Trucks: we see them every day on Illinois roads. We ride alongside them on the freeway. Many may be surprised to learn that the professional trucking industry has been a critical part of making the holidays happen for America’s families. From the Christmas trees that came from our forests far and wide, to the holiday meal that was cooked for your family, to the coats that keep you and your loved ones warm – trucking delivered the holidays.

The fact is that 70 percent of Illinois communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would result in more expensive products and slower delivery times. Remove trucking altogether, and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is not only connecting the country and delivering goods that keep us healthy and comfortable, it’s also an economic engine that powers Illinois.

The trucking industry means jobs here in the Prairie State. The industry accounts for 278,920 jobs providing a good middle-class income. That’s nearly one out of every 18 jobs in the state and a substantial portion of the nearly seven million people employed nationwide in trucking jobs.

As of April 2014, there were 23,730 trucking companies located in our state, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses. These companies employ our neighbors and friends.

The state’s trucking industry also keeps the larger, statewide economy moving, allowing businesses to prosper – to the benefit of business owners, employees and consumers of all stripes. Trucks transport 78 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state – 1,665,727 tons per day.

Combine these benefits together, and trucking remains a top contributor to our nation’s economy. So next time a tractor-trailer passes by, or you’re at the local grocery store as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road with your holiday meal that will stock the shelves, or toys for the children in your family. You’re looking at a vital machine for Illinois’ economic growth, prosperity and future.

Kevin Burch is co-chair of Trucking Moves America Forward which describes itself as an “industry-wide movement to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future.”

Link: Illinois Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trucks. We see them every day on New Mexico roads. We ride alongside them on the interstates.
As the nation gears up for the busy holiday season, many may be surprised to learn that the professional trucking industry is a critical part of making the holidays happen for America’s families. From the Christmas trees that come from our forests, the holiday meal that will be cooked for your family, and the clothes on your back — trucking delivers the holidays.

The fact is that 89 percent of New Mexico communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would result in more expensive products and slower delivery times. Remove trucking altogether, and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is not only connecting the country and delivering goods that keep us healthy and comfortable — it’s also an economic engine that powers New Mexico.

The trucking industry means jobs in the Land of Enchantment. The industry accounts for 32,460 jobs providing a good middle-class income. That’s nearly one out of every 19 jobs in the state, and a substantial portion of the nearly seven million people employed nationwide in trucking jobs.

From logistics managers, to technicians and maintenance personnel, the trucking industry is home to a diverse group of professionals committed to delivering goods on time and safely. Of New Mexico’s total industry jobs in 2013, truck drivers alone — whether heavy, tractor-trailer, or delivery — make up nearly 14,610 jobs. Total industry wages paid in New Mexico for 2013 exceeded $1.4 billion. This economic activity brings in $311 million in federal and state roadway taxes.

New Mexico’s trucking industry is strengthening small businesses — an ever-important element of our economy and arguably the most important element of America’s long-term economic stability. As of April 2014, there were 3,840 trucking companies located in our state, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses. These companies employ our neighbors and friends and keep America moving.

The state’s trucking industry also keeps the larger, statewide economy moving, allowing businesses to prosper — to the benefit of business owners, employees, and consumers of all stripes. Trucks transport 91 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state — 134,076 tons per day.

Trucking continues to place the safety of drivers and motorists first through driver training and student education programs, and has made significant gains in the past few years. Combine these benefits together, and trucking remains a top contributor of our nation’s economy.

So the next time a tractor-trailer passes by, or you’re at the local grocery store as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road with your holiday meal that will stock the shelves, or toys for the children in your family, you’re looking at a vital machine for New Mexico’s economic growth, prosperity and future.

Link: Biz Journals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHILADELPHIA — Executives with Trucking Moves America Forward reported here on Oct. 18 at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition that the group dedicated to creating a positive image for trucking is hitting its fundraising and advocacy goals for its second year of operation.

TMAF, whose members include several trucking associations as well as motor carriers and industry suppliers, seeks “to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future.”

The group said that it has so far secured $750,000 toward this year’s goal of $1 million in fundraising. That include a $100,000 pledge from the American Trucking Associations, which matched its donation for last year.

TMAF Chairman Steve Ponder, vice president of Great West Casualty Co., said that along with the raising funds, this year the group is also engaged in supporting both federal and state advocacy efforts on behalf of trucking as well as seeking to more directly “engage” trucking companies and suppliers in promoting a positive image for the industry.

Ponder said the group is working to leverage social media to tell trucking’s story to as wide an audience as possible. “We want to tap into the social networks of trucking companies, drivers and suppliers because research shows that knowledge of trucking grows exponentially when people know someone in trucking,” he pointed out. “Trucking has a great story to tell and we are happy to help tell it.”

Recently, the group put together a two-month ad campaign designed specifically “to encourage Congress to pass a long-term highway bill” and a “Washington Top News” drive-time radio program for two months aimed at members of Congress and their staffs, noted ATA Senior Vice President of Communications Elisabeth Barna. Also, she said TMFA ran a consumer-oriented ad campaign in major newspapers during the recent National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

TMAF co-chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express, advised that the group’s goal of “wrapping” 100 trailers with special graphics is moving along with 30 units completed so far.

The wraps cover the two sides and rear of a trailer and dramatically present a “rolling billboard” TMAF industry message and the company’s logo. The installed cost of each wrap is $2,300, Burch noted.

Link: Trucking Image Campaign Running Strong

Trucks – we see them every day on North Dakota roads. We ride alongside them on the highway, and we see their trailers, decorated with the logos of nearly every major industry that moves goods and services across our country.

Interstate 29 and Interstate 94 are major thoroughfares for commerce and passengers of all varieties, and long-haul trucks travel those roads delivering critical cargo, such as food, clothing and medical supplies, to counties and towns throughout the Peace Garden State.

We recently celebrated the work of professional truck drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and we were reminded of the sacrifices and strides these hard-working men and women of the professional trucking industry make every day to move America. After all, trucking is the only industry that directly ships to every community in America, rain or shine.

Many of us might be surprised to learn that 46 percent of the communities in North Dakota depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would mean more expensive products, less interstate commerce and slower deliveries. Remove trucking altogether and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is an economic engine driving our communities. Here in North Dakota, the trucking industry means jobs. In 2013, it accounted for about 35,780 jobs — one out of every 10 jobs in the state — contributing to the nearly 7 million people employed in trucking jobs nationwide.

With an average annual industry salary of over $46,551, we know that professional drivers are a large part of North Dakota’s economic growth. Total industry wages paid in North Dakota for 2013 exceeded $1.6 billion. The industry truly allows state companies to prosper and expand, to the benefit of business owners, employees and consumers of all stripes.

Trucking even helps other businesses stay efficient by delivering those essential products that all of us need, including 67 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state – that’s 52,819 tons per day.

In North Dakota, the trucking industry is further strengthening small businesses – an important element of our economy and arguably the most important source of our nation’s long-term economic stability. As of April 2014, there were more than 3,410 trucking companies located in North Dakota, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses with fleets of 15 trucks or fewer.

Additionally, the trucking industry is committed to sharing the road safely with all vehicles and reducing the number of car-truck accidents. Industry programs aim to educate drivers on the blind spots of trucks and other safety issues.

Add these benefits together, and trucking is one of our best-kept secrets, but such a major economic contributor doesn’t need to be, and shouldn’t be, a secret in North Dakota. So next time you’re out traveling the interstate and a semi passes by, or you’re at your local supermarket as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road or providing food to stock the shelves; you’re looking at a vital machine powering North Dakota’s economy. PB

Kevin Burch

Co-Chair, Trucking Moves America Forward

President, Jet Express Inc.

Second Vice Chairman, American Trucking Associations

http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/24882/#sthash.RYKk8pem.dpuf

As we near the end of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, I wanted to make sure you saw this great video, in case you haven’t already caught in through Facebook, Twitter or other social media.

The video is from driver-job-matching company Fastport, in conjunction with theTrucking Moves America Forward image program. WIth the help of some great dramatic music, it uses the theme “Imagine” to highlight what trucking does, from delivering the everyday basics to the grocery store to responding and rebuilding in the face of tragedy.

It’s had more than 700,000 views in less than a week; we’d like to see it hit 1 million by Friday. Sharing it on your Facebook page or other social media is a great way to reach some of your non-trucking friends with an important message about trucking’s essentiality.

If you view it on Fastport’s Facebook page, you’ll see there are more than 1,000 comments. Some simply thank truck drivers. Others posted photos of their rigs or their beloved drivers — husbands and wives (even an ex husband), fathers and sons. Some give a shout-out to their fellow drivers at the company they drive for.

One tragic comment dealt with the sometimes heartbreaking challenges drivers can face on the road, as a driver shared what happened when a motorcyclist with no helmet traveling at high speeds lost control while driving near his truck. His comment was met with many supportive replies.

A sampling of comments:

“The only thing truck drivers don’t get paid to deliver are babys.”

“Awesome video…we NEVER stop to realize how important truck drivers are. Thank u to ALL truck drivers. May God Bless you an keep u safe!”

“Other than the time I served in the Army, being a Truck Driver is the proudest I have been.”

Take a minute to view the video and add your voice.

http://www.truckinginfo.com/blog/all-thats-trucking/story/2015/09/help-driver-appreciation-video-go-viral.aspx