Marten proves to clients that time is money
Sep 9, 2003 12:00 PM, from staff and wire reports
Marten Transport Ltd has consistently registered profits by charging customers for their drivers having to wait and rewarding clients that help keep equipment moving, according to a Wall Street Journal report.Aided by a satellite-tracking system, the Mondovi WI-based refrigerated truckload carrier monitors when drivers arrive at clients and the amount of time it takes to load or unload trailers.
Marten shares the information with clients and assists them to get rid of wasteful practices, according to the report. If improvements are not made, Marten increases their rates as much as 20%, the report said.
Other clients' rates decrease if they have helped speed up the loading or unloading of Marten's trucks.
The carrier said some clients have been lost, but its second-quarter earnings surged 25% to $3.5 million versus the same period in 2002.
