Dugan King says he speaks the "gospel truth" when he talks about how easy it is to work with the dispatch crew at Ameri-Co Carriers Inc., a 100% owner-operator company based in Scottsbluff, Neb.

"They're the best bunch of people – every single one of them," says King, who has been leased to Ameri-Co Carriers since the early 1980s.

"You're never forced on a dispatch, and they don't argue with you if you don't want to go," says King. "Drivers feel totally welcome all of the time.

"Dispatchers never give the attitude of, 'Here’s this, take it and get out of my hair.'"

The 37-year-old company goes out of its way to make drivers feel special, and not like they’re just another number.

"We feel that our owner-operators are one of the most important parts of our company’s success," says Daniel Tompkins, Ameri-Co's safety director. "We're not so big that we don’t know everyone’s name.

"We know who they are, and we know who their families are. And if they have a problem and need to be home, it's a lot easier for us to make sure it happens."

Ameri-Co Carriers Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amcol International, a producer of liquid-absorbing products for industrial and consumer markets.

"We haul everything from cat litter to environmental liners," says Tompkins. "Our customer base is a solid one, and it continues to grow."

Though the company operates its flatbed and dry van trailers in the lower 48, the majority of its destinations are in the Midwest and Southeast.

King appreciates the company’s flexibility, especially since he’s the proud grandfather of six.

"It means a million to me to be home for a few days every week," says King, who drives a 1997 W900 Kenworth. "If you want to run the miles, Ameri-Co has got them. But if you want to go home, then they make sure you get home time too."

In addition to its flexibility, Ameri-Co’s compensation package offers a competitive advantage over other carriers.

"Our goal is to provide our owner-operators with the best working conditions possible, and we believe that we provide one of the best compensation plans in the industry," says Tompkins.

Drivers can choose between a mileage compensation plan or a percentage plan.

Under the mileage plan, the company pays 83 cents per mile, loaded or empty, to drivers who pull company trailers, and 89 cents to those who use their own trailers.

The mileage plan also includes a 1-cent-per-mile quarterly incentive plan on all dispatched miles. Ameri-Co pays for liability, cargo and trailer insurance.

The percentage plan allows drivers using company trailers to earn 78% of the gross revenue. Drivers pulling their own trailers earn 84%. An incentive plan of 7 cents per mile is available on all miles over 8,500 a month. Ameri-Co shares the cost of liability and bobtail insurance and pays outright trailer and cargo insurance.

The company turns around paperwork fast, too – a big help to owner-operators.

"As long as your paperwork is in by Wednesday, you’ll have a check in your hand by Friday," says King. "Plus, it’s the kind of company that pays you for everything you do for them."

Ameri-Co offers owner-operators physical damage, disability, workers compensation and health insurance through the company at competitive rates. Pay, benefits and home time though, mean little if you don’t enjoy what you do every day, says King.

"If you get up in the morning and you’re disgusted with your job, you’re going to have a miserable day," he says. "But at Ameri-Co, everyone is working with you on a team, which make the whole day better."

"Leasing to Ameri-Co Carriers is not just another job," says Tompkins. "Teamwork is the key. If you are successful, the company has met its goal. Nothing less is acceptable."

To qualify as an owner-operator for Ameri-Co Carriers, drivers must be at least 23 years old with two years of over-the-road experience and a 1995 or newer model-year tractor.

Drivers must also have a CDL with hazardous materials endorsement and be willing to run at least 10,000 miles a month.

For more information on becoming an owner-operator for Ameri-Co Carriers, call (800) 445-5400 or go online to www.americo-carriers.com.