This fireside chat recap is from FreightWaves’ Enterprise Fleet Summit on Wednesday.
FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Controlling driver turnover is all about communication
DETAILS: Driver turnover is always a challenge for enterprise fleets. Dart’s Dave Ables and FreightWaves President George Abernathy discuss the importance of communication in reducing driver turnover.
BIO: Ables is the president and CEO of Dart. He has spent 25 years leading Top 100 trucking companies and owning and operating various businesses.
KEY QUOTES FROM ABLES:
“There is nothing worse than putting a driver in the truck who is going to drive 600 miles a day by himself and he is speculating that somebody either doesn’t care or isn’t listening or isn’t reacting to their needs. We have really addressed that well, and I think that’s one of the keys to our lower turnover rate.”
“When [drivers] graduate … I send them all a personal email talking about what we are about here at the Dart network, the 85-year history that was started by Earl Oren, and Don Oren has carried that legacy on. At 89 years old, Don Oren still comes into the office. … We are engaged at all levels and I think that’s what is really helping us.”
“We are ready for electric vehicles right now. Once we get one that is tested and proven, we are ready to go. … Long term, that autonomous vehicle will play a role in our team as well.”
