Sam's Club Coming to KKW

Sam's Club is coming to Pomona

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Place: KKW Atrium

Sign up for a New Membership or Renew your Sam’s Club Membership (Business memberships is $35.00 and Advantage (non-business) membership is $40.00) and receive a $10.00 gift card.
Promotion is offered for a short time; cash or check only .

When you become a Member of SAMS CLUB, you get great values on everything from fresh meat, produce and bakery to electronics, computer, apparel and home furniture – as well as Member benefits and Services to save you time and money. Many Clubs also have these Specialty Departments and Professional Services: Optical, Pharmacy, 1-Hour Photo, Fine Jewelry, Tire and Battery, Gas, Floral and Café.

If you're on the road and cannot make it to this event, please contact Brandi Krueger at (800) 955-4559 x 1300 to enroll.

KKW Mourns Loss of Fallen Driver

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. ~William Penn

KKW driver, Robert "Bob" Friday, passed away at a rest area near Yreka, California Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Bob's death comes as a shock to all of us that knew him and he leaves behind many friends here at KKW. Bob had just celebrated 3 years with KKW (hire date 9/13/06). He was born on July 22, 1956 in Southern California and grew up in Anaheim. He was an inventor for the last 18 years and also worked a variety of other jobs from truck driving to sales to product development. Robert was a veteran of the Air Force and served during the Vietnam Era. He enjoyed flying, dog training andworking with stained glass. Robert is survived by his wife of 20 years, Joann Friday, his sons, Brandon (18) and Taylor (15), his parents Marva Harris, and Robert & Gilly Kuehn, sister Amy Klem and brother Greg Kuehn. Memorial services were held on Sunday September 20, 2009 at 3PM at Graystone Chapel in Alta Loma.

Some of his team members here at KKW remember Bob as a hard working and kind soul. He participated in several KKW Truck Driving Championships, he was a driver mentor and he was always there when dispatchers needed him.

When the call was received on September 16th, KKW worked closely with the Sheriff’s department to assist. They were able to use our trailer tracking (Skybitz) device to immediately locate the tractor and trailer. KKW was then able to utilize the Xata GPS mobile-comm tool to pinpoint the closest driver to go help and secure the equipment. KKW was also able to email a photograph of Bob to the Sheriff so they knew what he looked like. If we hadn’t been able to send them the location of the truck, they would have been looking up and down I-5 (like a needle in a haystack) instead, this information was able to get the police their quickly. Drivers are out, alone on the road delivering loads and hopefully they can feel safe knowing that this technology that KKW provides can help them as well and that we are always looking out for them. If you are interested and would like to make a contribution, the family has set up a benefactor account at Chase Bank for Bob's children Brandon and Taylor. Please use account #9284410994.
RIP Bob...you'll be missed!!!

Please feel free to blog about your stories, memories or feelings about Bob. We look forward to reading them.Add It Up by Dan Baker

The day will come

When you will lie

Upon the bed in which you'll die.

The grief-filled eyes, of those who care

Will vanish soon, as if in air.

For all that counts upon that day

Will be the price you dared to pay.

The love you had, the love you gave

Is all that counts when in your grave.

The things that ate up all your time,

They matter not now in your mind.

And as the light and darkness meet,

Life hands to you your balance sheet.

And by yourself you read the score,

It's all of love, and nothing more!

The money, time, and wasted days

Are not allowed to have their say.

Alone you see with tearful eye,

That values on the years gone by,

Were not of things you held so dear

But only of the people here.

And as your spirit starts to soar,

Twas love and nothing, nothing more

KKW Celebrates

Each year, KKW Trucking, Inc. comes together and commemorates employees that have reached their 5, 10, 15, 20 (or beyond) years of service milestone. This year, we celebrated luau style. The evening was full of excitement and amusement. The celebration was held Saturday, August 29th at the Ontario Airport Marriott Hotel in Ontario, California. The poolside pavilion set the stage for merriment and camaraderie. Despite the extremely warm weather everyone seemed to enjoy the evening.

Those that were honored this year were:

Jim Kraft (25 yrs), Andre Rensonnet (20 yrs), Roberto Barba (10 yrs), Bill Cox (10 yrs), Kevin Marrett (10 years), Richard Barrass (5 yrs), Christopher Beardemphis (5 yrs), Erik Blomquist (5 yrs), Jim Brown (5 yrs), Harold Esh (5 yrs), Francisco Gallardo (5 yrs), Heather Hess (5 yrs), Abran Lopez (5 yrs), Nikolay Ogorodnikov (5 yrs), Joann Oliver (5 yrs), Jose Ramirez (5 yrs), Gerardo Robles (5 yrs), Jamie Serna (5 yrs), Sherry Vaughn (5 yrs) and Dennis Wright (5 yrs).

The event included music, entertainment, prize raffle drawings, dancing, eating and drinking! A special thank you to Mr. Dennis Firestone for empowering his employees to coordinate such an event. It truly builds company compassion, closeness and team work. And other thanks to those who helped coordinate, decorate and donate! We look forward to another pleasurable event next year! Thank you!

KKW Trucking, Inc. Joins U.S. EPA SmartWay TransportⓇ Partnership

KKW Trucking, Inc. joined the elite group of SmartWay partners (approximately 1,700 partners) that measured superior in environmental performance. KKW recently received the highest rating of 1.25. This rating illustrates that KKW is already utilizing most of the commercially available fuel savings strategies and actively evaluating the latest emerging technologies. The SmartWay Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry, is designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. Launched by the EPA in 2004, SmartWay is a ground breaking brand that represents environmentally cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options. By joining the SmartWay Partnership, KKW Trucking, Inc. demonstrates that it has strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility. For more information regarding SmartWay and the EPA please visit their website at www.epa.gov/smartway.

2009 Truck Driving Championships

It was another successful year for KKW Trucking, Inc. during the California Trucking Association's Truck Driving Championships. The event was held on Saturday, May 16th at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. The Truck Driving Championship program is a skills competition that builds confidence and pride among competitors and fosters a commitment to safe driving - an integral part of any successful trucking company. The contest also offers companies such as ourselves an opportunity to come together and build camaraderie and friendships in the family friendly environment. Drivers that participated in this year's event were Jon Christy, Bob Dove, Bob Friday, Joseph Gonzalez, Joseph Guy, Michael Rios, Gerardo Robles, and Ruben Sanchez.
Although none of our drivers will be competing in the state finals our internal winners were:

1st Pace (Cash prize of $300) - Jon Christy
2nd Place (Cash prize of $200) - Bob Dove
3rd Place (Case prize of $100) - Ruben Sanchez

Congratulations to our drivers for their efforts. A special thanks to our Steve Benninghoff, Jim and Lynnete Brown, Susie Dancel, Gina Fulcher, Ashley Hall, Heather Hess, Tom Howard, Brandi Krueger, Natalya Lacy, Alicia Perez, Veronica Quintero, Sara Sherman, Allie Williams and Susan Zellmann.

We look forward to another successful event in 2010!

Customer Service Reaches New Heights

Finding and keeping quality customers is key to any growing business. However, being "good" isn't enough anymore. Especially in such competitive times such as these. Good customer service is the life line of any business. At KKW Trucking, Inc. we strive to achieve "top notch" customer service.
Last month, during a customer service training exercise, our dedicated group of Customer Service Specialists (CSS) were asked to create a personal mission statement that would best describe their purpose and overall goal in serving our customers. They believe that each of them has a purpose at KKW and together they will deliver "top notch" customer service.

Check out their personal mission statements:

Ashley Hall (Customer Service Specialist) "Leadership"
Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to continue to make something extraordinary happen. A leader is always looking for ideas to move the organization to reach the company's vision. I believe it is important for a leader to enlist the aid and support of their team to obtain goals. My goal is to prepare my team to be leaders; everyone is able to lead by discovering the power that lies within them to make a difference and being prepared when the call comes. At the end of the day, take the initiative to get where you want to be.

Krystal Ford (Customer Service Specialist) "Perseverance"

I will be a representative of honesty and integrity. I will focus and strategize on customer's needs and anticipate their expectations through awareness and communication. I will become more skilled in analyzing situations to give and receive positive feedback and advice. The best way to display my perseverance will be to work towards solutions even when it seems there isn't one near by.

Victoria Gutierrez (Customer Service Specialist) "Perspective"

My purpose is to assist in exhibiting KKW's goal of "performance in transportation" by providing superior customer service, demonstrating quality and expertise in all customer dealings, while maintaining the client's perspective in each business transaction. In alignment with my president's vision, I am pleased to say that my customers are my highest priority and putting my clients needs first is the way that I do business.

To reach one of our Customer Service Specialists please call (800) 777-7577 or via email at kkwdispatch@kkwtrucks.com.

KKW RECEIVES SERVICE AWARD

Industry recognition is one of the best ways to measure performance and how we are serving our customers by setting the standard for service and support.

KKW Trucking, Inc. was recently presented with a service award from one of our top and long-time customers, Payless ShoeSource by top executives last month as they traveled to Southern California.

Chad Moser, Linehaul Manager of Payless ShoeSource, stated "I want to thank the entire team at KKW for achieving 99.3% on time delivery for Payless ShoeSource. Your achievement is a reflection of your passionate and skilled team which provides the "link" to our customers. As a company Payless was able to reach our goal of 96% on time or better and this would not have been possible without the relationship we have formed with KKW. Throughout the years, KKW has remained a consistent, quality linehaul provider and the people are always a pleasure to work with. We truly value the service and partnership we have with KKW. Thank you".

Pictured above with service award, Tom Howard, Operations Manager (left), Roberto Barba, Fleet Manager (center) and Steve Benninghoff, Vice President (right).