Back It Up: July 2024 Market Report
From the intrusion detection systems to regulatory challenges our June transportation market update.
From the intrusion detection systems to regulatory challenges our June transportation market update.
When disaster strikes, swift and effective logistics can make all the difference in delivering critical aid to communities in need. PGT Services — a trusted leader in transportation and logistics solutions — recently demonstrated our commitment to disaster relief efforts in collaboration with Home Depot following Hurricane Beryl.
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Home Depot urgently mobilized resources to provide immediate assistance to affected areas. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Home Depot turned to PGT Services for our expertise in transportation logistics. PGT Services was tasked with managing the transportation of building materials — critical materials needed for disaster recovery efforts.
Upon receiving the call for assistance, we sprang into action. With dedication to delivering high-level service and operational excellence, our team went above and beyond, working into the night to coordinate the movement of 34 truckloads destined for Houston. This tireless effort ensured that crucial supplies reached communities promptly, despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl.
Recognized as Home Depot’s Flatbed Broker of the Year for three consecutive years, we are committed to consistently deliver exceptional results in managing complex supply chains and meeting critical transportation needs.
Beyond immediate relief efforts, both PGT Services and Home Depot remain committed to supporting communities throughout the entire disaster recovery process. Home Depot’s stores often serve as command centers for first responders and relief agencies, while PGT Services continues to innovate and adapt our logistics solutions to ensure the timely delivery of essential goods.
In times of crisis, the collaboration between PGT Services and Home Depot stands as a testament to the power of effective partnerships and operational excellence. By leveraging logistical expertise and dedication to service, PGT Services and Home Depot continue to make a meaningful impact in disaster-affected communities, helping them rebuild and recover stronger than before.
As natural disasters continue to impact communities worldwide, the role of proactive and dedicated companies becomes increasingly vital in providing crucial support and aid where it is needed most. We are proud to continue our disaster relief efforts in partnership with Home Depot.
Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the transportation industry? At PGT Services, our Carrier Solutions Representatives (CSRs) are at the heart of our operations, ensuring seamless coordination and communication between carriers and customers. Brennan Neidhardt, a dedicated CSR, shares his experience and insights into what makes this role at PGT Services exciting and fulfilling.
A: A typical day involves booking and facilitating the loads given to us by our customers. This includes taking inbound phone calls and making outbound calls to find carriers that are suitable to haul our freight and will follow the protocol of the load as scheduled.
Once a carrier has proven they are reliable, upselling them on future shipments is key to building relationships for the future. Often, the freight we get is repeated weekly, or sometimes daily. Working with the same carriers who have proven they are reliable is key to our success and makes all parties involved lives easier. Finding out how many trucks they have, and what lanes they run most frequently is a good way to start the process. Carrier’s appreciate this greatly. In turn, it makes the process of finding a carrier to run a certain load, easy to do as we have built these relationships.
A: Although I personally do not speak directly with the customers, I act as the middleman between the carrier hauling our customers’ freight. If any issues arise during transit, it is my responsibility to bring that information to the account manager who will in turn inform the customer. From there, all parties involved work diligently to find a resolution to get the load picked up and delivered in a timely fashion. It is vital that CSR’s follow all of the customers’ requests and instructions for each load as they are entrusting us with their freight.
A: The biggest challenges that arise in this position are often uncontrollable. Although this can be frustrating, it is where problem solving skills are put to the test.
Problems can involve a lack of communication between the carrier and us or most commonly, truck breakdowns. It is important that all options are explored to resolve the issue. Not only this but advising the account manager/supervisor about these things is a must so that everyone is on the same page.
A: The culture at PGT is a team first mentality. From the top down, everyone’s role is crucial to the success of the business. Each role cannot flourish and succeed without the help of other departments. We strive to service our customers day in and day out with on time deliveries and safe transport.
A: CSR’s work very closely with the account managers. They are in charge of obtaining the loads from the customer. From there it is the capacity room’s job to find a carrier who can agree to our customers’ terms and safely haul the shipment. Communication between the two rooms is necessary to ensure the sound transport for every individual load.
The sales team does a great job in growing our customer clientele so that CSR’s constantly have freight to move for the customers they are bringing in the door.
A: I would love to one day operate my own business, maybe even oversee some trucks of my own. In general, seeing how our office operates is a great indicator of how successful we are, and shows me how an office should be run. Again, I cannot stress enough how vital communication is in our day-to-day. Being able to effectively communicate between colleagues and carriers has been a huge lesson that I will use for the rest of my professional career.
A: PGT supports this immensely. Once you are on the team, they want nothing more than to make the individual the best they can be and get the most out of them. Although you might not get praise every day, it is seen by upper management. They do a great job in seeing your strengths and weaknesses and putting you in a position to succeed. Even creating positions for individuals who exceed in a niche part of the business!
A: Personally, I have become a lot more confident in my communication skills and problem-solving abilities. I have learned more about the transportation industry in the last year and a quarter than I thought I ever would. There are plenty of things to learn in the industry and our day-to-day work increases my knowledge further every day. Being in the office every day has gotten me to stick to a routine Monday-Friday which I also enjoy.
A: I love the fast paced environment that the role of a CSR brings. The constant communication between my colleagues and carriers makes for a seamless transition from pickup to delivery. Seeing a load through from pick-up to delivery and pleasing our customers is very satisfying and keeps myself and the team looking forward to their next shipment to continue our excellent service.
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding career as a Carrier Solutions Representative at PGT Services? Our dynamic team, supportive culture, and opportunities for growth make it an excellent place to work. We value collaboration, dedication, and a strong desire to succeed.
From the intrusion detection systems to regulatory challenges our June transportation market update.
The members of the PGT Services team play a vital role in driving both company and customer success. This is why we are fully committed to fostering our employees’ professional growth. Our workforce consists of passionate individuals who actively contribute to the seamless functioning of our processes, ensuring top-notch service delivery. At PGT Services, we ensure that each department is led by highly capable individuals who deliver unparalleled service.
We recently caught up with Gracie Voigt, one of our devoted sales representatives, to discuss the significance of her role at PGT Services. Here’s what she had to say about the future and her journey in the transportation industry.
“I have worked for PGT Services for just under 2 years!”
During Gracie’s time here at PGT Services, she has excelled in three separate roles. Initially starting in marketing, she then expanded into recruiting, and eventually transitioned into sales—her contributions have been invaluable to the company’s success during her brief time here. We can’t wait to see what new heights she’ll reach within the next year!
At PGT Services, we prioritize internal promotion whenever possible. Fostering advancement opportunities within the organization empowers our employees to gain comprehensive insight into all facets of the business, thereby cultivating well-rounded team members.
“My current job description is Sales Rep! Prior to my sales role, I first started out as Manager of Social Media and Marketing, then took over the Recruiting department about a year ago. This is my third role with PGT Services, and I am excited to help grow our network and provide transportation capacity to industrial companies all over North America. In addition to bringing on new business, I also help with sales enablement, CRM management, and helping run our new hire and internship training.”
Gracie has done an amazing job at creating relationships with PGT Services employees and beyond. In such a short amount of time, she has dominated her roles and enthusiastically embraces new challenges. We are truly privileged to have someone like Gracie, whose presence motivates the entire office to strive for greater success!
“The most challenging part of my job is honestly patience. I am a go-getter and I always want to be moving, moving, moving, but sometimes I have to take a step back and let things play out. Sometimes timing isn’t always right, so practicing patience is something I have really strived to work on over the last few years.”
Over the past two years, Gracie has tackled various roles head-on, confronting challenges with determination. Despite the hurdles, she finds the dynamic nature of this industry exhilarating, as each day brings something new. While the work can be unpredictable, it’s this exact element that adds excitement.
“I have always loved creating relationships! During my time in marketing and recruiting I built so many relationships with individuals and organizations in the area that I was excited to take the next step. Any chance I have to form a connection or just network is a great opportunity to help solve a problem a company may be facing. Being able to provide a service that I truly believe in and help out a company tackle a need, is something I truly love doing– while making some friends along the way!”
PGT Services actively supports ongoing growth and internal development by recognizing operational needs and introducing new positions to enhance our overall business operations. Gracie exemplifies how passion and enthusiasm for the industry can lead to long-term relationships and success. Our team is composed of dedicated professionals who consistently deliver excellent service to our customers.
“A fun fact about me is when I am not working at PGT Services talking transportation and logistics you can find me coaching Youth Soccer for Pittsburgh Soccer Shots! (That’ll test my patience lol)”
Gracie has been involved with Soccer Shots for more than a year now, demonstrating her competitive spirit beyond the office! At PGT, we empower our employees to strike a balance between their professional and personal lives, fostering both success and a well-rounded lifestyle.
“I’ve learned a lot in this industry, and one of the biggest lessons is to not take everything too seriously. Being genuine really makes a difference. I truly believe in the service I provide, which makes my job easier and more enjoyable!”
From the freight market stabilization to cargo thefts, explore our May transportation market update.
From the noncompete ban to Baltimore bridge cleanup efforts, explore our April transportation market update.
The people who form the PGT Services team are crucial for our company and customer success. That is why we are committed to supporting our employees in their career development. Our workforce is made up of a team of dedicated individuals who are actively involved in ensuring smooth operation of processes with the best possible service. We strive to deliver a positive experience for both our carrier and our customers, especially with the dedicated team we have put in place. PGT Services ensures that we have the most capable individuals managing each department with unmatched service.
We recently caught up with Lauren Akran, one of our dedicated Carrier Solutions Reps, about the importance of her role at PGT Services. Here’s what she shared about the future and her experience in the transportation industry.
“I have worked for PGT Services a little over a year, and originally came from the insurance Industry!”
During Lauren’s time here at PGT Services she has helped develop our carrier relationships and dedicated capacity network. Just one year ago she started her career here as a Carrier Capacity Representative and has already contributed so much to the success of the company– we are so excited to see where she will be in the next year!
“My day-to-day role as a Carrier Solutions Representative has many moving parts. Simply put, my job is to build relationships with carriers to successfully transport our company’s freight across the country!”
Lauren has done an amazing job at creating relationships with her dedicated drivers that resemble friendships. She even had a driver stop in last month just to say hello and meet the team in person. She has fun with her job everyday and truly feels like this industry is where she belongs!
“The most challenging part of my job is adjusting to the ever-changing market conditions and understanding exactly what that means for the drivers/customers/us.”
Although there are challenges, this role is so exciting because every day is so different! This line of work can be unpredictable at times, but that’s what makes it exciting! Sometimes things may go off track during the day, but overcoming those challenges with the team makes it all worthwhile.
“My favorite part of my job is the dynamic nature of every day. I really enjoy that each day brings new experiences as I interact with different carriers and stay connected with those I work with regularly.”
Learning about different drivers’ backgrounds, families, experiences, and stories is one of the most rewarding and wholesome parts of the job. For 8 hours a day our Carrier Solutions Reps get to know these individuals on a personal level, build trust, and grow the dedicated network of PGT Services.
Although the industry is crazy at times, we are working diligently every day to deliver the best service to our carriers and customers. Lauren said it best, “I truly love my job and am grateful for the carriers I’ve worked with. I’m also excited about the opportunity to work with new ones.”
PGT Services encourages ongoing growth and internal development by recognizing operational needs and introducing new positions to improve our business operations. Our team, composed of dedicated professionals, consistently delivers excellent service to our customers.
From the Port of Baltimore cargo ship crash to the red sea decline, explore our March transportation market update.
The team at PGT Services is vital to our company’s success, and we’re committed to supporting their career development. Our workforce comprises dedicated individuals who ensure smooth operations and top-notch service. We aim for a positive experience for both our carriers and customers, especially in specialized project freight. Managing complex projects is challenging, but PGT Services ensures capable individuals handle it with unmatched service.
We recently caught up with Abby Peduzzi, our Capacity Supervisor, about the importance of her role at PGT Services. Here’s what she shared about the future and her experience in the transportation industry.
How long have you worked for PGT Services?
“I have worked at PGT Services since November 2021 for just under 2 and a half years. Before working at PGT, I was a waitress.” During Abby’s time here at PGT Services she has helped drastically develop our capacity team. She started her career here as a Carrier Capacity Representative, then transitioned to a Carrier Capacity Advisor. Now Abby works as a Capacity Supervisor where she is a resource to her peers for any questions.
At PGT Services, we promote from within whenever possible. Encouraging internal advancement across the organization enables our employees to understand every aspect of the business, making them well-rounded team members.
What is your current job description:
“In my position, I am a capacity supervisor. My day-to-day operations include supervising a small team of capacity representatives. I also field phone calls, and form relationships with trucking assets.”
Abby recently accomplished a huge milestone of moving 10,000 truck loads with PGT Services. She executed on this and developed her success over the last 2 and a half years. This is a tall task and we are honored to have someone like Abby who is now helping train our new hires, a wonderful role model to have in the office!
What is the most challenging part of your job:
“The most challenging part of my job is working through issues at times that are out of my control.”
This industry can be unpredictable, but that’s what adds excitement and enjoyment to it! There are moments in the day when everything seems to go off-track, yet overcoming these hurdles with the team makes it all worthwhile.
Your favorite part of your job:
“My favorite part is the satisfaction and hard work that comes out of a productive day. I really enjoy the culture PGT provides.”
Abby said it best herself, “this industry will always keep you on your toes, due to its dynamic environment.” Her commitment to excellence and ongoing development exemplifies the values embraced by PGT Services. We are proud of Abby for her recent accomplishments of moving 10,000 loads, and we can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!
PGT Services supports ongoing growth and internal development by recognizing operational needs and introducing new positions to enhance our overall business operations. Our team is made up of dedicated professionals who consistently deliver excellent service to our customers.