A sucker for slogansPosted by Adam Ledlow at 01:10 PM
Though the constant barrage of advertising media can be tiresome – see pop-ups, commercials, flyers, e-blasts, spam and even good ol’ billboards for more details – I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a good slogan.
My obsession with a good motto began in grade school, where coming up with a good slogan for my various imaginary businesses was almost as important as the business itself. I was rooting through a container full of old school things a few months back and I actually happened across some business cards from one such business: Adam’s Pest Control. Apparently, I doled out these cards to other students in hopes that they would like me to kill some of the numerous flies buzzing around our country classroom. But it wasn’t the silliness of the business itself that got me, it was the slogan: We pester your pests. Why any seven-year-old uses the word ‘pester’ is beyond me, but I thought it was pretty clever, all the same.
Though my pest control, landscaping, bodyguard and rent-a-cartoonist businesses are now defunct, my love of the slogans associated with them has lived on. So it seemed only natural that I would take a liking to certain trucking company slogans when I joined Truck News almost five years ago.
And so, I present my top three favourite for-hire trucking company slogans:
1) If it’s on time...it’s a ‘Fluke’ (Fluke Transport Group, Hamilton, Ont.)
2) Another Cool Move (Erb Transport, New Hamburg, Ont.) – love this one for the reefer hauler
3) We take a load off your mind (TransX, Winnipeg, Man.)
Honourable mentions go to Woodstock, Ont.-based Ayr Motor Express (“The best is the least we can do”) and Quik X in Mississauga, Ont. (Never satisified...until you are!) for some decent customer service-based slogans. Have you got a favour slogan, trucking or otherwise?
Comments
My ex wife and i used to have a portable sign rental business and our slogan was have sign will travel
Posted by: lavern forester | December 13, 2009 07:13 AM
We run among other things and aggregate business.
Our slogan is:
"Our Life is the Pits"
Posted by: John Mogensen, Operations Manager Raymond Prvost Cartage, Crysler Ontario | December 17, 2009 09:57 AM
What is in a name?
When it comes to looking for carriers to apply to I often consider the name or slogan. To me the owner may be trying to convey his objective in the name of the company or his slogan. Since I am an advocate to getting your sleep every night, the names of some companies would just not be considered on my list of employment options.
The nature of how I do my job would restrict my employment opportunities from trucking companies containing the words:
quick, fast, rush, swift, expedient, speedy,on-time, overnight, guaranteed, or next day.
The companies I look at are owned with 30 trucks or less. They contain no names that mention speed or guarantee. If I am on time it is a fluke. The least I can do is get it there safely and in one piece. Rush is a rock group and Speedy is a muffler shop.
I am sure that some of these companies live up to their slogans, I just haven't worked for any yet.
With that in mind I will continue to look for my perfect trucking company to work for. If I find it, I am sure the name will be “ Not always on time but we get it done. “
Posted by: David Robson | December 25, 2009 11:35 PM
A western canadian company Hi-Way 9 Express Ltd has been using the slogan "The Carrier That Cares" for over 30 years and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year in 2009', this might sound like a bit of a plug but the company believes in Team, Customers and Communities
Posted by: John Kohut | December 28, 2009 10:56 AM
Sign observed on a plumbing repair company van in Edmonton, AB:
"A flush beats a full house."
Posted by: B. McQuarrie | December 31, 2009 10:02 AM
Saw a septic vaccum truck in Montreal with "Shhhh..It's on wheels" on the tank, cracked me up.
Posted by: Andy H | January 7, 2010 07:47 AM
When I tell this story EVERYONE say's " Ya..sure you did " but it's true.. I was having a few beverages in the now defunct KEG room at the Cambridge Hotel about 20 years ago when I stuck up a conversation with a Maritimer who worked for Fluke Transport. I jokingly said what's your slogan ??? Now here it comes.. the actual correct slogan.. he obviously forgot it..
"If it GETS THERE on time...It's a FLUKE "! After laughing his head off, he said " Well I've got to tell that one to the boss "...
True story.. Honest Native American !!
Ted Zahara
Advertising Manager
Affinia Canada
Posted by: Ted Zahara | January 18, 2010 08:43 AM
I was in traffic in downtown Madison, Wisc. Directly in front of me was a 20' van with
the company name painted on the back. It read, " The Merry Tiler Floor Show". I tried to catch the driver, or talk to him on the c.b., but nope!! Thought what with it being in that area of the country, it was pretty catchy!!
Posted by: Warren Brown | January 20, 2010 11:02 PM
We are an aggregate, general construction company.
Our slogan is "The difficult we do promptly, The impossible takes a little longer"
Have a Great Day
Posted by: Wendy | January 28, 2010 09:51 AM
Still Lovin & Missin My Biz Cards from the 80's....3 trucks on the road with Gone-A-Lot Trucking,Special Commodities Division Of Do-less & C-Moore.Stll have the jacket hangin in the closet.
The Best Slogan,Overnite Express/ Markham rd.& the 401
Large or small.We Haul it all.
Proud Son Of My Father who worked there for many years.( FRED LOGAN )
Posted by: Jack Logan | February 1, 2010 06:14 AM
Here's one from a septic pumping company I saw down in the States: We're #1 at cleaning up #2.
And whatever happened to this freight company? They had the following acronym stenciled on there trailers in 8 foot high lettering: G.O.D. then underneath in small type: Guaranteed On time Delivery.
Gotta love people's creativity.
Posted by: Al Goodhall | February 5, 2010 10:06 AM
A Local waste disposal contractor used to use "Satisfaction guaranteed or double your garbage back"
Posted by: Steve Smyth | February 11, 2010 02:50 PM
IF YOU WANT IT SOONER....CALL SCHOONER. Tanker fleet in Ottawa, Ontario.
Posted by: Adam McDonald | February 11, 2010 02:57 PM
Great feedback, guys! Glad to know I'm not the only slogophile (yes, I just made that word up). I'm sure we were the ones watching the Superbowl for the commercials :)
Keep them coming if you think of more!
-Adam
Posted by: Adam Ledlow | February 12, 2010 11:21 AM
saw this on a garbage truck in Ft Lauderdale , Florida
WE CATER TO WEDDINGS.................I thought it was good
Posted by: Richard Summerside | February 18, 2010 09:46 AM
Roto rooter I think:
"We're #1 in the #2 business" or something along those lines......
Posted by: Mark | February 18, 2010 09:57 AM
We market a new style of safety convex mirror system.
We aptly named them *Driver's Dream* Safety Convex Mirrors.
They actually wipe out blind spots around commercial vehicles and equipment.
Posted by: Ross Souch Checkerboard Consultants | February 21, 2010 07:53 PM
"Breathe Freely...Ship Ross Neely"
Ross Neely Truck Line
Birmingham, AL
Posted by: Bill Henry | February 26, 2010 05:47 PM
The slogan on our local road mechanic's service truck is "If I can't fix it.....it ain't broke".
Posted by: Catherine Waters | March 4, 2010 07:06 AM
On my favorite casket company trailers " Heaven can Wait".
Posted by: Graham Goss | March 8, 2010 11:52 AM
Some names are as good as a slogan: derived from the old joke: "Two Dogs Trucking" Alaska.
Posted by: Derek | March 9, 2010 04:15 PM
A Miami septic truck says on rear of tank " DRIVE CAREFULLY WERE NOT HAULING MILK "
Posted by: Barry Searcy | March 15, 2010 09:57 AM
Honourable mentions go to Woodstock, Ont.-based Ayr Motor Express (“The best is the least we can do”)
I think they are from one of Canada's other Woodstock`... Woodstock, N.B.
Posted by: Ralph Wiggins | March 20, 2010 08:31 AM
Right you are, Ralph. Sorry, I think I get too used to writing that Woodstock, Ont. placeline when writing stories for the Web site.
To make it up to the people of New Brunswick, might I offer a look at some of the best places to visit in the province, courtesy of www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca. East Coast business trips are always my favourite.
Enjoy!
Posted by: Adam Ledlow | March 23, 2010 10:18 AM