Halvor Lines Inc., which operates a terminal in South Bend, was named a 2019 Best Fleet to Drive For in the latest Best Fleets survey by the Truckload Carrier's Association and CarriersEdge, a provider of driving training and retention services.

A total of 20 of the thousands of trucking companies operating in the U.S. earn a Best Fleet designation annually. Companies must be nominated by at least one driver to be considered for the honor.

Headquartered in Superior, Wis., Halvor also has a terminal in Rosemount Minn. About 100 of Halvor’s more-than 500 drivers consider the South Bend terminal their home base and rely on the facility for mechanical repairs, hospitality services and more. The South Bend facility also houses two driver recruiters to help fill positions serving Halvor’s growing Midwest and East Coast markets, the company said.

Once nominated, companies participate in an extensive survey and evaluation that includes additional input from company drivers.

The evaluation covers a broad range of topics, including pay and benefits, safety practices, innovation, training, advancement opportunities, and overall company culture. In addition to surveys, participants also go through a 90-minute interview with representatives of CarriersEdge and the TCA.

“Earning a Best Fleets designation is a real honor, particularly because it is based heavily on driver nominations and on input from surveys of our drivers,” says Halvor CEO Jon Vinje. “The evaluation process is rigorous, but worth the work, because we gain valuable insights that help us better serve our drivers each year.”

Halvor Lines was founded in 1968 by Jon’s father, Bill Vinje, and four other truck drivers who hauled snowmobiles and Christmas trees across Canada and the U.S.