Atlas Adding Drivers
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA unit of Evansville-based Atlas World Group plans to add 200 owner operators to its fleet by the end of the year. DriveAtlas says the move is necessary because of “substantial” increases in moving contracts, freight transportation and logistics services.
April 16, 2014
News Release
Evansville, Ind. — With significant growth on the horizon for its Direct Fleet, DriveAtlas announces plans to sign on 200 new owner operators by year's end. This hiring is in response to a substantial shipment volume increase in household moving contracts, freight transportation, and logistics services throughout 2014. In addition, the company teamed up with one of the world's leading workforce mobility management companies, Weichert Workforce Mobility, which also requires the need for additional drivers. The majority of the new fleet growth will be in the Shuttle Fleet, a nationwide drop and hook trailer delivery service network.
In early 2012, Atlas took measures to grow its owner operator based Direct Fleet by 100 percent, which included the establishment of the Shuttle Fleet and significant growth of the Commercial Truckload Division, a 100 percent no-touch truckload/less-than-truckload division. The power-only Shuttle Fleet has continued to grow over the past two years.
“This year, both Atlas headquarters and many of our agencies are growing capacity by leasing more owner operators than in years past,” said Jack Griffin, president and COO of Atlas World Group. “This capacity growth is a testament to ongoing success in meeting our customers' logistical challenges whether we are moving a family of four across the country or transporting store fixtures to many store locations throughout the U.S. As we continue to answer an increasing demand for our services, the Direct Fleet divisions provide a reliable foundation to supplement our overall agent fleet.”
One of the challenges that all carriers in the industry face today is an increasing shortage of drivers, especially owner operators. DriveAtlas is responding to this issue by focusing on recruiting and retaining drivers. DriveAtlas™ is focused on offering benefits that will help owner operators run a more profitable business. A few of these perks include a discounted fuel program, fuel surcharge paid on all dispatched miles (loaded, empty and bobtail), free Blue Beacon truck washes each month, and free PrePass Weekly direct deposit settlements are also made so drivers are not waiting to be paid. Additional optional benefits are offered as well, such as health, dental and life insurance coverage, a maintenance program, a discounted national tire account, and a no-cost, year-round rider program. Because home time is an issue that so many drivers are concerned with these days, the Shuttle Fleet has no forced dispatch, and drivers in this division can also stay at home as long as they want between dispatched runs.
“When recruiting new drivers, our primary focus is to provide an opportunity where an owner operator can find a career for life,” said Aaron Chenoweth, manager of Atlas Corporate Resources. “I'm not looking to just fill a seat or assign a number. I want to open the door and welcome them home. When we build strong relationships with our drivers, not only do they become experienced and reliable team members, they become part of the Atlas family.”
DriveAtlas is now seeking owner operators with at least one year over-the-road experience for the Shuttle Fleet and Commercial Truckload Division; owner operators with at least two years of experience in household moving for the Relocation Services Group; and one year of experience transporting electronics or other specialized goods for the Special Products Division. Drivers signing on through May will receive a $5,000 sign-on bonus for the Shuttle Fleet or the Relocation Services Group. All DriveAtlas Direct Fleet divisions are leased-on with and dispatched from Atlas' headquarters based out of Evansville, Ind., though these drivers can live anywhere in the lower 48 states.
Any referrals should be made to the Atlas recruiting department by calling (800) 525-3029 or emailing jobs@driveatlas.com. For more information on Atlas driving jobs, please visit http://www.driveatlas.com.
About DriveAtlas
DriveAtlas is an Atlas World Group identity in reference to those who drive for Atlas. Nearly 3,000 owner operators and company drivers throughout the U.S. operate under Atlas' authority through the headquarters' Direct Fleet and the Atlas interstate agent network. Atlas World Group companies employ nearly 700 people throughout North America. Nearly 500 Atlas interstate moving agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate relocation, household moving services and in the transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art, store fixtures and furniture.
Source: Atlas World Group