Long Haul Trucking uses employee stock ownership to attract, keep drivers

Many trucking companies talk sincerely about their drivers, not being numbers, but members of the family.

But, that message of inclusivity and connectivity goes even further at one Minnesota-based carrier. At Long Haul Trucking, drivers and others actually have ownership stakes in the flatbed company that employs company drivers and owner-operators who run all 48 states.

Anthony Book is the vice president of sales and marketing for the 32-year-old company in Albertville, Minnesota. He joined the Truckers News Podcast to talk about how the company is doing these days, what it's like to drive for Long Haul, and the company's employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP.

Book said the ESOP is one of the company's top selling points when it comes to attracting and retaining drivers in this difficult and demanding recruiting market these days. He says it is especially helpful in attracting the professional, experienced drivers Long Haul seeks.