Knoxville, Tennessee – Knoxville-based specialty chemicals transportation company, Highway Transport celebrates 70 years with the launch of a special commemorative video. Additionally, Highway Transport is experiencing growth, expansion in the southeastern US, and 75 new Mack Anthem trucks are being added to the fleet.
Highway Transport’s 70th Anniversary YouTube video:
Marshall Franklin, President & CFO, Highway Transport
Marshall Franklin, President & CFO, says “Specialty chemical companies are demanding that we expand our 2018 capacity, particularly throughout the southeastern corridor of the U.S. where many chemical manufacturers are located. Specifically, Highway Transport’s Geismar, LA location will expand. Our professional truck drivers are excited about the arrival throughout summer of 75 of the newest model of Mack Trucks being added to our fleet. The name of the model is Anthem.”
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Director of Linehaul & Recruiting, Joe Sheldon says, “As our new video illustrates, Highway Transport chemical tanker truck drivers are an elite class of truck driver with a high level of skill. They are everyday heroes with the deepest concern for others and the safest fleet on the road. Logistical planning is so much more sophisticated today. Routes are intentionally designed to provide shorter out-and-back runs preferred by family-minded drivers. Highway Transport’s service centers are strategically located so that drivers enjoy more home time than ever. System drivers are at the heart of Highway’s growth strategy. The new Mack Anthems are being allocated to system drivers. Drivers who are willing to run throughout Highway Transport’s system will be greatly rewarded. This includes:
- a pay upgrade – We are increasing all mileage scales by an average of 4.5%. Also, we are increasing hourly detention and loads below 150 miles rates by $1 per hour.
- a new per diem program – This program will allow drivers to have $63 of daily pay become nontaxable when they are away from home. Driver “net” or “take home” pay will be higher utilizing this plan.
- additional incentive pay for system drivers – a system driver premium of 5% of pay. This is paid in a quarterly lump sum. It reflects Highway Transport’s desire to reward the additional flexibility and sacrifice made by the system drivers who stay away from home for longer periods of time.”
Highway Transport has a presence in the following U.S. cities:
- Knoxville, TN
- Chattanooga, TN
- LaPorte, TX
- Freeport, TX
- Garland, TX
- McDonough, GA
- Croydon, PA
- Florence, KY
- Joliet, IL
- Wyandotte, MI
- Geismar, LA
With an intense focus on safety, Highway Transport’s 70-year chemical tanker legacy allows the company to offer executive-style pay and benefit packages to CDL drivers with chemical tanker experience and HazMat certification. Potential drivers can discover higher-than-average wages when applying on the company’s recruiting website: drive4highway.com
Rick Lusby, Vice President of Safety, adds “Chemical companies ask us to extend our capacity into other parts of the country, and we do what it takes to serve those customers. The key to Highway Transport’s success is that we achieve growth while maintaining an impeccable safety record. We recruit top driving talent and offer truck drivers the best equipment. One look at our CSA chart says it all.”
- What does CSA stand for?
Compliance, Safety, Accountability.
- Where do CSA numbers come from?
Safety data is collected from roadside inspections, crash reports, investigation results and registration details. All this data is then made available on the FMCSA’s Safety Management System (SMS) website, which is updated on a monthly basis.
- What’s a good score?
The lower the score, the better. If you receive 65 percent or greater in any of the seven categories, you’re likely to get a letter from the FMCSA and may undergo further scrutiny. Because hazmat carriers can pose a greater danger to roadways, they must maintain scores below 60 percent to prevent investigations.
Solid Legacy, Bright Future
Greg Watkins, Vice Chairman, Highway Transport
Vice Chairman Greg Watkins says, “My family—the Watkins Family—has a solid legacy in the trucking world. But make no mistake, we have always been very agile when it comes to business. Through the decades, we have quickly adapted to market shifts. Our strong focus on technology + our ability to stay ahead of trends has served us well.”
Everyone at the privately held company is celebrating and commemorating throughout 2018, but this anniversary is just as much about the future as it is the past.
Watkins continues, “We teamed up with RIVR Digital to produce our 70th Anniversary video which can be viewed on our YouTube channel named “HyttDrivers.” We wanted to provide a rare glimpse of the heartbeat of “Highway”. “Highway,” is sort of our nickname; it is the way colleagues throughout the trucking world commonly refer to our company.
Moving forward in this 70th year, Highway recently teamed up with a company named Rolling Strong to support our fleet with health coaches and a wellness app. We also became a gold-level sponsor of TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) in the battle to defeat human trafficking. Protecting the roads, keeping people safe, serving as a shining example throughout the trucking industry…There is no better way to celebrate this 70-year milestone.”
“My family has been in the trucking business since 1932. Highway Transport started in 1948. My family purchased Highway Transport in 1968. Since 1948, Highway Transport has been a chemical tanker trucking company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee with a reputation that is the epitome of family and tradition. “
