The announcement came during the annual Best Fleets to Drive For conference held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, where fleets across North America were recognized for how they treat and support their drivers.

Small Carrier Spotlight: Crawford Trucking

Crawford Trucking, based in Des Moines, Iowa, took home the Best Overall Fleet award in the small carrier category. While the company has appeared on the Top 20 list before, this marks its first time earning the top overall honor.

For drivers, the standout is the company culture. Feedback collected through the program highlights a workplace where communication is open and leadership is accessible.

One driver shared, “No door is locked at our company, except the restroom. Everyone is always available for the drivers, and that’s from the maintenance crew all the way to, and including, the owner of the company.”

That kind of environment doesn’t happen by accident. According to program organizers, Crawford Trucking leveraged driver feedback to improve day-to-day operations, policies, and overall support.

“This year’s winning fleet really utilized the Best Fleets program, using the reports and driver feedback to strengthen their programs,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge.

Large Carrier Recognition: Fortigo Freight Services

In the large carrier category, Fortigo Freight Services Inc., headquartered in Etobicoke, Ontario, earned its first Best Overall Fleet award after seven years in the Top 20.

Drivers pointed to professionalism and consistency as key reasons the company stands out. One anonymous survey response captured that sentiment clearly:

“I enjoy working with this company because of its commitment to excellence and the opportunities it provides to grow professionally, and its honesty, fairness, quality, and respect.”

For fleets operating at scale, maintaining that level of consistency across drivers, dispatch, and operations is no small task. Fortigo’s recognition shows what’s possible when those pieces come together.

Standing Out in a Tough Market

Across the board, this year’s winners were recognized for finding ways to support drivers despite ongoing industry challenges.

“Winning fleets found a way to ‘make a difference for drivers in a continuing difficult market,’” Jazrawy said. “While all of our Top 20 winners are leaders in the industry, these two fleets stand out with great programs and exceptional safety and retention scores.”

For both drivers and fleet managers, that message hits home. Retention, safety, and driver satisfaction are not separate goals. They are tied directly to how a company operates every day.

Hall of Fame Honors: FTC Transportation

Oklahoma-based FTC Transportation Inc. received the Stratosphere Award, recognizing the top-performing fleet within the Best Fleets Hall of Fame.

The company has been part of the Hall of Fame for five years and has earned Best Fleets recognition for 14 consecutive years. That level of consistency puts it in rare company.

The Hall of Fame category highlights fleets that sustain high standards over time. To qualify, companies must be named a Best Fleet for at least 10 straight years, or seven years with at least one overall win.

“Over the years, we’ve watched them continue to grow and innovate, and they are deserving winners of our third annual Stratosphere Award. As a fleet with 23 drivers, they are also proof that you don’t need to be big to offer great programs,” she said.

What This Means for Drivers and Fleets

The Best Fleets to Drive For program, now in its 18th year and run by CarriersEdge, evaluates companies based on real driver input and operational practices. Areas like pay, benefits, training, work-life balance, and communication all factor into the final rankings.

For drivers, these awards offer a snapshot of which companies are doing things right. For fleet leaders, they provide a benchmark for what it takes to build a workplace that keeps drivers on board.

At the end of the day, the fleets that rise to the top are the ones that listen, adapt, and follow through.

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The program is built around Techni-Com’s Practical Air Brakes materials, enhanced with content from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The result is a robust set of modules designed to help drivers, technicians, and fleets strengthen both knowledge and safety practices.

“Techni-Com’s content is second-to-none, and well established as the industry standard,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO, CarriersEdge. “With the addition of the material from CVSA, there’s no other online course on the market with this depth of content. We’ve even created an interactive, virtual brake board that allows participants to see all the working parts of an air brake system and how they interact.”

A Deeper Look at Air Brakes Training

Developed over 18 months with industry experts, the new program takes learners step-by-step through how air brake systems function — from generating braking force at the wheels to conducting proper inspections. The modules cover both fundamentals and advanced skills, giving drivers clear takeaways they can use on the road immediately.

Participants will gain an understanding of each subsystem and its components, learn to spot warning signs during visual inspections, and practice operational testing and brake adjustment techniques. These lessons are critical for ensuring a truck’s braking system is safe and compliant before heading out on the highway.

“Air brake defects continue to plague the trucking industry,” said Rolf VanderZwaag, president, Techni-Com Inc. “It is a complicated subject that can challenge even experienced drivers. Driver education is the key to a clean safety record, and an approachable, engaging, learning experience ensures drivers learn effectively. CarriersEdge has created an exceptional series of courses that are detailed, thorough, clear, and easy for drivers to digest.”

Ideal for Drivers and Technicians

According to CarriersEdge, the new training series is particularly valuable for drivers preparing to obtain their air brake endorsement. It is equally beneficial for experienced drivers who want a refresher before renewal, or for technicians looking to deepen their technical expertise.

The eight interactive modules can be taken one at a time or as a complete 156-minute course:

• Air Brake Fundamentals
• The Supply Subsystem
• The Service Brake Subsystem
• The Spring Brake Subsystem
• The Trailer Brake Subsystem
• Visual Brake Inspections
• Conducting Functional Tests
• S-Cam Brake Adjustment

More Than Online Lessons

CarriersEdge has also added extra tools to help fleets reinforce what drivers learn. Each module includes a baseline knowledge test so drivers can gauge their understanding. The program also integrates Put it into Practice (PiiP) activities, which connect digital training with real-world applications. These range from social media engagement to hands-on exercises, all designed to improve retention and give trainers better insight into driver progress.

“This program is ideal for drivers who are working toward their air brake endorsement, or who have their endorsement and are looking to expand their knowledge or get a refresher before renewing,” said CarriersEdge. “Service technicians will also learn from the program.”

Available Now

The new air brakes training program is currently available in English to CarriersEdge subscribers, with French and Spanish versions planned for release soon. It joins a growing library of courses aimed at raising safety standards across the trucking industry.

Image Source: CarriersEdge
Source: The Trucker

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“The ongoing freight recession has brought challenges for all segments of the trucking industry,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “However, that hasn’t stopped fleets from finding creative ways to support their drivers, and we’re looking forward to hearing all the great ideas they’ve come up with.”

Nominations are now being accepted through October 31. Drivers, including company employees and independent contractors, can nominate their fleets at www.bf2df.com. The program welcomes all for-hire fleets operating 10 or more tractor-trailers across the U.S. or Canada, regardless of freight segment.

Once nominated, participating fleets complete a detailed questionnaire and interview, outlining driver-focused programs across multiple categories. Selected drivers are also surveyed to provide firsthand insight into their experiences. Responses from both management and drivers are scored, determining the top 20 fleets. These are then split into small and large fleet categories, with the highest-scoring fleet in each recognized as the Best Overall Fleet for their category. Hall of Fame entrants may also be honored as overall winners.

Recognition for Top 20 fleets, overall winners, and Hall of Fame entries will take place during the Best Fleets to Drive For Education and Awards Conference, scheduled for March 2026.

For additional information about the program, including past winners and best practices, visit www.bf2df.com. Stay connected with the program on social media using the hashtag #BestFleets26, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BestFleetsToDriveFor, and on LinkedIn at www.LinkedIn.com/company/BestFleetsToDriveFor.

Image Source: Nigel Tadyanehondo (Unsplash)

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Now in its 17th year, Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and competition that highlights the for-hire carriers delivering the best workplace experience for professional drivers.

Source: From left: Heather Engen, Senior VP and Head of Global Customer Success at Netradyne; Tamara O’Tool, Vice President of Administration at Decker Truck Line, Inc., and Jane Jazrawy, CarriersEdge CEO

Small Carrier Champion: K&J Trucking

K&J Trucking, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, took home the Best Overall Fleet award in the small carrier category. This marks the second year in a row that the company has won the top honor, making it the first contractor fleet to achieve back-to-back victories since the small and large carrier categories were introduced 11 years ago. K&J has consistently ranked among the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For four times and continues to set industry standards for independent contractor fleets. The award is sponsored by TruckRight.

Large Carrier Winner: Decker Truck Line

For the first time, Decker Truck Line, Inc., headquartered in Fort Dodge, Iowa, has secured the Best Overall Fleet title in the large carrier category. The company has made the Top 20 Best Fleets list for four years, steadily refining its driver programs and workplace culture. Netradyne sponsors this award.

“K&J Trucking and Decker Truck Line rose to the top by continuing to elevate their workplace cultures and driver programs in the face of tough freight conditions,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “K&J Trucking, whose fleet is comprised mostly of independent contractors, continues to buck the industry perception that contractor fleets can’t offer an industry-best workplace for drivers. And, since first cracking the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For list in 2022, Decker Truck Line has continued to improve its programs year after year while also maintaining strong safety and driver satisfaction numbers.”

The Stratosphere Award and Hall of Fame Recognition

CarriersEdge also honored Garner Trucking, Inc. of Findlay, Ohio, with The Stratosphere Award, which goes to the highest-scoring fleet in the Best Fleets Hall of Fame. Sponsored by EpicVue, this award recognizes carriers that have consistently achieved excellence.

To qualify for the Hall of Fame, a fleet must be named a Best Fleet for 10 consecutive years or at least seven years with an overall winner title. Once inducted, fleets must continue meeting the program’s high standards each year to maintain their status.

“Members of the Best Fleets Hall of Fame continue to innovate and raise the bar for the industry,” Jazrawy added. “Garner has taken that even further, and their exceptional programs and driver satisfaction set a new standard of excellence for the industry.”

How Fleets Are Chosen

The Best Fleets to Drive For program is open to for-hire carriers operating 10 or more tractor-trailers. To be considered, a fleet must be nominated by one of its own company drivers or independent contractors. From there, CarriersEdge evaluates each carrier based on key criteria such as:

• Driver compensation
• Benefits and retirement plans
• Professional development opportunities
• Community involvement
• Safety record

Source: Truckers News

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“This year, the Best Fleets continued to invest in new and creative programs to enhance the workplace experience for drivers,” said Jane Jazrawy, CEO. “Despite what’s been a tough economy the past couple of years for fleets, the Best Fleets Top 20 and Hall of Fame members have continued to show that the well-being of their drivers remains a top priority.”

Recognizing Excellence in Trucking

The Best Fleets to Drive For program celebrates companies that prioritize exceptional workplace environments for their drivers and independent contractors. To qualify for the program, for-hire carriers operating at least 10 tractor-trailers must be nominated by a current driver or owner-operator.

Companies are then evaluated on various criteria, such as driver pay, benefits, human resources strategies, operational practices, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance initiatives. To ensure a comprehensive assessment, surveys are also conducted with drivers and independent contractors to gauge their satisfaction with the fleet’s work environment.

The companies with the highest scores are named to the prestigious Best Fleets to Drive For list. Those that have earned the recognition for 10 consecutive years—or for seven consecutive years with an overall winner distinction—are inducted into the Hall of Fame.

2025 Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For

• America’s Service Line – Green Bay, Wis.

• American Central Transport – Kansas City, Mo.

• Brenny Specialized Inc. – St. Joseph, Minn.

• C.A.T. Inc. – Coteau-du-Lac, QC

• Challenger Motor Freight Inc. – Cambridge, ON

• Chief Carriers Inc. – Grand Island, NE

• Continental Express Inc. – Sidney, Ohio

• Crawford Trucking – Des Moines, Iowa

• Decker Truck Line Inc. – Fort Dodge, Iowa

• Fortigo Freight Services Inc. – Etobicoke, ON

• Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc. – Fremont, NE

• Ippolito Transportation – Burlington, ON

• K & J Trucking Inc. – Sioux Falls, SD

• Kriska Holdings Limited – Prescott, ON

• Leonard’s Express Inc. – Farmington, N.Y.

• PGT Trucking Inc. – Aliquippa, Pa.

• Thomas E. Keller Trucking Inc. – Defiance, Ohio

• TLD Logistics Services Inc. – Knoxville, Tenn.

• TransLand – Strafford, Mo.

• Wellington Motor Freight – Aberfoyle, ON

2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

• Bison Transport Inc. – Winnipeg, MB

• Boyle Transportation (an Andlauer Healthcare Group Company) – Billerica, Mass.

• Central Oregon Truck Company (a TFI International Company) – Redmond, Ore.

• FTC Transportation Inc. – Oklahoma City, Okla.

• Garner Trucking, Inc. – Findlay, Ohio

• Grand Island Express – Grand Island, NE

• Halvor Lines, Inc. – Superior, Wis.

• Nussbaum Transportation Services Inc. – Hudson, Ill.

• Prime Inc. – Springfield, Mo.

• Transpro Freight Systems Limited – Milton, ON

Honorable Mentions (Fleets to Watch)

CarriersEdge has also recognized five additional carriers as Fleets to Watch for their noteworthy efforts this year:

• Quality Carriers Inc. – Tampa, Fla.

• S&H Express Inc. – York, Pa.

• Steve’s Livestock Transport – Blumenort, MB

• USXL – Foristell, Mo.

• Williams Dedicated, LLC – Michigan City, Ind.

Awards Event and Future Insights

From the Top 20, CarriersEdge will announce two standout fleets—one in the large fleet category and one in the small fleet category—at the Best Fleets Education & Awards Conference, scheduled for March 3-4 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

During the conference, the Stratosphere Award will also be presented to the highest-scoring fleet in the Hall of Fame category. Attendees will gain access to in-depth data and insights, including statistics, trends, and innovative initiatives from this year’s top-performing fleets.

The conference, sponsored by EpicVue, TruckRight, and Netradyne, promises to be a valuable resource for trucking companies looking to enhance their operations and improve workplace experiences for drivers.

Source: The Trucker

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The selection process for the 2024 Best Fleets commenced with nominations from company drivers or owner-operators currently associated with for-hire carriers operating 10 or more tractor-trailers. These nominated fleets underwent a comprehensive evaluation across various categories, including compensation and benefits, human resources strategies, operations efficiency, professional development opportunities, and work/life balance initiatives. The fleets also collected feedback from their drivers through surveys to gauge overall satisfaction. Scores from these assessments were compiled and analyzed to identify the top-performing fleets.

Despite the considerable challenges faced by the trucking industry in the past year, CarriersEdge CEO Jane Jazrawy noted that Best Fleets showcased resilience by continuously finding innovative ways to enhance the work experience for their drivers and independent contractors, “once again raising the bar on what’s possible. The Hall of Fame took that even further, with all 10 of last year’s Hall of Famers re-qualifying through a range of innovative programs and driver supports.”

The 2024 Best Fleets to Drive For:

1. American Central Transport, Inc. – Kansas City, Mo.
2. Brenny Specialized, Inc. – Saint Joseph, Minn.
3. C.A.T. Inc. – Coteau-du-Lac, Que.
4. Challenger Motor Freight, Inc. – Cambridge, Ont.
5. Chief Carriers, Inc. – Grand Island, Neb.
6. Continental Express, Inc. – Sidney, Ohio
7. Crawford Trucking, Inc. – Des Moines, Iowa
8. Decker Truck Line, Inc. – Fort Dodge, Iowa
9. Erb Transport – New Hamburg, Ont.
10. Fortigo Freight Services, Inc. – Etobicoke, Ont.
11. Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc. – Fremont, Neb.
12. K & J Trucking, Inc. – Sioux Falls, S.D.
13. Kriska Holdings Limited – Prescott, Ont.
14. Leonard’s Express, Inc. – Farmington, N.Y.
15. Nick Strimbu, Inc. – Brookfield, Ohio
16. PGT Trucking, Inc. – Aliquippa, Pa.
17. Thomas E. Keller Trucking Inc. – Defiance, Ohio
18. TLD Logistics Services, Inc. – Knoxville, Tenn.
19. Transland – Strafford, Mo.
20. Wellington Group of Companies – Aberfoyle, Ont.

Hall of Fame inductees were also announced. These trucking companies consistently demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their drivers and overall operational excellence. The inductees include Bison Transport Inc. from Winnipeg, Man.; Boyle Transportation based in Billerica, Mass.; Central Oregon Truck Company, Inc. located in Redmond, Ore.; FTC Transportation, Inc. operating out of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Garner Trucking, Inc. rooted in Findlay, Ohio; Grand Island Express, Inc. hailing from Grand Island, Neb.; Halvor Lines, Inc. headquartered in Superior, Wis.; Nussbaum Transportation Services, Inc. in Hudson, Ill.; Prime Inc. based in Springfield, Mo.; and TransPro Freight Systems, Ltd. from Milton, Ont.

This Hall of Fame recognition acknowledges their outstanding contributions and enduring commitment to creating a positive and enriching environment for their drivers, solidifying their status as industry leaders.

Fleets to watch, or honorable mentions for 2024, were announced as well.

1. Ippolito Transportation, Inc. – Burlington, Ont.
2. Magnum Companies, Ltd. – Fargo, N.D.
3. Mill Creek Motor Freight LTD – Ayr, Ont.
4. Peninsula Truck Lines, Inc. – Federal Way, Wash.
5. Stokes Trucking, LLC. – Tremonton, Utah

The crowning of two winners, categorized by large and small fleets, will take place at the Best Fleets Education & Awards Conference scheduled for April 8-9 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. The conference will not only announce the winners but also share comprehensive insights into this year’s program, including statistics, trends, and innovative programs from all the Top 20 and Hall of Fame fleets.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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Enhance your leadership skills with Emotional Intelligence. This course will teach you how to understand and leverage emotional states, boosting your effectiveness as a manager or supervisor.

According to Harvard Business School, emotionally mature workplaces thrive, and leaders who possess skills like empathy perform 40% better in decision-making and motivating others. Forbes even calls increasing emotional intelligence one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your organization. Join us and empower your team with emotionally perceptive leadership.

Unlocking Emotional Intelligence: A Must for Fleet Managers

Master the art of emotional intelligence with this interactive module. Discover the hidden dangers of misinterpreting non-verbal employee signals and learn effective strategies to boost your own emotional intelligence as a manager.

After completing this “Emotional Intelligence” course, you’ll gain the skills to:

• Understand the purpose and power of emotions.
• Explore the concepts of emotional intelligence and emotional quotient.
• Uncover the four essential characteristics of emotional intelligence.
• Recognize the crucial role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership.
• Implement proven methods to enhance your own emotional intelligence.

If you’re a CarriersEdge customer, “Emotional Intelligence” is now included in your subscription – at no extra cost – and provides a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Source: Work Truck Online
Photo: CarriersEdge

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