Innovation drives Nationwide to keep the goods moving

BY DENISE MORAN For Sun-Times Media

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Nationwide Freight Systems Inc. warehouse manager Doug Stitt moves palettes in the warehouse in Elgin. | CAROL DORSETT ~ FOR SUN-TIMES MEDIA

Today, with just about everything available at the touch of a button, people take for granted the fact that when they walk into a restaurant, grocery store or shopping mall, and the items they need and want will just be there.

All that stuff gets trucked in, but not necessarily the “old-fashioned way.”

To keep up with demand for even faster and safer delivery of goods, Nationwide Freight Systems Inc., 2580 Northwest Parkway in Elgin, stays current with the latest innovations in the transportation industry.

One innovation is using battery-powered auxiliary power units on some trucks so that the trucks can idle without burning diesel fuel. This allows the drivers to help the environment along and save money on fuel costs, even while sleeping in their cabs on long hauls.

Another innovation is using the latest computer technology for tracking, coupled with a trained team of dispatchers.

“Our system allows us to dispatch the drivers on a timely basis, use drivers who are closest to the loads, and accurately track the hours that drivers are on the road,” said Robert Kuehn, NFS president. “This allows our company to save fuel, reduce cost, and keep both the public and the drivers safe.”

In the future, NFS would like to have GPS for every NFS truck for real-time tracking. NFS can also reduce the paperwork with electronic filing of reports required by the Department of Transportation.

NFS carries shipments to 48 states, Mexico and Canada. The company serves the retail industry and provides transportation services for paper companies and other merchants. It serves local companies in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, including in the counties of Kane, Lake and McHenry.

Not bad for a company started in 2004 in Kuehn’s basement by him and wife Pam.

“After working for several transportation companies, I decided to branch out on my own,” Kuehn said. “I believed I could provide customers with a better level of customer service at a lower price.”

Due to Kuehn’s hard work, service and relationships with customers he had acquired over the years, his business spread by word of mouth.

Today, NFS has more than 40 owner operators and company drivers in its fleet. It has more than 40,000 square feet of warehouse space and 5,000 square feet of office space. The company has 27 employees with a minimum of 30 owner operators, and growing.

“Simply put, Nationwide Freight Systems picks up and delivers freight with our local, regional and over-the-road fleet,” Kuehn said. “Our company offers some of the best customer service in the industry; thus our motto, ‘We go the Extra Mile.’ We strive to deliver freight to our customers on a timely basis and at a reasonable price. We have a warehouse which enables companies to have a constant flow of product while lowering their warehousing costs.”

Many people do not realize all that goes into becoming a good truck driver.

“Drivers may be away from home for weeks or even months at a time,” Kuehn said. “Drivers go to school to receive a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in order to drive any semi-trailer. They must take driving tests at the time of employment. There are 631 regulations they must know and follow to ensure their safety and the safety of other drivers.”

“They can personally incur fines if these regulations are violated and can even lose their license to drive. They must have a medical card, which is renewed every few years, which proves they are medically fit to drive. This is in addition to periodic drug testing by an independent laboratory. They must also have insurance on themselves, their tractor and their trailer.”

Kuehn is also active in the non-profit organization known as “Feed My Starving Children.” NFS delivers freight for the organization, provides warehouse space free of charge for some inventory, and provides support for the meal-packing events.

For further information, visit online at www.nationwidefreightsystems.com/index.aspx

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