Santa The Trucker

We all know that Santa has a VERY important job with everything that he has to do.  He delivers items across the world to people in a timely manner to people who are anxious to receive them.  He stays away from home when out making his deliveries, and doesn't get to see his wife until finishes his job.  The receivers of these items often have provided him a list of needs or wants & Santa does his best to meet those needs or wants.  We have to give him props for being able to get all these deliveries done in a 24 hour time frame, and for all the great visiting with kids he does before hand.

Has it ever occurred to anyone that what he does in a short amount of time is what we in the trucking industry do 365 days of the year?  Sure Santa uses reindeer instead of horsepower, but truckers also get things delivered in a timely manner, and are away from home for days on end without seeing their family. Between the drivers and the office staff, we here at Brenny Transportation & Brenny Specialized do our best every day to meet the needs of our customers and the carriers we work with, all while carrying on the spirit of giving throughout the year.

Merry Christmas to you all!!!

Hats Off to Professional Truck Drivers

One week of every September is dedicated to professional drivers and is called National Truck Driver's Appreciation Week.  I know all of us here at Brenny would agree that one week is not nearly enough.

At Brenny we are continually teaching each other about what goes on in each department and staying on top of all aspects of the trucking industry.  This includes learning about insurance, billing, and safety from our Admin. department.  We also made a visit to our shop where they showed us how equipment works and some of the maintenance that the equipment gets regularly.  It's amazing to see some of the things our shop does to make the trucks more efficient and decrease emissions.

It is one thing to see the equipment work, such as the axles sliding and so on, but when we were given examples of some of the rules, regulations, and the do's and don'ts pertaining to the state or province you are in, things get rather confusing.

Many of us get a little dose of Truck Driver reality when talking about what a driver has to deal with.  It is pretty sad that a driver has to almost constantly worry about everything they are doing.  One of these things they have to constantly monitor is their hours of service, or H.O.S.  I'm not going to get into any details about it, but I think that shippers and receivers need to think about what these guys & gals go through. Every minute of a truck driver's life is monitored by H.O.S.

Imagine if a pizza delivery guy had to follow certain hours of service, and specific drive time that he is allowed to drive.  If he is on the way to drop off pizza for you, and hits his limit of drive time, then has to pull over and wait for hours, how are you going to feel when you can't get your pizza on time?  How about the delivery guy not being able to get home to see his kids that night because he ran out of drive time?

Our hats off to you  Professional Truck Drivers!!!

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week!

Truck Drivers: an often misunderstood and under appreciated bunch of men and women. When thinking about what they do, day-in and day-out, I get a little misty eyed. After a slap to the back of the head, I get reminded by our fearless leader, Joyce, "There's no crying in trucking! They aren't crying about it, why should you?"

Many years ago, before I had the privilege to work in trucking, someone had a great idea to honor these warriors of the road. I mean, the trees get a day... why can't truckers get a whole week! On September 15-21, 2013 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Let's take this time to do what we should be doing every day of the week. Honoring the hard working professionals of our highways and byways.

Here at Brenny, we have a whole week of fun and activities for them. We have a potluck, rootbeer floats and popcorn/old truckin' movies. BJ and The Bear, anyone? Smokey and Bandit 1, 2 and 3? We have heard some customers giving drivers steak dinners, shirts, water bottles, hats. Honestly, it really doesn't have to be anything. A "thank you" goes an awful long way in making a drivers day. Heck, their week.

Every year, we also purchase a billboard spot and dedicate it to this event. This year we decided to do something a little different. There is a trucking angel named Eddie Supan. WHAT!?!? You haven't heard of Eddie Supan? The man is a legend! He was a Grand Champion driver through and through. Not only did he take immense pride in what he did, he was a stand up human being. If you haven't guessed already, Eddie left us on Sept 12, 2012. Almost one year ago, to the day. He passed doing what he loved. Trucking. We know our buddy, Eddie, is looking down on us and smiling because I didn't know Eddie to do anything else.

2013 Brenny 5K Benefits TruckerCharity.org

This year the Brenny 5K will benefit Trucker Charity.org!!!

Here is their mission statement.
The mission of Trucker Charity, is to assist those in the trucking industry in need. We will do this financially, and with education. Our life coach and mentoring programs will work with those that need help one on one. We will raise money to help support people in the trucking industry who are in need and luck has passed them by. Including mechanics, truckers and their families and all jobs related to the trucking industry. We will be good stewards of peoples money and help our industry prosper with support and education.

Learn more about Trucker Charity www.truckercharity.org & register for the Brenny 5K using the link below.


http://www.brennytransportation.com/files/registration.pdf

Our Customer Service Walks the Walk

Many companies claim that their customer service is top notch, or the best.  Brenny Transportation Inc. & Brenny Specialized Inc. are "Grand Champions of Customer Service". 

Sure we gave ourselves the title, but we don't just talk the talk.  Read what some of our customers say and you'll see that we walk the walk also. 

Customer Testimonials:

"It is clear that you guys value our relationship and we are thankful that we can make each other successful."

--- Micah

"...You are really reliable and willing to put forth extra effort to help us out, as I am sure that you do for all of your other customers. And I sincerely thank you for that! You truly are awesome and I think that sometimes people need to be patted on the back for good jobs done...because many times these efforts go unnoticed! So kudos to you...!"
--- Amy

"It was great to meet such a smart, hardworking team with such high moral ethics regarding work and family."
--- Cheryl

"There is no way that I can express the level of Quality and Performance...I have heard nothing but compliments about the drivers and the willingness they show to make the Customer happy. They show and treat their Customers with the highest respect. Being an ex-driver, I’ve known a lot of truck lines and I’ll say for sure that there are very few, to none that can compare to Brenny’s reputation. It's my pleasure to recommend Brenny Transportation, Inc. to our customers or vendors."
--- Art

"Brenny Transportation, Inc. is the best freight moving company our company has worked with. They are always on-time. Their staff is always cheerful when they answer the phone with a good morning or afternoon. When asking for quotes, they always get back to us in a timely fashion with good rates!"
--- Louis

"We are pleased with the outstanding customer service Brenny has provided, through their willingness to always look for opportunities to improve and the relationships they have established with our customers. We have experienced 100% on-time delivery, zero customer complaints in regards to drivers and 99.1% successful shipments without a claim."
--- Steve

"Brenny is by far one of the best companies I have ever dealt with, and it is always a pleasure working with them."
--- Stefani

"I have been using Brenny Transportation for more than eight years. Brenny Transportation does a great job with customer service, proof of delivery and the handling of any special needs that come up. They were a tremendous help in the arranging and processing our first sales order with multiple container shipments to Hawaii. All of the loads were handled expertly. They really exceeded my expectations with communication, on-time delivery and competitive pricing. I have been completely satisfied with their services over the years."
--- Holly

"Brenny Transportation has been a helpful partner in developing creative solutions to complex logistical problems. We have two suppliers in Monterrey, Mexico, that were shipping materials to us 2-4 times per month. Brenny provides a service that offers truckload shipments that eliminate multiple handoffs to cross the border, shortens the transit time, coordinates with the Customs Broker, and all at a reduced total cost. We are also realizing significant time savings in having Brenny arrange and direct all of these steps in this process.
I would recommend that you consider including Brenny Transportation as a partner to support the logistical need of your business. They truly are the Grand Champions of Customer Service."
--- Dave

"We love working with Brenny! Their customer service is impeccable and that is why we continue to use them. Keeping it professional, but still having fun with us makes everybody's jobs even more enjoyable. Thank you Brenny!"
--- Team @ local auction company

Vote Brenny Transportation for "Best Broker of the Year" award

VOTE FOR THE BEST BROKER OF THE YEAR AWARD

 

BRENNY TRANSPORTATION, INC

 

Have you had a Grand Champion Experience with Brenny? Please email your testimonies to bill.morris@nastc.com or mike.jordan@nastc.com by September 1^st, 2013. Tell them why Brenny Transportation, Inc. deserves this award.

 

VOTE BRENNY TRANSPORTATION, INC.

 

Only NASTC Carrier Testimonies will be accepted. If you are interested in becoming a NASTC carrier please email Bill or Mike at the above email address.

Dispatching Drivers - Experiencing the U.S. from a Trucker's Perspective

As a new member of the trucking world, I am still adjusting to the break-neck pace of daily life and the confidence necessary to be successful in this industry. There are various tasks that go into being an award-winning brokerage and champion customer service provider, and one of these tasks is dispatching truck drivers.

The dispatching process entails giving the driver pickup and delivery information, which usually includes directions we get specifically from the shipper and receiver, pickup numbers, and any other additional information we know will make the driver’s life easier and the entire process of hauling the load run smoothly.

One factor that makes Brenny stand out from other brokers is our process of having drivers call our office to get their dispatch information instead of getting it from their dispatcher. We have a strong dedication to making sure the carrier we choose to haul a customer’s load is trustworthy and reliable. At the same time, we like to connect with the driver to let them know we are here to help them in any way possible during their hauling process.

Talking with the drivers during dispatches has been a great eye opener for me. When I first started in transportation I had no idea of the industry’s diversity. Some days I’ll move a load with a drawling dispatcher from the Deep South before dispatching a driver from the East Coast with a thick Jersey accent. Just yesterday I spoke with a driver picking up a load in Kentucky that delivered to a small town in New York where the driver’s grandpa used to own a farm. It’s always surprising how small the world can be.

The dispatching process has enabled me to see the country through the eyes of a truck driver, which is an entirely new perspective. I’ve learned so much in the short time I’ve worked in transportation, and according to industry veterans, I will continue to learn something new everyday.

Angie Battistini-Gentile

            My name is Rachel.  I started at Brenny in April 2012 and am now a logistics coordinator.  When I first started I was captured by the passion.  I remember sitting at the back table finishing up my final interview questions when this eruption of excitement burst out.  Joyce is on the MN Trucking Association Board of Directors and had been working for years to help get a bill passed that would indemnify truckers from transportation related incidents which they did not cause.   Brenny got the phone call during my interview that the law had passed.  When Joyce made the announcement bells literally rang in the office.  Everybody jumped out of their seats and cheered.  I had no experience in the transportation industry but I could feel the energy that this team had.  It was the fuel that made me want to work here.  I wanted to be apart of a group of people that felt such passion. 

Family is one word that we can use to describe Brenny.  I know this firsthand as my Brenny Family shared the journey my husband and I took with the adoption of our son Micah.  For almost three years we were on this journey together.  In Good Times and in Bad, we turned to our Brenny family.  It is a great feeling coming to work at a place where it is more than just a job, it is a family first, family friendly workplace where every one is cared about and appreciated.  Maybe it is because this place was started by a family so the values brought forward by Todd and Joyce Brenny are ones that are going to propel Brenny Specialized Inc and Brenny Transportation Inc into the future.

Back The Truck Up....A look at how Brenny Transportation started

Brenny Transportation, Inc. - How the Journey Began   Brenny was founded because Joyce and Todd Brenny wanted to be part of a company that treated people with integrity and respect, a company which honored champion character and empowered creativity. Joyce and Todd spent many years working in transportation, rarely under positive circumstances. One day in 1995 Joyce informed Todd that she needed to make a change. Joyce thought about going back to school and actually changing her career. Joyce only wanted to remain in trucking if things would be different, things would need to be done the Champion way! Joyce felt the only way this could be accomplished would be to start her own transportation company. Todd was supportive of her decision and in 1996 Joyce and Todd founded Brenny Transportation, Inc. Todd and Joyce met in 1994 while both were employed at the same transportation firm. Joyce was employed as the general manager and Todd was employed as an over the road driver. Brenny’s current General Manager, Bonnie Supan, also worked with Todd and Joyce as an administrative assistant. Joyce’s career in transportation began in 1980 and Todd’s began in 1988- collectively they have over 50 years of transportation experience. When you include Operations Manager, Bonnie Supan you have over 60 years of transportation knowledge and experience leading Brenny, experience you can count on. Brenny’s inception into the trucking world began in a very humble way, a small rented office in Waite Park, MN, three employees and the power of a big idea. Joyce and Todd wanted to show the trucking world that providing Grand Champion Customer Service in an honest and ethical manner can lead to success. Brenny’s growth has been adaptable to the needs of their customers. Brenny has grown because of their superior respect for customer’s needs, as well as honoring the hard work and dedication of their Champion team members. Customers never question if Brenny cares about their shipping needs, they know that Brenny cares! Since founding Brenny Transportation, Inc. in 1996 Joyce and Todd have added three divisions to the company: Brenny Specialized, Inc., Brenny Global and Brenny’s National agent division. Brenny has embraced many exciting transportation opportunities since 1996 and are looking forward to many more in the future! Brenny stays involved with all aspects of the transportation industry and gains continued knowledge by having Joyce serve on the board of directors of the Minnesota Trucking Association and TIA P3 Governing board. Knowledge is wisdom and Brenny believes we must seek out the knowledge which is necessary to run a wise and successful business. You could say Joyce and Todd are trucking experts; there are many trucking firms run by managers who have never even seen the inside of a truck. Todd and Joyce both started their careers in transportation behind the wheel of a truck and between the two of them they have preformed most duties involved in the transportation industry. This expanded knowledge of transportation has helped Brenny secure a stable place in the trucking industry. Brenny will be handling customer’s transportation needs far into the future. We are happy that you have taken the time to learn more about Brenny. If you are considering shipping with Brenny or becoming a team member of Brenny, you have Joyce and Todd’s personal guarantee that you will find Brenny a different company, a Grand Champion company, run by a Grand Champion Team of committed transportation professionals. Champions always win, and you are sure to win when you partner with Brenny for your shipping needs.