Effective May 15, 2017, Highway Transport launches a new overhauled pay system and announces the largest truck driver compensation package in 68+year company history. All Highway Transport drivers nationwide at all locations will see an increase in both hourly and mileage pay.
After carefully gathering input from drivers, Highway Transport did away with the old traditional bi-weekly pay system in favor of an entirely new weekly pay approach.
With the new pay package, a System/OTR driver can expect to earn a gross annual average of $69,000. Regional drivers can expect to earn a gross annual average of $60,000.
The biggest change is in compensation for regional drivers. Regional drivers hauling loads under 150 miles are now paid by the hour. With the new hourly wage, a driver gains a clearer understanding of what he/she is being paid for every hour of work, whether it is driving or unloading. In the past, drivers received a guaranteed annual rate.
“These pay enhancements reflect Highway Transport’s desire to not only recruit new drivers but retain our most crucial asset, the professional chemical tanker drivers currently employed by Highway Transport who are trained on our systems and have in-depth understanding our customers,” says Marshall Franklin, President and CFO. “The driver shortage is real, and those companies that figure out how to retain their drivers will succeed. At Highway, we are trying to structure our culture, compensation and benefits so that it becomes a difficult decision for a driver to leave our company.”
Since the Knoxville-headquartered company’s inception, Highway Transport has been an industry leader in pay packages for professional tanker truck drivers. While truck drivers joining Highway Transport are not required to have chemical tanker experience, drivers who join Highway with tank experience will have a starting pay that is higher than drivers with no tank experience.
“Professional drivers that have experience with our equipment and understand our systems and customers should make more money.” says Greg Watkins, Vice Chairman of Highway Transport. “We also seek to balance work time and home time for our drivers. We know how important it is for our drivers to spend quality time with their families. My Family—the Watkins Family—is a solid trucking family. Trucking and logistics will always be at our core. We have a lifelong commitment to all employees and their families.”
In addition to competitive pay and being part of the family, another attractive feature at Highway Transport is the equipment. Highway has an industry-wide reputation for having the newest, best-looking equipment on the road. Watkins adds, “Over the past 5 years we have been replacing our tractors with new model Macks, and by the end of 2018, all of our older tractors will have been replaced. Plus, we have our own shops with highly-skilled personnel who have been with Highway Transport for many years.”
Drivers enjoy an executive-style suite of benefits that exceeds most other carriers. The driver package includes paid vacation and holidays, group-term life, AD&D, medical insurance, and 401K.
According to Greg Watkins, pay changes are made with the best interests of drivers in mind, “Our company’s legacy allows us to offer exceptional income and benefits that are above and beyond all other tank carriers. Ultimately though, it’s about family time. Our driver managers are the best at helping drivers maximize their time at home.”
Highway Transport is a chemical tanker trucking company providing transportation of specialty chemicals throughout the United States and Canada. Highway’s tanker fleet has served chemical manufacturers with the highest quality service and equipment.
The longstanding perception of Highway Transport continues to be one of family and tradition. However, the company has always been very agile, very quick to adapt to business trends.
Highway Transport has a presence in the following U.S. cities:
• Knoxville, TN
• Chattanooga, TN
• LaPorte, TX
• Freeport, TX
• Garland, TX
• McDonough, GA
• Croydon, PA
• Florence, KY
• Joliet, IL
• Wyandotte, MI
• Geismar, LA
• Pittsburgh, PA
Highway Transport has a legacy of steady growth, servicing chemical companies with quality driven service for 68+ years. Check out website Drive4Highway.com to view all driving opportunities.
Are you a professional tanker truck driver?
Consider a new career with Highway Transport–a safe, stable family-oriented company. Enjoy being assigned to a 2017-2018 new model Macks and become part the best-looking well-maintained fleets on the road.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide the highest quality, safest, efficient transportation services for our customers that meet stockholders expectations and provides security for our employees. We achieve this by working in a family oriented business environment with the best people utilizing leading edge technology
Vision Statement
Highway Transport’s vision is to continue to be the leading bulk transportation and logistics organization utilizing leading technology.
We are people-oriented, customer driven, providing qualified trained personnel to surpass customer requirements.
Our culture is defined by strong ethics, individual responsibility and accountability with continual improvement in a dynamic global environment.
CORE VALUES:
• Safety focused
• Quality driven
• Integrity
• People oriented
• Honesty
• Respect
• Employee development
• Customer satisfaction
• Regulatory compliance
• Health
• Environment
• Security
• Strong supplier partnerships