February
2012
"STORIES"

By Steve Pollock

BIRMINGHAM, AL… While only eight years old, P & S Transportation, Inc. of Birmingham, Alabama has been on a steady growth curve since it was founded in 2004 by Robert L. Pike and Scott A Smith.  The partners acquired an existing flatbed operation with 20 owner-operators and 35 trailers.  In the first 3 years P & S grew to 350 power units comprised of 275 company trucks, 75 owner-operators and 425 trailers.  Today the company has over 550 power units and 700 trailers in the fleet and is still growing.  Fueling P & S Transportation’s growth is superior service to their customers and an excellent work environment and wages for their drivers and employees. 

P & S Transportation, Inc. is exclusively a flatbed hauler transporting commodities such as pipe, steel, iron articles sand building materials.  A portion of the freight is pre-loaded and tarping is required on only about 35% of the loads.  The company is an over-the-road 48 state carrier, running irregular routes between the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Texas and California.  The average length of haul for some Northeast runs is 250 miles on up to 1,000 miles for long haul loads.  Terminals are located in Birmingham, AL; Nashville, TN; Port Allen, LA; Wichita Falls, TX; and Stockton, CA.  A new terminal in Elizabeth, NJ was added just a couple of months ago to serve customers more effectively in the Northeast.

When it comes to equipment, P & S Transportation, Inc. is very particular.  The company owned power units are late model Freightliner Cascadias and 389 Peterbilt tractors.  All trucks are kept on a strict 3 year trade cycle so that they are mechanically sound and always under warranty.  Once the warranty expires the equipment is sold, traded or available for lease purchase.  This business philosophy helps keep downtime and driver inconvenience to a minimum.

Career opportunities exist for company drivers, owner-operators and lease/purchase contractors.  Company drivers are eligible to lease/purchase a truck after 90 days of employment and P & S Transportation, Inc.’s sister company, Blair Logistics, LLC leases contractors with their own truck as well as lease/purchase operators.  P & S is always looking for other good quality people such as dispatchers, agents and recruiters as the company continues to grow.  The company has placed a substantial truck order for 2012 fleet expansion.  This will create additional opportunities for drivers as well.

Operating safely and legally allows P & S Transportation, Inc. to maintain CSA scores at a respectable level while also keeping a low driver turnover rate.  By paying company drivers 27% of the gross revenue, P & S can automatically pass along any rate increase they receive from the customer.  New hires receive a $1,000 sign-on bonus, $500 after the 1st load and the $500 after 60 days.  A $1,000 driver referral bonus is also paid out in the same manner.  P & S also has a rider and pet program as well.

P & S Transportation believes in hiring the best people and utilizing the best technologies to make both safety and operations as efficient as possible, as well as fueling future growth for the company.  Communication with drivers and employees is important at P & S.  The company’s philosophy is that drivers and lease contractors are their most precious asset and are given access to all members of management from the President to safety, dispatch and all departments at the company.  The owners of P & S Transportation, Inc. realize that being a professional driver is a stressful job that requires being away from home a lot.  They want to be sure their drivers are not alone as they work, that is why they instituted a voluntary Corporate Chaplain Program.  Chaplains stop by work sites on a weekly basis to offer encouragement and spiritual hope to drivers and employees.  The Chaplains are available 24 hrs/7 days a week year round to offer counseling, advice and spiritual guidance in a time of need.  They are just a phone call away.

P & S Transportation, Inc. is also an active and responsible trucking industry citizen.  The company is a member of the Alabama and Tennessee Trucking Associations as well as the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).  The company is also proud of the relationships they have built with both their customers and drivers.  Rollins Montgomery of Southland Tube states, "Southland Tube has always had the reputation of great service.  Our service is one of the many attributes that separate us from our competition.  A solid logistics base is a major contributing factor to achieving that service excellence.  P & S was awarded the best on-time percentage with a 98% rating.  I have witnessed P & S Transportation’s growth in recent years and they are a valued partner to our success."

Comments from drivers include Company Driver Jimmy Kelley, "I have worked for P & S Transportation since August of 2004 and I am very happy.  P & S Transportation has a policy of open door communication and I feel very comfortable speaking with management about any of my concerns.  P & S gives the driver an opportunity to have his voice heard."

Bruce Ferguson, Company Driver, "I enjoy working for P & S Transportation because the employees are friendly and cordial.  The company is also able to offer drivers good freight with good rates.  Working for P & S allows me to bring home top pay for our industry."

Owner-Operator Elijah Swift has this to say about P & S: "In the past 16 years, P & S Transportation is the third company in which I have been employed.  The old saying that all companies are alike is just not true.  P & S Transportation has loads that pay more than other carriers, the company doesn’t not charge for Trippak and OC-AC insurance is 20% less than what I was paying.  All of this has helped me increase my bottom line.  In addition, dispatch and management are not locked behind closed doors. The open door policy makes it easy to communicate with dispatch and management.  Come and check out P & S Transportation for yourself!"

P & S Transportation, Inc. has many opportunities available for drivers, contractors and lease purchase operators as they grow.  For more information log onto www.pstransportationinc.com or call a recruiter today.  Northeast Division call Frank DeBacco toll free at 855-637-9568 or Keith Roberts in the Southern Division at 866-705-0100, ext. 327.