Carrier Profiles
Carrier Focus: DTH Expeditors, Inc.
The focus of this Carrier Profile is DTH Expeditors, Inc., a Birmingham, AL-based is, borrowing their web site's description, "a full service transportation company."
Mike Winslett, the company's founder, president and CEO began in the transportation industry in 1983, specializing in the freight forwarding sector.
When he opened DTH Expeditors, Inc. in Birmingham, AL in 1999, it was as a freight forwarding concern, but as Winslett says, "We ended up trucking so much of our freight over to Atlanta that we got into the trucking side of things, almost by accident. Over time, we phased the freight forwarding out of our operations, so about 95% of what we do falls under expedited trucking."
The privately-owned carrier is authorized for 48 United States and Canada with its primary freight lanes located in the southeast, midwest and on the east coast.
Its over 125 unit fleet consists of Cargo Vans, Cube Vans, Straight Trucks and Tractor-Trailers hauling automotive freight , printed matter and hi-value products. The company's average length of haul is 600 miles, according the president, who explains that the DTH model differs from the typical expedited carrier:
"We have a number of stations that are located in Atlanta, Birmingham, St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville and Louisville. These are franchised offices that operate under the umbrella and authority of DTH and it means more freight opportunities for our owner-operators."
To keep its trucks loaded and moving,Winslett says his company utilizes various online services to secure freight and has recently opened a backhaul desk to find the loads that will return the drivers to the company's operational areas.
DTH has been a National Logistics Management (NLM) carrier but took a hiatus from that market. Since the addition of new offices based in the automotive freight areas, the company plans to resume participating in the NLM sector.
Winslett adds, "We do a lot of work with the freight forwarding community and we cover shipments for a number of publishing companies in the Atlanta area."
"DTH also transports hi-value products including shipments from electronics and computer vendors who would rather expedite the freight to reduce handling as well as enjoy exclusive use to keep the freight on one truck."
"The majority of our loads can be handled by single drivers because the average length of haul falls within the HOS time limitations. Also, many customers are becoming aware of those restrictions placed on drivers, so they are allowing more time to complete the deliveries."
The company does not transport hazardous materials and only handles the "occasional" Canadian-bound freight, typically non-automotive in nature. DTH Expeditors, Inc. does not require its owner-operators to possess a CDL unless DOT-mandated.
Communication between dispatch and the driver is accomplished by cell phone and through the company-provided Nextel Satellite Tracking GPS Operating system. This a nationwide radio system that interfaces with the DTH operating system and gives a truck's location every five minutes. The driver can enter the Proof of Delivery information, get directions and be dispatched with the system.
Recruiting needs
Mike Winslett says that his company's greatest need is for owner-operators to service the outbound freight needs of the stations, especially in and around Atlanta.
He's looking for straight trucks (26' van most commonly requested by customers) in all operational areas and flatbeds (24' straight trucks) for specialized automotive freight out of Atlanta.
There is also a strong demand for tractor owner-operators to take 250-500 mile runs out of the Atlanta area.
Winslett talks about what makes his company different other expedited freight carriers: "We're a pretty diverse company, that is, we have our brokerage authority and we're a freight forwarder as well as being a carrier. That makes for a mix of many kinds of freight and our main focus in moving that freight is putting it back on trucks. I think our diversity allows us the opportunity to load trucks."
*"We try to work with automation (our radio/satellite system). That helps cut down on the cost of being on the phone and helps us to operate more efficiently."
*"We've established our backhaul desk because we understand what empty miles mean to our owner-operators and we're trying to minimize those empty miles."
*"We have an open door policy and our drivers can meet with me for any issue resolution in a straightforward manner. I've been in transportation for many years and I think I understand the owner-operator and his needs.
Some drivers have been with me since the day we opened.
Winslett says that a successful DTH owner-operator is a "motivated, self-reliant individual who can get the necessary information for the run and get it done with a minimum of questions or problems. We look for a real self-starter who can use his experience in expediting, work well with our dispatchers and make money."
"In our dispatching, we don't go by first-in, first-out and we don't go by seniority. We call on the driver who can get the job done - someone who wants to be his own boss. We'll try to hustle the freight for him and once we get it to him, we want him to take care of the delivery. To run his business."
The president talks about his company's name:
"The letters DTH are the intials of my three children - Dana, Tyler and Hanna. The name keeps me focused on what I'm doing everyday."
"There's a great deal of pride here. The way we handle our business, the way we treat our customers all reflects back on me in a personal way. That gives me a lot of motivation."
In 2006, the company will be expanding its freight opportunities by opening new franchise offices in Chicago and the Carolinas.
DTH Expeditors, Inc. Vehicle requirements
*Vehicles must be 5 years old or newer
*Cargo van 3/4 ton - 1 ton
*Cube van 13'-18' box length
*Straight truck 22'-26' box (the 26' box is the most customer-requested box size)
*Tractors-Trailers or tractors only (company can provide trailers
Owner-Operator requirements
-25 years old
-2 years experience
-No DUI
DTH Owner-Operators enjoy:
*Bi-weekly settlements
*No forced dispatch
*Direct deposit
*Company paid cargo insurance
*True open door policy
*Fuel surcharge
*Pay by mile not percentage
*Sign on Bonus
*Home Weekly option
*Hotel discounts
*No escrow
*99% no touch freight
*Execellent pay per mile
*Backhaul/point to point dispatch desk
Recruiting phone number - 800 393.8403