LOGISTICS TRANSPORTATION REVIEW19 OCTOBER 2023"We aren't trying to be the biggest; we're trying to be the best. We'd rather do an excellent job running 400 trucks than be mediocre running 4,000," says Jamie Helwig, president of J.S. Helwig & Son. Such operational ethos has led the firm to win accolades from blue-chip customers like Cargill, Tyson, Nestle Water, Family Dollar, Geodis, and Lineage. Surpassing client expectations requires unparalleled service offerings and a comprehensive understanding of the industry's intricacies. This is precisely how James Helwig leverages his biggest asset--his experience--to guide his team to consistently deliver outcomes.Before founding J.S. Helwig & Son, Helwig was a boxer and bouncer, roles in which he learned `what not to do' in a business. Following his stint as a Golden Gloves boxer in the mid-1960s, including a match against Joe Frazier, he found his calling when he helped a freight broker unload his truck.He began his journey in logistics as a lumper, where he regularly conversed with truckers and understood their daily routines and challenges. These experiences culminated in him becoming a driver, experiencing the responsibilities firsthand, and acquiring a unique perspective on the trucking industry. Subsequently, he founded J.S. Helwig & Son in the 1980s, which has grown to be well-known in the industry for its driver appreciation initiatives.The father-son duo credits their dedicated and skilled drivers for the crucial role they play in the company's ambitious venture. The company fosters a family-like atmosphere and camaraderie among its workforce, where each individual feels valued and commits to the firm's goals and objectives. The founder has an open-door policy, encouraging drivers to openly express their ideas, observations, and suggestions. Every employee meets with the founder during their orientation, receiving his direct line and cell phone number to reach him at any time. The management team also personally acknowledges drivers' birthdays, demonstrating their appreciation with complimentary dinners. The drivers receive competitive benefits packages, paid vacations, and access to a terminal equipped with modern amenities. Helwig & Sons also ranks among the highest in the National Survey of Driver Wages.These driver-oriented practices have enabled the firm to achieve one of the industry's lowest driver turnover rates and offer clients high levels of reliability and dependability. Helwig provides vacation buyout programs during peak seasons, allowing the company to meet capacity demands while offering drivers significant earnings for extended voluntary periods on the road. These programs benefit drivers and customers, underlining the value the firm brings with its services.Focused on long-term objectives instead of short-term transactions, J.S. Helwig & Son has cultivated a loyal customer base within an average engagement span of fifteen years. The company plans to maintain its current strategies to ensure a lasting market presence. Helwig's journey is far from over, as it continues to carry the torch of exceptional service and strives towards continued success. Fueled by the desire to be the best in the business, the firm sets new benchmarks of quality, leaving an everlasting impression on the industry it so passionately serves. We maintain tight control over our operations to consistently surpass customer service goals, with on-time delivery percentages ranging from 95 to 99 percent
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