From the Driver's Seat-Uniform Update: Starting a New Chapter

Welcome to From the Driver's Seat, the Avid podcast for all Avid drivers to keep up with news and information across our network. Make sure to subscribe on your preferred podcasting app to make sure you're notified as soon as every episode drops. And now, hosting from the driver's seat, director of driver services, David Royles. Hey, everybody. It's Dave Royles. Hey. We got a great podcast today. One of my favorite subjects and got some great guests in. Been been on the been on the videos and podcast with us a lot of times. Got Alice. How are you doing, Alice? I'm fantastic, David. How are you? Doing great. Good to see you again. We got Dana. How are you doing, Dana? Wonderful. Thank you. Glad to be here. Glad to be here. Yes. Well, that's a plus then. And, obviously, we got we got y'all. We're talking about uniforms. Right? Yes. And, you know, uniformity is obviously something that's really important to Averitt Express. It's it it's the basis for our culture. Right? We want our drivers looking good. We want the unit you know, we want our trucks looking good, drivers looking good. So it's really important that, you know, we get good uniforms. We get uniforms that the drivers want and things like that. And, you know, we're coming up on the end of the year for the or the end of the first quarter for for uniforms. So we need to be we need to be placing those orders now. Right? We get that Yes. In the end of March, no more discount? It ends at the end of March, the twenty percent discount. It's also their chance final chance to get that one hundred dollar gift card if they'll use all their allotment by the end of March. Mhmm. So They have to use a hundred percent of the allotment. Right? Yes. Give card to get to use a hundred percent of your allotment. Right? We've already had two winners, January winner and a February winner. So let's get that March winner. Use all their allotment and then get that twenty percent discount, which is a double bonus. Yeah. I mean, it's really really nice to get that twenty percent extra. You know, it takes the thirty bucks on on, you know, for the hundred and fifty. Right? Basically. So it's an extra thirty dollars, gets you another uniform shirt or whatever. But the important thing is get new uniforms out with the old, in with the new so you look sharp and you're ready to go. Correct? Absolutely. So we're excited about that. And, you know, we're we're here today though to talk a little little bit of other things. You know, we've been listening to the drivers last few years. Been on we all have been out on cookouts with us and talking. And as a result of that, I think we're gonna we're talking about making a change to the uniform program. Right? Pretty major change for us. It is a major change. You know? We've been partners with, CentOS for almost thirty years on our uniform program. And to be able to make a big change like this, it's in the best interest of our drivers and our doc associates, those who are required to wear a uniform. We want them to know that we've listened to them, through our make a suggestion program, through Dana and the girls, myself being out at cookouts, and them just sharing that information. They want it to be something that is easy, simple, place my order, look good in my uniform. And so because of that, we are excited to announce, we're so excited to announce that we've partnered with a new vendor company, a new uniform vendor. And Dana, tell them what their name is. Their name is Ooby. Uh-huh. And, this decision was not taken lightly at all. I mean, we done wear tests. We took that feedback. We used that feedback to make the best of everything on these new uniforms. They are based out of Greenville, South Carolina. It's within our footprints at Averitt. Mhmm. They have multiple warehousing. They they can handle Averitt Yes. With no problem. Yes. Well, I think the quality of the uniforms are really good too, you know, from what I've seen. Oh, yeah. I've seen some of the uniforms. I think I think it's exceptional quality. Right? Oh, it is. And that's important to them. One of the things I wanna share with our associates that's exciting for us, part of the decision, part of it to make this decision, they are the vendor, the uniform program provider for Chick fil A, which we all know that beautiful red matches the Averette red Right. And then Coca Cola. So they provide those uniforms a lot more, associates for both of those companies, but they provide the uniforms. They look professional. Ubi understands, don't they, Dana, the professional image, yes, of the driver head to toe. The professional image of the Averitt associate. They say what their philosophy is, their, is to love and serve. And the way they love and serve is through providing uniforms for associates to feel good and look good and represent Averitt in everything that they do. Image is important. You know, you know, Averitt partners with a lot of people over the years, but Ooby, their culture is somewhat like ours. I think that's important. Right? Don't you think culture's like ours a little bit? Yes. Absolutely. And they take just as much pride in putting their brand on that uniform as we do putting a driver in a neighbor uniform. So it this it reflects in their customer service. It reflects in the way they handle business, the way they treat our associates. Well, you know, I think, you know, we've like you said, we've listened to the drivers. So they're gonna get some more options as a result of us going to Ubi. Options are gonna change. Right? There's gonna be more things that they've asked for in the past. You wanna talk a little bit about that, about some of the new stuff maybe? Absolutely. There some of the benefits that they have is we have been limited as to how many we can offer, how many shirts, how many pants. The sky is the limit with this, and there is no more sizing parameters. If we need to accommodate a larger size, it's done. We can get it. A consistent red. And one of my favorite things about moving forward with this is, we have a very popular shirt, the the no tuck. Right. Well, not every program has the no tuck. That will no longer be an issue. It will be what is offered in red. It's gonna be offered in Mercedes, and it's gonna be offered in OTL. Well, that's not you know, that that standardizes everybody a little bit more too. Right? Because everybody everybody's gonna have the same maybe not the same color because we have to have a different color for the OTL, different color for Mercedes, and, obviously, we all wear red for the for the driver part of it. But but it's nice that the shirts are gonna be the same, but across across the systems. Right? Yes. It's gonna be a beautiful true Averette red, and we're very, very excited about that. You know, sometimes you look down a a dock or you see some drivers in a break room and you see the variations in in the Averitt red. So we're excited to be able to provide, our associates that beautiful true Averitt red. And they're excited about it as well. Ooby's just as excited as we are. They've been very intentional. David, I want you to know and I want our associates to know, they have been very intentional in partnering with a transportation company, and coming with, and joining with a company has the same type of values that Averitt does. Culture is important to them. And so we're excited about all the different benefits. You know? They're going to build a customized website. This excited us. Didn't Dana? A customized website for Averitt only. For Averitt associates only. So when the drivers or the dock associates log in, they're gonna log in. It's very easy, very simple. Click click click. Add your customized, logos, you know, the additional logos that we offer. Quick, easy easy to maneuver through. And I think our associates really appreciate that because, Dana, don't you hear that on a regular basis? Very user friendly, and we will be able to control the language that's on this site. So the the little tips for login process. Mhmm. They will have firsthand knowledge of, in house inventory Mhmm. Back orders. Just Well, I think their customer service is is just a step above. Right? It is. I think they're I think they really wanna do good customer service with Ager, and that means a lot to our drivers, I think. You know? Absolutely. Sometimes our drivers get frustrated. Yes. I think this will be better. I think the customer service is gonna be a lot better. And I said the drivers won't get frustrated. And, you know, pants and everything else, they're gonna do some new stuff and add some new stuff. I think every, driver's gonna get excited about this. I think everybody that's in the uniform program is gonna get excited about this program because it's gonna be better, right, than what we've got. And it's gonna be more options. And I think it's really quality is key. Yes. But what we want our our associates to know, and I'm so glad that we're talking about this, David, so they can understand is what we want them to know. Couple things. When they've ordered items from CentOS, as of right now, March fifteenth. So I want them to write this date down. March fifteenth is the last day that they can exchange or return an item to CentOS. So we want them to remember that. It's very important. April fifteenth, a month later Text day. Yes. No. It's not that day. Okay. Excited day. I'm excited. It's the next best thing. It's when the new website will open. But I want our drivers and dog associates and those who do wear uniforms, whether they're required or not, I want them to understand this. We are gonna move and transition the inventory that we have at CentOS over to Ubi. Because we own that inventory. It is ours. Yes. It's ours. It's our inventory. So we need to move we need to continue moving the inventory. Right? That's that's the purpose. Absolutely. Don't hold on to your allotment. That's what I wanted to say. Right. Don't hold on to your allotment. Allotments will roll over. They'll see no, it should be a seamless smooth transition. Mhmm. But, David, I'm sure you know, you've been around Averitt a long time. Any company that has a transition, sometimes there's bumps in the road. Oh, always. Yeah. And so we wanted our associates to know that sometimes you're gonna there may be something that doesn't go exactly perfect the way we want it to, but we're working with you. We're gonna listen to them. We're gonna hear them. And Ooby's customer service that is exclusive to Averitt is gonna help them and walk them. And always, Dana or myself, is always here for drivers. But I want them to know that the inventory is transitioning over, and we need to go through it best we can. So use that allotment on that. Yeah. Out with that old, bring in the new. We're gonna sprinkle in towards the end of the year. That's when some of the new items with OOBE is gonna start popping out. So all OOBE programs will be January twenty twenty six. January twenty twenty six is all of OOBE, but we're gonna see the website open up April fifteenth. Mhmm. Correct. And the key thing to remember is we want everybody to use their allotment now. Right? Sure. Yeah. And by March fifteenth, if you've got anything for CentOS you wanna send back that you've received, you only got till March fifteenth to do it. But now if somebody has something after it, March fifteenth, we at Averitt are gonna work with them. Right? Yeah. Absolutely. If there's an issue, we at Averitt will work with whoever. You know, we're gonna continue to work with folks that have issues. And and if anything happens with the UB site, same thing, they're gonna get involved in it. You know, you mentioned something a minute ago. You said dedicated customer service to Aver. Talk about that just a little bit more if you don't care about OOBE's customer service. Yeah. I think it's important that we provide that to our associates. You know? Some customer service, you call and you get whoever you get. Right. But it's important that Obey has provided a dedicated group of associates that work for them that will be talking to the Averitt associates. And that's important because they understand that they'll know their favorite program. Right? Yes. Yes. And they still are gonna have access to live chat. They can order online. They can order via phone. If they have questions, we're always available. Just pick up the phone and or email us, and we'll be happy to help. Well, good. Yeah. I know this has been in the works for a little while. I've I've I've been involved in looking at the new uniforms. And when y'all were doing the wear test and all that, and I know the drivers that got the wear test, they really like the uniforms. Right? Yes. I mean, we got good feedback from those people who wore these uniforms and tried them out. They liked them. Right? Yes. And we took that feedback and made modifications to make the garments even better. This has gotta be good for our driving force. I mean, I think I think they're gonna be excited. It's a big step for us. Like you said, we've been thirty years with Cintas, she says. A long time to be a partnership. But if when we change partnerships like this, we always do it for the good of the company and the good of Averitt and the good of Averitt Associates. Right? Yes. That's what we're always looking for. So I hope y'all did a great job doing that. I think we picked a great partner to partner with, and I'm excited about what we're gonna see with OOBE going forward. So any last things you wanna tell anybody? Just, you know, that this decision is part of our ongoing commitment to make, the uniforms better, to make the associate have a better experience. And, we hear you, and we were doing all we can to keep you in that bright red uniform. Yep. Couldn't say it better myself. Alright. Allison, any last words for our folks? Just wanna remind them, remember, from hat to shirt to outerwear, pants, belt, socks, shoes. We want them to remember to wear that wonderful favorite uniform and make sure that they're following our guidelines. Be safe out there, and we thank them for all that they do. Well, we appreciate what y'all I appreciate what y'all are doing with the program. I I know the drivers are gonna appreciate it. Everybody's gonna appreciate it. Mhmm. I know y'all been working hard on this, and and we're looking forward to installing it and getting it going. I'm I'm really excited about it. So I think everybody will be. Yeah. So thank you all. I appreciate it. Thank you. Appreciate that. And, you know, it's real important that you get your uniform order replaced. Get spend that hundred and fifty dollars. Now it's really a hundred and eighty. After March thirty first, whatever you're buying for a hundred and fifty, it's only a hundred and fifty. But right now, you get that twenty percent discount. Make sure you get that done before March thirty first. Let's use the inventory up. Let's get into Ooby. Let's start seeing all the exciting stuff and see the changes. But wear the uniform. Make sure you're looking good. Make sure the truck's clean. It's so important to our customers. And it also other drivers, you know, possible drivers that might drive for Aviso. They look at you and they go, wow. You know? Look at that uniform. It really looks good and getting out of the clean truck and all that. And that's the kind of people we wanna attract. It's people like you. So when you're out there again, we're gonna need people like you this year. It's gonna be a good growth year. We're looking forward to twenty twenty five. We're so excited for it. But people like you program referral program, keep that on top of the mind because we really need your help on that. Appreciate all you do. Thank you so much. Y'all have a great day. We'll see you out on the road.