Miller Truck Lines – Providing World Class Transportation Services

STROUD, OK… Miller Truck Lines was founded in 1983 by James and Bonnie Miller, who purchased three used Freightliners to haul for the Kroger Foods grocery store chain. Today the company has grown to over 400 trucks and is still family owned and operated by the Millers and their 3 sons, Jim, Don and Bobby.

Miller Truck Lines’ success and growth can be attributed to two key components: treating their drivers and employees well and diversifying their operations. James, Jim, Don and Bobby all have current CDLs and have driven over-the-road for the company at some point in their careers. This has given the Millers a deep respect and understanding of what Professional Truck Drivers must deal with on a daily basis. The respect the Millers have for their drivers allows the company to enjoy a driver turnover rate that is well below industry averages. Professional Truck Drivers like working for Miller Truck Lines. Although grocery hauling provides steady work, even when the economy slows, the Millers realized that by diversifying their services they could develop a broader customer base, providing additional freight for their drivers, especially when times get tough.

The company has evolved to operate dry vans, reefers, flatbeds, tankers, pneumatics and even some roll-offs. The fleet is comprised of about half company equipment and half independent contractors. Miller Truck Lines specializes in JIT (Just In Time) supply chain logistics in addition to truckload, dedicated and general hauling. They even operate their own regional wrecker fleet, including a full service shop and fueling services for their own fleet, as well as their contractor’s convenience. A diverse offering of freight means steady work for Miller Truck Lines drivers. The refrigerated division concentrates on frozen goods and produce while the dry van division hauls manufactured products, beverages and beverage containers. Both divisions are, for the most part, repetitive runs. On the flatbed side, Miller hauls steel, lumber and industrial air conditioners on irregular routes. There are also some stepdecks used for specialized hauling. Miller’s tanker division hauls asphalt and oil with other bulk commodities in their pneumatic trailers. A testament to their diversity; Miller Truck Lines once hauled a load of sharks from Las Vegas, Nevada to the Tulsa, Oklahoma Aquarium. Flatbed equipment operates in all 48 states and Canada, while refrigerated units run primarily from Oklahoma to points on the East and West Coast. Tankers, pneumatics and roll-offs for the most part, do local work. The flatbed division can hire and lease drives in all 48 states and refrigerated and dry van drivers within Miller’s service area. Pneumatic, tanker and roll-off drivers should be located near the Stroud or Tulsa areas. The company keeps all of their drivers loaded both ways and running.

It takes a total team effort to keep the wheels turning at Miller Truck Lines. First the recruiters make sure that the company is a good fit for the driver in regards to where they live and what kind of work they want to do. Then the dispatchers insure that drivers and contractors are kept loaded and moving, both outbound and inbound. The most important link in the chain is the drivers themselves. They insure that freight is delivered on time and help foster good relationships with shippers so that Miller can provide superior service at a premium rate.

With their continued growth, Miller Truck Lines is able to offer opportunities for company drivers and independent contractors. The company has recently introduced a new pay plan in the refrigerated division that works off of a mileage based pay, plus incentives and bonuses. Miller also pays for all lumper services. The flatbed division has consistent freight on a percentage pay basis that also offers bonuses and incentives. Miller Truck Lines is 100% E:Log compliant, but the company provides all the log equipment and training to their drivers and contractors. Independent Contractors receive 100% of the fuel surcharge and are welcome to take advantage of fuel discounts available at truckstops and travel plazas across the country. Miller also has negotiated discounted insurance plans for their contractors and will pay for plates and permits, providing the truck owner hauls the minimum required amount of loads.

The Miller family is very proud of their drivers and employees. Through their combined efforts, Miller Truck Lines is able to enjoy low CSA scores, while also creating a safer working environment for the drivers. The company continues to take a conservative approach to their operations, which enables steady, controlled growth, year after year. Because each driver has a personal preference of which truck the like to driver, Miller Truck Lines’ fleet is a mix of well maintained Freightliner, Peterbilt and Kenworth tractors. The company strives to give drivers a choice of which tractor they would like to drive. Newer equipment is assigned to regional and long haul work and older equipment is used for local hauls.

If you are interested in a career at Miller Truck Lines, they require 2 years of OTR experience, a good driving record and low CSA scores. Learn more by logging onto www.millertrucklines.com or phone 918.447.2103. You can also apply online to Miller Truck Lines by logging onto www.movinout.com and accessing the Online Recruiting App.

Captions:

Bonnie and James Miller

Jim (Jimmy), Don (Tiger) and Bobby Miller