Carrier Profiles

Carrier Profile: Premium Transportation Logistics, LLC

By Jeff Jensen, Editor
Posted Jun 4th 2004 12:25PM

ptl_logo.jpgThe logistics business requires a strong sense of independence and self-motivation from its owner-operators.  The people behind the wheel must possess a strong work ethic to succeed in their own business and be ready to make the sacrifices necessary to keep that business viable.

The management and ownership side of trucking has its fair share of entrepreneurs as well who, after developing their knowledge and expertise, set out to make their own way in this industry. 

Who they are

Premium Transportation Logistics, LLC (PTL) may be a new name to some, but the three principals behind its formation and operation are veterans of trucking in its many forms.  This Rossford, OH based (Toledo area) company occupies part of a 250,000 sq. ft. commercial building.

"It's important to remember," says John Mueller, PTL's Safety and Recruiting Director, "that our company is not, in the strictest sense, an expediting carrier.  We are a full service logistics company that provides door-to-door ground and air service to and from all points in the United States and Canada."

With our backgrounds in trucking, we're well aware of what's required in any shipment and we can also offer other options to our customers."

“I believe that our broad-based transportation solutions also benefit our contractors, because of the variety and volume of freight our company can handle.”

Among the transportation solutions offered by PTL are Truckload, Flatbed, Air Freight and Air Charter services.

This privately owned company handles general commodity freight with a fleet of independent contractors who operate in cargo vans, cube vans, straight trucks and tractor-trailers.

Dave Swartz, a ten-year veteran in transportation sales is PTL's Director of Sales.  He says, "our company offers new opportunities for both our customers and our contractors. It's an alternative to some of the fast freight carriers."

"Our fleet is rapidly growing and we're having a good time!  This business is fast paced and we have developed a great customer base.  At one company I worked for, our team helped to take them from one million dollars in annual revenue to eight million."

"I see no reason why we can't experience that kind of growth with PTL."

Although the company's fleet is authorized for all 48 states and Canada, PTL's primary service areas at this time are in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Illinois.

Chris Morey is the Director of Operations for the carrier.  His background includes a stint with Airborne Express, a management position in air cargo and thirteen years with trucking companies.

He says that PTL is currently transporting shipments from the agricultural business (feed, seeds) along with freight from the medical industry, big-box retail stores and others.  The average run mileage is 300-400 miles.

"Interestingly, only about 25 percent of our freight is automotive," he states.” 

"We are not discounting any of our contractors rates, so there does not seem to be any real preference among our contractors regarding the type of freight they're offered."

“Realistically, PTL contractors are only experiencing 25% dead head miles because as the company’s name becomes better known, we are getting more calls every day with inquiries about our equipment’s availablility.”

“We have logistics companies that want to partner with us.  We have been securing LTL, Truckload freight and 'Milk Runs' from shippers, brokers, etc., and this means more opportunities for PTL and its contractors.”

Morey continues, “Our goal is to keep our contractors’ trucks loaded and not let them sit anywhere.  When we have drivers headed to a new area or region, we call and we fax in a search for freight coming from that area.  We’ll be doing this even when the driver is 8-10 hours from his destination.”

He adds, “We try to get them when they’re empty and after they have gotten their hours back and get them something to either bring them back to this area or headed somewhere else.  I believe we’re on the right track because PTL has experience virtually no contractor turnover.”

The company’s philosophy about the contractors

John Mueller’s background includes stints in truckload operations and expediting and he states, "Every contractor is his own businessperson, and he decides when to operate.  I believe that we offer our contractors true independence in managing their businesses.  At the same time, our contractors should remember that our customers are also his customers, and for both the company and the contractor to be successful, the customers' needs must be addressed."

"We simply ask that our contractors communicate to us when they wish to take their unit out of service.  Communication between the contractor and dispatch is key."

To demonstrate the independence that PTL offers its contractors, Mueller points to the company's policy of honoring the driver's geographic preferences, e.g., no Canadian bound freight, no east coast freight, etc.  He says, "We try to work with our drivers, and our no forced dispatch is one of the hallmarks of PTL."

"We have some great owner-operators leased to PTL," Mueller states.  "Fortunately, We have primarily trucking and expediting veterans in our fleet and they are true professionals.  It's a fact of life in our business that we can't operate without the independent contractors, and we feel that they are an absolutely integral part of our company.  We sincerely appreciate their hard work and dedication.”

Keys to success

Mueller says that the keys to success for a PTL contractor includes a good work ethic, excellent communication skills and a professional image and attitude. 

"Developing an understanding of the trucking industry is essential," says the Safety Director.  "This is a business for the self-motivated businessperson.  A contractor has to understand that he won't be home every night and that this is not a 9-5 type of vocation.  It requires some sacrifices, but the monetary compensation will make it worth his while."

Mueller points out a unique feature of PTL - that of “hands-on” management.  “Because the founders of the company are involved in its operation on a daily basis,” he relates, “Our contractors can always reach us in the event problem resolution is required.  We actually know our contractors by name and they can talk to us at any time.”

To facilitate that understanding, PTL offers a variety of manuals and handbooks of both general information and company-specific info.

"Orientation is a day-long process, possibly longer if the contractor is new to trucking," says Mueller.  "Most of our prospective contractors have had trucking experience, so we concentrate on issues that are unique to our company."

The company handles Truck-to-Dispatch communications by cell phone and pager.  PTL provides the liability insurance when the truck is under load as well as the cargo insurance.

The Premium Transportation Logistics, LLC contractor package includes:

No forced dispatch Open door policy Weekly settlements with no hold-back period.  PTL contractors receive their first settlement the week after starting with the company.

Contractors of Cargo Vans, Cube Vans and Straight Trucks will be compensated on a loaded mile basis only.  The loaded miles are determined using PC Miler, Shortest Miles.

             UNIT SIZE

      RATE

 MINIMUM

Cargo Van

        $.90

    $70.00

Cube Van w/12'-18' Box

      $1.10

    $80.00

Straight Truck w/18-30 ft. Box

      $1.30

  $100.00

Tractor-Trailer Compensation paid as a percentage of gross revenue

$1.10 Average

for all miles

  $250.00

Accessorial charges paid to the driver include:

Stop off Bridge fee C.O.D. Shipment Loading/Unloading (fingerprinting) 100% of fuel surcharge paid to the truck Backhaul rates - All vehicles, regardless of size, will be compensated at 70% of gross revenue.

Among the company's driver requirements are:

-No more than 3 moving violations in past 3 years.

-No DUI's

-No reckless operation violations

The vehicle requirements are:

-The truck must be 6 years old or newer

-The truck must have freight securement devices and safety/emergency equipment.

PTL is recruiting cargo vans, cube vans, straight trucks and tractor- trailers.  Chris Morey says that tractors in particular are in high demand because, “we turn down some 30-40 loads a days for that size unit.”

For more information, call 800 661-3166.

Premium Transportation Logistics, LLC

83 Dixie Hwy

Rossford, OH 43460

800 661-3166

419 662-2880

Fax: 419 662-2884

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