Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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INNOVATORS Prime Inc. gives drivers, other employees the means to succeed BY AARON HUFF S pending long days and nights away from home to earn a living has tradeoffs. For some careers, the upside might be opportunities to network and grow income – or at least to earn frequent-flier miles for a family vacation. With hours-of-service restrictions, delays at delivery and receiving docks and other job frustrations, the tradeoff for truck drivers might seem more like a dead end than a path to prosperity. Prime Inc. is trying diligently to change this perception or reality – whatever the case may be. While the Springfield, Mo.-based company has maintained an expanded list of career choices and opportunities for drivers, some of its most significant milestones have come this past year. The career path for drivers begins with commercial driver's license training. The Prime Student Driver program helped more than 1,300 people start a career in 2013 alone. Once students earn their CDL, they complete their training through a paid apprenticeship. Besides helping to recruit drivers for Prime, the PSD program helps fulfill an essential need to bring more drivers into the industry, says John Hancock, director of driver training and recruiting. "There has to be more entrants into the business," Hancock says. "This is part of our solution." The career path continues for new company drivers, who have an immediate opportunity to increase their income through a weekly pay-for-performance program. Drivers receive a weekly bonus if they meet the fleet's criteria for fuel consumption, mileage, safety, compliance, customer service and other areas. For the next stage, Prime offers the ability through a lease program to become an PRIME INC. Springfield, Mo. independent contractor; this allows them to accept a greater level of risk for an opportunity for greater independence and a chance at increased earnings potential. Being an independent contractor is the ultimate pay-for-performance package, Hancock says, since any gains in freight rates, fuel consumption, safety and productivity are received immediately. Independent contractors, which comprise about 60 percent of Prime's workforce of 6,300 drivers, are paid 72 percent of load revenue. They also get a fuel protection plan and are paid for accessorial items such as toll costs. Prime also gives its contractors the chance to obtain their own operating authority, becoming a partner carrier and building their own fleets. The company also has opportunities for drivers who decide to set their sights on a career in logistics and work inside the company walls, Hancock says. Road scholars Over-the-road drivers for Prime's refrigerated, flatbed and tanker divisions also have the opportunity to advance their careers during their downtime. The Prime Success Scholars Program was made possible by a large charitable donation to Bethel University by Robert Low, the company's founder and president, and his mother. Through a corporate partnership, all Prime associates and their legal dependents can enroll in online The company addresses retention by offering drivers a growing list of career choices and opportunities. COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JANUARY 2014 25