NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. – Pro Distribution Services, Kraft Canada and Hensall Distric Co-operative were recognized for being among the safest private fleets at the Private Motor Truck Council annual general meeting.

The three private carriers were named recipients of the PMTC/Zurich Fleet Safety Awards. Pro Distribution won the small fleet category, Kraft Canada the medium fleet category and Hensall District Co-operative was named top among large fleets.

“Zurich and the PMTC congratulate the management and drivers of these fleets,” PMTC president, Bruce Richards announced. “It is their efforts in promoting and managing with road safety in mind that results in their exemplary safety records. They are excellent examples of well-run fleets.”

Pro Distribution Services

Pro Distribution Services has been operating for 12 years, delivering dated material such as weekly flyers to more than 200 newspapers. It’s general manager is David Chambers, who oversees the operation of six power units and 13 trailers.

The company ran about 100,000 km in each of the last two years while maintaining a clean CVOR. The carrier has a written safety policy statement and driver policy detailing requirements of drivers and the responsibilities of management.

New drivers to the fleet spend their first week working alongside an experienced driver and regular safety meetings are held to address driver questions and concerns.

Kraft Canada

Kraft Canada operates out of two Canadian terminals in Brampton, Ont. and Montreal, Que. It performs local food product deliveries in the GTA and Montreal. Fleet manager Peter McAleer is responsible for 22 tractors and 200 trailers.

Global Driver Services provides Kraft with 28 drivers who collectively ran up over two million kilometres last year.

New hires are required to complete a one-week orientation as well as a three-month probationary period.

Kraft boasts a CVOR violation rate of only 14.7% of threshold with a zero out-of-service rate and a vehicle accident/incident ratio of 1.4.

Hensall District Co-op

In the large fleet category, Hensall District Co-operative and driver and vehicle safety manager Mike Millian were honoured. It’s the second time the private fleet has taken home the award.

It’s been in operation for 25 years and is comprised of 31 tractors, 85 trailers and 40 straight trucks as well as 12 light commercial vehicles.

The fleet expects to run just under four million kilometres this year – mostly within a 400 km radius.

The fleet offers an in-class orientation session for its drivers, covering topics such as Hours-of-Service, pre-trip inspections, accident reporting, company policies as well as a review of the company’s CVOR and the driver’s role in maintaining it.

The carrier also has a fleet safety committee, which includes drivers. Hensall has a vehicle accident/incident rate of 6.01 and is operating at a 2.9% violation rate on its CVOR.