04-19-84 Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting

Browse Search

• r'_..3 Miller Transporters Continues Its Success Through Solid Operations WHILE there has been much discussion in the tank truck industry about sales and marketing the past few years, the industry remains operations intensive. Talking does not move bulk commodities; trucks and trailers do. Efficiently and safe- ly moving product keeps old cus- tomers and leads to new ones. One company whose top manage- ment has always been, and continues to be, strongly operations-oriented is Miller Transporters, Jackson, Missi- ssippi. While the economy and lower rates have forced belt tightenings, company president Scott Miller has allowed no tampering with his com- pany's traditional exacting equip- ment specifications and aggressive safety training and maintenance programs. Of course, Miller Transporters has made many other moves to keep it one of the country's leading tank truck company revenue producers. Computers have been part of the company since 1961. A new com- puter room is under construction for Miller's Sperry Univac 90/40 system. Thirty-five on-line terminals are us- ed for everything from inventory control to matching equipment for backhauls to communications be- tween headquarters and Miller's 22 trucking terminals located throughout the Deep South. Working with consultants Ernst & Whinney, Miller's computer team developed a computerized costing package at the end of last year. The new program will help Miller's management keep even tighter con- trol of their costs. Also, with the con- tinuing rate competition, the pro- gram will tell them what rates should be to make some profit on each move. Scott Miller observes it would be better for the industry if other carriers had a better under- standing of what their real costs are. Sales and marketing efforts have also increased as Miller uses its large fleet to expand its service area. Late last year, George Fillingame joined Miller as regional sales manager in the East after 35 years on the other side of the desk with E I DuPont deNemours. All of top management is logging more air miles as it ex- plains, Miller Transporters' service capabilities. Strong Operations At the heart of those capabilities is Miller's large, diversified fleet of tractors and tank and bulk trailers. The size and range of the fleet, the maintenance effort that keeps it in top shape, and the steps taken to en- sure it is safely operated give Miller personnel a solid operations story to tell in their presentations. At the end of last year, Miller had nearly 600 tractors and over 800 trailers. Operating out of terminals A commitment to strong operations practices made Miller Transporters Inc, Jackson MS, one of the nation's largest bulk carriers. Em• phasis on operational efficiency continues while the company makes other moves needed to compete in today's tank truck industry.