Trucking Industry News

Haag-HannumWEST CHESTER, PA,  -  The year was 1968 -- a time of tie-dye shirts and flower power, the Vietnam War, civil rights protests, Apollo space missions, and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.  Against this backdrop of changing times, Phil Haag and Roger Hannum each made a decision that would create a constant in their lives for the next four decades.

Haag, a West Chester resident, and Hannum who lives in Coatesville, both began working with A. Duie Pyle in 1968, when they were in their early 20s. At the time the company was a local trucking business located in West Chester.   Over the next 40 years, the company grew to become a premier transportation and logistics company serving the Northeast.  The lives and careers of both men grew along with the company, as they drove tractor trailers over most of A. Duie Pyle's routes and regions.   

This year, Haag and Hannum will celebrate their 40-year anniversaries with A. Duie Pyle.  The milestone is a source of pride for both men, each of whom says they have enjoyed their work and being part of the A. Duie Pyle family. Hannum, age 63, originally worked in the shipping department of Pepperidge Farm.  Married and with a baby on the way, he needed a better paying job. "I liked to drive," he said, "so I figured I would apply at A. Duie Pyle.  In those days, all you needed was a license to drive a car.  They hired me and I taught myself to drive the truck with their help. I've been driving ever since and have covered routes throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia."  Recently, Hannum was recognized as a member of the company's Two Million Mile Club, a small group of drivers who have driven over two million miles without a recordable accident. 

Haag, now age 60, initially began working at the A. Duie Pyle warehouse in West Chester, answering phones and filing.  After being drafted into the Army and serving two years, he returned and eventually became manager of the West Chester warehouse, and later, manager of the company's Parkesburg, Pa., warehouse.  Looking to earn a higher salary to support a growing family, he learned to drive a tractor trailer.  "I've driven tractor trailers for 25 years now," said Haag. "Today, I'm also a ride-along instructor for new drivers.  It's something I really enjoy."  He is a member of the company's Million Mile Club which includes drivers who have driven over one million miles without a recordable accident.

All in the Family

While considered one of the most modern trucking firms in terms of technology, it is A. Duie Pyle's more traditional values that make employees like Haag and Hannum happy to come to work each day.  "This is a family business, run by people who think of employees as family," noted Hannum. "You're not a number here.  Every employee is respected.  It's just nice place to work."   Haag agreed, adding that "The Company gives us excellent training, and really cares about our safety."

As they near the end of the road in their driving careers, both men are looking forward to spending more time with their own families.  Hannum expects to keep working for a while, but eventually will enjoy more free time with his wife Brenda. They've been married 43 years, and have two children and three grandchildren.  He'd like to do some deer hunting in Centre County, Pa., and get out on the ocean to fish for sea bass and rock fish.

Haag and Barbara, his wife of 36 years, have two children and a two-year old grandson.  With plans to retire sometime in the near future, he anticipates Eagles football games and tailgating on fall and winter weekends.  During the week, "I'd like to work part time at A.Duie Pyle as a safety instructor," he said.

Common Sense Safety

With so many years of accident-free driving under their belts, Haag and Hannum have learned quite a lot about safety on the road.  But, they say, staying out of trouble is really a matter of common sense.  "Be patient," suggested Haag.  "And don't tailgate" added Hannum. It's a strategy that has kept these professionals rolling along healthy and happy.  And, it's advice  that can help drivers of all ages steer clear of trouble, whether driving a single mile, or a million.

About A. Duie Pyle

Headquartered in West Chester, PA, A. Duie Pyle, Inc. is the Northeast's premier transportation and logistics provider, with extended service coverage into the Southeast, Midwest and Canada. A family-owned and operated business for more than 80 years, the company provides a complete range of transportation and distribution services. A. Duie Pyle operates 15 Service Centers, strategically located throughout the region. Pyle's resources include 835 trucks, two million square feet of public and contract warehousing and distribution space; and a wide range of specialized equipment.  For additional information about A. Duie Pyle capabilities, visit  www.pyleco.com> www.pyleco.com or call 800-523-5020.