Page 27 - ATR 2 2014 web

could get an Internet connection. work within our network.” chases.
“So figuring out how to support the Now intermodal represents a sig- With around 7,500 of its own driv-
digital consumer is going to add more nificant portion of how freight is moved ers, though, Walmart still faces the
logistical challenges and complexities around that network, particularly long- same kind of recruitment and retention
to whoever sits in a transportation role haul truckload freight from east to issues as the rest of the industry. Rosser
for a retailer,” he said. “Just look at west, he said. does what he can to ensure that once he
what happened this Christmas: It used “One of the things that was excit- finds a qualified, safe driver, they stick
to be we got Black Friday delivered then ing to me, having had the opportunity around – and whatever he’s doing, it
you were kind of done, everything was to step away from transportation and seems to be working.
on automatic. Now, you’re focused on logistics for six years, is having come “If you looked at us as a trucking
serving the customer all the way up to back into a whole new world. And one company, our turnover would be the
Christmas day. It’s vastly different.” of the neatest things is the continued envy of the industry,” he said. “We have
Another element that has evolved innovation in intermodal,” said Rosser. single-digit turnover.”
over the years is Walmart’s use of inter- “It’s been really interesting to watch Some of the things that may con-
modal; in fact, he said, it was intermo- the railroads and trucking companies tribute to that, Rosser said, include
dal service that did the evolving, and work together to broaden those ser- regional routes that help get drivers
Walmart naturally adapted to those vices.” home at the end of their work week, and
changes. That also means, of course, that a respecting their time by turning them
“It made perfect sense for us lot of Walmart’s products are hauled quickly at stores and distribution centers.
because of what we do,” said Rosser. “I’d on non-Walmart trucks, mostly vendor There is also an element of pride in the
call it innovation – our neighbors down to distribution center on their inbound corporate culture – they’re not just pull-
the street, J.B. Hunt, along with BNSF side. But there’s also LTL cargo that’s ing freight, they’re pulling a trailer with
and other rail providers and trucking brought to consolidation centers to be the Walmart name and logo on it. That’s
companies were offering services that, turned into full truckloads. And then placing some responsibility for the com-
frankly, met our needs. Working togeth- there’s small package delivery, which pany’s reputation on the drivers’ shoul-
er with them, we found ways to make it Walmart utilizes a lot for online pur- 

Less Here more Here

DefenD your company anD your
Drivers with a legal Defense plan Call Jim C. Klepper, Esq.
DesigneD By anD for truckers. 8 0 0 - 4 1 7 - 3 5 5 2
Drivers Legal Plan @DriversLegal www.driverslegalplan.com

aRkaNSaS tRuckiNg RepoRt | issue 2 2014 27