LAS VEGAS—Nussbaum Transportation Services and Boyle Transportation were named the overall winners of the 2021 Best Fleets to Drive For competition during the Truckload Carriers Association’s Annual Convention on Sept. 27.
This year, more than 150 fleets were nominated by their drivers—representing the most nominations received in the program's 13-year history. For the second consecutive year, TCA and CarriersEdge presented the best overall fleet in the small carrier category to Billerica, Massachusetts-based Boyle. Also, for the second year in a row, the best overall fleet in the large carrier category was presented to Nussbaum Transportation, of Hudson, Illinois.
With 417 drivers, Nussbaum has developed programs focused on personal and team-based development and growth. Boyle Transportation, with 145 drivers, was a visible part of the U.S. vaccine distribution process and has continued to invest in mobile technology for its drivers.
“We are resilient and we’re adaptable, and that’s a characteristic of our industry as a whole,” Andrew Boyle, co-president of Boyle Transportation, said during the awards ceremony. “We all spend a lot of money on equipment, a lot of money on technology, and a lot of money on facilities, but ultimately, it’s a people business. This program is excellent because it creates a healthy sense of peer pressure for us to continually evolve and improve.”
Nine months ago, CarriersEdge and TCA announced this year’s top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For. During TCA’s convention in Las Vegas this week, 19 of the 20 top fleets were in attendance. CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy, who recognized each by fleet size, said each carrier has demonstrated consistency in creating exceptional driver experiences year after year.
Jazrawy recognized each carrier by fleet size, beginning with large carriers:
- Halvor Lines Inc. (nine consecutive years on the list)
- Bison Transport (eight consecutive years)
- Nussbaum Transportation (seven consecutive years)
- Prime Inc. (six consecutive years)
- American Central Transport
- Challenger Motor Freight
- Erb Transport
- Fremont Contract Carriers
- Wilson Logistics
- Fortigo Freight Services
“This is pretty humbling to share the stage with a group of outstanding carriers,” CEO Brent Nussbaum said. “On any given day, any one of them are doing things when it comes to taking care of their drivers. The Best Fleet to Drive For award is a reminder that the best asset when running our business is taking care of our people.”
When recognizing the 10 smaller carriers on the list, Jazrawy noted that Grand Island Express has been on the list for 10 consecutive years and was an overall winner three times. The small fleet award recipients are:
- Grand Island Express (10 consecutive years)
- FTC Transportation (nine consecutive years)
- Central Oregon Truck Company (eight consecutive years)
- Transpro Freight Systems (eight consecutive years)
- Boyle Transportation (seven consecutive years)
- Garner Trucking (five consecutive years)
- Chief Carriers
- Jetco Delivery
- Thomas E. Keller Trucking
- Wellington Group of Companies
Jazrawy also recognized this year’s top five fleets to watch: AirTime Express, Boyd Brothers Transportation, Carbon Express Inc., K&J Trucking, and Western Dairy Transport.
“The fleets that make it onto this stage are not lucky,” Jazrawy said. “They don’t have a secret sauce. What they do have is intention. Each of these fleets has made an intentional decision over the long term to make their workplace better for the people who are responsible for moving the freight. It hasn’t been easy, and it’s been especially hard over the past couple of years, but these fleets are demonstrating that it’s possible to create a great workplace culture even under the toughest circumstances."
“That culture is going to be essential in the next decade as competition for workers gets more intense than it is now,” she added.
Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest that recognizes the North American for-hire trucking companies who provide the best workplace experience for their drivers. To be considered, fleets must operate 10 or more trucks and be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor working with them. After which, they are evaluated across a broad range of categories reflecting current best practices in human resources.
