, be sure to complete good pre/post trips.
they ran into a snowstorm on Cabbage Mtn. She lives in Murfreesboro, and when not working, she likes to kayak on the Barren Fork River in McMinnville. Her advice for new drivers: Have patience. You will not learn this industry in a short period of time.
OCTOBER
drove in separate trucks. When not in the cab, he likes to go to Disney World. He lives in Ocala with his wife Casey and their dog Bullett. A few words of advice for a new driver: Be patient and your time will come. Sometimes as a new driver, you will not get exactly what you want.
thoughtfulness of people can really make the day better. He lives in Pal Coast, Florida, with his wife, Dawn, his son, Paul Jr., and when home, he likes to get out on the boat to fish or go hunting. A few words of advice for a new driver: Drive defensively at all times.
NOVEMBER
MELISSA DAVIS Melissa joined Big G in Oct of 2021. She got her start in trucking with US Express in 2016. Some of her favorite routes to travel are out west such as Donner Pass. One of her most memorable moments was visiting the Iowa 80 truck stop. She lives in Palm Coast,
Florida, with her fiancé, and when not trucking, she enjoys riding freestyle dirt bikes. Her words of advice for new drivers: Always watch your surroundings, never get in a big hurry, and be safe.
ROBERT STARK Robert has been with Big G since January of 2013. He started driving in 1970 running team runs to Alaska. One the most memorable moments of his career was seeing Alaska from the cab of a truck. He lives in Hampton, Tennessee, with his wife Kitt. They have been married
for 21 years. On the weekends when not driving, he likes to work on the honey-do list. A few words of advice for a new driver: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You learn something new every day. Give the company you are driving for a chance to get used to you and vice versa.
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BIG G GETS INVOLVED WITH TOYS FOR TOTS & WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
This past December, we were able to donate a large number of toys with an additional $1,250 to our local Toys for Tots campaign. These generous donations came from our Big G and Ike locations in Middle Tennessee. A big thank-you to those who were able to donate. We are proud to support the U.S. Marine Corp Toys for Tots program each year in hopes to brighten the lives of those less fortunate.
Wreaths Across America
Todd Darnell (pictured with truck) and Bobby Mallory, Driver of the Year, both delivered wreaths for Wreaths Across America in December. Bobby made the run to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, while Todd ran the multi-stop local drops. Wreath’s Across America coordinates wreath- laying at more than 2,500 locations across the United States in honor of or memory of an American veteran each December. We are honored to participate each year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April–June 2022 HealthCheck360 Wellness Screenings June 4, 2022 7th Annual Big G Motorcycle Ride for St. Jude Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at the 840 yard. 193 Aldi Blvd., Mt. Juliet, TN. Come out and support the riders for a great cause! August 2022 Benefits Open Enrollment Sept 11–17, 2022 Driver Appreciation Week October 2022 Employee Ownership Month
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
190 Hawkins Dr. Shelbyville, TN 37160 931-684-9140 www.biggexpress.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2 3 4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CFO THE SAFETY MESSAGE SHOP TIPPS PERFECT INSPECTIONS ELITE FLEET DRIVERS OF THE MONTH
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RECRUITMENT, A GOODBYE, AND A HELLO! BIG G GETS INVOLVED WITH TOYS FOR TOTS & WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA UPCOMING EVENTS
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RECRUITMENT, A GOODBYE, AND A HELLO!
DRIVER RECRUITING — I have heard the word “unprecedented” thrown around by multiple experts to describe the world of recruiting over the past year. Recruiters have certainly been living in interesting times. Throughout the year, our driver recruiters have spoken to multiple candidates who say they have been sold a “bill of goods” by other companies —only to get there to find less than acceptable equipment, lower pay or miles than what they were sold, bad management practices, etc. At Big G Express, we sincerely strive to advertise what we can deliver. So, many drivers turn (or return) to us because we have the hard-earned reputation of being “good for our word” and for working to treat our drivers right. We appreciate your service and continue to work to provide you with the absolute best pay, home time, bonus programs, miles, benefits, equipment, etc., that we can deliver! TERRY CONQUEST — On Dec. 17, we celebrated the well-earned retirement of Terry Conquest, our Director of Driver Recruiting and Driver Services. Terry has been a good friend to everyone at Big G Express over his many years of service. He was always a source of lighthearted, good humor around the office and regularly provided a laugh along the way. We are told that Terry will be spending his leisure time with Rhonda somewhere between their boat, camper, and grandchildren and their activities. All of us at Big G Express wish Terry all the best!
NEW HIRE RECOGNITION — In closing, I would like to recognize one of our new hires at our 840/Mt. Juliet terminal. Michelle Gregory joined our Facilities Maintenance team in November. Since then, she has made a dramatic impact at the Mt. Juliet site. One of our leaders noted, “I have gotten multiple comments from drivers and office employees saying how much nicer it is. We all know it’s a full-time job …with so much traffic coming through there.” Another leader noted, “Counters around sinks and faucets have not looked that good in forever and a day!” Fantastic job, Michelle! We appreciate all that you do for our drivers and office staff at Mt. Juliet!
–John Fairchild VP of Human Resources
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