The Suddath Companies announces an addition to its executive leadership team with the appointment of David Cox to the new role of senior vice president of corporate strategy and quality assurance.

With vast experience in the transportation industry, Cox will complement the existing executive team by leading the strategic planning process and quality assurance program. He will guide the company through short and long-term improvements in operations, customer service, technology and integrated services.

“We are extremely pleased to have David join our team given his polished skill set and proven performance.  In this new position he will oversee our path to overall growth and profitability with significant focus on customer service and operational execution. David will lead key initiatives pertaining to total quality management, standard operating procedures and systemic performance,” said Michael J. Brannigan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Suddath Companies.

“In order to maintain the level of service to which Suddath is committed, a broader vision with a tighter focus will bring continued improvements to our customer experience.  David will focus on both broad and finite details that Suddath continues to improve upon to remain an industry leader. He will help to define strategies and create opportunities as we continue to ‘set the standard for moving the world,’” said Brannigan.

Cox has spent the last 17 years working in the transportation industry. He has held multiple key leadership positions in operations, administration, sales, quality and both general and regional executive management. Cox has a degree from Carleton College in Minnesota and has served on multiple philanthropic and industry boards. Prior to entering the industry, he served two years in the Peace Corps teaching English to students in Albania.

“Suddath has a rich history and impressive record as an industry leader in global transportation and relocation, and I am really looking forward to joining the organization at such a transformative time,” Cox said.

We have another winner!

Home Office would like to announce that

Chris Loftus (444)

is this week’s winner for the “Rewards of Proper Paperwork” audit program.

Great job!

What’s the buzz with our van operators?

What’s the word on the street?

This Van Operator has been with Suddath for 19 yrs and is very happy.

“No problems, very happy. Please text your phone number to me, I will call you if I have questions or concerns. Thanks for calling!!”

“Everything is good, very happy, and nice that someone would call me!!”

Anthony said things were going well and the branch was treating him well.

“Things are going well – only complaint is that loading and unloading “in the middle of nowhere is challenging”.  “Overall, I am very happy!!” Congratulated him on his Continental Van Operator Award and encouraged him to keep up the great work.

 “Wow!! Nice that someone cares!!  I have a great truck, great help and a great job. I am very happy!”

“The branch has some challenges, too many guys new to the business and I spend a lot of time training labor. However, overall I am pleased with the position.”

He is good, had no issues. Happy so far.

I’m good, branch treats me well – I will call you back.

 We Hear You and Thank You for Your Comments

Please join me in congratulating the following winners for Suddath Van Operator of the Month for August.  Each winner will receive a letter of congratulations, a certificate and a check for their outstanding service and performance.  For those of you who have an opportunity or may interact with these Van Operators on a daily basis, please take a moment and let them know how much they are appreciated!

AUGUST WINNERS

Continental Van Operator

Peter Paluszak – 488

Master Lease Van Operator:

James Carlstrom – 283

Special Products:

Kyle Inglis – 163

Peter Paluszak is the winner of the Continental Van Operator of the Month. Peter is with our 488, Fort Lauderdale office. Peter has an outstanding United Raw score of 1. His SPR score is 54251 and his claims score is .22. Peter has been with Suddath since 2004 and is a second generation Van Operator. He is a good, solid Van Operator and has consistent scores monthly. Peter has a great rapport with his customers and even when he runs into challenging situations he always finds a way to make it right. “Peter is very personable and he does it well all the time”.

Jim Carlstrom is with 283, our Minneapolis branch and is our Master Fleet Van Operator of the Month for August. Jim carries an updating score of 98.05% and a perfect United Raw score of 1.  He has an impressive Customer Satisfaction score of 96.9%.  Jim has been with Barrett/Suddath since March 2005. He consistently receives great comments and scores from his satisfied customers. Jim excels in all the driver performance measurements, and currently has a “1” in every category. Way to go Jim!

The Special Products Van Operator of the Month winner for August is Kyle Inglis. Kyle runs for our 163, Dallas office. Kyle has a great United Raw score of 1. Kyle has a perfect Driver Points score at 100%.   He has an SPR of 83485 and an updating score of 94.3%. Kyle is an extremely dependable driver and you can always count on Kyle to make things happen. No matter how small or how large the job, he will always get it done with the utmost professionalism and quality.

>We are fortunate to have these three gentlemen on our team, as well as all our Van Operators who have a very challenging job to perform every day. Please be sure to take time to thank them as you have the opportunity.

United Van Operator of the Month Winners & Runners Up

July 2012

~ Winners ~

Household Goods Continental Great Lakes/SE Region

Christopher Loftus – Orlando 444

Mayflower Excellent Performance Award for Special Products

Nolan McCann – Milwaukee 282

~ Runners – Up ~

Household Goods Continental Great Lakes/SE Region

Peter Paluszak – Ft. Lauderdale 488

Mayflower Special Products Dedicated Fleet

Charles Ross – Milwaukee 282

~ Van Operator of the Month Honorable Mention List – July 2012 ~

Mack Anderson –  Houston 460

Harrison Chauncey III – Minneapolis 283

Ken Delahoussaye – Minneapolis 283

Lazlo Geder – Jacksonville 440

Zenon Giz – Miami 483

Marcus Horne – Houston 460

Michael Justice – Orlando 444

Victor Larson – Minneapolis 283

David Kramer – Atlanta 412

Phillip Marcorelle – Minneapolis 283

Bishram Megnauth – Orlando 444

John Meola – Ft. Lauderdale 488

Matthew Polfer – Orlando 444

Vernon Thompson – Ft. Lauderdale 488

Frank Verk – St. Petersburg 446

Congratulations to you all!!

You Asked – We Listened!

Keep your           peeled for good news in the contract.

We have partnered with companies that will help you

SAVE MONEY on the road.

How would more         feel in your pocket??

We are improving your contract

and providing discounts to YOU!

Stay tuned for details

You Asked – We Listened!

Suddath Van Operator contract enhancements will be announced at the end of the month.

 Stay tuned for the GREAT NEWS!

Please join me in congratulating the following winners for “Suddath Van Operator of the Month” for July.  Each winner will receive a letter of congratulations, a certificate and a check for their outstanding service and performance.  For those of you who have an opportunity or may interact with these Van Operators on a daily basis, please take a moment to let them know how much they are appreciated!    

 Suddath’s Continental Van Operator of the Month for July is Dragos Zalischi from 470, our Los Angeles office. Dragos has an updating score of 98.57% and a United Raw score of 1.  He has a great Customer Satisfaction score of 98% and a perfect 100% Driver Point Score. Dragos has done a great job taking care of our customers for many years.  He owns the job once he accepts it, and is great at finding solutions to problems.  We can also always count on Dragos for a great story or joke when we are on the phone with him to keep the conversation and topic entertaining.  He is an excellent ambassador, and we truly value the contributions he has given us this year and all of the years he has been at Suddath. 

 Brett Kishel is the winner of the Master Lease Van Operator of the Month. Brett is from our 283, Minneapolis office. Brett has an outstanding United Raw score of 1. His SPR score is 31174. He has a great claims score of .44 and an impressive Driver Point Score of 100%. Brett is a polite, no-nonsense van operator dedicated to the customer, and the details of each job he handles.  When it is time to work, Brett works with very little interaction with busy dispatchers.  Very often, Brett has called customers 48 hours in advance and is always on top of his schedule and communicates it to all that need to know.  Excellent job, Brett!

 The Special Products Van Operator of the Month is Bryan Brownell. Bryan is from our 1855 Mayflower office in Milwaukee. Bryan has a great Mayflower Raw score of 1. He has a perfect Driver Point Score of 100%. Bryan’s SPR is 58722 and he has an updating score of 93.7%. Bryan came to Barrett/Boulevard from Donovan’s Mayflower.  Bryan lives in Enid, Oklahoma and has been happily married for 17 years.  Bryan and his wife have 2 girls and 1 boy.  Bryan has been driving truck since 1990 and he enjoys the freedom and different challenges that the job offers.  His hobbies include shooting and collecting guns along with model railroading.

We are fortunate to have these three gentlemen on our team as well as all our Van Operators who have a very challenging job to perform every day. Please be sure to take time to thank them as you have the opportunity.

Last week, we brought to you the Rewards of Proper Paperwork.  Let’s take a look at some tips to help you be 100% compliant and earn your $100 for a job well done.

Top Van Operator Paperwork and Weight Practice Concerns 

1. Weight tickets must be obtained within 50 miles of the residence.
2. Weight tickets must be obtained within 24 hours of loading.
3. Weight tickets cannot be handwritten (unless no other scale exists, in which case the coordinator or dispatcher must make a note in memopad).
4. Weight tickets must be completely filled out with all unit numbers and signatures.
5. Audit companies use the guideline of 1 page of inventory per 1,000lbs.  If the van operator perceives the inventories and weight tickets are off by more than 15%, we should reweigh at destination.
6. Inventories must reconcile with AR23 for both packing count and bulky articles.
7. Packers and Van Operators should not pack any non-breakables in Dishpack.  If Dishpack contains non-brakeable items, audit companies may revise as a 4.5 vs Dishpack.
8. Audit companies will question any time we list that we completed 100% of the unpacking.  Therefore, crews need to be sure to list only what they unpacked. Please know the audit company will phone the customer to confirm the details of the unpack/AR23.
9.  Drivers must be sure that shuttles are legitimate as billers use Google Earth to validate whether access required a shuttle or not.
10. Drivers need to be sure that they carefully read all special instructions which may have audit or contract requirements. Please review Special Instructions with performance crews prior to dispatching and highlight all audit instructions.
11. No back weighs without booker authorization.
12. All orders must have certified, printer generated weight tickets.
13. Issues that may cause variances must be shared with booker – excessive books, excessive tools, excessive canned food or supplies.
14. All locations to have platform scale in warehouse.

Remember: There will be random audits weekly beginning September 4 through October 31. There will be multiple winners chosen and rewarded during September and October.

Lisa Mills, Suddath