Prime Ways | Volume 8 | Issue 3

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3

LIFE AT PRIME

Being an industry leader means Prime works hard and plays hard

PRIME available anywhere you get your podcasts

We’re hard at work transforming into the next Oasis where we’ll be looking even more fabulous than before. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

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Learn more: driverhealthandfitness.com

2740 N. MAYFAIR AVE. SPRINGFIELD, MO 65803 417-866-0001 PRIMEINC.COM MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Clayton Brown RECRUITMENT MARKETING MANAGER Mitchell Coiner MEDIA & ONBOARDING MANAGER Jamie Miller

PRIME COMPANY STORE SHOP IN-STORE

KATIE POLLOCK ESTES Editorial Director ETTIE BERNEKING Editor ELISABETH ANDERSON Art Director ALEX WOLKEN Assistant Art Director JAMIE THOMAS Multimedia Editor

Springfield, MO Salt Lake City, UT Pittston, PA

SHOP ONLINE

www.primeincstore.com

SARAH PATTON Creative Director BRANDON ALMS Senior Photographer & Designer LEAH STIEFERMANN Staff Photographer & Designer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Juliana Goodwin, Sonia Guzman, Megan Price, Peyson Shields

LOGAN AGUIRRE President/Publisher

GIVE US A CALL 417-521-3814 (MO) 570-602-4793 (PA) 801-977-5903 (UT)

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MEGAN JOHNSON VP of Custom Publishing AMMIE SCOTT MOTES VP of Strategy and Senior Account Executive J.J. MASSEY Finance Director GARY WHITAKER Founder JOAN WHITAKER Founder

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 3

on the cover

Pickleball players in Salt Lake City hit pause for our photo shoot.

19

09

4 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

26 FEATURES The Big Goal

Pedigree has never had this many trucks and trailers to sell, but the team has a plan to hit its ambitious goal, and Prime’s reputation is helping.

Life at Prime

Prime is good at hauling freight but it’s also good at having a ton of fun.

These are just a few of the parties, picnics and games that happen here.

Spotlight

Ricardo Torres retired from Prime earlier this year after more than two decades with the company. He also trained more than 250 drivers.

Close to Home

Mohammad Ahsan discovered bodybuilding a few years ago as a hobby.

Now, he’s headed to nationals.

Good Eats

This one-pot dinner is ready in 15 minutes, and is high in protein while being low on cost.

How We Roll

Jeffery Whitis has been a volunteer firefighter for years, and now his truck design honors fellow volunteers and first responders.

Family Ties

This driver brings her daughter on the road with her, and the two have made some magical memories together.

18 22 06 11 12 15 32

Photos courtesy Prime Inc., by Ettie Berneking,

CONTENTS

12

FOUNDER’S NOTE

THE LOW

DOWN Congrats To All

Photos courtesy Prime Inc, by Ettie Berneking.

H

ere at Prime, our job is to make sure freight is delivered safely and on-time, and we have the best team in the industry making sure we get that job done right.

But we also have another job, and that's to make sure our team enjoys working at Prime.

Even back in the early days, we knew that in order to become the best in the industry, we had to build a company where people wanted to work. hat meant offering incentives and perks that actually made life easier for our team members both on the road and in-house.

It meant making sure our larger terminals offered amenities like showers, bunk rooms, on site salons, fitness facilities and caf s, so Prime associates don't have to use up all their free time running around town. It's meant planning celebrations to honor associates who deserve time in the spotlight. It's meant getting together to celebrate holidays like Christmas and Halloween, and it's meant making sure our team members can unwind and have fun whether it's through a pickleball game, a barbecue gathering at one of the outdoor kitchens

or hitting one of the walking trails at our larger terminals.

We take the happiness of our associates very seriously because in order to be the best, we have to provide the best to our team.

This issue of Prime Ways is full of examples of how we strive to provide our teams with the best equipment, the best resources to improve their health and the best entertainment when the time is right.

Hopefully, you've had a chance to take part in some of these activities, but if you haven't, maybe this issue of the magazine will inspire you to find ways to plug in to the fun here at Prime.

LET’S GET

SOCIAL Follow along with Prime events, driver photos and much more with Prime’s social media. @PRIMETRUCKING @PRIMEINC @PRIMEINCTRUCKING

Robert Low Prime Inc., CEO & Founder JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 5

LIFE | S P OT L IG H T

TO TEACH After 23 years as a driver and instructor at Prime, Ricardo

Torres is retiring. And after training more than 250 drivers, he is leaving a big legacy behind him.

BY MEGAN PRICE

6 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Photo courtesy Ricardo Torres

DRIVEN

LIFE | S P OT L IG H T

W

hen talking with Ricardo Torres, two things are immediately clear. He’s passionate about truck driving, and he loved his time at Prime. Ricardo has always wanted to be a truck driver ever since he was a little boy. “I started driving my dad’s truck when I was 10 years old,” he says. “It was such a thrill! It was a manual transmission, and I had to use a pillow to reach the steering wheel and the pedals. I’ve always loved to drive. If I didn’t have to sleep, I could drive all day and all night.”

D espite his lifelong love of driving, Ricardo didn’t actually get behind the wheel until he was 4 3. Before that, his main j ob was being a dad. Once his kids became teenagers he finall felt li e he could pursue trucking. After shopping around, he applied at Prime. “I didn’t choose Prime. They chose me,” Ricardo says, believing everything happens for a reason. Prime was the place he was welcomed and the place he would call home for the next 2 2 years.

D riving has always been something he’s enj oyed doing, but in 2 003, the idea of teaching began to pique Ricardo’s interest. After encouragement from a co-worker, he decided to give it a try. He took the CD L Instructor’s test at Prime an was rea for his first set of student drivers. “E very student taught me how to teach the next one,” he says.

“I love teaching people, and I wanted all of my students to do a better j ob than I’ve done.”

S afety and compliance were the primary driving philosophies behind Ricardo’s teaching style. Inspired by the poor trainers he had in the past, Ricardo

5 TIPS

FROM RICARDO

“Prime is a family. It’s not just a business.” knew he could become the teacher he wishe he’ ha . e recalle his first experience with a trainer at a previous company, who climbed into the cab bed and told Ricardo to wake him up when they reached their destination. “This was m first time on the roa icar o says. “I decided that when I learn this business, I’m going to teach people to do it the right way.”

Once he became an instructor, Ricardo taught every aspect of trucking. He taught the importance of paying attention to the basics like completing logs to more daily operations including being a defensive driver. He even taught his students about what to eat and when to sleep. It was all important.

E ach student trained for two to three weeks, so he wanted to make sure to cover as much as he could in that short window. While training on the road, Ricardo kept his students engaged and entertained with his vivid stories and made them laugh with silly j okes.

Ricardo also loved being able to make a i erence in his st ents’ li es an help them forge new career paths in the industry. He explains, “When people ask why I want to teach, the only answer I e er gi e is i e a man a fish fee him for a a . each a man to fish an fee him for a lifetime.’ I truly believe I’m doing God’s work by teaching my students to provide for their families.”

It’s safe to say Ricardo has made a big impact on his students. Over his 2 2 -year career at Prime, he has trained about 2 50 drivers (t hough he admits he stopped counting after a while).

He’s received countless thank-you cards and often sees past students when he’s in town. “They always thank me,” Ricardo says. “That’s part of why I did it. When you see someone’s success and know you helped them get there— that’s my reward.”

S o what’s next for Ricardo? E ven tho gh he has officiall retire from driving, he’s not ready to sit back and relax j ust yet. He also certainly hasn’t lost the teaching bug. N ow that he has started a new chapter in life, he would like to instruct at a local truck driving school in Texas so he can continue sharing his gift with more students.

He’d also like to take a cruise with his wife and visit some of the country’s biggest landmarks and attractions that he has always wanted to see. One sight that’s high on his list is Mount Rushmore.

Retiring from Prime is bittersweet for Ricardo because the company has meant so much to him, and he’ll miss seeing his friends and co-workers every day. “L eaving all the people I worked with is the hardest part,” he says. “Prime is a family, it’s not j ust a business. It’s the best j ob I ever had.”

1

If something doesn’t seem right, look for a way to make it better. Don’t settle for the status quo.

2

Make safety your first priority. It is always worth slowing down or pulling over if driving conditions warrant it.

Always look for moments when you can learn and improve. Ricardo saw each new student as an opportunity to become a better teacher.

3 4 5

Have fun!

Find your mentor or inspiration.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 7

LIFE | V ET E R A N S P OT L IG H T

“You’re the person running in while everyone else is running out.”

SALUTE In the service, Eric Campbell learned to ght res an

eep an e e o t or

anger t t rns o t those s i s o e in han

a

in i i ian i e as

e

BY MEGAN PRICE Time in the Service In August of 2 007 , E ric Campbell was a high school graduate who was looking for a new path in life. After getting into a bit of tro ble he was rea to fin something to ground himself and felt like the military was a good choice. S peaking with a recr iter hel e him confirm that he was rea to rs e a career as a firefighter in the Air F orce, and he began boot camp two months later. E ric spent six weeks in regular military training, followed by three and a half months learning extensi el abo t combating str ct re fires air ort fires an wil fires. e was also traine as an an first res on er

8 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

to sa e as m ch as o can. e also eroes in on fire ha ar s in e er a life an alwa s has fire re ention on his min .

Time at Prime Though he enj oyed his time in the military, after six years, E ric was ready to mo e on to a ci ilian career. is first tho ght was loo ing for a ob as a firefighter b t instea he st mble on a j ob opening at Prime that seemed to use all of his skills.

F or the past year, E ric has been working as a ec rit fficer at Prime’s terminal in alt a e it . is ob s ans a ariet of tas s from hel ing ri ers fin their empty trailers to making badges to conducting drug tests. At times, he even helps shuttle drivers from the airport or hotels to the terminal if needed.

And, of course, he keeps the area secure by approving gate entries and doing yard an erimeter chec s. is ser ice training as an E MT is extremely important as a ec rit fficer too. lot of m militar medical training has transferred since we’re first ai an first res on ers ric sa s. ’ e been the first res on er on the scene an ’ e been able to se m me ical s ills for those sit ations.

Photo courtesy Eric Campbell

A SIMPLE

which would come in handy in his future position at Prime.

While E ric was stationed in Mountain ome aho he imme iatel ha to t his fire training to goo se. he base e erience two str ct re fires an both times he was on the first ham line meaning he helped lead the initial crew han ling the fire hose to start tting o t the ames. il fires were fairl common in Idaho, and E ric spent time battling those, too. After three years, he was mo e to ill ir orce ase where he began a new challenge han ling in- ight emergencies. L arge F -15 and F -16 aircraft occasionall e erience h ng ares or h ng cha an nee e to lan . hen the ares shifte o t of their hol ing osition, they could drag on the ground when the lanes lan e an catch fire. ric an his crew were ready to combat any potential ames an gi e attention if needed. ighting fires in the ir orce ta ght ric that he has a een e e for fire re ention as well as embracing his inner adrenaline n ie. er thing abo t firefighting was s er-f n he sa s. o ’re the person running in while everyone else is r nning o t. o ’re going in there tr ing

LIFE | WOR D S F ROM T H E F I E L D

FUEL UP he ist o per s or Prime team members is a ong one

t

there s one per not e er one no s a o t is o nte

COUPLE DELIVERS ON TIME,

EVERY TIME

Karla Horack has been with Prime since 2009 and has never had a late delivery. She’s earne her Pri e i e erti e ring an st re ei e the pen ant here i she earn to e s h a ste ar ri er ro her h s an en ho has een ith Pri e or ears

Photos by Ettie Berneking

“M

BY JULIANA GOODWIN

y husband made me start driving. He was my trainer. We’ve been married 40 years. I drove a school bus for a while, so I had a class B license, but I credit my driving record to Glen. He’s been here more than 28 years, and he has never had a late load. Being late is not acceptable to us. It’s not in our vocabulary.

We don’t play around. We keep moving unless safety becomes an issue. That’s when you have to call dispatch and tell them what is going on so they can help you update your route and keep the customer informed. Safety has to come first. ur key to success is knowing our routes and staying in touch with dispatch. nce we make our route, we make sure we know where we’re going and we know our timeframe. We try to be as efficient as possible, so if we re at a truck stop and are waiting on fuel, we use that downtime to run inside and stock up on whatever we need. And if we are forced to pick up a load late,

we always let our dispatcher know so they can adjust the delivery time. It really is important to keep up with your dispatcher and let them know how your route is going. If you are stuck behind an accident or your truck breaks down, you need to call your dispatch. Those incidents don’t count against you, but you have to let everyone know what’s going on. It’s part of our job, and we take that seriously. We’re proud of our on-time delivery record for sure, but there are other milestones, too. I’ve watched Glen hit his 4 million miles and now he’s coming up on 5 million. I got in my million miles, too. Watching him compete at the Prime Truck Driving Championship picnic and qualify to the state and national driving competitions is another proud moment for us. Glen was nominated for TCA operator of the year for North America four times and finally won. That same year, he won Driver of the Year for Missouri Trucking Association. It’s all been good.”

iese

e

BY ETTIE BERNEKING o r persona ehi e ta es iese o ight ant to s ip the gas station near o r ho e an start ing p at Pri e hat s e a se a Pri e asso iates an e p ith iese at a prett steep is o nt he is o nt aries epen ing on here o re o ate sa s e anager Sa essi his is o nt an e en o e at the Pri e ter ina s in Spring e isso ri Sa t a e it tah an Pittston Penns ania he is o nte iese progra has een in s ing or a o t a ear no an Sa says Prime team members se a o t ga ons o iese ea h onth t oesn t rea ha e a ene t to Pri e Sa sa s t it s a s a a that e an ta e are o o r asso iates o re thin ing o e ing p at Pri e e s re to he ith the P a a nearest o to g re o t hat ti es o a are a otte or persona se

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 9

LIFE | DAY I N T H E L I F E

TIME TO SHOP

“We also have a lot of clothing items and supplies our drivers need in their trucks.”

While Cody Casto is the Company Store Manager for the Salt Lake City Terminal, his day-to-day also takes him to the worldwide web.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

I

ticipating in Prime wellness initiatives and staying active. “I just joined the in-house body composition challenge, so I’ll be making a lot more time to work out,” he says. “I always enjoy a walk around the terminal to get outside and get some fresh air when we don’t have a bunch of snow on the ground.” efore his day wraps up at, ody fulfills any last orders that have come through during the afternoon. “We have everything from dash cams to egg cookers available on the website,” he says. “We also have a lot of clothing items and supplies that our drivers need for their trucks.”

▲ The Prime shop has a bit of everything from clothing and hats to small appliances.

10 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

With many options available for purchase, it might be hard to narrow down where to start.

Cody says his favorite item in the store right now is the Richardson snapback hat. “I think I own every style,” he says. “I wear a hat daily, and we have a lot of different colors that are available.

Visit primeincstore.com or shop in the store at Salt ake ity, Springfield or ittston.

Another cool perk about the company store is Prime team members and drivers can earn reward points that are available to use in store and online.

Photos courtesy Cody Casto and by Ettie Berneking

f you’ve ordered anything online from Prime’s company store (primeincstore. com) in the past year, it’s very likely that Cody Casto was the one making sure your order arrived. Cody handles a lot from uploading photos and product descriptions to fulfilling orders.

“No day is ever the same, and that’s what keeps me here,” he says. “I’m always getting to meet new drivers and hear about stories from the road.”

Maintaining a physical and virtual store takes energy. ody starts his day with caffeine a onster energy drink to be specific and gets to work. If orders came in overnight, he’ll start his day by fulfilling those, but if his order list is low, he might start with merchandising or doing inventory. “ ne benefit of the orders being processed from Salt ake ity is if you see an item in Springfield and it happens to be sold out in your size, you can hop on the website and I might have them available in Salt ake since my foot traffic is a bit slower, Cody says.

Once it’s time for lunch, he’ll either unpack what he brought from home or grab something from Salt Lake City’s newly updated Café menu. Between tasks and responsibilities he is also focused on par-

LIFE | C LO S E T O HOM E

CHAMP A BECOMING A Mohammad Ahsan is a trailer shop lead at Prime’s Salt Lake City Photo courtesy Mohammad Ashan

Terminal, and he is a bodybuilder on the side. Now, he’s headed to nationa s this ear or the rst ti e

BY JULIANA GOODWIN

s a boy, Mohammad Ahsan loved to tinker with machines. He’d take things apart just so he could figure out how to put them back together again, so becoming a professional mechanic as an adult was a natural fit.

He went to school for automotive technology and landed a job at a dealership. Then a buddy encouraged him to apply at Prime. “Prime has more growth opportunities,” Mohammad says. “I love it. There is no other company that pays the same, and the environment is this good.”

Mohammad is trailer shop lead at the Salt Lake City terminal, but in his spare time he’s a competitive bodybuilder. He’s become so good at it, that he is going to nationals for the very first time this year.

“I always loved staying in shape,” he says. “I used to do martial arts when I was younger and then discovered that I loved lifting. Five years ago, I took it seriously and it became a hobby and a habit. I competed in for the first time and did pretty good for my first time.

Mohammad placed second and actually ualified for nationals, but he didn t think he was ready for the main stage. Bodybuilding is different than weightlifting. It s not only about how heavy you can lift but also about how many reps you can do with that weight to develop your muscle size and shape. Posing also plays a huge role when on stage, which is what Mohammad has been working on to get ready for nationals.

Mohammad works out six days a week for 1½ to 2 hours at a time. When he’s close to competition, he uses the Prime gym for cardio, but the rest of the time he has a trainer and uses two different gyms for weightlifting. Each workout focuses on two body parts: a major body part and a small one, like chest and biceps. Mohammad might be somewhat new to the sport, but he’s already sponsored by a meal company, so all his meals are prepared for him.

Mohammad has won his class four times and overall three times. e took home his first win in 2021 at the Viking Competition. He won the Salt Lake City championship in 2022 and the Wasatch Warrior in 2023. There are four or five national ualifiers in tah, and you must get first or second in your class to advance to nationals. There are various states that host the national competitions, so Mohammad has more than one chance to compete. If he wins, he will get a “pro card. nce you place first or second at nationals, you don’t have to compete on a state level.

Competing in nationals opens the door to sponsorships, which is good news because bodybuilding is an expensive sport, and winning nationals will qualify Mohammad for the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation or IFBB. Mohammad’s ultimate goal is to compete in the World Olympia. e s been addicted since he got the first taste of it. “ he first show I placed second and I loved it,” Mohammad says. “I like proving to myself that I can do it. The feeling of stepping on stage was just amazing. Then it’s a plus to look really lean and shredded. I did it again and won first place. I did it again and won first again. very time I competed, my muscles and physique got better and better. For me, it’s a passion.”

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 11

Photo by Ettie Berneking

WELLNESS | RECIPES

12 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

WELLNESS | R EC I PE S

CUTTING COST NOT

FLAVOR Cooking on your truck doesn’t just help you eat healthier. It can also save money.

BY SONIA GUZMAN

B

eing on the road and eating healthfully don’t always go hand-in-hand, but luckily for Prime drivers, they have Dietician Rachel Dreher on the team to help them navigate the path to healthier eating while on the road.

For example, stopping at the nearby truck stop restaurant might seem like the easiest solution before or after a long day of driving, but with the right appliances and grocery list, cooking in your truck can be just as simple. It’s often also just as quick, healthier and much cheaper.

Restaurant meals are packed with sodium and empty calories (calories that can’t be used for energy and are then stored as fat). Regularly consuming large amounts of sodium and empty calories can lead to health complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and the health risks aren’t something to take lightly. The trucking population is twice as likely as the rest of the population to suffer from diabetes, according to Rachel.

Improved health isn’t the only benefit of cooking on the road. Preparing your own meals is also more cost-effective. Blending a smoothie for breakfast rather than ordering a restaurant meal can save almost $10, with the smoothie costing only $3.16 a serving and a restaurant meal costing between $12 and $13. These sig-

nificant savings will add up over time, and your doctor and wallet will thank you.

Looking to make the change? Rachel says the first step is having a positive attitude. “It takes commitment and a positive mindset,” she says.

“Once you can find what motivates you, whether it’s saving money, getting healthier, or both, the rest comes pretty easily.”

While it might seem like there are barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road, such as space or lack of equipment, Rachel explains that it’s okay to start small. “Making space for a microwave and a fridge is a great place to start,” she says. Avoid your typical microwave dinner

CHEESY ENCHILADA SKILLET RECIPE BY RACHEL DREHER

ESTIMATED COST PER SERVING: $3.33 EQUIPMENT Electric skillet or large cast iron skillet Cutting board Knife INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 cup corn frozen or fresh 1 cup bell pepper 10 oz spinach 2 cups shredded chicken 8 oz enchilada sauce 1 cup salsa 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese 2 cups grape tomatoes, chopped 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

and choose microwavable veggies and frozen, pre-cooked chicken breasts instead. Then you have a healthy meal that’s ready in minutes. If you feel a little more adept in the kitchen, consider an electric skillet, instant pot or crockpot to prepare your meals. These are all quick and easy ways to craft a hot, healthy meal in your truck.

If you are ready to start the journey to a healthier and more budget-friendly lifestyle, Rachel is here to help. Whether you are looking for one-on-one guidance or more simple recipe ideas you can enjoy making on your truck, you can find them on at driverhealthandfitness.com.

10 min.

5 min.

6

COOK TIME

PREP TIME

SERVINGS

INSTRUCTIONS In a large skillet, add oil then the onion, corn and peppers. Cook until slightly charred then add the spinach in a couple batches. Before the spinach is wilted, stir in the chicken, enchilada sauce and salsa.

Then sprinkle with cheese and leave on the heat until melted.

Portion into 6 servings with tomatoes and cilantro on top. Try serving with tortilla chips or over rice.

NUTRITION Serving: 1 cup Fat: 21g Calories: 406 kcal Saturated Fat: 7g Carbohydrates: 24g Sodium: 1442mg Protein: 34g

FOLLOW THIS QR CODE TO SEE THIS ONE-PAN SKILLET MEAL BEING MADE.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 13

TRUCKS & TECH | HOW W E ROL L

TAKING THE

FIGHT ON THE ROAD This driver’s experience as a volunteer re ghter inspire the esign o his tr

BY SONIA GUZMAN

J Jeffery Whitis created a truck design that honors volunteer firefighters like himself.

p

MEANINGFUL DESIGN

soaring eag e s rro n e represents eff s patriotis

a es an

or his o ntr an the ree o pro i es

ree o

Photos by Ettie Berneking

as a eteran an hi

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that he o ght or i ert that a o e

the opport nit to e o e a

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SERVICE AND HONOR

eff is espe ia

pro

o the re ght-

er emblem on the driver’s side door, which includes a rare Maltese cross re ogni ing o nteer re ghters

effery Whitis was a volunteer firefighter for more than years before beginning his career as a truck driver. ow as a member of rime s refrigerated fleet, he is honoring his fellow veteran and current firefighters by outfitting his truck with a design meant to bring attention to them and their sacrifices. effery has been driving for rime for seven years and reali ed outfitting his truck was a great way to spread awareness about a cause that is so close to his heart. effery created the patriotic design, which includes tributes to all types of volunteer firefighters on the vehicle s hood. While Whitis is proud to acknowledge his fellow volunteers on his truck, he is also very fond of the side door design, which features a uni ue firefighter emblem with a volunteer fighter s altese cross surrounded by flames. “It s a rare emblem, eff says, “and I m proud to have it on my truck. eff s plan for the truck to draw attention to and support volunteer firefighters seems to work. “ very time I stop, I get asked for pictures, he says. “Sometimes it s kids, sometimes adults. nce, a s uadron of volunteer firefighters followed me so they could get a picture with the truck. It s great that eff s truck gets so much attention because he plans to use it as a moving advertisement for a nonprofit he s trying to start to benefit volunteer fire departments nationwide. he firefighter motif truck is currently eff s only truck, but he hopes to eventually expand his fleet and have a truck to recogni e each type of emergency first responder.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 15

TRUCKS & TECH | M A I N T E NA NC E

Trent Phariss teaches the Pro Maintenance Class in Springfield, Missouri.

BECOME A PRO Take advantage of Prime’s Pro Maintenance Class, which will teach you the basics of tractor and trailer repairs.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

| PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

In lieu of paying a repair shop, rime will pay the driver a competitive market rate to do their own trailer repair while on the road. or those small repairs done on a tractor, the driver can not only save that money otherwise paid to a repair shop, but save the time as well.

“We love to pay drivers to do their own repairs, rent says. “It gets them more ac uainted with repair e uipment and saves everyone a lot of time and effort. We also very much prefer to give those repair dollars to a rime driving associate versus giving them to a shop out on the road. he in person training consists of multiple modules that range from addressing reefer issues and changing headlight bulbs to fix-

ing tandem slide and tire issues. rent and his team now host the ro aintenance classes daily at p.m. in Springfield, issouri. ach class lasts a few hours, and they are free to all rime drivers. he robust class will empower you to make small repairs on your own, and they can provide you with an additional skill that can generate a little extra revenue in a pinch if needed. rent even provides a list of recommended tools for drivers to purchase and keep in their truck. “ nowing how and where to check for developing issues makes us safer and can prevent potential catastrophes, rent says. If you are interested in signing up, reach out to your rime leet anager.

Photo courtesy Prime Inc,

W

hen you’re out on the road, safety and efficiency are key. While the maintenance teams at rime s terminals in ittston, ennsylvania, Salt ake ity, tah, and Springfield, issouri, are always willing to help, sometimes appointments can delay getting drivers back on the road for routine maintenance and uick fixes. Worse, you might find yourself miles from a terminal and relying on a local repair shop that can be both timely and costly. uckily, the rime maintenance team has come up with a fix for both scenarios hey re teaching drivers how to make basic repairs themselves.

It s a win, win. rivers learn how to handle small repairs and get back on the road uickly and without paying for time in the shop, and the rime maintenance team doesn t get bogged down with small repairs. he class is dubbed the ro aintenance lass, and as aintenance anager rent hariss will tell you, the program is far from new. It launched in , but there are still drivers who don t know rime is there to teach them the art of basic repairs. rent is responsible for developing the class curriculum as e uipment is updated and changes roll out. s he explains, “Inspiration for the class came from driver feedback. It saves the driver time to perform their own repairs instead of waiting at a shop for hours, he says. “It can not only save them money, but it can generate additional money for them.

TRUCKS & TECH | T EC H U PDAT E

DIGITAL UPGRADES Prime has introduced a lot of new features in MyPrime over time, so here are some Frequently Asked Questions.

BY BRIANNE MADURA Q: Where can I see my Prime Rewards Points transactions?

SAFETY UPDATES New technology aims to prevent accidents and protect drivers.

BY JULIANA GOODWIN

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

P

rime has a lot on its plate, but no matter what it’s working on or how busy things get, Prime has one top priority: driver safety.

Prime already has a stellar safety record, but Drew Martin, leasing manager of Success Leasing, hopes two new pieces of technology will keep drivers even safer while they’re on the road. he first new safety feature is Side uard Assist, and it is being rolled out on Freightliners in . ighty percent of rimes eet is made up of Freightliner trucks, so this new rollout will make a big impact right away.

With Side uard ssist, two short range ra dar sensors are mounted on the side of the truck.

Trucks and many vehicles these days are already equipped with radar sensors that alert the driver if they veer out of their lanes or they’re about to change lanes and merge into another driver. “The difference is this looks down the entire length of

the trailer,” Drew says. “It doesn’t stop you, but it will notify you if someone is in that lane.” rews hope is that Side uard ssist will eliminate a major blind spot by detecting objects when drivers turn right. The right side of a truck is a big blind spot for drivers, and as a result, it’s pretty common for accidents to happen on that right side of the trailer.

The second new piece of technology is called Active Speed Intervention. “Speed is a top cause of accidents,” Drew says, and this new safety fea ture should help drivers monitor their speed vs. the posted speed limit. The technology utilizes a camera in the front of the truck that will read the speed limit and display it on the dash. If a driver goes over the limit, it puts a red halo around the speed limit. If a driver goes 6 MPH over, it has a blue light.

After 10 seconds of going 10 MPH over the limit the intervention kicks in. If the truck is not in cruise control, Active Speed Intervention will de throttle for two seconds to alert the driver. If the truck is in cruise control, it will ad just the speed of the truck down to the posted limit. Drew says this piece of technology might not be everyone’s favorite, but it is very import ant. “A safer truck is a better truck,” he says. “If this can save a life or prevent an accident, we’re going to do it.”

A: In My Progress there is a Points tab (may have to scroll on mobile) that will show you earned reward points and the places they have been redeemed.

Q: Where is the Hazmat training and test?

A: Underneath the Training section, in Classes and raining o i n a variety of classes. Hazmat e erti ation is there ith links to the online study guide and the online test.

Q: Why is my new address not showing up?

A: In My Info you can update your address, that information is sent to your payroll associate to verify and make sure any payroll/ tax information is correct for the new address before it will show update in the app.

Q: Where are Drop Yards?

A: On the Fuel & Services ap se the ter in the bottom right corner to select Drop Yard, this will show all Prime Drop Yards.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 17

THE

SALE OF THE YEAR

There’s nothing normal about this year’s sales goals for the Pedigree team.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

18 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Photo by Ettie Berneking

BIGGEST

The Pedigree team has a huge goal ahead of them this year.

The team needs to sell about 2,500 tractors and nearly 2,000 trailers.

To understand how big of a task that is, consider this—to hit that goal, Pedigree needs to sell about 50 trucks and 50 trailers each week. That’s a huge spike compared to what Pedigree normally sells each week and each year. But 2023 is not shaping up to be a normal year, so how did Pedigree get here?

Photo courtesy Pedigree

BLAME IT ON COVID It all started in 2 02 0 when COV ID sent shock waves through nearly every industry. As D arrel Hopkins explains it, “F reight demand was incredibly strong, and our customers were asking for more and more capacity.” That was good news, but the bad news was that while freight demand was up, truck supply was way down. Manufacturers put customers like Prime on what’s called allocation. “They basically told everyone they’d be getting 6 0% of the trucks they normally ordered each year,” D arrel says. “That’s not enough trucks and trailers to replace the ones in o r eet let alone grow.

In a normal year, Prime’s philosophy is simple. It runs younger trucks to ensure the best equipment is out on the road. But from 2 02 0 to 2 02 2 , Prime couldn’t get enough new trucks, so it kept its current eet aro n longer.

Prime t icall lls tractors from its eet after three or four years and trailers are removed after seven years. Those pieces of equipment go to Pedigree where they’re sold to smaller trucking companies and operators. But over the past three years, Prime kept those tr c s an trailers in its eet to ee up with the demand for freight. It worked.

“We grew about 1,2 00 trucks in 2 02 1/ 2 02 2 , and that was huge,” D arrel says. “N ot many companies did that, but that has now put our Pedigree team in a tough position.”

N ow that new trucks are hitting the market again and the demand for freight has levele o Prime wo l li e to lower the age of its eet an it nee s to sell those ol er tractors and trailers.

THE GAME PLAN N ormally, selling used Prime tractors and trailers is easy. “When we started building up Pedigree in 2 010, we created a massive wholesale dealer network, and we’ve been able to maintain those relationships with buyers even as we’ve grown and moved into the retail market,” says Rocky Carden, truck expert manager at Pedigree. “Buyers look to us because they know they’re going to get a great brand and a truck that will run. They also know we’ll take care of them if something breaks down.”

When it comes to name recognition, Pedigree and Prime have worked hard to

make sure their names carry a lot of weight.

It’s part of why the Pedigree team is selling a record number of trucks and trailers at retail pricing even when there’s an excess of inventory. “We’ve received word from several national and international analysts in the used trucking equipment space that Pedigree is the only dealer that has found a way to retail a large amount of trucks and trailers in today‘ s market,” D arrel says.

“Most dealers are going weeks without selling a truck or a trailer in this environment.”

E quipment sold through Pedigree is fi e an bro ght bac to near-factor condition. Tractors and trailers go through Prime’s body shop and paint shop to be repaired, cleaned and painted.

“When you drive down the road or stop at a big shipper, Prime equipment stands ...continued on page 21 JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 19

Prime’s maintenance team brings trucks and trailers back to near-factory condition.

$5-7,000

Most Prime tractors sell for at least $5,000 more than the competition thanks to Prime’s focus on regular maintenance.

7 years

That’s how long trailers stay in the Pri e eet e ore heading to Pedigree.

800

That’s how many trucks Pedigree got to sell in 2021. That’s nearly half of its normal inventory. To meet the demand for freight, Prime held on to almost all of its tractors and trailers during COVID.

40 days

t ta es a o t a s or the Pri e shops to get a tractor ready for Pedigree. Prime’s mechanics and paint shop work on every detail of the tra tor to ring it a to i e ne on ition

20 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

3-4 years

That’s how long most tractors stay in the Prime eet e ore the re moved to Pedigree.

Dealers look to us because they know they’re going to get a great brand and a truck that will run.

They also know we’ll take care of them if something breaks down.”

— Rocky Carden Truck Expert Manager

Photos courtesy Pedigree and by Ettie Berneking

BY THE NUMBERS

Prime’s team spends a lot of time restoring trailers.

Photo courtesy Pedigree

...continued FROM page 19 out,” says Trailer E xpert Manager N athan Hopkins. “The trailers are clean, and the tractors are i erent colors an loo cool.

Y ou don’t see us broken down as often, and you see quality equipment.”

As a result of all this work by Prime’s shops and maintenance teams, Prime equipment usually sells for $ 5,000 to $ 7 ,000 more than its competitor. That typically makes it easier for Pedigree to move tractors and trailers in its inventory. In fact, Rocky says most dealers j oke around with him and call Prime a used truck factory— and Rocky has to agree with them.

“It’s true though,” N athan says. “Prime manufactures a steady supply of used e i ment beca se we r n a o ng eet.

S o a buyer knows when he calls myself or Rocky exactly what he is getting every time.

He knows it’s going to be well maintained, and he knows how the specs are going to look on that piece of equipment.”

n since Prime r ns a o ng eet that means Pedigree is usually selling newer tractors and trailers than competitors. In the aftermath of COV ID , that’s not necessarily true, and that’s part of what is making Pe igree’s c rrent goal so iffic lt.

“Before COV ID , we moved about 1,500 tractors and 1,4 00 trailers a year,” Rocky says. D uring COV ID , when Prime was holding on to almost all of its tractors and trailers, Rocky and N athan were begging for equipment to sell. Instead of the 1,500 tractors he was used to getting, Rocky only got about 7 00 tractors. “We sold them all,” he says.

“Our inventory was 0.” N ow that the demand for freight has returned to normal, Prime is rea to o oa tractors an trailers. “It’s a real challenge,” N athan says, “and a big j ob.”

To hit that goal, N athan and Rocky are blending the wholesale model with normal retail, and they’re using Prime’s strong bran to their benefit. en tho gh a goo ch n of their in entor is fi e- l s ears

old, dealerships know Pedigree’s inventory is usually in better shape than other equipment on the market, even if it’s newer. To spread the word about the spike in inventory, the Pedigree marketing team is working full-throttle, and the Prime shop is also cranking away.

It typically takes two to three weeks for the Prime shop to get a trailer ready for Pedigree, and a tractor can take 4 0 days to prep. In some instances, Pedigree doesn’t have that kind of time right now, and it’s willing to sell some of its equipment as is so long as it doesn’t hurt the Prime brand.

With almost double the inventory it’s used to, Pedigree has its work cut out for them, but Rocky and N athan are running full steam ahead. “Their j obs are as hard as they can be right now,” D arrel says. L uckily, the Prime brand goes a long way, and the company’s dedication to keeping quality equipment on the road makes those tractors and trailers more attractive to buyers even if they’re a bit long in the tooth.

.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 21

Prime is a whole lot more than the freight it hauls down the road. One reason the company constantly ranks at the top of the industry is the culture it has built.

Life at Prime includes daily basketball games, raucous games of pickleball, annual Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties, 5K charity runs, picnics and so much more.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

22 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA Prime takes part in Wreaths Across America every D ecember. E ach year, Prime drivers are chosen to drive the honorary wreaths on several legs of the j ourney. Wreaths Across America coordinates wreathlaying ceremonies at more than 3,7 00 locations across the U .S .

2.7 M

ore than 2 .7 million v eterans’ w reaths w ere p lac ed at c emeteries ac ross the U .S . in 2 0 2 3.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

MILLION MILES CLUB

E ach year, Prime hosts a grand dinner to celebrate the drivers who have reached 1 million safe miles. Many drivers at the award ceremony have reached 2 , 3 and even 4 million safe miles. These drivers have gone years without an accident, and that is huge for Prime. F or a company that ts safet first safe miles are worth celebrating.

7

I t takes ap p rox imately 7 years to reac h 1 million saf e miles.

ANNIVERSARY DINNERS

Once you hit your 10-year anniversary with Prime, you’ll get invited to the yearly anniversary dinner and award ceremony. To be fair, many team members have been with Prime for much longer than 10 years, which is something Prime prides itself on. This event is a chance to raise a glass to Prime’s great team.

596

That’ s how many in-house f olks c elebrated their 1 0 years.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 23

CHRISTMAS

PARTIES

Prime loves to celebrate, and the annual Christmas party is st one e am le of how the com an fin s time to get e er one together to nwin an celebrate all the ictories big an small. ach terminal an h b celebrates in its own wa b t no matter where o ’re at get rea for e ic hoto o s great foo an ancing.

7

Prime sts at least sev en C hristmas parties ea ear.

he ann al aster gg nt is st one wa Prime welcomes i s. ach ear team members bring their families to Prime to search for more than 1,000 hiden aster eggs. here’s also a s ecial a earance b the aster nn l s crafts an snac s for e er one to en o as the race aro n an fill their bas ets.

1K 24 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Prime hides 1 , 0 0 0 E aster eggs at its Springfield terminal.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

EASTER EGG HUNTS

HALLOWEEN PARTIES D ressing up for work on Halloween is a must at Prime— at least it’s a must if you want to win best costume.

There are all kinds of awards that can be won, and extra points if your whole department is in on the theme. The ringfiel terminal sets can stations so i s can come trick or treat.

Prime bought 4 2 bags of c andy last H allow een or 1 2 , 1 32 p iec es.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

42

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 25

While each Prime terminal celebrates the annual compan icnic a little i erentl the all ma e s re to ac in lent of f n. n alt a e it Pittston an ringfiel that incl es bo nce ho ses in atable sli es all in s of carni al games an entertainment for i s.

1K

e pi ni in Springfield in l ded p nds ra legs.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

PICNICS

5K RUNS Runners of all ages are welcome at Prime’s 5k fun runs. E ven strollers make their wa to this co rse an o on’t ha e to come in first to en o the celebration. ince fitness an health is a big foc s for Prime the f n r ns ha e become an annual tradition organized by Prime’s D river Health and F itness team members.

Photos by Ettie Berneking and courtesy Prime Inc.

105

That’ s how many p eop le took p art in the f un run at Prime’s Springfield terminal.

BEER GARDENS Who doesn’t love to barbecue? As a way to get outside and unwind, Prime added beer gardens and patios to several of its terminals. This way teams can celebrate over burgers and break open the brats.

25+ Prime hosts 2 5 to 5 0 ev ents a year c elebrating its assoc iates.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 27

4

There’s a new game in town at Prime, and it’s ic leball. s this a roachable game ta es o all over the country, it’s also picking up speed at Prime. The basketball courts at the S alt L ake it an ringfiel terminals reg larl o ble Y ou only need f our as pickleball courts. J ust round up a few team- p eop le and one net to p lay p ic kleball. mates to play with and enj oy.

28 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Photos by Ettie Berneking and courtesy Prime In.

PICKLE BALL

DODGEBALL

83

D odgeball tournaments don’t happen every year at Prime, but when they do, they’re a big hit... get it? Get nailed with a rubber ball, and you’re out, but if your team is the last one standing, you get a lot of bragging rights. One Prime donated 83 toys of the tournaments doubled as a fundraiser for thanks to one dodgeball tournament.

Toys for Tots.

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

BASKETBALL Basketball was one of Prime’s original pastimes.

Robert is a big fan of the game, so he added full-size co rts to Prime’s main terminals in ringfiel an S alt L ake City. As a result, people often use their breaks as a chance to get in a game or practice their freethrows.

12

Basketball games are held at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 29

PRIME’S NEWEST INTERMODAL HUB 30 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

TERMINAL TALK

Photos courtesy Prime Inc.

TERMINAL TALK

There is good news for drivers who have experienced heavy traffic at the Minooka, Illinois, terminal. Prime has recently acquired a terminal in Bedford Park, Illinois, that will help alleviate the strain on the Minooka location. The Bedford Park intermodal hub has previously been in operation, but it was serving multiple carriers and primarily Prime’s intermodal division. With the new acquisition, the hub will only service Prime driving associates and be accessible to the over-the-road divisions.

When the previous owners of the hub, Intermodal Maintenance Group, decided to sell the hub, Prime knew it had to seize the opportunity, says Ryan Harrington, the head of Prime’s intermodal division.

“If we hadn’t purchased the hub, another trucking company would have, and we would have lost the chance to help our drivers in this important location.” More than 30% of intermodal volume runs through Chicago, and 50% of all shipments move through the area, so having two touch points will benefit drivers across all divisions and give intermodal a place to call home.

While the Bedford Park hub is on the smaller side, it will still have 11 maintenance bays and space for more than 300 trailers plus plenty of yard space. It is

a newer building with a similar look to Prime’s other terminals, which makes it a perfect new addition. The location will also offer a driver area with restrooms and locker space. The hub doesn’t currently provide food service, but there is a plan to add the amenity in the future.

“We are really excited about acquiring this facility,” Ryan says. “This new hub demonstrates Prime’s commitment to growth in intermodal services and expands the company’s footprint in Chicago.” While the new Bedford Park hub might be intermodal-based, OTR drivers will still benefit from the additional facility. “This terminal will also support our OTR divisions,” explains Ryan, “by providing yard space, maintenance for trucks and trailers, and a place for drivers to rest.”

Another benefit is that the new hub will help Prime expand its drayage capacity. “This gives us the ability to provide enhanced service for our intermodal customers,” Ryan says. “We believe that having our own facility will help us grow our driver base.”

While the facility isn’t quite in Prime’s hands yet, it will be soon, and drivers will be feeling the benefits of Prime’s growth and having two facilities in such a high-traffic location.

By The Numbers 11

The number of maintenance bays in the new terminal.

300

That’s how parking spots are at the terminal.

10.5

The number of acres the new terminal covers.

3,500

Is how many square feet of office space is inside the terminal.

5

Is the number of truck-level docks with levelers.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 31

FAMILY TIES

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER For Driver Angie Sinnes, quality time with her 21-year-old daughter, Savannah Lee, includes lots and lots of mileage.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

B

efore Angie Sinnes settled in at Prime, she was part of the U.S. Coast Guard, a volunteer firefighter and a mentor to a Maine-based search and rescue group. She was also a mother, but making the transition to driving full-time was a dream she’d had since she was a little girl. “I had a childhood dream of being a truck driver, and my family believed in me,” Angie says. “When you put your mind to your goals, nothing can stand in the way.”

32 | PRIME WAYS | JULY 2023

Today, Angie spends most of her time out on the road, and she has some company—her daughter Savannah. “She and her brother, Joseph, used to ride with me every summer,” Angie says. “Now Savannah has been on the truck with me for a year.”

Savannah helps navigate weather conditions and traffic routes, and is using this experience to build her confidence and learn street smarts. “I really look up to my mom,” Savannah says. “I am very impressed with her and how she navigates traffic in different situations and how she can maneuver her truck and trailer in the tightest areas and showing me different scenarios of the importance of not giving up.”

While driving safely and making ontime appointments is Angie’s top priority, this mother-daughter duo take advantage of exploring new places when they have a

little extra time on a load. “We try new food, and Savannah loves to take pictures when I am driving,” Angie says. “She photographs everything from wild weather to the beautiful scenery.”

Not surprisingly, Angie’s love of driving is a bit contagious. “She has inspired me, and I am thinking about becoming the next super-safe driver,” Savannah says. “Seeing how my mom is part of a company that cares and is pretty much like an extended family, I really like that.” Even truck designs have piqued Savannah’s creative side. After seeing some of the design work done by Stripes and Stuff, Savannah is toying with the idea of becoming a graphic artist or an illustrator.

For Angie, seeing her daughter grow in confidence and experience, is worth everything. The adventures they have on the road are not what most families experience when they bring their kids to work, but for these two, the memories they’re forming are priceless.

“She has seen how far I have come in my career,” Angie says. “She saw my bravery, confidence and my ability to help others, and she wanted to ride with me so she can learn to become confident with such bravery and with a big heart, too.”

Photos courtesy Angie Sinnes

Savannah makes sure to take plenty of photos while on the road with her mom. She’s able to capture a lot of their adventures on the road.

EVENING GLOW There are often perks to working late—like being able to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Thank you to

Photo by Craig Breter

driver Craig Breter for capturing this golden skyline while making a delivery.

JULY 2023 | PRIME WAYS | 33

Driver Referral Program $100 $500 $500 1/4cpm $1,000 Earn $100 when referred driver hauls first load.

Earn $500 when referred driver stays 30 days.

Earn $500 when referred driver stays 6 months.

Earn ¼ cpm on every mile referred driver runs after 6 months.

Earn $1000 when 3 referred drivers stay 6 months.

Earnings Example: Refer 3 drivers who stay at least 6 months at Prime, and you would earn $4300, not including the additional mileage pay!

Program Rules: The person that is referred must run under Prime’s operating authority (A, B, C, or D Seats) as a company driver or independent contractor.

All active Prime Driver Associates under Prime’s operating authority (A, B, and C Seats) are eligible to receive Prime Inc Driver Referral Program pay.

To earn bonus at 6 months longevity pay and mileage pay, referred driver must be an A Seat.

No driver referral bonus will be earned for referring a rehire (previous Prime Driver).

To earn referral, referred driver must list Prime Driver’s name or driver code on online application or be provided to Recruiter prior to processing application for approval.

For more information, contact Prime’s Recruiting Department at 888-664-4473.

Program is effective as of Nov 19, 2021 until further notice or cancellation. (Prime reserves the right to modify the program at any time.)