DHL SUPPLY CHAIN HONORS DRIVERS DURING 2020 NATIONAL TRUCK DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

Company to recognize more than 2,000 truck drivers with gifts, celebrations

DHL Supply Chain, the Americas leader in contract logistics and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, is recognizing its truck drivers with gifts and celebrations, including raffles, giveaways and socially distanced cookouts, throughout the week of September 14 - 18, recognized as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week by the American Trucking Association.

 “Our truck drivers are crucial to ensuring we’re able to deliver exceptional outcomes for our customers,” said Jim Monkmeyer. “The past few months have further proven that our drivers are committed to going the extra mile. Each is essential and we’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight their contribution to our customers’ business and celebrate them.”

Though the official week of celebration ends September 18, DHL Supply Chain remains committed to recognizing and developing talented drivers as part of the company’s overall recruitment and retention strategy that extends far beyond offering signing bonuses or competitive pay. Initiatives including the Dock-to-Driver program, for example, have provided employees who may not have considered a career in transportation with the education and training to advance to a new role with greater responsibilities.

In addition to recruiting new talent, DHL is deeply committed to retaining drivers through professional development opportunities, career advancements and ensuring a work-life balance. The company employs a relay approach to long routes in which multiple drivers transport the freight for one leg before returning home each night. DHL Supply Chain’s transportation network also eliminates the need for drivers to wait at docks for hours prior to unloading.

The company also deploys technology and equipment focused on enhancing driver experience and productivity such as in-cab telematics, digital routing and vehicle monitoring, and driver-assisted cruise control. DHL Supply Chain’s recent launch of a partnership with Ike, an automated truck technology is also aimed at enhancing working conditions for drivers – the technology automates the less desirable and typically less safe long-haul routes while handing over to truck drivers for downtown and last mile operations closer to home. Not only do all of these tools enable drivers to become more efficient on the road, they also contribute to DHL Supply Chain’s culture of continuous innovation by providing valuable insight into technology deployment and how to further improve.   

DHL Supply Chain is focused on retaining top talent in transportation, ensuring customers always have the capacity and expertise they need.  Though this year’s celebrations may look different, the commitment to drivers is stronger than ever.

“DHL’s drivers fuel our ability as an organization to think beyond the next shipment, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them,” said Monkmeyer.  “We pride ourselves on being able to offer an innovative and driver-focused career path to keep them on the road and ensure supply chains run smoothly.”