The task of creating a more environmentally sustainable business model for Wal*Mart’s transportation division is headed by Tim Yatsko, Senior V.P. of Transportation. In this case study, he shares his thoughts on why reducing Wal*Mart’s impact on the environment makes good business sense, both financially and from a marketing perspective. He also discusses his belief that with Wal*Mart’s size comes a responsibility to set an example for others to follow.

In 2005, Chuck Hammel, President and CEO of Pitt Ohio Express, began noticing a disturbing trend. Whenever he visited the loading docks, he observed a number of his trucks going out under capacity. This lead to the launch of an innovative program that would see them add Sprinter Vans to their truck line; a move that would see them enjoy even more benefits than they originally envisioned.

The trick to bringing in and retaining the best drivers begins with the recruiting team. Southern Refrigerated Transport discusses the changes they made to their recruiting program to make sure they were getting drivers that were more likely to stay for the long haul. The biggest change was focusing on quality instead of quantity. Every other change in their recruiting program flowed form that one, simple premise.

Maintenance costs on tractors and trailers can be an often overlooked drain on a company’s bottom line. Carl Tapp, V.P. of Maintenance for P.A.M. Transport, goes through a list of his 6 favourite after market items - from specially designed LED lights that offer more protection from damage to longer lasting composite doors - and discusses why after market spec’ing is critical to keeping maintenance costs down.

GNC, long known for its commitment to healthy living, is also a leader in fatigue management. Against all industry norms, they put their drivers in motels every single night. They feel that because their drivers are representing GNC, by entering stores to make deliveries, they want them to be as well rested and groomed as possible...something they feel is more difficult sleeping in a truck. And with the high value placed on their brand, they believe that preventing just one accident makes their motel program worthwhile, and there's nothing anyone can say that will convince them otherwise.

Thousands of fleets are looking to outfit their trailers with GPS tracking technology. But the installation's efficient execution is critically important, as companies can't afford to have the installation program affect their ability to service their customers. Most companies decide to complete the installation themselves. Others, like FerrellGas, decide to outsource installation to a company that specializes in just that. Ryan Powell, Senior Project Manager for Velociti, talks about the benefits of hiring an outside company to lead the installation initiative.