News & Events

Whether its winning an award or company-promotion, getting recognized or just announcing an important event, you'll find the latest company news and happenings right here.

COMPANY NEWS

Tilford Colombo wasn't sure why he had been routed through the Mondovi terminal. And by the time he learned the reason, he was already in his truck headed back out on the road.

Paul Orser thought April Fools day had come a bit early when his wife Debbie called him to say he'd won Marten's Better in Blue driver referral contest last month. The contest, which awarded drivers for referring other drivers to Marten, pays out $1,000 and a trip to Hawaii to the winner.

Keith Costin had no idea what was in store for him when he pulled into the Mondovi Terminal on August 7. He wasn’t sure why he had been summoned to the corporate office by his dispatcher.

Costin, who is currently running as a company trainer, plans to give half the money to his daughter and use the other half to help him build a new garage. “I think the program is very realistic,” Costin said. “I never thought I would win. I just do it because I think it’s the right thing to do. In my mind if you have to spend more on fuel that just means there is less left over to go for bonuses in the long run.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – More than a hundred people gathered February 25 at the Hotel Mead, to give tribute to 12 drivers who were honored as Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association "Driver’s of the Month" for 2005. Among those receiving awards were Marten Transport drivers Barry Nauman and Robert McBride.

"Being a professional truck driver is a demanding job", said Tom Howells, WMCA President. "These individuals spend a great deal of time away from their families and homes. They must be in total compliance with all safety regulations and are expected to deliver their loads on time, despite bad weather. Operating a tractor-trailer… is a high stress job requiring a great degree of skill and patience."

McBride has been driving professionally for over twenty-six years and has been employed by Marten Transport in Mondovi since 1983. He was inducted into The Marten Transport Two Million Mile Club in May of 2004. In his free time, McBride is a director of the Quad County ATV Club, organizes many fund-raising events for local organizations, and was named the Lion's Club Citizen of the year for 2003. He enjoys riding ATV's, collecting Budweiser memorabilia, and is part-time hobby farmer. He and his wife, Tanis, live in Fairchild, Wisconsin.

Nauman has driven for Marten Transport for more than 17 years, without an accident or safety violation. In May of 2004, he was inducted into the Marten Transport Two Million Mile Club. Company officials indicate Nauman is a role model for his hardworking and thoughtful attitude. He has been awarded the distinction of Highway Angel for his numerous times stopping to help people stranded or in need along the highway. In his spare time, Nauman loves to fish and volunteer for many functions in his community. Nauman and his wife Kay, live in Marshall, Minn.

Selections for the Driver of the Month are based on the truck drivers' safety record, outstanding service and/or acts of heroism, length of service, community service and performance of daily duties to the highest trucking industry standards..

"When they told me I had won, I was so excited I just couldn’t believe it. I pinched myself a couple of times. When it finally sunk in, I was like “THANK YOU GOD!”

“He didn’t believe me at first,” Dizer said. “We always play pranks on each other and he just thought I was doing it again. He told me to stop kidding around, but when I told him it was for real, he just kept saying, ‘YES, YES...

“We were yelling and screaming we were so happy. It took a while for us to calm down. We laughed for a long time.”

Dizer is hoping that laughing continues all the way to bank. She and Demetrice are planning a trip to Las Vegas with their prize money and plane tickets.

Whether she brings home anything from Las Vegas, Dizer says she’s already a winner because she’s found a great place to work.

“This is the best company I have ever worked for,” she said. “It’s got excellent benefits, home time, pay, good dispatch, more then enough freight… all around its just a good company.”

Dizer, who hails from Earle, Ark., has been impressed by Marten’s efficiency and its family atmosphere.

“At Marten you’re not just a number,” Dizer said. “A lot of places say they have excellent pay or whatever – but at Marten when they say come work for the best they mean it.”

MONDOVI, Wis. -- Marten Transport was recently awarded the Platinum Award for Safety and Operational Excellence for 2004 from Great West Casualty Company. The award is based on loss results, prompt and fair claim settlement practices, innovative loss prevention programs and demonstrated operational excellence.

MONDOVI, Wis. -- Marten Transport, Ltd. President and Chairman of the Board, Randy Marten, was among seven individuals honored Thursday night as a 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Wisconsin region. The selections were announced at a banquet held at Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.

Marten, who won in the Transportation category, was recognized as an outstanding entrepreneur who is building and leading a dynamic and growing business.

“I think everyone at Marten Transport is proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Bob Smith, Marten’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’re extremely excited that Randy has been honored with this award. I think his selection says a great deal not only about his outstanding leadership, but about the people at Marten and the pride they take in their jobs and this company.”

Nominees must be a company owner or manager, who is primarily responsible for the recent success or performance of the business. Award recipients are selected in a variety of industry-based categories in 31 regions by independent panels of judges. Winners are honored at regional award banquets during the month of June and inducted into the elite Entrepreneur Of The Year® Hall of Fame at the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards held each November in Palm Springs, California.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Program was created nearly two decades ago and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 100 cities and 35 countries.

MONDOVI, Wis. -- For the second time in four years, Marten Transport Ltd. has been selected the Grand Prize winner of the Truckload Carriers Association Fleet Safety Contest. The prestigious award was presented Tuesday evening at the annual TCA convention held at the Bellagio Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The company, which was also awarded first place in the Wisconsin and Georgia Motor Carriers Association Fleet Safety Contests for 2004, previously won the TCA’s Grand Prize in 2001. It has now placed among the top three in the TCA contest seven of the past eight years.

“We are extremely excited to be the Grand Prize winner,” said Don Hinson, Vice President of Marten’s Operations. “This tremendous honor reflects the concerted efforts of all our employees, but most important, it recognizes the diligent safety efforts of our drivers.”

The TCA is a national trade organization that focuses on the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. Its purpose is to provide leadership that increases productivity, profitability, safe operation and superior service. The TCA acts as an advocate, on behalf of its members, to enhance the industry’s ability to provide safe, high quality and reliable services. Each year, the TCA recognizes the safest fleets in the industry based on their company’s overall organization, employee driver/independent contractor selection procedures, training, supervision, accident investigation, inspection, maintenance of equipment, outside activities and general highway safety. Particularly important are company efforts to exceed state and federal requirements.

Grand Prize winners in the Fleet Safety Contest are selected based on their excellent overall safety programs, both on and off-highway. Judging for the award began with the determination of the top three companies in each of six mileage divisions. Winners were selected based on accident frequency only and announced in February. The Grand Prize winners were then selected from that group. Marten Transport, which ran more than 262 million miles in 2004, placed second in the 100-plus million-mile division to make it eligible for the top prize.

“Being awarded the TCA’s Grand Prize Safety Award for 2004 is a great honor,” said Dan Peterson, Marten Transport’s Director of Safety. “All of our drivers, maintenance personnel, and office staff are committed to a Safety First attitude and this award confirms that commitment.”

Marten Transport attempts to create a working environment that champions safety and instills a safety mindset in every employee at every level of the organization. The company has implemented a proactive safety training program, which includes providing quarterly safety training to its drivers and rewarding accident-free drivers with safety bonuses..

GREEN LAKE, Wis. -- Marten Transport, Ltd. driver Vern Jahsman has been named 2004 Wisconsin Driver of the Year by the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association. Jahsman, who was recognized as “Driver of the Month” during August, received the honor, along with a $1,000 savings bond, a jacket and a belt buckle at the groups annual banquet held at the Heidel House Resort on Feb. 26.

Another Marten Transport driver, Tim Setterlund, was honored at the event after being named “Driver of the Month for May, 2004. Setterlund, who lives with his wife Pam in Durand, has driven for Marten Transport for 22 years, racking up more then two million miles without an accident or violation. He is a member of the WMCA President’s Safe Driver Club and participates in the Highway Watch program and the Wisconsin Truck Driving Championships.

“We are very proud of both Vern and Tim,” said Marten Transport Director of Human Resources Susan Deetz. “It’s drivers like them that have helped us become one of the most successful and consistently safe companies in the trucking industry.”

Jahsman, who lives in Appleton with his wife Judy, has driven for Marten Transport for the last seven years. During his 27-year driving career, he has logged nearly 3.5 million miles with no crashes or violations. In addition to his outstanding driving record, Jahsman has earned the respect of customers and colleagues for his commitment to helping others. He regularly contributes time and money to organizations such as the Humane Society, the Salvation Army and Goodwill. When not on the road, Jahsman enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He has four children, two step-children, thirteen grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

Marten Transport placed second in the 100-plus million miles division of the Truckload Carriers Association’s National Fleet Safety Awards Program announced in February. The company is a finalist for the TCA’s Grand Prize for Safety which will be awarded in Las Vegas next week.

To be nominated for Driver of the Month, a driver must be a resident of Wisconsin or be based out of a terminal located in the state. A driver must also be employed by a member of the WMCA (a non-profit trade Association based in Madison which represents commercial motor vehicle users). Selections for Driver of the Month are based on a drivers’ safety record, outstanding service and/or acts of heroism, length of service, community service and performance of daily duties.

Marten Transport placed 2nd in Division VI (over 100 million miles) of the Truckload Carriers Association's 2004 National Fleet Safety Awards program. The award was based on the number of accidents per mile the company had during 2004. The honor earns Marten the opportunity to compete for the TCA's Grand Prize for Fleet Safety.

Marten Transport, will be honored on March 8, 2005 at the Annual Awards Banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bob Smith, COO, will be in attendance accepting the award for Marten Transport.

Marten Transport is constantly seeking new ways to reward its drivers. We are proud to announce one of the best pay package increases in the industry.

Company drivers at Marten Transport can now earn an additional $500 per quarter by driving 30,000 miles or more within a quarter. This increase, which is equivalent to drivers earning an additional 1.66 cents per mile based on 30,000 miles, puts Marten’s already competitive pay package over the top of our competition. This huge incentive means more money for company drivers.

“At Marten, our goal is to provide the best experience for drivers. We are dedicated and focused on giving them the best opportunities,” said Stacia Dewitt, Director of Recruiting. “Marten drivers are among the best in the industry and deserve each of these new incentives.”

Marten Transport appreciates exceptional drivers and offers an excellent pay and benefits package.

Marten opens new addition to corporate office
Company gets state tax relief; looks to add more then 160 new jobs

MONDOVI, Wis. – Marten Transport Ltd. opened a new state of the art office complex and announced it would be looking to expand its work force during a grand opening ceremony at its corporate headquarters in Mondovi on November 30th. In addition, Marten received a tax credit of $250,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to help pay for the expansion.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle credited Marten Transport for maintaining a commitment to its roots in the Badger state.

"Marten Transport, Ltd. is a great example of the kind of company that we have in Wisconsin,” Doyle said. “It's a company that's committed to transporting Wisconsin products all over the state and the entire country." Doyle's "Grow Wisconsin" initiative calls for helping businesses make a lasting investment in the state's economy. Marten’s expansion and the promise of adding as many as 162 jobs over the next three years reflect the values the program hopes to promote.

Special guests attending the ceremony included U.S. Rep., Ron Kind, D-WI, State Rep. Ron Brown, R-Eau Claire, State Rep. Barb Gronemous, D-Whitehall, Mondovi Mayor Sharon Beauchamp and Wisconsin Department of Commerce Area Development Manager Marty Ambrose.

Company President and Chairman of the Board, Randy Marten, officially christened the new $1 million, 15,000 square foot addition by cutting a blue ribbon on draped across it’s entrance. While much of the celebration focused on the present and future of the company, Marten took time to recognize employees for their dedication through the years.

“There's nothing else I can say but thank you," Marten said.

President & Chairman of the Board Randy Marten cuts the ribbon as US Rep. Ron Kind, State Reps Barb Gronemus (D) Whitehall, Ron Brown (R) Eau Claire, and Marty Ambrose, WI Dept. of Commerce Area Development Mgr. look on.

Marten Transport, Ltd. has announced the opening of a new terminal in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Don Hinson, Vice President of Operations stated, “Dean Shiflet relocated from Marten’s corporate headquarters in Mondovi, WI to Indianapolis to assume responsibilities as the terminal manager. The terminal, located at 4825 W. 84th St., has fuel, full service maintenance, driver support, and recruiting activities.

In addition, we will operate a regional fleet covering a 250 mile radius of the terminal. All drivers on this fleet will be dispatched by the regional fleet coordinator who will also be based at the terminal. As we continue to grow the operation, we will add an over the road fleet manager to the terminal staff.

Earlier this year, our Chairman and CEO, Randy Marten, announced his intent to expand Marten’s terminal network and increase the number of regional opportunities for customers and drivers. This facility is the first step in executing that strategy.”

Susan Deetz, Director of Human Resources stated "Marten Transport looks forward to a successful and collaborative relationship with the Indianapolis community."

Marten Transport, Ltd., with headquarters in Mondovi, Wisconsin, strives to be the premium supplier of time and temperature-sensitive transportation services to customers nationwide. Marten serves customers with more demanding delivery deadlines as well as those who ship products requiring modern temperature-controlled trailers to protect goods.

Marten Transport is pleased to announce the expansion of their corporate headquarters in Mondovi, Wisconsin with the addition of more than 11,000 square feet of office space.

Chief Operating Officer Robert Smith stated, “This addition provides a foundation for our continued fleet growth, helps us improve our customer and driver support services, and reinforces our commitment to our employees and the communities in which we operate. The facility will house our Operations and Road Service departments as well as enhanced driver facilities.

As part of this expansion, we included state of the art technology for our telephone system, capacity/demand balancing, and more effective internal communication. We believe that these technology advances coupled with the talent of our employees will continue to position Marten as the premier refrigerated carrier.”

An official opening ceremony of the new addition will take place in the near future. The new addition is located at 129 Marten St., Mondovi, WI.