Paper Transport, Inc. Driver Ross Christensen Earns KBX Driver of the Year Award

June 11, 2019 by Paper Transport

PTI Driver Ross Christensen Recognized by KBX Logistics

Ross Christensen and the PTI team! — Left to right: Operations Manager Garot VanderPas, President Jeff Shefchik, Award Winner Ross Christensen, Wife Courtney Christensen, Vice President of Operations Wes Kornowske, Vice President of Leadership Ben Schill, and Operations Manager Matt Christianson

De Pere, Wis. (June 11, 2019) – Wisconsin-based employer and for-hire truckload carrier Paper Transport, Inc. (PTI) is proud to announce that professional driver Ross Christensen is the KBX Logistics 2018 Driver of the Year.

A national award selected from a pool of 2,800 drivers from 44 different trucking companies, it recognizes safety, fuel conservation, miles driven and the exceptional service the driver provides. In 2018, Christensen had over 137,500 miles with zero preventable incidents or accidents, achieved a 100% on-time service score and consistently achieved 8.8 mpg.

“Ross prides himself on doing the job the right way and being safe while you do it,” said Wes Kornowske, PTI vice president of operations. “In addition to his own individual success, Ross is well-known at PTI as a top-of-the-line driver, training new dedicated drivers during the onboarding process.”
– Wes Kornowske, PTI vice president of operations.

Christensen has been a professional Class A CDL truck driver for 20 years and the last two of those years he’s driven on the PTI Midwest Dedicated fleet parking in Green Bay. He lives in Oconto with his wife, Courtney, and their three children.

“He’s a big-time family man who loves to spend time with his wife and toss the baseball around with his kids,” Kornowske said. “Plus, he’s heavily involved with his kids’ Oconto area baseball clubs. From spring to summer, it’s all baseball, baseball and more baseball for them. He’s a great example of a community leader.”

KBX Logistics is an agent for Georgia-Pacific LLC, one of the largest shippers in the country, and is a longtime customer of PTI, which was founded 29 years ago in Green Bay. PTI is listed in the Commercial Carrier Journal’s Top 150 Carriers as a for-hire, dry-van trucking company, competing with over 500,000 trucking companies in the U.S. The company focuses on regional truckload, dedicated truckload and intermodal services with multiple locations throughout the Midwest and Southern U.S.

The PTI team can be reached at 920-617-5412, info@papertransport.com, or www.papertransport.com.

9 Tips for New Professional Class A CDL Truck Drivers

June 6, 2019 by Carla Lee

Some Advice from PTI to Help Drivers in Their New Career

A group photo taken after orientation of Class A CDL Truck Drivers new to the PTI team!

Starting a new career can be tough, especially if you’re entering into an industry that’s completely new to you. Case in point: starting a new career as a professional Class A CDL Truck Driver. Courtesy of the drivers from the Paper Transport, Inc. fleet, here are 9 tips for new drivers:

1. Ask Questions – When you’re starting out, it’s important to ask questions if you don’t understand something or are unsure about what you might need to do next. As Florida driver Roger Herrington puts it: “The only question that is wrong is the one you did not ask.”

2. Slow Down – It doesn’t pay to run around trying to get tasks done as fast as you possibly can and then having to go back and redo all of your work. Wisconsin driver Joseph Vander Loop Jr. explains “it’s not about how fast you work – it’s how smart you work.” Work smarter, not harder.

3. Be Respectful – In any industry, whether in trucking and transportation or hospitality and beyond, the words “please” and “thank you” go a long, long way. Like the Golden Rule says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In your career, and life, it will help you go a long way.

4. Plan Ahead – This relates to almost everything a driver does each and every day. Not only should you plan the route you’re going to drive, but where you’re going to take a break, what you’re going to eat, how you’re going to handle any kind of delays, where you might want to stop to use the restroom, and so on and so forth. Wisconsin owner operator Bud Weber shares a line from a friend who said it best: “Expect the unexpected and you will not be surprised.”

5. Stay Positive – We all have our moments where we get down, yet what defines us is how we get through those moments and the best way to do it is to stay positive. Missouri driver Kelly Middleton explains it perfectly: “Always look for the good even in a bad situation.”

6. Put Safety First – If you don’t put safety first, you could run into a lot of problems or worse yet, hurt someone else. Do the job the right way. Wisconsin driver Frank Metzenbauer: “Don’t take shortcuts … on the route or with procedures.”

7. Get Your Rest – When it’s time to take a break, listen to your body and take a break. Getting enough rest is key in doing well and it also applies to your mental state. Florida driver George Dean talks about why this is so important: “Reboot your brain every day. Get a good night’s sleep (as many hours as you possible can) and start over.”

8. Be Open to Learning – In trucking, things change almost daily. For that reason, you have to be open to learning new processes, technology, and change. Perfectly put by Wisconsin driver Stephen Runke: “In this industry, about the only thing you can count on is things will change … Adapt and move forward.”

9. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help – The biggest mistake that anyone tends to make in a new job is not asking for help. Swallow your pride and reach out if you need it. Missouri driver Kevin Skylar Lewis made very, very clear with this advice: “Never let your pride keep you from asking for help. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been driving.”

These 9 tips from PTI drivers definitely offer some valuable insight on what it takes to be successful as a new Class A driver in the industry. In fact, it’s good advice for any driver with any amount of experience because there’s always room for improvement in everything we do.

If you’re interested in joining a team that cares about what it takes to succeed, as shown by the knowledge offered here, please call our recruiting team at 1-855-784-5627 or email them at jobs@papertransport.com. Visit our job portal to apply for a driving position with PTI today.

How to Spot a Good Trucking Company

May 30, 2019 by Carla Lee

Some Hints About How to Find a Good Trucking Company

As a professional Class A CDL truck driver, you have no shortage of options. With more than 500,000 trucking companies in the U.S., it can be overwhelming to figure which company is right for you. There are small, family owned businesses to large, publicly traded companies and all different sized operations in between.

To help you navigate through it all, here are some hints on how to spot a good trucking company.

PTI Kenworth Trucks — A brand new line of Kenworth trucks parked at PTI headquarters in De Pere, WI.

Hint 1: Quality Equipment
One sign of a good trucking company is the equipment it has on the road. If the equipment, tractors and trailers alike, are newer and well-maintained, it shows the company values its drivers by investing in their safety through the quality equipment.

Hint 2: Current drivers are friendly, professional
“The way a driver, or staff members, carry themselves says a lot. It’s not about the money, it’s about the people,” current PTI Company Driver Gene Laduke explains. If you see a driver that looks unhappy, stressed, and angry, they probably are. On the flip side, if you see a driver that is happy, treats others with respect, and is helpful, there’s a good chance the company he or she works acts the same.

Hint 3: The chatter isn’t negative
In trucking, in any work industry really, the word on the street can sometimes provide some great insight into the company’s culture. So, if the chatter you hear from others isn’t filled with negativity, then that business is one you should keep on your consideration list.

Hint 4: Activity online
Trucking companies who are active on social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, show they make it a point connect and engage with their followers. They don’t post to just post, but share and talk to everyone to build an online community where everyone is welcome and included.

PTI Recruiters — A few members of the PTI recruiting team on the road at an event in Albany, GA.

Hint 5: Well-informed, genuine recruiters
“I don’t want recruiters talking to me like a used car salesman. Let me ask the questions. If it seems like I am forgetting to ask an important one, throw it in there. But don’t try to get me to just sign because it seems like it’s good. A good recruiter understands that changing companies is a huge choice,” current PTI Company Driver Jesse Biggs said about the importance of this hint. Solid companies will have knowledgeable recruiters on staff who know the answers to the tough questions and are willing to put in the time to find the right job match for the driver they’re working with.

These are only some tips for finding a good trucking company to work and give you a nice starting point when searching for your next ride. The main thing to keep in mind is that what works for you as a truck driver might not be important for someone else and vice versa. Everyone has their own needs and wants, which is what we’ve come to learn at PTI. We know that each driver is driven by something unique to them: Their What Drives You?

If you’re looking for a new Class A Truck driving job, don’t forget about PTI. We offer competitive pay, consistent home time, full benefits, superior equipment, and much, much more. Check out our open positions here or take the first step to pre-qualify by filling out a driver assessment. And keep in mind that when you do find your next position, hopefully with us at PTI, you’ll know it when you get that confident feeling in your gut. If you don’t, then don’t hesitate move on to because you don’t want to start in any job with reservations from the get go.

Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator – Ready for a Life Change?

May 23, 2019 by Carla Lee

PTI Owner Operators — Paper Transport, Inc. Owner Operators Jay Brockway, Jeremiah Carson, Bud Weber, and Jesse Singh.

Life is Different as an Owner Operator

In this Paper Transport, Inc. blog series about things to consider when becoming a Class A CDL owner operator, we covered a variety of topics from financing to research and taking stock of your skill set. They’re all important factors in deciding whether or not you want to be an owner op. However, the biggest question that you’ll need to ask yourself overall is:

Are you ready for a life change?

Each current and former owner operator we talked to said that you need to be – plus, you also need to be determined and ready to take on whatever comes your way. Here’s what they had to say:

At the end of the day remember, you could be an excellent driver, but that doesn’t always mean you would make a successful owner operator. There is just so much more involved that a lot of drivers don’t see or realize. The thing I cannot stress enough is patience. The first year or two is always the longest and hardest, staying disciplined and patient will go a long way. And never assume you’re done learning and you know it all. This is when mistakes can happen and major things can be missed or downplayed, all of which can really hurt you financially,” explained Jay Brockway, PTI Intermodal Owner Operator.

The change from company driver to owner op is fairly drastic. The owner op is responsible not only for the expenses and upkeep of his equipment, but also the business side of things such as taxes, health insurance, etc.,” said Jeremiah Carson, PTI Dedicated Regional Owner Operator.

The difference between a company driver and an owner operator is massive! First, there is the responsibility of the tractor. The monthly payment, insurance, licensing, and tolls. A company driver doesn’t have these burdens. Second, maintenance and breakdowns! The expense of maintenance and breakdowns can severely affect an owner operator’s bottom line … The trade-off is that a good Owner Operator can earn 4 to 5 times the earnings of a company driver. When I say a good Owner Operator, I mean one that maintains their equipment, is available to take loads every day. A driver that is responsible, safe, and reliable,” stated Bud Weber, PTI Intermodal Owner Operator

Tips for new owner operators are: work smart not hard, control your expenses, and have a financial plan where you are able to save money,” said Jesse Singh, PTI Intermodal Owner Operator.

After reading the Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator, do you think you’re ready to become an owner operator? Feeling good about your finances, your skills, the research you’ve done, and about a life change? If so, and if you’re interested in our program or simply have questions about it, please call our recruiting team at 1-855-784-5627, email them at jobs@papertransport.com, or visit our owner operator page.

Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator – Do Your Research

May 16, 2019 by Carla Lee

Photo provided by current PTI Owner Operator Dave Luepke.

It’s Important to Know What’s to Come as an Owner Operator

In the first two parts of Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator, we focused on the subjects of finances and the skill sets of a would-be owner operators.

Today, we’re focusing on understanding what you’re getting in to. There’s the idea in your head about something and then there’s the real facts. Right now, here are a few tips to help you determine if being an owner operator is right for you:

Reach out to current owner operators – Ask other truck owners what they like and dislike about being on their own vs. a Company Driver. Their honest opinions could provide you with some good insight on if it will be a good fit for you.

Talk to lease-to-own companies – There are different trucking companies that help Class A truck drivers become owner operators. These companies have programs in place where drivers lease a truck from the company, or a bank or credit union, and make payments to eventually own that truck. Make it a point to talk with different ones to understand how they operate and what they can offer potential owner ops.

Head to your local truck dealer – Truck dealers are where owner ops typically purchase their trucks if they’re not going the lease-to-own company route. These dealerships are filled with a lot of knowledge about owning a truck and the industry itself if they’re willing to share.

Ask questions on trucking forums – If you’re reading this article, you are already doing general research online. Take it a step further: Go to Class A Trucking websites that house forums. It’s a great opportunity ask questions and connect with others.

Learn from other business owners – There is a lot that can be learned from business owners who aren’t owner ops. They can give you valuable advice on what it takes to run a successful company, which you can apply to owning your own truck.

Here’s advice from current owner operator leased on with PTI stresses why it’s so important to really investigate what it means to be an owner operator:

“Do your research so you are prepared, whether it’s researching online or asking random owner ops on the road. Being prepared for what’s to come will make planning how to be successful that much easier. So, ask as many questions as you can know matter how stupid a question may seem. Remember this is your career and a life change so get all the knowledge you can.”
Jay Brockway, PTI Current Owner Operator

By doing the above research, you should be able to get some good information on what it takes to be an owner operator. Remember, making the choice to be one shouldn’t be taken lightly and you really need to be sure before you make the leap. If you’d like to learn more about PTI’s Owner Operator program, or simply have questions about being one in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Please call our recruiting team at 1-855-784-5627, email them at jobs@papertransport.com, or visit our owner operator page.

Check back next week for the final part of this blog series. And, learn more about the first two parts by visiting Part One: Finances and Part Two: Knowing Your Skills Set.

Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator – Know Your Skill Set

May 9, 2019 by Carla Lee

Having a Well-Rounded Skill Set is Key for Owner Operators

In the first part of the Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator series, we focused on the financial aspect of starting your own business. Today, we’re going to focus on the skills that you should have in order to be successful.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you a chameleon?
How well do you deal with being alone and in charge? Can you promote yourself and your business when you need to? Are you able to shift from one to the other in the blink of an eye? Owner Operators must be able to adapt to the present situation and see opportunity.

2. How do you feel about planning, preparation, and looking for companies to haul freight for?
To be successful, you need to have a plan in place about how you’re going to run your business. Like a brick and mortar business owner, successful owner operators develop a business plan so they have a guide to follow on what their goals are and what they need to do to accomplish those goals. If you’re not all that fond of planning and preparation, you might want to reconsider being an owner operator or seek professional help in building a plan you can stick to.

3. Do you like or dislike doing paperwork?
Much like planning and preparation, there is a lot of office work that’s required as an owner op. For example, there are bills of lading that you need to submit to companies for payment, receipts to keep in order for tax time, and bank accounts to keep track of.

4. Do you have the skills to be a mechanic?
It costs money to maintain your tractor and one way to save on money is to learn how to do things yourself. If you have some decent skills as a mechanic, you have the opportunity to keep your truck running without having to pay someone else to do it for you.

Here’s a current PTI owner operator’s advice about the skill set you should have:

“Having common mechanical skills will be greatly beneficial as an owner operator … Being prepared with tools and simple parts and having the knowledge to use all of them can save you hundreds and maybe even thousands. Fixing small things early yourself could prevent larger expensive repairs down the road.” – Jay Brockway (shown to the left)

And, a take on the skills needed from another current PTI owner operator:

“I don’t think it’s as important to have mechanic skills than it is to have have an understanding of the mechanics itself. If you understand the make-up of the equipment you can explain your problem to someone more mechanically inclined than yourself and can avoid being ripped off.”
– Jeremiah Carson (shown to the right)

Just having a good understanding of your finances, knowing your skill set (and whether or not it’s developed enough) is something you should think about before becoming an owner operator. PTI’s owner operator program offers access to our maintenance facility at reduced prices, discounts on fuel, and help with trip planning and preparation. If you’re interested in our program, please call our recruiting team at 1-855-784-5627, email them at jobs@papertransport.com, or visit our owner operator page.

Check in next week for part three of this blog series, which will focus on doing your research before becoming an owner op.

Main photo provided by current PTI Owner Operator Bud Weber.

Things to Consider Before Becoming an Owner Operator – What Are Your Finances?

April 29, 2019 by Carla Lee

Owner Operators Need to Stay on Top of Their Finances

In the trucking industry, there are two main ways to earn an income as a Class A CDL Truck Driver. The first is by working for someone else as a company truck driver. This is a solid way to earn a paycheck, but there are some drivers who more control over everything they do, what they drive, and how they operate. This brings us to the second way to earn money as a Class A CDL Driver: Becoming an owner operator. The major benefit of becoming one is that you’re in charge and the decision to go your own way is something that should be taken very, very seriously.

To see if becoming an owner operator is the right decision for you, Paper Transport, Inc. will be sharing a series about things to consider before becoming an owner operator. Today, we’ll be focusing finances.

When it comes to finances, there are two big things to think about before taking the leap to own your own truck and run your own business.

Do you have the capital to start? In order to own your own truck, you need to invest in yourself and your business as an owner operator. That means, you need to have enough money to start your business to properly fund the lease or purchase of your truck. Other considerations include insurance (both for yourself and your business), your USDOT, and Motor Carrier Number from the FMCSA, and many other expenses.
What about a cash reserve? Even if you have the capital to start, it’s also important to have a cash reserve to pay for unexpected things that come up when you’re on the road. Are you ready for truck maintenance or tows if your truck happens to break down? Without that extra money in the bank, you might be forced to extend your credit and that will put you in a financial hole that could be hard to get out of.

Jeff Clark, 18-year Owner Operator and contributor to the TeamRunSmart blog, shared the following thoughts with us on finances:

“It is important for an owner operator to be on solid personal financial ground when they start. An 800 credit rating is more important than $10,000 in the bank. They should have the capability of obtaining bank financing. Too many owner ops start out with a poor credit score and become subject to predatory lending. They are about 95% likely to fail.”

As you can see, finances are a big thing to consider when becoming an owner operator. At PTI, we have many regional or dedicated opportunities that offer consistent freight and weekly pay. If you own your own truck that’s a 2000 model or newer and you’re interested in our program, please call our recruiting team at 1-855-784-5627, email them at jobs@papertransport.com or visit our owner operator page.

Check back next week where we discuss Knowing Your Skill Set in our series Things to Consider Before Becoming and Owner Operator.

Paper Transport, Inc. Expands Internship Program

April 18, 2019 by Carla Lee

PTI Offers Internship Options for Local College Students

Paper Transport Inc.’s 2019 Spring Interns.

De Pere, Wis. (April 18, 2019) – De Pere-based employer and for-hire truckload carrier, Paper Transport, Inc. (PTI), is proud to announce the formal expansion of its internship program.

The main reason for the expansion is to showcase career opportunities available in the transportation industry to area college students.

“We’ve had interns from time to time for many years,” stated Lynsey Muellenbach, PTI human resources Manager in charge of the program. “The difference going forward is the program’s structure and variety of opportunities we’re offering. Interns can gain experience in operations, recruiting, IT, and accounting. Plus, we’re planning to keep expanding the program to different segments of the business.”

Enrolled in area schools like UW-Green Bay, St. Norbert College, and NWTC, most interns will work at PTI for four months with the potential to stay with the company longer. PTI’s current interns attend UW-Green Bay and are Marianna Sadownikow, Driver Recruiting; Brianna Westenberger, Operations; Dylon Pokorny, Operations; Ma Xiong, IT; and Alan Burkart, Operations.

“I think it’s extremely important for college students to participate in an internship because it gives them hands on experience,” said Marianna Sadownikow. She is a sophomore, majoring in business administration with an emphasis in human resources. “I never would’ve thought that working in a recruiting department would teach me as much as it has. I’m able to come into work and get pushed outside of my comfort zone. It’s an experience I cannot get by sitting in a classroom.”

Founded 29 years ago in Green Bay, Wis., PTI is listed in the Commercial Carrier Journal’s Top 150 Carriers, as a for-hire, dry-van trucking company, competing with over 500,000 trucking companies in the U.S. The company focuses on regional truckload, dedicated truckload, and intermodal services with multiple locations throughout the Midwest, Southeast and Southern U.S. Currently, PTI has over 1,000 employees.

The PTI team can be reached at 920-617-5412, info@papertransport.com, or www.papertransport.com.

PTI Summer BBQ Recruiting Bash in Albany, GA

April 15, 2019 by Carla Lee

Inviting All Class A CDL Truck Drivers in Albany, GA

All Class A CDL Truck Drivers are invited to attend the upcoming Summer Recruiting BBQ Bash, which will be held at the PTI Office located at 1404 Brickline Court in Albany, GA. (Easy in and out parking)

The BBQ Bash begins on Sunday, May 5th from 2 to 7 pm and finishes up on Monday, May 6th from 10 am to 7 pm. There will be recruiters on hand to answer any questions about how to become a driver with us and can even help potential drivers apply.

Stop by for some food, prizes (including a drawing for a $500 gift card) and fun plenty of fun! For more information on the event and driving options in the Albany, GA area, please visit DrivePTI.com/Albany or call 1-855-784-5627.

A Few Key Tax Tips for Owner Operators

April 10, 2019 by Carla Lee

The Tax Filing Deadline is Approaching

With the deadline to file taxes coming up quickly on April 15, 2019, here are some key tax tips to keep in mind if you’re an owner operator in the trucking industry.

Get Organized – Before you start thinking about doing your taxes, you need to get organized and it’s critical if you want to make the process an easy one. Make sure you have a filing system in place of all your important documents (from receipts to invoices, W9’s, and other tax records) so you don’t have to scramble to find everything come tax time.
Know What You Can And Cannot Write-Off – As an owner operator, there are certain purchases that you make that can be classified as business expenses. Be mindful of which ones you can declare a business expense and those that you can’t. For more information about deducting business expenses, visit the IRS website.
Ask for help if you need it – If you’re having trouble doing your taxes, it never hurts to ask for help. You can reach out to other owner operators or take things a step further and make an appointment with a tax professional. See if the company you’re leasing on with has a financial counseling program or ask for a recommendation. If you’re a PTI Owner Operator, please reach out to your driver manager or email humanresources@papertransport.com for more information.

PTI Owner Operator Jay Brockway.

“Your taxes and wages are going to be a big change as an owner operator. Be sure to find a reputable accountant that deals with small businesses and trucking. Having someone with this knowledge to guide you and your business is crucial.” – Jay Brockway, PTI Owner Operator based in De Pere, WI talks about the importance of getting tax help.

Next year, make a commitment to do your taxes earlier rather than right before the tax deadline to avoid pressure to get them done and avoid getting stressed out. One main thing to remember is that these are only a few key tax tips to keep in mind as a truck business owner. Do your research online or reach out to a tax professional for help until you get a good grasp of doing your taxes on your own.