make the leap to excellence
Join Our Agency Family
MOVING YOUR WORLD SINCE 1919
We are
American Red Ball
With a history of innovation and growth,
American Red Ball is committed to the success of our agency family. We recognize that only through partnerships with our agents
will we both continue to prosper in the future.
HISTORY
Red Ball Transit Company was founded in 1919 by Ward Hiner, whose family either owned
or had ownership in the company until 1985, when the company was sold to a group of
executives. Mr. Hiner was instrumental in implementing many innovations in the transporting
of household goods, first in Indiana and then long distance as the first truly interstate van
lines.
In 1996 Atlas World Group purchased Red Ball Corp. By that time the company was solely
owned by Walter Saubert and consisted of American Red Ball Transit Company and 10
subsidiaries.
In 2001, Atlas World Group agreed to sell the domestic van line and its subsidiaries to
Katrina Blackwell, David Combs, and Brad Beal, all long-time employees of American Red
Ball. The purchase included several domestic operations, but none of the international
companies. Ownership is divided equally among the three.
WHO WE ARE TODAY
Since purchasing the company in 2001, we have grown over 50 percent in revenue and
currently own five motor carriers, three domestic forwarders, one domestic/international
forwarder, as well as two moving and storage locations. We also manage the domestic
military business for eight companies. Most recently, we began an international division to
expand the services we offer our agents and customers and to provide opportunities for
growth throughout the system.
Seefor
Yourself
What makes
us special.
In a word?
People.
Our agents, drivers and employees have the cooperative attitudes,
focused goals and true concern for customer service and satisfaction
necessary for success.
OUR AGENCY FAMILY SERVICES
With over 275 professional agents in major and secondary markets nationwide, American Red Ball
offers the finest quality moving services regardless of their location. This combination of agency and
company representation allows for flexible regional and national operations.
American Red Ball does our part by keeping the lines of communication open. Agents, drivers and
customers enjoy toll-free communication throughout the company. Account information, shipment
rating and registration, claims status and more is available through our on-line ACCUTERM system.
Policies and procedures are only a key stroke away through our password protected Intranet site.
INTERNATIONAL — YES, WE CAN!
If your relocation requirements include Alaska, Hawaii or other countries, American Red Ball has the
ability to provide international service.
Meet Our Management Team
Our owners and management team have the experience and initiative to carry
out our mission of ethical and fair treatment to customers, agents, drivers and
employees.
OWNERS
Katrina Blackwell has been in the moving business since 1969 and with American Red Ball since
1975. In 1997 she was appointed President and has continued in that capacity as owner.
David Combs came to American Red Ball in 1980 from a background in auditing. Having
served as Vice President of Administration, he has been involved in many departments including
implementation of the current operating system. As an owner he is now CFO.
Brad Beal started in the moving business in 1977 and has been with American Red Ball since
1990. He became Vice President of Government Services in 1993 then Vice President of
Operations in 1998. As an owner he is currently COO.
MANAGERS
• Renee Kelker, Director Revenue Accounting – Has been with American Red Ball over five
years. Renee manages billing, credit and collections and all agent and driver accounts.
• Richard Higgins, Director Customer Service – Oversees loss and damage claims and has
more than 25 years’ experience, first in operations with another van line and since 1988 with
American Red Ball.
• Keith “Bud” Showalter, Director Safety & Licensing Services – With over 25 years’
experience at the agency level, independent van line and carrier, Bud is responsible for
compliance with all DOT regulations, driver qualifications and implementing safety initiatives.
• Paul Roche, Manager Government Services – Has been with American Red Ball for
five years with a background of production management and eight years in the Air Force.
Paul manages our bid and quality control processes for Department of Defense personnel
relocations.
• Michele Maddox, Manager Operations – With 25 years’ experience, Michele is responsible
for the registration, planning and dispatch of all shipments and operational communications
with customers, agents and drivers.
• Richard Zimmerman, Manager Driver Services – grew up in the industry and has more
than 20 years of operational experience.
• Dan Hall, Manager Business Development – 22 years of experience at both the van
line and agency level in every aspect of the moving industry. Dan is responsible for new
agent recruitment and assisting our agents in growing COD and National account business
nationally.
INTERNATIONAL DIVISION
• Michael Cobb, Vice President Red Ball Forwarders, Inc. International Division - Mike has
30 years’ experience in the international arena.
Our
Fleet
Our fleet consists of 197 qualified drivers and over 220 pieces of leased
equipment. We have been recognized by the American Moving & Storage
Association (AMSA) 11 times in the past 15 years for Fleet Safety. Two of our
drivers have received AMSA’s Lifetime Achievement award and one driver
AMSA’s Super Van Operator award.
The reason for those honors is that American Red Ball’s safety standards exceed DOT
requirements and we carefully screen, qualify and monitor our drivers for regulatory compliance.
We also recognize that our drivers are American Red Ball’s ambassadors and have the most
direct contact with our customers. Therefore, our drivers are rated on their level of cooperation and
customer satisfaction through our Circle of Excellence program.
CONTRACTOR/AGENT PERMANENT FLEET
The direct lease contractors and equipment leased through our agents and designated as
permanent feet are under the direct continuous control of our traffic department and have the same
priority of dispatch.
AGENT REGIONAL FLEET
Agents may choose to designate regional equipment as permanent and our traffic department will
plan loads for these drivers. Most regional equipment, however, is under the control and direction of
the agent. When requested by the agent, our traffic department will plan return loads.
Sales
INTERNET
Should you choose to become an American Red Ball agent, your customers will benefit from our
professional website’s extensive information about moving and communicating with us. Customers
in your area will find you easily through our “Find an Agent” link. Visit www.redball.com to see for
yourself that it is both user friendly and informative.
SALES MATERIAL
American Red Ball’s sales material is attractive, modern and informative. Besides allowing our
agents to walk in with professional literature that is second to none, it is useful to leave behind for
customers – containing helpful tips, a tear-out planning calendar and all the consumer information
required on each move.
An American Red Ball pre-move packet will inform your customer of what to expect and will arm
them with a plan for how to prepare for the move. They will receive information about our company,
moving tips, hazardous materials and much more. We believe that if your customers have a clear
plan for what will happen and when it will happen, the stress of moving will be greatly reduced. It’s
part of our “no surprises” philosophy. The move will be organized in accordance with the needs of
the customer.
SPECIALTY ADVERTISING
Our great sales aids carry the American Red Ball logo and include: coffee mugs, toy trucks,
magnets, pens, golf balls, and more. They are imprinted with the Red Ball logo and will usually ship
the same day they are ordered. In addition, we will gladly assist your with special orders for trade
shows and other events.
CO-OP & TRADEMARK
To have customers, you need to entice them to contact you, and American Red Ball is ready to
assist you. Agents earn advertising dollars based on their commercial line haul booking revenue.
Yellow pages and equipment identification automatically apply (with prior trademark usage
approved). In addition, requests will be considered and usually approved for trade shows, Internet
advertising, radio, television, etc.
Service
QUALITY INITIATIVES
American Red Ball has quality
initiatives in place for use by agents and
drivers to ensure consistent quality service.
A few of the issues addressed in our written quality
procedures include the proper ways to:
•
Educate customers about the move process so there are no surprises.
•
Project a professional appearance.
•
Perform an accurate and complete survey.
•
Inform customers of items they are required to disassemble and service, such as weight
sets, swing sets, and appliances.
•
Properly process and document firearms contained in a shipment.
•
Advise customers of the need to dispose of hazardous materials.
•
Complete and accurate paperwork preparation.
•
Protect high value items.
•
Protect the residence from damage.
•
Communicate with the customer in a timely and respectful manner.
•
Proper preparation of the shipment for safe transportation.
CashFlow
It’s for the money!
Sure, we get satisfaction from doing the job well, but we all expect
payment for our work and American Red Ball makes sure our agents and
drivers receive payment promptly,
CASH FLOW
Have you ever had the feeling you have to fight for your own money? Well, that won’t
happen at American Red Ball. We set the standard for accurate, prompt payment.
Within an average of two working days of receipt of delivery papers, shipments are set up
and commissions posted to agents’ accounts. Papers processed by end of business on
Tuesday of each week for non-billed shipments are released for payment on Thursday.
On billed shipments payment is released no later than 30 days after billing whether we
have received payment or not. We also offer direct deposit for agents which assures funds
released on Thursday are available by Monday of the following week. Fast Pay is also
available.
CLAIMS
One thing that can negate profit all too quickly are claims. Claims destroy customer
confidence, driver and crew morale, and the bottom line. At American Red Ball we have
developed quality criteria and a Claims Manual outlining policies and procedures that do
everything possible to reduce claims. Yes, claims are a fact of life in the moving business,
but they can be controlled. Our Claims Department can help!
Why
American Red Ball?
American Red Ball has a tradition
of doing business in a professional, ethical and honest manner by:
• Treating customers, agent and drivers fairly;
•Complying with all federal safety and consumer regulations; and
•Having a driver qualification policy that is more stringent than DOT regulations.
Our relationship with agents and drivers
goes beyond just business and recognizes that:
• The relationship must be mutually beneficial;
•Our agents and drivers determine how successful we are in delivering quality service
to our customers; and
•Our agents and drivers are our long-term business partners.
American Red Ball is a progressive company
utilizing up-to-date technology in all areas:
• Accuterm, our computerized operating system is easy to use and allows agents
to easily access information concerning all aspects of conducting business with
American Red Ball.
•We are utilizing advanced software to assist agents with COD sales, and to work
more closely with the military’s new DP3 program.
American Red Ball has the capacity to provide quality service
to customers, agents and drivers with the following resources:
• An agency support network of approximately 275 agents system-wide;
•Over 220 pieces of leased equipment in our hauling fleets;
•45 million in revenues;
• Flexibility to focus on an agent’s specific needs; and
•Accurate, timely payments of commissions.
You are not a number at American Red Ball:
• Higher level of visibility of the agents and drivers – more individual attention;
•Greater devotion of the van lines resources; and
•Direct communications with owners and managers.