Sutton Transport Partners with U.S. Army to Support Veterans through Army PaYS Program

Cliff Sutton, President of Sutton Transport, stands with U.S. Army soldiers, holding a plaque that commemorates their new partnership with the Army PaYS program, marking the beginning of this important collaboration.

On August 20, Sutton Transport hosted a significant event at our Weston, WI headquarters, where we officially partnered with the U.S. Army through the Army PaYS (Partnership for Your Success) program. The ceremony brought together members of the U.S. Army, PaYS program representatives, and Sutton Transport leaders to celebrate this new collaboration aimed at helping veterans transition smoothly from military service to civilian careers.

What is the Army PaYS Program?

The Army PaYS program connects Soldiers with employers ready to hire, offering them guaranteed interviews and a solid pathway to employment after their service. Launched in 2000, the program now includes active-duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, ROTC Cadets, and more. This initiative helps veterans find meaningful work using the skills and experience they gained during their service. Learn more about the Army PaYS program.

Why This Partnership Matters:

At Sutton Transport, we value the dedication, leadership, and work ethic that veterans bring. As Mr. Sutton emphasized, “We recognize the value veterans bring to our industry. Their discipline, work ethic, and dedication are second to none, and we are proud to provide them with opportunities that align with their skills and ambitions.” This partnership ensures we welcome individuals who have already proven their ability to lead and succeed. During the ceremony, both Commander Matthew Olsen and our leadership team highlighted that this partnership is a win-win for our company and the veterans joining us.

First Lieutenant Maximillion Goulet from the Fort McCoy Recruiting Company noted, "Using Army recruiters to help local companies find motivated workers is a great way to bring valuable skills learned in the Army into the job market."

Opening Doors: What This Partnership Means for the Future

We look forward to a successful and impactful journey with this collaboration. Our partnership with the Army PaYS program is set to open new doors for veterans, bringing their valuable skills into our workforce. We’re committed to making the transition from military to civilian life as smooth as possible and ensuring that veterans find a strong, supportive team here at Sutton Transport.

For more coverage of the event, check out WAOW’s feature.

Your Next Mission: A Career with Sutton Transport

If you’re a veteran interested in joining us, explore our open positions. We’re always looking for dedicated individuals who value hard work. Visit our Careers Page to learn more.

Supporting Our Heroes: A Partnership That Makes a Difference

This partnership is our way of supporting those who’ve served and helping them find a place where they can continue to grow. We’re proud to be part of the Army PaYS program and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our company and the veterans who join us.

Enhancing Fleet Management with Maven Machines at Sutton Transport

At Sutton Transport, we're committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline our operations and deliver exceptional service to our customers. Recently, we’ve integrated Maven Machines into our fleet management system, and the results have been transformative. Here's what our Operations Manager, Jeff Soderstrom, had to say about the impact and implementation of Maven:

Overall Impact:

• Enhanced Reporting: "Maven Machines has revolutionized the way we manage our fleet. We now have detailed performance statistics for each truck, including MPG, idle time, miles driven, and stops made. This data helps us pinpoint issues and find opportunities for improvement."

• Maintenance Scheduling: The detailed reporting also aids in scheduling maintenance, ensuring our fleet stays in top condition.

• Real-Time Mapping: Dispatchers and planners can now see real-time truck locations, making dispatching and planning more efficient. We can view driver movements, the location of deliveries and pickups, and each route’s territory. With AI learning, Maven continually improves, and we can add customer-specific pickup and delivery information, making ETAs more accurate.

• Customer-Specific Details: We can add important details to customer locations, such as the requirement for a lift gate, specific dock doors to use, and shipping and receiving days. Additionally, we can email delivery receipts, immediately upon request after delivery.

• Digital Delivery Receipts: All delivery receipts/E POD are digital now, streamlining the process and enhancing communication with shippers.

• Comprehensive Metrics: We track delivery shipment percentages, including completed deliveries, issues encountered, and more. These metrics can be viewed by terminal or driver to optimize routes and improve decision-making.

Adoption and Training:

• Creating Territories: We needed to establish recurring routes for each terminal location to optimize routing. This planning includes details such as the type of equipment and capacity for each route, start and end times, and territory assignments. These routes can be adjusted daily to accommodate changes in volume and capacity.

• User-Friendly Software: While many trucking companies use similar systems, Maven stands out for its rapidly evolving, easy-to-learn, and user-friendly software. This enables our drivers to focus on safe driving practices and efficient operations at customer locations. Additionally, Maven supports our transition towards a paperless process, streamlining our workflows and reducing paperwork.

• Implementation Steps:

• Phase 1 – Planning: Operations visited each terminal for week-long planning training.

• Phase 2 – Dispatch/Drivers: We ensured all orders and routes were optimized and clean. We chose the number of routes to run, and within minutes, all routes were planned. Minor adjustments were made to routes and then sent to the dock for loading.

• Phase 3 – Cross dock: Coming Soon: Scanning freight movement on docks and managing freight through Maven, aiding planning, dispatch, customer service, etc. This phase also included terminal-to-terminal manifesting for linehaul.

Why This New Technology is Important for Our Customers:

• Improved Reliability: With Maven's real-time mapping and enhanced reporting, we can ensure more accurate ETAs and timely and reliable delivery status. This means our customers can trust their shipments will arrive on time, every time.

• Enhanced Communication: Digital delivery receipts will soon be available immediately upon delivery, providing instant confirmation and peace of mind for our customers.

• Customizable Service: By adding specific details to customer locations, such as preferred dock doors or the need for a lift gate, we tailor our services to meet individual customer needs more precisely.

• Sustainability Efforts: Optimized routes reduce fuel consumption and emissions, supporting our commitment to sustainability and helping our customers meet their own environmental goals.

• Efficient Issue Resolution: Detailed metrics allow us to quickly identify and address any issues that arise, ensuring continuous improvement and high-quality service.

• Future-Proofing: As we integrate AI into our processes, we stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that our customers benefit from the latest innovations in logistics and transportation.

With Maven Machines, we're not just keeping up with industry standards; we're setting new ones. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and improve our services.

Staying Ahead of the Curve: How Compliance Ensures Smooth Deliveries

In the trucking and logistics industry, sticking to the rules isn't just about following the law—it's the backbone of doing our job right. Keeping up with compliance helps everything run smoothly, keeps our crew and the public safe, and makes sure we can be counted on for reliable deliveries.

In this blog, we're tackling the big questions about why following these rules matters so much, how tech helps us keep on track, and the hurdles we face in staying compliant. We've turned to our own Safety Director, Eric Evenson, for the answers. Dive into each question and answer to get a real look at the nuts and bolts of compliance and how companies like Sutton Transport handle these challenges day in and day out, straight from the expert who knows the ropes.

Q1: Why is regulatory compliance critical in the logistics and trucking industry?

Regulatory compliance in the logistics and trucking industry is vital because it ensures the safety and efficiency of operations, protecting both the workforce and the public. Adhering to regulations helps avoid legal repercussions, minimizes environmental impact, and maintains the integrity of the supply chain.

Q2: What are some key regulations impacting daily operations in the trucking industry, and how is compliance ensured?

Key regulations include DOT (Department of Transportation) and FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) guidelines, which cover safety standards for vehicles and drivers. Compliance is ensured through rigorous training, regular vehicle inspections, and adherence to safety protocols. Additionally, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards are followed to maintain workplace safety.

Q3: Besides DOT, what other regulatory bodies influence trucking operations, and how?

Other significant regulatory bodies include the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and various state-specific regulations concerning building codes and hazmat handling. Compliance with these entities is managed through specific training, equipment checks, and adherence to safety protocols to handle emergencies and hazardous materials correctly.

Q4: Can you provide an example of how compliance has led to a successful delivery or prevented issues?

A clear instance of compliance benefiting operations occurred when adherence to FMCSA and DOT regulations helped avoid delays during a complex delivery cycle. By ensuring all drivers and vehicles met legal standards, deliveries were made on time, and operational efficiencies were maintained, thereby preventing penalties and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Q5: Beyond legal compliance, how does adherence to regulations benefit clients?

Staying compliant not only avoids legal issues but also assures clients of reliable service. Compliance ensures that operations run smoothly without delays, thereby supporting clients' scheduling needs and maintaining trust through dependable service delivery.

Q6: How has technology facilitated compliance in the trucking industry?

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing compliance; for instance, the LYTX camera system monitors driver behavior, promoting safer driving practices, while the Maven routing and ELD system improves delivery efficiency and adherence to DOT regulations. These tools help streamline operations and ensure regulatory adherence through real-time updates and data management.

Q7: What does compliance training for new employees look like, and how are updates managed?

New employees undergo comprehensive training on all relevant regulations, including DOT and OSHA standards, using a mix of in-person sessions and digital courses. Updates are communicated through regular workshops, webinars, and internal memos to ensure all team members are informed of the latest regulatory changes.

Q8: What are the biggest compliance challenges in logistics, and how does Sutton Transport address them?

Managing a large fleet and diverse workforce presents challenges such as keeping up with license renewals and hazmat regulations. Sutton Transport uses the Tenstreet software to track and manage compliance documents and schedules training sessions to keep all employees up-to-date.

Q9: How does Sutton Transport handle compliance across different states and international borders?

Sutton Transport addresses varying regulations by using advanced tracking and document management systems to stay updated with state and international laws. This proactive approach ensures smooth transitions across borders and compliance with all applicable regulations.

Q10: What upcoming regulatory changes should the logistics industry be aware of, and how is Sutton Transport preparing?

Anticipated regulatory changes focus on environmental standards and safety enhancements. Sutton Transport stays ahead by engaging with trucking associations and participating in industry meetings and webinars, ensuring they remain compliant and lead industry standards in safety and operational excellence.

Q11: How does maintaining a focus on compliance position Sutton Transport for future growth?

A strong compliance record enhances company reputation, making Sutton Transport a reliable partner in the logistics market. This reliability, coupled with ongoing regulatory adherence, positions the company for sustained growth and stability, attracting more clients and fostering business expansion.

Keeping on top of all the regulations in the trucking business is a tough job, but as we've broken down in our Q&A with Eric Evenson, it's crucial for keeping our operations safe and smooth. Sutton Transport's commitment to staying in line with these rules shows just how serious we are about our work. By keeping up with the latest in compliance, Sutton doesn't just meet the mark—they set the standard. This proactive approach doesn't just keep us on the right side of the law; it puts us ahead in the game. As rules keep changing, staying sharp and flexible is key—making sure we're ready for whatever comes down the road.