November 14, 2018 at 5:02 p.m.
Eagle River company receives prestigious award from FedEx
Eagle River company receives prestigious award from FedEx
By Kayla Thomason-
Van Dyke PD, Inc. employs eight people who operate a fleet of eight vehicles, averaging 345 stops a day and accumulating 1,516 miles, regardless of weather. They also collect school supplies and non-perishable food and items during the holidays.
Receiving company-wide recognition was surprising and humbling for the Eagle River business.
"It is a huge honor and very humbling," said Andy Van Dyke, second-generation owner. "Our station is very remote and at times can feel a bit forgotten. To get this recognition is a great step for our station and for rural communities in general."
Van Dyke learned in late May the company had been chosen as the district level winner. Later in the summer he learned the business was also chosen as the regional winner.
"It was a bit shocking!" he exclaimed. "Because our station is so remote and small you don't expect this. But, I also am very proud of both our safety record and our customer service which is as good as anywhere in the country."
Van Dyke attended the awards ceremony in Pittsburgh Nov. 2, and felt honored to receive the recognition. He also said he enjoyed talking to and learning from FedEx Ground corporate leaders and other successful small businesses like his own.
While he is the second generation to lead the company, receiving the award had him thinking about his father who started the company in 2003.
"He worked countless hours to get this business off the ground," Van Dyke said of his father. "The day never ended for him. After deliveries, he'd work on trucks. He had a no-fail attitude and I work every day to follow the example he gave."
Van Dyke also knows that the business wouldn't have received the award without the dedication of their employees.
"We are only as good as our employees," he said. "I am so proud of them and this award is because of their great work. They are unbelievable everyday and I'd put them up against any employees anywhere. To be honest, I don't know how to put in words just how valuable they are. To have gone six years without an accident is truly amazing. They have not only bought into our culture they go above and beyond every day."
Van Dyke plans to continue to work as safely and efficiently as possible, while staying up-to-date with technology.
"We never stop looking to the future," he said. "We try to stay ahead of the curve on technology and customer needs. We'll continue to be forward thinking always putting safety and customer service first."
Kayla Thomason may be reached at [email protected].
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