Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge have unveiled the 2023 Best Fleets to Drive For. The top 20 winners, which comprise for-hire trucking companies from across North America, are being recognized for the “exemplary work environments” they provide for their professional truck drivers and employees.
To be considered for the Best Fleets program, for-hire companies operating 10 or more tractor-trailers had to receive a nomination from one of their company drivers or owner-operators. The fleets were then evaluated using a scoring matrix covering a variety of categories, including total compensation, health benefits, performance management, professional development, and career path/advancement opportunities, among other criteria. Driver surveys were also conducted to collect input from drivers and independent contractors working with the fleets.
Last year, TCA and CarriersEdge expanded the program by adding a Hall of Fame category. This recognition level is above the regular top 20 and honors fleets demonstrating top 20 performance for extended periods of time. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, fleets must be named as a Best Fleet for 10 consecutive years, or seven years with at least one overall award, and must continue to qualify as a top 20 to be eligible. While the fleets inducted last year have maintained their exemplary status, two additional fleets have earned the honor this year and will be inducted into the Best Fleets to Drive For Hall of Fame.
See also: Best Fleets to Drive For creates hall of fame for perennial top carriers
“This year we saw 165 fleets nominated by their drivers for this program and a record-breaking 95 finalists,” said CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy. “This year's Top 20 and Hall of Fame fleets rose to the top with a range of inventive and effective programs, that reflect true innovation and creative thinking.”
This year's top 20 winners (listed in alphabetical order) are:
- American Central Transport, Kansas City, Missouri
- C.A.T., Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec
- Challenger Motor Freight, Cambridge, Ontario
- Chief Carriers, Grand Island, Nebraska
- Continental Express, Sidney, Ohio
- Decker Truck Line, Fort Dodge, Iowa
- Erb Transport, New Hamburg, Ontario
- Fortigo Freight Services, Etobicoke, Ontario
- Fremont Contract Carriers, Fremont, Nebraska
- Jetco Delivery a GTI Company, Houston
- K & J Trucking, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Kriska Holdings, Prescott, Ontario
- Leonard's Express, Farmington, New York
- Nick Strimbu, Brookfield, OH
- PGT Trucking, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
- Thomas E. Keller Trucking, Defiance, Ohio
- TLD Logistics Services, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Transland, Strafford, Missouri
- Veriha Trucking, Marinette, Wisconsin
- Wellington Group of Companies, Aberfoyle, Ontario
Returning Hall of Fame recipients are:
- Bison Transport, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Boyle Transportation, Billerica, Massachusetts
- Central Oregon Truck Company, Redmond, Oregon
- FTC Transportation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Grand Island Express, Grand Island, Nebraska
- Halvor Lines, Superior, Wisconsin
- Nussbaum Transportation Services, Hudson, Illinois
- Prime Inc., Springfield, Missouri
New Hall of Fame recipients are:
- Garner Trucking, Findlay, Ohio
- TransPro Freight Systems, Milton, Ontario
In addition to the top 20, TCA and CarriersEdge identified five Fleets to Watch (honorable mentions):
- Crete Carrier Corporations and its Shaffer Trucking Division, Lincoln, Nebraska
- Mill Creek Motor Freight, Ayr, Ontario
- Skelton Truck Lines, Sharon, Ontario
- Steve's Livestock Transport, Blumenort, Manitoba
- USXL, Foristell, Missouri
Two overall winners, in large and small fleet categories, will be named during TCA's Annual Convention — Truckload 2023: Orlando — set for March 4-7 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Centre in Kissimmee, Florida.
“The Best Fleets to Drive For has made a substantial impact on drivers and the carriers they work for,” shared TCA President Jim Ward. “During Truckload 2023 Orlando, we're eager to recognize 30 fleets who are focused on providing a great workplace for their professional truck drivers.”
