J & M Tank Lines continues to prosper and grow each year through forward-thinking leadership and the hard work of each employee, at every level. 2019 was a year of next-level planning and business opportunities, which included plans of a new corporate office.

Summer and fall 2019 brought ownership of the previous Valley National Bank corporate office along Highway 280 in Birmingham. While just a short move across the street from the existing office, this new building brings long-term goals and future growth opportunities into place.

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Now headquartered at 1100 Corporate Parkway, J & M Tank Lines maximizes on new technology opportunities to streamline day-to-day operations and advance within the industry ranks. A new layout among departments allows for quicker operations and more open communications.

While adjustments are made and new workflow processes are implemented, J & M Tank Lines has its sights on maintaining its status as an industry leader and continuing to help move trucking forward.

“Harold and I are proud to provide this wonderful, new corporate office for our valued employees,” said J & M Tank Lines President, Peter Sumerford. “As they continue in their daily dedication to helping J & M meet our goals of serving the needs of our customers and continuously progressing as we look to the future.”

Valley National Bank will continue to host a branch on the 1^st floor entrance and drive thru, however the other three floors will be home to J & M Tank Lines.

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Upon entering the building through the lakeside entrance, you will find the Driver Orientation/Training Room, Safety, Human Resources and Recruiting Departments.

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A trip to the 2^nd floor, hosts the Operations and Accounting Departments.

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Finally, a trip to the 3^rd floor, hosts the Leadership Team and Boardroom.

New department layouts allow for more team collaboration and accessibility. Each department is provided with equipment and technology to simplify daily tasks and maximize the time and resources of each employee.

The implementation of these technology features will assist with J & M Tank Lines’ existing paperless efforts as well as provide timely responses to the needs of employees’ company-wide and next-level service to our customers.

“We are proud to stand by the success and growth of J & M,” said J & M Tank Lines CEO, Harold Sumerford, Jr. “Providing a better environment for continued growth is a testament to the hard-work and success of our employees.”

J & M Tank Lines is excited to provide improved resources to our staff as we continue to grow. To simply exist is not enough, J & M Tank Lines strives to continue to push trucking forward as a leader in the tank truck industry.

The first quarter of 2020 has been a busy one at J & M Tank Lines. While most companies are showing a slow-down in operations, we remain steady with more growth on the horizon. These first few months have allowed J & M to recognize the newest inductees to the J & M Million Mile Club, for those drivers who hit one million safe miles in 2018, and a company-wide Managers Meeting, allowing for terminal and shop managers to meet with corporate personnel to discuss current operations and team-building.

J & M Tank Lines Million Mile Club

In 2018, 11 of J & M’s Professional Drivers reached one million safe miles driven, which takes roughly nine years to accomplish pending no accidents or violations occur in that time. One driver was recognized for reaching two million safe miles driven, serving J & M for roughly 17 years. A formal dinner was hosted in Birmingham, Al for those from Alabama and another in Atlanta, Ga for those from Georgia. This dinner allowed million milers and their wives to be recognized for their achievements by J & M’s executive management and leadership.

The following professional drivers were recognized for reaching one million miles:

• Charles Caesar – Sylacauga
• Reginald Cureton – Sylacauga
• Jerry McDonald – Sylacauga
• Howard Melton – Sylacauga
• Theodis Minor – Sylacauga
• Stanley Jones – Sylacauga
• Thomas Gartrell – Holly Springs
• James Prettyman – Holly Springs
• Kenneth Powell – Americus
• Darrien Henderson – Calera
• Charles Shavers – Calera

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The following professional driver was recognized for reaching two million miles:

– Michael Yearby – Americus

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Managers Meeting

The end of February brought a combined teambuilding and training session for all J & M corporate staff as well as terminal and shop managers. Over two days, terminal personnel, corporate personnel and executive management met to discuss each terminal’s needs and growth opportunities as well as an overview of J & M’s expectations for 2020.

This meeting provided these employees the opportunity to interact with those they rarely see face to face. These interpersonal relationships are crucial to the functions of J&M and provide time to find solutions and spark new ideas in a positive team environment.

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J & M Tank Lines is blessed with a strong group of driven employees, that are working to help move the trucking industry forward. Our elite force of drivers, paired with motivated management and support staff, allows J & M Tank Lines to remain an industry leader.

We would like to congratulate, again, our 2018 Million Mile Club inductees for their dedication to safety, J & M Tank Lines and the trucking industry. Thank you to all of our J & M family for your continued service, we are looking forward to a great 2020!

The excitement and joy that spread across J & M Tank Lines’ Professional Driver, Darrien Henderson’s face told J & M Tank Lines’ CEO, Harold Sumerford, Jr. all he needed, to confirm he made the right choice by nominating Henderson for the NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award.

Sumerford informed Henderson he is one of the eight finalists for the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) 2019-2020 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year (PTTDY) award, shortly after its public release. Henderson immediately jumped for joy and could not believe it… he is going to Washington D.C. to stand with some the industries best professional drivers, himself included. Of these top eight finalists, one will be named the Grand Champion and awarded the William A. Usher, Sr. Trophy.

August 2019, the NTTC opened its application for the 2019-2020 PTTDY award. It takes a special kind of professional driver to qualify for this award and Sumerford wanted to be sure to nominate one of his drivers for this opportunity.

“It takes an elite driver to make it in the tank world,” said Sumerford. “I believe J & M has the best drivers in the industry and I want to make sure they are recognized for it through programs like the NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award.”

About the NTTC PTTDY Award

The NTTC created the Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year award to recognize, pay tribute and promote professional tank truck drivers who provide reliable and safe transportation of all dry-bulk and liquid commodities.

The NTTC Safety Committee selects a driver based on his/her ability to operate safely and professionally, demonstrate leadership abilities within his/her company and the candidate’s contributions to the industry and community.

To be eligible for this award, a professional driver must be employed full-time with an NTTC carrier member or fleet associate member for three consecutive years. All applications are reviewed for their accuracy by the NTTC as well as signed by the member company’s CEO, Director of Safety and applicant.

Any NTTC carrier member or fleet associate member is eligible to nominate up to 2 candidates for review. The application consists of questions about the candidate regarding his/her personal and professional experiences, a written statement from the applicant and three letters of recommendation; one from the company and two non-company related. A copy of the applicant’s MVR is also mandatory to ensure a clean and safe driving history.

Of the submitted applicants, eight driver champion finalists are selected, and one grand champion driver is selected from these finalists as the NTTC Driver of the Year Award recipient.

The grand champion receives a tank truck trophy, an honorary jacket, a commemorative ring and two golf shirts. Also, the NTTC will make a $2,500 donation to a safety-related organization in the grand champion’s name.

About J & M Tank Lines’ Candidate:

Upon deciding J & M Tank Lines would submit a candidate for this year’s competition; Sumerford paired with J & M’s Vice President of Safety and Compliance, Dave Edmondson, Jr. to find the right candidate.

Not only did the candidate need to meet the technical qualifications set by the NTTC, but J & M wanted to take it a step further to find a candidate that would represent not only the company, but also someone who sets the example for professional drivers everywhere.

After weeks of an internal review, Henderson was one of five J & M drivers being considered. Following several phone-call interviews, Henderson was excited and eager to be the one to represent J & M Tank Lines on what could turn into a national scale.

“Darrien has earned the right and the privilege to stand among the best tank truck drivers in the country through his desire to be the best, his dedication to safety and his professional character,” said J & M Tank Lines’ President, Peter Sumerford. “He represents himself and our company with the kind of integrity and respect that can be rare to come by.”

Henderson and Edmondson will attend the PTTDY Finalist Interview portion in Washington D.C. on February 17 – 18. Following those interviews, Henderson will be invited back to D.C., with Sumerford and Edmondson to attend the NTTC Annual Conference May 3 -5 where the grand champion will be announced.

“I am just so honored that J & M recognizes the hard work I have put into my job,” said Henderson. “I have been with J & M for almost 10 years and a professional driver for 23. Opportunities like this don’t come often. I am so blessed to be considered for this award.”

Congratulations Darrien on becoming a finalist in this year’s NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year competition. Your dedication to the industry, your customers and J & M are profound. Good luck in D.C.!

YOUR FIRST YEAR AS A TRUCK DRIVER IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY

There are a lot of things you will have to learn during your first year, and many drivers remember their first year as the most challenging part of their truck driving careers. Your first year will test you, but experienced drivers encourage first-year truckers to push through. It gets better! Driving a truck is like any other job; you have to pay your dues and gain experience to get where you want to be.

YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE CDL TRAINING FIRST

ou will start your first year with CDL courses and training. CDL training can take a couple of months to complete, and a lot of your time will be spent taking tests and spending time over the road with a driving trainer.

One thing a lot of truck drivers remember about their training is the awkwardness of spending so much time with a complete stranger in such a tight space. Some truck drivers remember liking their driving trainer, but some did not get along at all. Either way, truck drivers remember this experience as a rite of passage toward going solo.

Another thing drivers who have been through CDL training remember is that it doesn’t pay very well at first. You want to make sure that you have a financial plan in place as you get through this part of your first year.

The CDL training experience is very intense, but once you have completed it, you will have the knowledge you need to tackle your first year over the road. You may not make a lot of money your first year as you gain experience, but in the trucking business, more experience means more money.

YOU WILL HAVE TO ADJUST TO A LOT OF LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Most truckers spend their first year over the road for weeks on end. This is another trial a driver must endure to gain the experience they need to become a safe and reliable trucker. You can expect to encounter physical and psychological changes as you adjust to this new lifestyle.

Being out on the road for weeks at a time is a difficult adjustment, especially if you are in a relationship or have a family. It is crucial that you discuss how you are going to deal with the distance between you and your loved ones. Drivers who have made it through the first year suggest that you get a good cell phone plan so that you can keep in touch with friends and family as much as possible. A quick FaceTime with a friend will do a lot to help alleviate the loneliness of traveling by yourself for a long time.

You also get minimal downtime in your first year. You will probably struggle to adjust to erratic sleep patterns. Sometimes you will be able to get a good night’s sleep, but other times you will have to plan naps strategically throughout your day. It is crucial that you plan a daily schedule with rests and work breaks.

These lifestyle changes require a bit of adjustment, but eventually, you will get better at planning your daily sleep schedule, and you will find ways to keep in touch with friends and family.

YOU WILL LEARN TO MAKE SAFE DRIVING A PRIORITY

Many first-year drivers are prone to accidents out on the road. You need to do everything you can to avoid them because an accident will result in a stain on your DAC report and your CVOR. Experienced truckers advise that you focus on safe driving instead of worrying about logging the most miles in your first year. A clear driving record is the most important thing to a truck driver because it means better loads and better pay as you progress in your career.

During your first year, you still have a long way to go to prove yourself as a reliable truck driver, which results in lower pay and undesirable loads, unfavorable locations, and tight delivery/pickup schedules. Just keep in mind that as long as you continue to keep a clean driving record and show yourself to be someone to count on, you will eventually get the kind of loads you want to the places you want to go.

YOU WILL COME TO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

According to experienced truck drivers, you learn to look for a silver lining in all things when you are out on the road. Don’t sweat the small stuff. In other words, don’t let yourself blow your top when someone cuts you off. The unexpected is going to happen when you are out for long periods during your first year: DOT checks, breakdowns, traffic jams, and bad weather.  Just keep in mind that everything that happens to you is a learning experience, and the more you advance, the more you will be prepared for in the future.

YOU WILL REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NEVER REALLY ALONE

Many first-year drivers aren’t prepared for how much their every move is monitored. Someone is always watching you. The Department of Transportation and law enforcement will be keeping an eye on you while you are on the road, and your employer will probably be keeping track of your speed, RPM, location, idle time, and sleep time. You are under a great deal of scrutiny, but you get used to it, and you may even come to appreciate that you aren’t entirely alone out there.

YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT IT GETS BETTER!

Everything gets easier after the first year. You will have a better understanding of how your truck works, how to navigate tricky areas, and you will have adjusted to the lifestyle. Just keep in mind that after you get through the trials and tribulations of the first year, you will find yourself in a very profitable career.

At J&M Tank Lines, we hire drivers with 18 months of experience, and we offer more benefits and more home time than many other trucking companies. We know that your first year out there is challenging, but it gets better, especially if you become a member of our trucking family.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE J&M TANKLINES FAMILY

J&M Tank Lines has been a leader in transportation for 70 years in the Southeast with terminals in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, South Carolina, and Texas. We provide high-caliber truck driving solutions locally and nationally and partner with SmartWay, American Trucking Association (ATA) and many more! Contact us or call us at 205-798-9988 to learn more today.

Are you one of the millions of people in the U.S. who are either underemployed or can’t find a job at all? A lot of people think there is a shortage of good paying jobs in America, and you probably hear a lot about the unemployment rate.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that there is a shortage of truck drivers with a good record. The transportation industry is rapidly growing, as are its need for reliable drivers. You may be considering becoming a truck driver, and if you are, you may be wondering if you can make good money driving a truck?

CAN YOU MAKE GOOD MONEY DRIVING A TRUCK?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truckers earn a median annual wage of $43,680, which is more than the median wage for all jobs, and the top 10% of truck drivers make more than $60,000 per year. You may not make a lot when you start out, but after you get that first year or so of driving under your belt, you will have the experience you need to make a dependable living as a truck driver.

Some companies pay more than others, and trucking companies that pay the best want the best drivers. It’s like any other job; if you’re going to advance and make more money, you have to get more experience and have a good work record. Once you gain enough mileage, the right credentials, and if you keep a clean driving record, truck driving can be a very lucrative career path.

The main struggle for most truck drivers is finding the right company to drive for. A lot of companies treat their drivers like they are just numbers. These companies don’t pay very well and often don’t offer any benefits. The goal for most drivers after their first year or so is to find a company that will allow them to earn a good income and to have a life that isn’t entirely over the road.

J&M OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A GOOD PAYCHECK.

Drivers at J&M can earn up to make $80,000 a year. We also offer benefits that many trucking companies don’t: health and dental insurance, 401(k), paid vacations, holidays, and bonuses for performance, referrals, and clean inspections.

We also have a minimum guarantee so that if anything happens to cause a slowdown, our drivers still get a paycheck. For instance, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 when Houston flooded, a lot of drivers were stuck and not making any money, but our drivers were still getting paid. Our guaranteed weekly minimum acts as a safety net, and it offers consistency that many truck drivers for other companies don’t have.

The main benefit that attracts drivers to our company is more home time. Truck drivers at other companies, especially long-haul drivers, can expect to be out for weeks on end with only a five-day break. At J&M, even our long-haul drivers are only spending a maximum of five days at a time over the road, regional drivers are typically on the road for 2-3 nights a week, and our local drivers are home almost every night.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR: BASIC DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS

There are no endorsements required to drive for J&M, but you must have at least 18 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience, and you must be at least 25-years of age. We have a great team of driver trainers who provide intense hands-on training to help drivers transition into hauling pneumatic tanks.

J&M strives to make sure its drivers make a good paycheck while still getting to spend quality time with their families. It may take a little bit of time and a small investment to get there, but once you do, you can definitely make a great living driving a truck, especially if you drive for J&M Tank Lines.

Learn more about how to become part of the J&M Tank Lines family

J&M Tank Lines has been a leader in transportation for 70 years in the Southeast with terminals in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, South Carolina, and Texas. We provide high-caliber truck driving solutions locally and nationally and partner with SmartWay, American Trucking Association (ATA) and many more! Contact us or call us at 205-798-9988 to learn more today.