As K&J Trucking proudly marks our 45th anniversary in 2024, it's the perfect time to reflect on the incredible journey of the company. Since our inception in 1979, K&J has grown from strength to strength, becoming a cornerstone in the transportation industry. To commemorate this milestone, let's take a look at 45 fun facts you might not know about K&J Trucking.
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Inception and Growth: K&J Trucking was founded in 1979 by Dave & Sharon Koch with just 1 truck. Today, we have a fleet of 130 trucks.
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Family Roots: Despite our growth over the years, K&J Trucking has retained our family-oriented ethos. In fact, we have six members of the Koch-Schipper family working with us today!
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First Route: Our inaugural route was a 1400-mile journey from Sioux Falls, SD to Phoenix, AZ, transporting meat.
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Who is the J in K&J?: The J is for Don Jerke, an investor that Dave Koch bought out in the mid-1980s. The J just stuck around!
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Industry Innovators: We were among the first to adopt ELDs. While opinions about ELDs abound, they have certainly revolutionized the industry and we believe they have helped drivers have better work-life balance.
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Employee Recognition Initiatives: We go the extra mile in recognizing and appreciating our workforce in a variety of ways, including Core Value awards, on-time and safety bonuses, good driving bonuses, and personalized years of service ceremonies.
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Safety First: We have an impeccable safety record. We reward safe driving and clean inspections!
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Recruiting for Retention: Our recruiting standards are focused on drivers who uphold company standards of excellence. We want to ensure we can meet driver needs before we offer them a job.
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Long-Term Employees: Many of our team members have been with the company for two to three decades, showcasing our commitment to a skilled and dedicated workforce.
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Recognition and Awards: Over the years, we've received hundreds of industry awards for excellence in logistics, safety, and innovation!
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Driver-Centric Approach: We attribute our success to our driver-centric philosophy, with over 60% of our drivers coming to us from driver referrals.
- Community Engagement: We actively give to many basic needs charities, giving back to the communities we serve. Some of our favorite charities, like Showered with Hope (pictured below) are featured on our About page.
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Personalized Dispatch Experience: We still believe in adding a personalized touch to every shipment. Every load we dispatch electronically is accompanied by a call to the driver. This fosters stronger connections between dispatchers and drivers and keeps people at the center of all we do.
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Transparent Customer Pricing: K&J Trucking adopts a transparent pricing model, providing customers with clear and competitive pricing structures with no hidden fees or surprises.
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Exceptional Service: With a focus on customer satisfaction, we provide exceptional customer service, promptly addressing any inquiries or concerns.
- Expansion and Acquisition: In 2022, we acquired Midwest Continental Inc., strategically expanding our services, reach, and driver pool.
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Industry-Leading Driver Safety Mentoring: We introduced industry-leading driver safety mentoring in 2021. This comprehensive program uses AI machine learning, video feedback, and positive relationships with safety personnel to empower drivers to a new level of safety, contributing to our impeccable safety record.
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Extensive Employee Benefits: We offer a great benefits package, including health, dental, vision, supplemental insurance, and identity theft protection, ensuring the well-being of our employees and company drivers.
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National Trucking Community Involvement: We are proud to collaborate with several industry organizations such as the TCA and Best Fleets to Drive For. We take pride in participating actively in their national events. We aim to raise the bar nationally and positively impact driver treatment and satisfaction.
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Reefer Expertise: With a specialized team of mechanics and drivers, we excel in reefer transportation. Our equipment is well-maintained, and our drivers understand the importance of food safety.
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A Caring Lender: When we say we care about drivers, it isn't just lip service. If drivers encounter health or family issues while working here, we often arrange alternate lease terms or temporarily stop payments.
- State-of-the-Art Shop Facilities: K & J's shop is equipped with cutting-edge technology and mechanic-centric designs, minimizing driver downtime, increasing mechanic satisfaction, and ensuring the reliability of the fleet.
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Industry-Leading Driver Retention: Year after year we proudly achieve outstanding driver turnover rates. In 2023 our controllable turnover rate was just 8% when most companies our size have turnover rates well over 70%.
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Reliable Delivery: Known for punctuality and reliability, we ensure that goods reach their destinations on time. Our current on-time rating is over 99%.
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Real People: When you call K & J you will never get a numerical menu. We believe in giving our drivers and customers a personal touch with real people answering your calls and questions, every time.
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Christian Trucking Company: We are proud to be a Christian trucking company and we pray for the safety of our drivers and team members and do our best to exemplify Christian values in our interactions.
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Driver Feedback Integration: K&J regularly collects and integrates driver feedback into our operations, ensuring continuous improvement and driver satisfaction.
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Ethical Business Practices: Committed to integrity and transparency, we conduct business with honesty and fairness, earning the trust of our customers and drivers.
- Driver Appreciation: To honor our drivers, we celebrate Driver Appreciation Week twice a year, recognizing drivers and their families for their hard work and dedication through free lunches and giveaways.
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Cyber Security: We have invested in technology, training, and support to ensure that driver, customer, and employee data remains secure.
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Driver Care Team: We have a driver care team with staff representatives from each department. They check in with new and struggling drivers, providing camaraderie, information, and a channel for drivers to request additional support.
- Employee Wellness Programs: We prioritize the well-being of our employees, offering fun wellness programs, discounted gym memberships, 24/7 on-site workout facilities, and complementary health screenings.
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Customer Adaptability: Several years ago, we added a dry van division to accommodate a customer with specific freight needs. We listen to our customers and do our best to be a one-stop shop for customer freight needs.
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Commitment to Regulatory Compliance: We maintain a strong commitment to regulatory compliance, staying abreast of changing regulations and proactively adapting our practices to ensure compliance.
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Industry Education Programs: We contribute to industry education through partnerships with schools and training programs, nurturing the next generation of truckers, mechanics, and logistics professionals.
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Driver Website & Facebook Group: Our private, password-protected driver website and private Facebook group afford us increased communication with our drivers and allow drivers a place to communicate with one another.
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Fleet Maintenance Tracking: Our shop employs systems to monitor the maintenance needs of each vehicle, ensuring optimal performance and minimal downtime.
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Updated Facilities: We maintain clean and professional facilities. We invested in new construction and a remodel in 2023 providing popular driver amenities such as showers, laundry, a full kitchen, workout facilities, and a lounge.
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Partnerships with Vendors: We maintain strong decades-long partnerships with our vendors, securing access to high-quality equipment, parts, and services to support operations.
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Personalized Health Coaching: We have dedicated team members with wellness expertise who work with interested drivers and staff to improve their health outcomes.
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Investment in Training: We believe that training the next generation of truck drivers is vital. We are willing to train new CDL holders when many small companies turn them away. We also invest in local CDL schools such as Extra Mile CDL Academy.
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Leasing Success: Our truck leasing and owner-operator mentoring program has proven highly successful in enhancing the skills and confidence of new independent contractors and helping company drivers leap into owning their own businesses.
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Industry Advocacy: We actively advocate for the interests of the industry, participating in discussions with public officials and legislators.
Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and FMCSA Administrator
Robin Hutcheson with K&J driver Jerome "Skimpy" Seaman
Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and FMCSA Administrator
Robin Hutcheson with K&J owner-operator Jeremy Teas
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K & J Trucking Day: Governor Kristi Noem named May 16, 2024, K&J Trucking Day in honor of our national recognition as a trucking company.
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Best Fleet to Drive For: In April of 2024, K&J was named the Best Overall Small Carrier in the US and Canada by Best Fleets to Drive For! This competition judges carriers on all aspects of their operation as well as driver surveys.
Looking to the Future
As K&J Trucking celebrates 45 years of excellence, we remain committed to innovating and delivering exceptional service to our customers and drivers. This 45-year journey is a testament to our dedication, adaptability, and the hard work of our incredible team. Here's to K&J Trucking – 45 years of milestones and many more to come!
Curious to know more about us? Check out our interesting history!
