We are excited to announce that we just received international recognition as the 2024 Best Overall Small Carrier with Best Fleets to Drive For, a CarriersEdge program.
"K & J punches above its weight with a range of programs rarely seen in a carrier its size," said Jane Jazawry, CEO of CarriersEdge. "And with a contractor satisfaction rate over 95%, those efforts are clearly paying off."
"We are incredibly honored to be recognized as the Top Overall Small Carrier by Best Fleets to Drive For," said K&J owner and president Shelley Koch. "We are blessed to have the best drivers and staff in the industry. This award shows that despite a difficult trucking economy our commitment to making K&J the best for our drivers has not gone unnoticed.”
Renowned for its rigorous evaluation process, Best Fleets to Drive For selects winners based on several criteria, including safety measures, HR policies, and driver-centric initiatives. To be eligible for this award companies must first be nominated by one of their drivers.
This year we were nominated by owner-operator Theron Thompson.
"Not unexpected that I nominate K & J Trucking... They continue to support those who have had personal/family challenges this year," Thompson said. "The owners are also adding driver amenities along with space for growth, even in a challenging economy, to the Sioux Falls terminal. The owners/management team are keeping the entire fleet informed of the state of freight and rates each week. This nomination is for the entire team especially those who work hard behind the scenes. Thank you to all those people!"
This recognition marks the crowning achievement of a remarkable journey. We have participated in the awards for four consecutive years and steadily climbed the ranks, earning a spot as a Fleet to Watch in 2021, followed by recognition as one of the Top 20 Best Fleets in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
While Best Fleets had already awarded us a spot in the Top 20, the Best Overall Small Carrier award is presented at their annual conference each April. Shelley Koch and her son Dan Schipper, K&J Marketing Manager, attended the conference this year.
"I was incredibly surprised and honored that we won the award this year," Koch said. "I had just been saying to the other nominees that I was relieved all I had to worry about was standing on stage and smiling. Then they called out our name!"
Koch continued, "All the companies in the Top 20 deserve recognition. We have learned so much from participating in this process over the last four years. It caused us to look closer at our processes and implement innovative programs and amenities to improve the lives of our drivers."
This award is significant as it comes in our 45th year as a family-owned business. We are honored to be a trusted name in the industry and still maintain our close-knit family feel. Throughout our rich history, K&J, and the Koch and Schipper families have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing unparalleled service while prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of our drivers and staff.
As we celebrate this important milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the industry and setting the standard for excellence in trucking.
Discover why K & J Trucking stands out as the Best Small Carrier by exploring our commitment to excellence and driver satisfaction. Join us as we continue to set industry standards and prioritize the well-being of our drivers and staff.