TC_08-17_OnlinEdition

INDUSTRY
UPDATE
Bruce Brewen Of Hogan
Transports Is Grand
Champion of Missouri’s
TDC
If there are two things that Hogan drivers
know best, it’s respect and safety. That is according
to veteran driver Bruce Brewen, who works
for Hogan Transports in St. Louis, MO. He might
also say that practice makes perfect, which in
Bruce’s case is exactly how he earned Missouri
Trucking Association’s Grand Championship title
and second consecutive first place finish in his
truck class at this year’s state truck driving championship.
For Bruce, it started when he came to Hogan
in 1988 as a trainee. A year and a half later, after
driving thousands of safe miles over numerous
OTR routes, Hogan recognized Bruce’s potential
and offered him the opportunity to be a driver
trainer.
Bruce spent the next five years helping the
first-time and less experienced drivers learn the
ropes of being a successful truck driver, always
emphasizing best safety practices and the importance
of reporting to work prepared for the
day’s challenges. When Bruce decided it was
time for a change, the company readily offered
him his chosen regional driving assignment.
When asked about Hogan’s dedication to
safety, Bruce relates, “They really trust their drivers
to use their own judgment when it comes to
their safety, no questions asked.” He also cites
Hogan’s investment in their equipment, with exceptional
maintenance and scheduled replacement,
and inclusion of features and technologies
designed to enhance driver safety and comfort.
Mr. Brewen and 8 other class winners from
Missouri will travel to Orlando, FL to compete
at the America Trucking Association’s National
Truck Driving Championships August 8-10.
Truckload Turnover
Rate Rises Slightly in
First Quarter
The turnover rate at U.S. truckload fleets
rose slightly in the first quarter of 2017 while remaining
at historically low levels.
“The slight uptick in turnover, despite weak
freight volumes in the first quarter, may be indicative
of a tightening in the driver market,” said ATA
Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The situation
bears watching because if the freight economy
picks up significantly, turnover will surely accelerate
– as will concerns about the driver shortage.”
In the first three months of the year, the annualized
turnover rate at large truckload fleets
– those with annual revenues greater than $30
million – rose three percentage points to 74%.
Despite the increase, it remains at near-historic
lows and is 15 points lower than at this time last
year.
The turnover rate at small truckload fleets
rose two points to 66%, 22 points lower than at
this time in 2016.
The turnover rate at less-than-truckload carriers,
typically very low, remained so, rising two
points to just 10%.
22 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com