Hayes Transport Achieves Remarkable Driver Retention Rates

In the trucking industry, Hayes Transport stands out for its impressive achievement in driver retention, maintaining a remarkable 92% of its drivers on a regular basis despite the sector’s ongoing issues with high turnover rates.

“Our turnover is significantly below 10%,” stated Kyle Vidlock, a safety manager and former driver for the company. “Most of the driver turnover is due to retirement. Recently, we’ve had only one driver leave for other job opportunities.”

Vidlock attributes this level of success to the company culture established by founder Tim Hayes. “Tim emphasizes creating a family-oriented work atmosphere where employees can envision a long-term career,” he explained to FleetOwner. “He remains actively engaged, making himself available for calls from any driver at any hour. Additionally, we offer various scheduling options, competitive pay, benefits, and advanced technologies that demonstrate our commitment to our drivers.”

Based in Verona, Wisconsin, Hayes Transport operates truckload, LTL, local, and dedicated services across 48 states with a fleet comprising 60 Volvo VNL 860 trucks and 180 trailers from Utility, Stoughton, and Wabash.

“We replace our tractors approximately every four years or after 500,000 miles, choosing the largest sleeper cabs equipped with all available safety features,” Vidlock noted. “We assign new drivers to new trucks to signal that we expect them to stay with us for the long haul.”

The company’s salary structure ensures drivers receive consistent weekly earnings, with additional pay for vacations, holidays, detentions, and layovers. Drivers loading their own freight earn pickup pay, and those who need to make multiple stops to return home are compensated for those efforts. Hayes Transport also offers health and life insurance and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Furthermore, drivers benefit from safety bonuses for clean driving records, fuel bonuses for meeting mileage targets, and additional compensation for routes in the East Coast due to lower mileage in that area. They also receive expense funds on EFS fuel cards issued by the company.

Vidlock explained, “We ensure all drivers can return home weekly, and we do not enforce dispatches. When drivers are on their way back, they can communicate with our outbound dispatcher to indicate their availability. This approach focuses on understanding driver needs and providing flexible options.”

Upon taking on the role of safety manager, Vidlock swiftly began implementing improvements based on his experiences as a driver. Initial changes included transitioning to Geotab ELDs and telematics and introducing Netradyne dashcams for enhanced driver safety and training.

He was also enthusiastic about implementing a weigh station bypass system for Hayes drivers, leading to the adoption of Drivewyze PreClear, which is available to all over-the-road drivers. “This service minimizes the time drivers spend at inspection sites, allowing them to continue their routes and return home sooner,” Vidlock noted. “Reducing downtime with Drivewyze also decreases operational costs linked to idling and promotes timely deliveries.”

Hayes Transport experienced immediate benefits from this system. In just one month, with an average of nine bypasses per truck, the fleet collectively saved 28 hours of driving time, translating to over $2,870 in operating cost savings from bypassing weigh stations.

Finally, Vidlock emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent customer base in ensuring the company’s long-term success. “For 42 years, we’ve built strong partnerships with customers to fulfill their transportation needs,” he explained. “We aim to deliver exceptional, professional, and timely service with each shipment. Our adaptable business model allows us to develop innovative solutions tailored to meet each client’s specific requirements.”

Since its inception in 1980, Hayes Transport has expanded from a single-truck operation to a large fleet, building a solid reputation as a dependable transportation service provider that clients are eager to partner with.