OTA Dispatch Issue 2 2020

12 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Value of OTA, cont. FRED MEYER By Rob Freeman, Fred Meyer Transportation Manager (Clackamas, OR) In early March of 2020, COVID-19 was spreading rapidly in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, Kroger’s Supply Chain including their Fred Meyer company fleet in Clackamas, Oregon was tested as never before. The Fred Meyer Division of Kroger employs 235 transportation associates at the Clackamas, Oregon distribution center, serving 134 stores in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Idaho. The facility has 116 tractors, 177 drivers, a truck shop, dispatch operation, and support staff. As always, our priority is safety, and from the very beginning of this crisis, we’ve maintained our commitment to safety and taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our associates. Some of the measures taken: ` Hand sanitizer and wipes provided for every driver and in every truck ` Masks provided for every driver and associate ` Temperature checks required to enter the transportation building ` Signage promoting COVID-19 prevention and social distancing throughout the building ` Associates are directed to stay home if sick and they are fully supported ` Kroger provides paid COVID-19 leave for associates that are infected or have to self-quarantine ` Drivers rarely come into the Dispatch office. Paperwork is picked up in a separate room ` Signage keeps drivers at six-foot intervals as they wait their turn at the dispatch counter ` Drivers wear masks in stores ` Signatures no longer required at time of delivery ` Each driver-run behavior-based safety team now includes a COVID-19 prevention behavior as one of their four focused safety behaviors Since the beginning of the crisis, food shipments to Fred Meyer stores have been up roughly 30% per day compared to normal. Sustaining this level of volume has been both historic and challenging. We’ve increased delivery frequency to 50+ stores and are delivering roughly 50 additional truckloads per day over planned volume. The emergency declaration from states in the PNW providing hours of service relief has been a big help to keep Fred Meyer trucks moving, and we are proud to say that while we’ve taken advantage of the hours of service exemptions, we’ve still maintained our focus on safety and have a very low accident and injury rate. The pace is frantic, but our stores are in stock and our trucks are running on-time or early 95% of the time. On a personal level, I can say that in my 33 years in the trucking industry (26 at Fred Meyer), my work has never been as meaningful as it is now, and I’ve never been prouder of our Fred Meyer Transportation team. Drivers and staff are working extra shifts every week without complaint, supporting each other, working as a team, and morale is sky high. Drivers report many instances of customers stopping them and thanking them for the essential work they are doing. Motorists are more courteous and willing to share the road with trucks. A driver recently stopped at a fast food restaurant on his lunch break, and when they saw he was a Fred Meyer driver, they wouldn’t let him pay for his meal. Another driver was recently honored by KOIN TV for the essential work he is doing as a driver. Driver attendance is better than it was pre-COVID-19. While we all want this to be over, COVID-19 has taught us to be grateful for the jobs we have and has reminded us of the importance of the work we do, and it’s brought out the best in us. To learn more about Fred Meyers, visit www.fredmeyer.com. Stinger Transport makes special deliveries during the pandemic.