The Logistics of Logistics The Overlooked Advantage in Trucking with Blake Grolmus
Blake Grolmus and Joe Lynch discuss the overlooked advantage in trucking. Blake serves as the Vice President of Safety for Ruan Transportation Management Systems, a family-owned dedicated logistics provider since 1932.
About Blake GrolmusBlake Grolmus serves as the Vice President of Safety for Ruan Transportation Management Systems. Blake joined Ruan in 2017, leading the company's new customer onboarding and continuous improvement activities before taking a leadership role in Ruan's Gases and Chemicals bulk hazmat operating group. He assumed his current role leading Ruan's safety and compliance teams in 2022. Prior to Ruan, Blake worked in various progressive supply chain roles at Target and grew up in a small business family. Blake was raised in Williamsburg, Iowa and earned his undergraduate degrees in Finance, Real Estate, and Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa. Blake is a member of the American Trucking Associations' Safety Policy Committee and serves on the Board of Directors and the LEAD Council for the Iowa Motor Truck Association. Blake is also a member of his local city council and volunteers time with outdoor conservation and youth sports organizations.
About Ruan TransportationRuan provides Dedicated Contract Transportation, Managed Transportation, Value-Added Warehousing, and Brokerage Support Services to customers across the U.S. Ruan's Integrated Supply Chain Solutions services encompass all aspects of transportation and logistics, providing our customers the ideal combination of asset- and non-asset-based solutions that get your products from point A to point B safely and efficiently. With more than 90 years of transportation management experience, Ruan is one of the top 10 privately owned transportation companies in the country with 300 operations and 5,000 team members.
Key Takeaways: The Overlooked Advantage in Trucking- Blake Grolmus serves as the Vice President of Safety for Ruan Transportation Management Systems, a family-owned dedicated logistics provider since 1932.
- In the podcast interview, Blake and Joe discuss the overlooked advantage in trucking, which is safety.
- Ruan was the first transportation company to implement a formal safety program in the 1940s.
- Ruan's Megasafe Safety Program is their overarching, comprehensive safety structure.
- The company ensures team members have the safest equipment, ongoing training, and guidance from Ruan's proprietary Megasafe7 Rules of Safe Driving.
- Ruan has deployed Lytx Driver Safety Program across its fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles.
- The company has an ongoing commitment to quality and process improvement.
- Ruan provides 24/7 customer care from one full-service transportation company.
- Ruan has over 5,000 team members, including 4,000 truck drivers.
- The company has 1.5 million square feet of dedicated warehousing space.
- Ruan is a family-owned transportation management company, providing Dedicated Contract Transportation, Managed Transportation, and Value-added Warehousing. Their Integrated Supply Chain Solutions combine Ruan's non-asset and asset-based capabilities with optimal technology.
- Ruan Transportation Management System includes:
- Dedicated Contract Transportation – With Ruan's Dedicated Contract Transportation, shippers gain a transportation solution that functions as an extension of their supply chain. The tractors and trailers are often branded with the customer's company logo and image. Driver uniforms also reflect the customer's brand.
- Managed Transportation – Ruan's provides a customized third-party logistics solutions that includes mode selection, carrier management, network optimization, certified brokerage services, and more.
- Value-Added Warehousing – Ruan offers dedicated, Value-Added Warehousing services that combines the best warehouse management system (WMS) and experienced professionals to create the best experience for their customers. Ruan offers the region's most versatile warehouse space and customized solutions tailored to their customers' requirements.
- Integrated Supply Chain Solutions – Ruan offers an integrated supply chain solution that is customized to the customer's specific needs. The solution may include a combination of the following services: freight brokerage, dedicated fleets, warehousing services, and contract logistics agreements.
Successful Bulk Food Transport with Chris Fish
The Basics of Dedicated Contract Carriage with Bob Elkins
Technology Alone Won't Integrate Your Supply Chain with Paul Jensen
Transportation vs Logistics with Marty Wadle
The Driver's Perspective with Dean Key
The Ruan Story with Ben McLean
Ruan Takes Home Seven Awards at ATA's National Truck Safety and Industrial Safety Contests
Episode Sponsor: TMSA The Logistics of Logistics Podcast