The Log Book is a weekly rundown of human-interest stories related to the transportation industry. This week: Safety4Her goes from online retail to brick and mortar, WIT’s vice president joins the board of Wreath Across America and Shell Rotella SuperRigs is back in-person.
Safety4Her opens first brick and mortar location
Safety4Her Inc., a safety product and apparel company, has announced it will be opening its first location in Milwaukee on June 23rd.
Hi Viz Life Stylz will take up approximately 1,000 square feet of retail space on the northwest side of the city, showcase Safety4Her high-visibility clothing items, other safety apparel brands and safety accessories including hardhats, gloves and goggles.
Melissa Gaglione, entrepreneur and operations manager for a towing company, started the safety brand after having a difficult time trying to find comfortable clothing for women that would comply with safety regulations. Her brand has produced multiple items including Class 2 safety vests, impact resistant A2 gloves, and the brand’s patent pending high-visibility leggings, ranging in sizes from small to XXL.
Gaglione recently won a local Milwaukee news channel’ shark tank competition, “Project Pitch It”, and was granted a $10,000 cash prize to continue building on the brand’s success.
In an interview with FreightWaves, the entrepreneur explained why she believes her company beat out the competition.
“The competition was tough and I was on the show with two other amazing companies,” Gaglione said. “I think the reason Safety4Her stood out was because our brand is bringing light to an area that has been dark for so many years.”
While her brand has been very successful with online sales, Gaglione explained why the brand is moving to brick and mortar and the new services it will be able to provide.
“I decided to expand into brick and mortar because so many first responders and trades within transportation complain that they have nowhere to go to get safety clothing and supplies,” she said. “They especially struggle getting a logo on a safety vest or shirt right away, which is why we are offering that same day service.”
Gaglione said the store plans to have discounts for first responders and transportation workers because the company wants to make a positive impact in the community and help supply the correct safety gear to keep both men and women safe on the roads.
The entrepreneur went on to explain that this is just the beginning of Safety4Her, as she is currently working on new products, including reinforced knee reflective work pants and Class 3 vests, and is considering opening more stores in the future.
“Anything is possible,” said Gaglione.
WIT’s Debbie Sparks named to Wreaths Across America board
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced on Friday that Debbie Sparks, the vice president of WIT, has been named to the board of directors for Wreaths Across America (WAA).
WAA helps coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies to honor fallen veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedoms. The organization works with schools, scout troops, civic and religious groups to fundraise for wreath sponsorships.
In an interview with FreightWaves, Sparks described her excitement to continue her work with the organization, to which she has been a long-standing volunteer and past director of Transportation and Community Outreach from 2017 to 2020 before taking on her current role at WIT.
“I really believe in what they are doing and value what they stand for,” she said. “It brings me great pride knowing that the trucking industry has played such a key role with WWA’s mission.”
Each year, trucks transport the majority of the organization’s fresh balsam-fir wreaths to more than 2,500 locations, including the Arlington National Cemetery.
Sparks plans to optimize those operations and continue doing community outreach in her new role.
“I hope to help WAA maximize these valuable trucking resources,” she said. “I can help with planning and communicating changes within the trucking industry that can help make the overall wreath operation more efficient and hope to continue fundraising as well.”
She noted that at the end of the day, this role brings so much joy into her life.
“On a personal level, playing a role in our nation’s history in honoring our veterans makes me feel good.”
39th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs announces show location
Shell Rotella has announced that the 39th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs Truck Beauty Contest will be held on July 29-31 at the Love’s Travel Stop in Hampshire, Illinois.
The contest, which began in 1982, recognizes drivers and their custom rigs, celebrating the hard work and dedication they have for the transportation industry.
While the event is free to enter, participants compete for a number of awards and prizes amounting up to $25,000 in cash. Award categories include Best of Show, Best Tractor and Best Tractor Trailer, Best Classic, Best Chrome, Best Interior, and two newly recent categories, Most Hardworking Trucker and People’s Choice.
The top eleven drivers will have their trucks featured in the 2022 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar, alongside Brian Dreher and his 2016 Peterbilt 389, which won Best of Show at the 2020 virtual event.
Shell Rotella also announced that the theme of this year’s show will be “A Time to Shine”, referencing the resiliency and dedication of truck drivers over the past year’s shutdowns.
Event registration is not required and drivers can sign up for registration updates at the event’s website.
FreightWaves Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit
BREAKER BREAKER ONE NINE!
Drivers it is time to unite!
You are the backbone of this industry and the people that keep shelves stocked across the country. In addition to being a driver, you’re also a business owner, managing your own books day-in and day-out.
This week, FreightWaves will hold its Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit which is designed to provide you with the knowledge and insights to improve your operations.
You will hear from other owner-operators and safety personnel who can help you keep your truck in tip-top shape, ready for the challenges that the road will always present.
Sessions include discussions on:
- How to survive and thrive within the business of trucking with Rob Estes, president of Estes Express Lines
- How the Commercial Vehicle Training Association is advocating for driver training programs with its new president and CEO, Bailey Wood.
- The decision of buying or leasing equipment with Kevin McCarthy, the vice president of sales for Ryder’s midwest region.
- How to respond at the border when your driver is caught with an illicit load they were unaware of with Susan Ross, an attorney at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp who specializes in compliance issues.
Register here for FREE and join our convoy on Wednesday, June 9 at 9:00AM EST!
Click here for more articles by Grace Sharkey.
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