Cristy Sinclair, the first-ever Penske Logistics director of food safety, has been recognized as a 2022 Rock Star of the Supply Chain by Food Logistics magazine. The honor recognizes influential individuals whose achievements, hard work and vision have helped shape the cold food supply chain.

Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, stated: “Within the last 18 months or so, the cold food chain has seen a lot of rock stars rise to the occasion. These rock stars developed platforms, integrated automation and led teams through disruption after disruption.”

“I am truly humbled to be a recipient of this Food Logistics award,” Sinclair said. “I appreciate the support that Penske Logistics has provided in our efforts to deliver the best food safety services possible to our customers.”

Since joining Penske in 2016, she has constructed a comprehensive food safety program that supports the organization’s warehousing and dedicated contract carriage product lines.

Sinclair oversaw the first-time implementation of all applicable elements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Sinclair also spearheaded the company through a Certified Cold Carrier certification with the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA).

What are her ABCs of a strong food safety culture?

Sinclair: “The intricacies of food safety can be somewhat of a newer concept for supply chain operations, and depending on the product profiles, can be very complex. Being successful is all about the culture one builds, and the engagement you have from employees.”

Sinclair believes that it extends past crafting a great program on paper; it delves into teaching operations leaders to comprehend how food safety is applicable in the supply chain, and how to be proactive. She firmly believes that there needs to be continued leader knowledge development, and to illustrate how to convey that to associates at all levels, partially by making it relatable to their daily lives.

A few of her keys:

• Employee awareness: this comes via a strong understanding, gained through training.
• Sanitation conditions/clean and operational facilities with good protocols.
• The implementation of effective policies and procedures.

Penske Logistics vice president Aaron Henderson: “Cristy is very passionate about food safety. this is part of her DNA and culture, both professionally and personally, with the end goal of protecting lives by providing a safe supply chain for our food sector commodity customers. She takes the time to educate team members both internally and externally, at all levels within the organization. In short time she has developed a best-in-class food safety program at Penske.”

An example of how Sinclair practices what she preaches: While at a friend’s family barbeque, she had observed that the person grilling the meat was reusing the same plate that the raw meat was on, to handle the cooked finished product. She changed the griller’s future safety practices, by reminding him that a new plate was needed to store the finished cooked meat.

“Congratulations to Cristy for receiving this honor from Food Logistics magazine,” said Marc Althen, president, Penske Logistics. “During the pandemic, Cristy’s hard work and dedication have been instrumental in guiding our customers through the myriad enhanced safety protocols that were needed to serve the general public effectively. Her extensive knowledge of food safety has been a valuable asset to our company.”

By “Move Ahead” Staff

Penske Logistics professional truck driver PJ Singh was named a member of the prestigious 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations (ATA) America’s Road Team. Singh is the fourth ATA Road Team Captain in the company’s history. Based in Stockton, California, he services regional food and beverage accounts.

“I feel fantastic, and this is a very big achievement for me,” Singh stated, when reached by cell phone on Wednesday morning. “The selection process was very tough.”

That process has taken him to both Virginia and Washington, D.C. The group visited the White House on Sunday. Singh and the other new team members participated in an induction ceremony this morning. Later today, there is a photo shoot, training and a jacket ceremony. Tomorrow, they will be in Capitol Hill.

For the next two years, Singh and the 21 other drivers will represent their organizations by attending industry events, speaking at schools, and meeting policymakers, while maintaining full-time status with their respective companies.

Penske Logistics professional truck driver PJ Singh was named a member of the 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations America's Road Team. Image courtesy of ATA

The drivers were judged on their ability to express their knowledge of the industry, their skills in effective communication about safety and transportation, and their overall safe-driving record. The panel of judges included trucking executives and trade press.

This year’s class includes drivers from 13 companies, 17 states and drivers with more than 564 years of experience and 45,774,455 miles of accident-free driving, according to the ATA.

Singh himself has accumulated more than 1.5 million accident-free miles across nearly 21 years of being on the road as a driver. One key piece of advice that he has for his fellow drivers: Take your time and always be aware of your surroundings. He is a Smith System trainer for Penske.

“These Captains have dedicated their lives to spreading the message of safe driving,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA executive vice president of industry affairs. “They are leaders in their communities, role models in their companies, and are dedicated to and passionate about the industry.”

During his time as a Road Team Captain, Singh has a few goals. He will advocate for tougher standards to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL), more training for professional truck drivers, and for scholastic schools to place a stronger emphasis on truck driving as a career, and for it to gain more visibility alongside other vocational careers.

Jeff Jackson, Penske Logistics executive vice president dedicated contract carriage: “A hearty congratulations to PJ for becoming our next ATA Road Team Captain. I am proud of him, and I know he will represent Penske Logistics well during his tenure.”

By Alen Beljin

Penske Logistics was recently recognized with a North America Supplier award from Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. As a leading provider of dedicated transportation to Novelis North America, Penske is an essential component of its closed-loop aluminum supply chain serving top automakers.

The Novelis North America Supplier award was given to Penske Logistics for demonstrating an outstanding performance in overall logistics while receiving the best score from Novelis' key carriers throughout North America in 2020. This is Penske's second time receiving the North America Supplier award, accepting its first in 2019.

Penske Logistics executives receiving Supplier Excellence Award from Novelis

"Delivering performance and innovation is guided by a deep sense of responsibility at Penske," explained Jeff Jackson, executive vice president of operations for Penske Logistics. "With Novelis, we are committed to providing quality, reliability and a true partnership which resonates through the North America Supplier award."

Penske's dedicated trucking operation utilizes Novelis' closed loop recycling system and shuttles aluminum coils from Oswego, New York, to automotive stamping plants in Michigan. The aluminum scrap from the stamping process is then transported back to Oswego to be recycled and formed into new coils. This process runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – with a loaded Penske truck heading out on the road every 40 minutes.

"We are inspired by the work and passion Novelis has for a circular economy and are grateful to partner with them and receive the North American Supplier award for the second time," said Marc Althen, president of Penske Logistics. "Leading our success is our dedicated team of safe, professional drivers and well-trained staff. I would like to send my appreciation to that team for their focus and commitment to the network's infrastructure and procedures."

Novelis joins technology and strength innovation in the automotive industry. Due to fuel efficiency requirements, light weighting demands and the evolving mobility ecosystem, automakers enlist Novelis aluminum for sustainable solutions that enable the next generation of vehicles.

"At Novelis, our purpose is shaping a sustainable world together, and our supplier award winners demonstrate that commitment every day," said Tom Boney, executive vice president and president, Novelis North America. "We congratulate Penske Logistics on this accomplishment and look forward to an even more successful partnership in the years to come."

Novelis selects suppliers across 10 award categories each year that support its 16 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

Penske Logistics provides dedicated contract carriage services through its expansive network in North America with safe, professional drivers, and a modern truck fleet integrated with advanced safety systems, transportation management and real-time freight tracking systems. Penske Logistics handles deliveries for a variety of leading companies in industries including automotive, CPG, food, grocery, beverage, manufacturing, quick-service restaurants, healthcare, and convenience store chains among them. Penske is currently hiring truck drivers nationwide. Visit https://driver.penske.jobs/ for available positions.

By Tana Korpics

Penske Logistics is proud to recognize and welcome 22 drivers into its 2020 and 2021 Diamond Classes, the highest level of safety recognition at the company. The inductees have achieved 20 consecutive years of preventable incident- and injury-free driving, an accomplishment that less than 1 percent of Penske drivers achieve.

To recognize the 2020 and 2021 Diamond Classes, the drivers – along with their families and supervisors – were recently invited to a recognition ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments at the Penske headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The two-day event included tours of Penske's 24/7 Roadside Assistance Center and Connected Fleet hub, and a photo opportunity with Penske Logistics President Marc Althen at the Driver Wall of Fame.

Penske Logistics Driver Wall of Fame inductee Zeke Carmona, a professional truck driver, on the left, poses with Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president, at the Diamond Class display at company headquarters.

The honor is part of Penske Logistics' Premier Driver Recognition Program, established to recognize the company's elite professional truck drivers and celebrate their safety milestones. In addition to the Diamond Class, the recognition program honors drivers with 15, 10 and five years of incident- and injury-free driving: Platinum, Silver and Gold Class drivers. Those drivers were also recognized this year for their accomplishments.

Members of the Diamond Class have their name inscribed on the Driver Wall Hall of Fame that is on display at the company's global headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The Penske Logistics 2020 Driver Wall of Fame inductees include:

• Perry Bastian, Pennsylvania
• Kevin Baty, Michigan
• Esequiel Carmona, Texas
• Saturnino Garcia, California
• Gabriel Gurrola, Texas
• Ronald Hayduke, Tennessee
• David Hertzberg, Michigan
• Randolph Jezewski, Michigan
• Joseph Kilgo, Ohio
• Ricky Kiper, Kansas
• Robert Morgan, Maryland
• Robert Morris, Ohio
• James Reda, Michigan
• Donald Reinert, Michigan
• Gregory Sabo, Michigan
• Chris Secord, Ontario
• Roland Simpson, Michigan
• Mark Willoughby, Michigan

The Penske Logistics 2021 Driver Wall of Fame inductees include:

• Shawn Daly, Michigan
• Michael Ebenhoeh, Michigan
• Jeffrey Farley, Michigan
• Richard Mulherin, Michigan

Penske Logistics typically celebrates and inducts one class a year. Leadership decided to recognize both the 2020 and 2021 Diamond Classes this year as the 2020 induction ceremony was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several drivers took the opportunity to take photos next to their name on the Driver Wall of Fame and send photos of the inscriptions of their coworker's names who have previously been inducted into the Diamond Class.

"I'm the last Hayduke, so it's really a special moment to see my name on the wall and know it's there forever," Ronald Hayduke said.

"It's great to be here with my fellow drivers who have also become some of my best friends," Greg Sabo said after posing for group photos with his coworkers from Michigan.

After a day at headquarters, the drivers and their families joined company leadership for dinner and a recognition ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. To further celebrate the Diamond Classes, drivers received personalized watches and custom-fitted blazers – which they wore that evening and for a group photo.

Penske Logistics Driver Wall of Fame inductee Roland Simpson (center), a professional truck driver, poses at the driver recognition ceremony. On the left is Marc Althen, Penske Logistics president, and on the right is Aaron Henderson, vice president.

"Penske is the best of the best, and I am proud to be a part of that. It's a great honor," Robert Morgan shared during photos.

During the recognition ceremony, each honoree was called onto the stage to receive their award and pose for a photo with Althen and vice president Aaron Henderson. Jeff Jackson, executive vice president of operations dedicated contract carriage for Penske Logistics, shared short narratives about each driver, and several credited the Smith System – a five-point principal system to encourage and increase safe driving – for keeping themselves and others on the road safe.

While 20 years of safe driving is an incredible feat that is worth celebrating, this year's event held even more meaning.

The Penske Logistics Driver Wall of Fame display is located at company headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.

"The role of professional truck drivers has never been more vital," Althen said during the evening's program. "As we have navigated the pandemic together, it has been dedicated professional truck drivers who've made it possible for much-needed medical supplies to reach hospitals and food to our tables."

The crowd, which included members of Penske leadership, drivers and their loved ones, and other Penske associates, took a moment to applaud the drivers for their tireless work over the past year and a half.

"Each driver in our Premier Driver Recognition Program has a deep dedication to safety and professionalism," said Jackson. "Penske Logistics is proud to celebrate our professional truck drivers for their hard work and dedication to one of the world's most demanding and important professions. We thank them for keeping our company moving and for serving our customers, especially in such unprecedented times."

By Hope Reginella

In the top image, members of the combined 2020 and 2021 Penske Logistics Driver Wall of Fame inductees posed for a photo. Front row from left: Saturnino Garcia, Zeke Carmona, Roland Simpson, Joe Kilgo, Ron Hayduke, Rick Kiper, Richard Mulherin and Shawn Daly. Second row: Gabe Gurrola, Randy Jezewski, Robert Morgan, Chris Secord, Mark Willoughby, Donald Reinert, Greg Sabo and Mike Ebenhoeh. Not pictured: Perry Bastian, Kevin Baty, Jeffrey Farley, David Hertzberg, Robert Morris and James Reda.

A pair of Penske Logistics professional truck drivers are finalists for the 2022-2023 American Trucking Associations (ATA) America's Road Team. PJ Singh and Scott Wood are among the 36 finalists announced this week by the ATA. Singh and Wood have a combined 50 years of industry-leading safe driving experience.

The Penske associates will travel to Virginia in mid-January, where the next group of captains will be selected.

Singh and Wood could potentially become the fourth and fifth ATA Road Team Captains in Penske Logistics history, joining Jim Clark, Earl Taylor and Neil Kirk.

ATA Road Team Captains attend industry events, speak at schools and meet policymakers, while maintaining full-time status with their respective companies.

"These men and women were selected as finalists for America's Road Team because they have outstanding safe driving records, share a passion for the trucking industry and are role models among their peers," said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, in a news release. "We owe these professional drivers our gratitude, without them the American economy would come to a halt."

Singh, who is based in Stockton, California, services regional food and beverage accounts. Wood delivers medical supplies in the Southeastern U.S. and is domiciled in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

As part of the submission process, each of the Penske associates were required to submit a short video, which included reasons as to why each would be an ideal Road Team Captain.

Singh felt he would be an excellent fit because of his safe driving record over the last nearly two dozen years, and his ability to effectively teach the Smith System as a trainer.

Wood pointed out that he is a great example of safety in the industry and can convey the importance of trucking in the economy.

Jeff Jackson, Penske Logistics executive vice president dedicated contract carriage: "We are extremely proud of PJ and Scott for being chosen as finalists. Our past Road Team Captains have represented us well and their experiences with the ATA have enhanced their ability to serve as Penske brand ambassadors."

By Alen Beljin

Penske Logistics customer Cardinal Health has been employing a pair of Kalmar T2E electric truck yard tractors at its Riverside, California, facility for the last year. The overarching goal is to assess how implementation of electric vehicles can establish more efficient and sustainable operations.

The EV trucks feature Kalmar's latest lithium-ion battery technology and a fully electric powertrain that produces zero emissions at source and have combined to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 79 metric tons, equating to 9.5 homes' energy use for one year (on average). The trucks operate within Cardinal Health's yard and transport a daily average of 120 trailers and ocean containers containing essential medical products and supplies to and from their docking area.

"This electric yard tractor pilot is part of our strategic focus on emerging technologies in transportation and logistics," said Katie Blohm, director of logistics at Cardinal Health. "We are committed to exploring, testing and learning how we can apply new capabilities within our supply chain to drive efficiencies and sustainability, reduce costs, and improve service and reliability for our customers and their patients."

The Cardinal Health Riverside facility houses two EV charging stations to help ensure ongoing usability of the trucks during its 24/7 operations. The location serves as a replenishment center for their western U.S. forward medical distribution center locations and large high-volume customers.

"This is the latest development in an ongoing collaborative effort to bring continuous innovation to Cardinal Health," explained Marc Althen, president of Penske Logistics. "We work to ensure that customers like Cardinal Health can achieve greater efficiencies through sustainable technology opportunities."

Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of performance and data solutions for healthcare facilities.

This project was supported by the California Climate Investments (CCI) program and the California Air Resources Board CORE program.

By "Move Ahead" Staff