NU Kraft drivers set new safety record

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm-based Kraft Foods drivers recently broke the company safety record, covering 15.5 million miles over four years, without a preventable accident.

With 461 years of accumulated driving experience, several New Ulm-based drivers have more than 1 million miles of experience. Driver Mike Reed recently passed the 2 million mile mark.

Every two years, drivers undergo a Defensive Driving refresher training program.

Kraft New Ulm "elite fleet" drivers include: Tom Ahl, Mark Anderson, Mark Aschenbrenner, Paul Berg, Nate Bode, Tim Bode, Al Boettger, Ted Carlson, Sid Christensen, Craig Domeier, Mike Domeier, John Eager, Jerry Fitzner, Don Hacker, Charles Hartley, Mike Hillesheim, Dave Honl, Orlin Howe, Ken Kohn, Henry Karstad, Howard Klinger, Dan LaCourse, Terry Lien, Kevin Luckhardt, Don Macklanburg, Kerry Midtling, Craig Mueller, Paul Nelson, Jerome Portner, Darren Rasmussen, Jack Reding, Mike Reed, Andy Rettmann, Brian Rossing, Dave Schiltz, Darrel Schmidt, Ohmar Schugel, Rodney Weber, Bill Webster, Steve Weyer, Gordy Woratschka and Alan Youngblom.

Kraft-New Ulm Private Fleet Manager Judy Chesley had glowing words for the drivers and their support network.

"The New Ulm drivers have a strong commitment to excellence and take great pride in their jobs," Chesley said. "Several safe driving principles that are always top of mind contribute to their success: making sure they always have room to avoid a collision, looking far ahead of their vehicle to anticipate other drivers' moves and making sure vehicles around them can see their truck. The fleet faces challenges driving condition during much of the year, which makes this accomplishment especially outstanding."

Chesley praised the work of mechanics Don DeSaer and Jim Wager and administrator Diane Torgusen.

"Their work contributes significantly to the ability of our fleet to achieve outstanding safety performance year after year."