AdVANtage Contractor Newsletter

Contractor Appreciation

Kristin Ries, Staff Reporter
From a golf tournament to a water balloon fight, Dart’s Contractor Appreciation Day was fun for everyone. More than 300 Dart contractors, employees, family members and friends came together Saturday, July 29, for Contractor Appreciation Day in Eagan, Minnesota.

The perfect break from the heat -
cold beverages, sandwiches, salads,
fruit, and ice cream!

Despite the heat and humidity, everyone had high spirits. The day’s festivities included the Advantage Open Golf Tournament, the Pre-Trip Puzzler competition, an informational presentation by the American Truck Business Services, autographs by JD Myers, the annual Dart contractors vs. Dart employees Tug ’o’ War competition, the Buff ‘n’ Shine truck competition, a full buffet lunch from Divine Swine, Dart’s truck-driving simulator, a children’s truck drawing contest, face painting, water balloons, a blow-up playground, popcorn, an ice cream truck, Dart apparel for sale, prize drawings, and so much more!

Dart President Dave Oren jumps in to help
lead the “Perennial Champions” to victory
over the “Office Dweebs” in the
Tug ‘o’ War competition.

Even if you went to the celebrations in Dallas and Eagan, join us for Contractor Appreciation Day in Sellersburg, August 21. Bring your whole family and friends! You don’t want to miss out on all the fun.

Thanks to all Dart contractors for your dedication to Dart. You are appreciated!

Thousands of dollars in prizes
and cash were given away.

Ralph Berry

Contractors of the Month

Ralph Berry - Dallas Operating Center

Cathy Aydelott, Staff Writer
Ralph Berry has been with Dart since June 6, 1993. Before Ralph leased his own truck in 1995, he drove for a fleet owner who was contracted with Dart.

Ralph has been in the trucking industry since March of 1972. He was always a company driver but wanted to venture out and run his own business.

Ralph has seen a lot changes over the years, from changes in the industry to changes in the trucks. The first truck he drove didn’t have air conditioning and was so loud he couldn't hear the radio.

With all his years of knowledge, I asked Ralph what advice he would give someone considering truck driving as a career. He responded, "I'd tell them it's a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week job. Find a fleet owner and try that for a while before jumping into it feet first."

Ralph moved to Texas in 1976 and calls Houston home. In his spare time, Ralph enjoys doing genealogy research and fishing.

Dean Schulte

Dean Schulte - Eagan Operating Center

Kristin Ries, Staff Writer
If there were three ways to describe 20-year Dart contractor Dean Schulte, they would be good businessman, dependable friend, and loving father.

Dean learned at an early age what it takes to be a successful professional truck driver by observing his father, who was a local truck driver.

"My dad taught me well," Dean said. "He was patient and courteous all the time. He was the best driver I've ever seen."

Dean said he tries to follow in his father's kind footsteps. "I think of coming into the shippers and receivers as running into friends," Dean said. "Because I'm on a dedicated account, I get to know my customers and they get to know me. I’ll sit, visit and have coffee with them."

Dean has many friends, but he keeps his family closest to his heart. Dean's father is his inspiration to do his best, and thinking about his wife and children keeps a smile on his face while he does it.

Construction starts on office expansion

Construction will double space at the
Eagan office to 80,000 square feet.

Steve Gundale, Editor - Eagan
Long planned and anticipated, the expansion of Dart’s Corporate Office Building is underway in Eagan, Minnesota. Construction has begun on a new 40,000 square foot building with bulldozers and scoop shovels breaking ground in the tractor lot, just outside the current contractor entrance at 800 Lone Oak Road.

"Time is ripe for this project," says Don Oren, Chairman of Dart’s Board of Directors, "and it’s necessary to accommodate our growth."

Construction is expected to last five months and will double available space at the Eagan office to 80,000 square feet.

The new four-level building will be attached to the existing two-story building and will have the same design cues, the same brick, and the same windows as the current building, which opened in 1989. Located under the flight path of the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, the building is constructed with materials that neutralize aircraft noise.

"Our Eagan location is very desirable," Mr. Oren said, "with nearby access to two freeways (I-35E and I-494), U.S. Highway 52, and close proximity to the airport. To make the most of the land, the new building is being built higher, with four levels including a basement and a third floor."

The new space is more than Dart currently needs, so the building is designed to accommodate multiple tenants. Initially, the third floor will be rented to other businesses. The third floor will also have it’s own entrance and parking area. "That way, we’ll have space available for future expansion," Don said.

The new building will provide something contractors and office employees have long desired - more space. According to Dan Oren, the building project manager, contractors will have a larger lounge with a separate room for television, desks with Internet connections, more private showers, a larger laundry, and more restrooms. Contractor services such as settlements, permits, and dispatching will be accessible from the lounge, and tractor parking space will increase by more than 50%.

Employees will also benefit with more space. The new building will allow lower workstation density, more document storage space, and more washrooms. More automobile parking space is also planned.

An important objective of the expansion is to allow Dart to thrive and grow. At times in the past, company growth required some departments to move off-site, which isolated them from the rest of the company. "We want employees to have contact with each other and with contractors," says Don. "After all, employee jobs depend on contractors, and good working relationships thrive with frequent contact."

Login:
Pwd: