Associates Share What They Love About Local Truck Driving Jobs

At ABC Supply, more than a third of our workforce are professional drivers. Each of these drivers is instrumental to the success of our business — and our customers’ businesses. On many occasions, our drivers are the face of ABC Supply, providing excellent customer service at each delivery, addressing concerns on the jobsite and ensuring that our customers’ materials are delivered safely and on time.

Hear from a few of our drivers about what they enjoy about their local truck driving jobs, working for ABC Supply and being part of the construction industry.

1. Opportunities for Recognition

We show appreciation for our drivers’ hard work in many ways, including our Recognition of Driver Excellence (RODE) program. RODE recognizes deserving drivers who meet service requirements and carefully adhere to safety standards.

Awarded to less than 10 percent of our drivers, RODE recognition is a badge worn with honor.

“It’s not just the people at my branch who know I’m doing a good job; people throughout the company know my name now too. It’s very motivating.” Erick Arteaga, a driver at our Monrovia, California, location, was honored to be recognized at a higher level within the company.

After working at ABC Supply for more than 20 years, Terrance King, a driver at our Austin, Texas, location, agreed that being recognized for doing a job he loves is exciting.

Charles Burgess, a driver at our Jacksonville, Florida, location, shared how proud the recognition made him feel. “It’s a tremendous honor and reinforces my belief that each of us is an integral part of the team and the branch’s success.”

Our RODE program motivates drivers to do their best and serve our customers with world-class service.

2. Strong Company Culture

We’re proud to have a strong company culture centered around our seven Core Values. These values guide how we do business at ABC Supply, and our associates live them every day. For example, our associates celebrate our Give Back Core Value by donating time and materials to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and they express our American Pride Core Value by supporting organizations that donate houses to veterans.

One Core Value that our drivers especially appreciate at ABC Supply is Opportunity. “There are a lot of opportunities to try new things at ABC Supply,” explained Mark Maxey, a driver at our Exton, Pennsylvania, location.

“There are a lot of opportunities to learn and grow,” said Erick, who joined ABC Supply shortly after receiving his commercial driver’s license. “ABC Supply has invested in my training and education so I can learn different equipment and become a more well-rounded driver.”

For Charles, it’s not just the chance to become a better driver that keeps him at ABC Supply but also the opportunity to learn about the industry. “I knew nothing about roofing when I started working at ABC Supply,” he explained. “It’s exciting to learn about every aspect of the business.”

Our associates are highly engaged, leading ABC Supply to receive the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award 15 years in a row. ABC Supply was also named a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor in 2019 and 2020.

3. We’re a Family

ABC Supply operates like a family. We care for our associates, and our associates look out for each other. This is one of Mark’s favorite parts of his job, and he brings this philosophy into training new drivers. “I give away what I have,” said Mark. “Seeing the drivers that I trained do a good job makes me proud.”

This feeling of family extends to our customers too. In fact, serving customers is the best part of their jobs according to many of our drivers.

“We work with customers to make sure they’re satisfied,” said Erick. “We’re not just driving; we’re making people happy.”

“I love interacting with people and seeing new faces,” said Terrance. “It brings joy to my day.”

4. Regular Home Time

Our local truck driving jobs don’t require over-the-road travel, which means our drivers can enjoy home time every night. Most of them deliver building materials to construction jobsites within a 50-mile radius of one of our over 800 locations.

Before joining ABC Supply in 2009, Mark was an over-the-road driver but found the long periods spent on the road lonely. “Family is important to me. I hated leaving my son,” he explained. Now he drives much shorter distances and spends much more time with his family.

Terrance and Charles both agreed that getting home to see their families and sleep in their own beds each night has been a benefit of driving for ABC Supply.

Staying local also means that our drivers become familiar with their delivery areas and the contractors that operate in their area. “I’m comfortable navigating the area I drive in,” said Mark.

5. A Focus on Safety

From each ABC Supply location to the jobsite, safety is important to us. Our drivers receive training on the proper safety standards they should follow before leaving the warehouse, on the drive to the jobsite and when unloading materials. It’s important to us that all of our drivers feel confident and comfortable. It’s also crucial that we do everything we can to prevent accidents.

“ABC Supply offers everything I need to make sure I’m doing my job safely,” said Erick. “They provide regular safety training and safety equipment.”

Mark also mentioned the equipment ABC Supply provides as a factor in helping him do his job safely. “There are cameras in our trucks, and the equipment exceeds Department of Transportation requirements.”

Terrance reiterated the importance of safety at ABC Supply. “Safety is our number one priority. It’s not just about being safe for myself but for others around me.”

With regular home time, a focus on safety and strong company culture and recognition, ABC Supply is a great place for drivers with commercial driver’s licenses to develop rewarding careers. Visit our careers site to see available local professional truck driving jobs.