Page 30 - ATR 1 2016 web

much reading is required. He’s con-
stantly checking email — everyone in
“we are migratiNg to somethiNg that’s the company has his address and can
perhaps a logistics compaNy with aN asset, contact him about anything, part of his
aNd that asset is aBf freight.” open-door policy — as well as keeping up
on industry publications, regulations,
the investment community, and books
—tim thorNe, presideNt & ceo of aBf freight about business.
A more frustrating thing, he said, is
the fact that there’s so many things he,
“That’s something we want to at a company with more than 11,500 as president, wants or needs to do, but
make sure we’re in compliance with,” employees. can’t because he’s just one person.
he said. “I’ve been on a lot of road trips, “When I walk around a terminal, “Recently we had a guy retire after
and sometimes it’s difficult to find a that’s what I think about,” said Thorne. 35 years and had a ceremony here,”
place to pull over. The guys are really “Something somebody can trip over, he said. “But I had a meeting that was
good at finding a spot; the road drivers cut themselves on, anything that would very important in Washington, D.C. I
are on dedicated routes, out and back.” hurt someone — I worry about that.” couldn’t change either one of them. It’s
ABF Freight has put all its city driv- Overall, Thorne is pleased with that tug of war — how much time should
ers through training on ELDs and will where the company is headed strategi- I spend here, in front of employees, in
have the road drivers trained this year. cally, and credits Judy McReynolds, front of customers. I’m not the first
While drivers were already in compli- president and CEO of parent company president to say that — I’ve heard before
ance using paper logs, Thorne believes Arcbest Corp., with visionary leadership. it’s a hard thing to figure out.”
the ELDs will help the company moni- “I think our customers value our And what he calls presence — being
tor compliance a little better. offerings because our parent company on the spot where things are happen-
And while the topic of ELDs is one has a strategy of us not just being pri- ing — is one of Thorne’s three most
that’s lit up the comment threads and marily an LTL carrier,” he said. “We are important characteristics for a leader,
message boards among drivers since the migrating to something that’s perhaps the others being character (“Doing the
mandate was announced, Thorne said a logistics company with an asset, and right thing when no one is around”)
he’s not seen much pushback from his that asset is ABF Freight. and intellect (“That doesn’t have to
people. “We have a lot of other options mean I’m the smartest person in the
“We’ve had a little bit of grumbling now,” added Thorne. “Panther Premium room”). These are the things he shared
but not too much,” he said. Most of our Logistics, which is an expedited carrier with his officers during his first staff
guys understand federal law and don’t and has different verticals for medical meeting as president, rather than a
have a problem with that. Plus, our ELDs and things like that. ABF Logistics and generic “cut costs and grow revenue”
have mapping capabilities, so that helps.” U-Pack. Our account managers now message.
Ask Thorne what issue is most have a lot more to offer customers.” “If the people in that room didn’t
likely to keep him up at night and he Asked what he feels ABF Freight know that already, they shouldn’t be sit-
quickly identifies safety. does best in the industry, he harks back ting around that table,” he noted.
“First and foremost when I get up to his earlier observation of “doing dif- Having taken a seat on the Arkansas
in the morning, I check my phone,” ficult things well.” Trucking Association board this past
he said. “What I’m looking for is any “We’re very easy to do business year, Thorne sees that as an opportu-
accidents. I worry more than anything with,” he said. “When it comes to our nity for professional growth. He’s new
about our drivers on the road and the account managers, the folks who sell enough that his goals are pretty basic
overall well-being of the motoring pub- for us, our customers view them as a right now: Get to know the people in the
lic. It seldom happens, but every now trusted advisor. I think our drivers, industry a little better and learn more
and then, I get one and want to make since they get hired and stay with us for about the hot topics the association is
sure our guys are safe.” a long time, they take their interactions dealing with. But he’s already got a high
ABF Freight does have a stellar with our customers personally. It’s kind opinion of the ATA itself.
record in that department, having of part of that whole ‘doing the difficult “I’ve been involved in trucking
received the ATA President’s Trophy for things well.’ We won the ATA claims associations around the country and
Safety seven times, and he says part of and loss prevention award six times and Arkansas is a good one,” he said, then
the reason for those wins is probably I think that’s unprecedented.” added with emphasis, “I take that back,
because of “guys like me who worry Since becoming president, Thorne Arkansas’ is a great one. They’re very
about that,” which is no small task said the biggest surprise has been how 

30 arkansas trucking rePort | issue 1 2016