KAUKAUNA, Wis. — The enclosed bay is just one of the new perks over-the-road driver Phil Gilbert is using at Midwest Carriers.
On a recent Thursday morning, he was busy washing his tractor unit.
“Before, you’d have to be out in the elements. In the hot sun or it’s windy or raining,” Gilbert said. “Now, I look forward to coming and doing my pre-trip and post-trips in this bay.”
Gilbert has been driving more that 30 years. He’s been with Midwest Carriers for the last year and a half.
The company recently moved into a new headquarters designed for drivers and staff. It’s located between Little Chute and Kaukauna.
“I was looking forward to this building opening so I could stay at the yard more often and have the comfort and security of knowing I’m at the yard,” Gilbert said. “I’m not a truck stop where I may or may not have the amenities.”
Midwest Carriers is a family-owned business.
Among other things, the new facility includes the indoor bays, a 24/7 driver’s lounge with a pair of quiet rooms, laundry and shower facilities, a full kitchen and a fitness center.
President Eric Van Handel said the move to a new building was for both operational reasons and attraction and retention of drivers.
“Really, from the beginning of this project, it was the driver we had in mind,” he said. “As you can see when you drove in, beautiful concrete parking lot. It’s not gravel. There aren’t potholes. It’s very safe, it’s very clean.”
The industry as a whole has been working for decades to keep drivers behind the wheel.
“We feel that making those investments leads to happy drivers, happy employees and happy customers that want to stick with you,” Van Hadel said. “Ultimately, it is better for your business. But it’s a little bit of a leap of faith at times to make those investments.”
Gilbert didn’t hesitate when asked what’s kept him in the business for more than three decades.
“I love driving. I love seeing the people out there. I go to truck stops and talk to other drivers,” he said. “I have pride about helping America eat and have all the stuff that they have. Everything everybody has comes from a truck.”
