EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — C.H. Robinson is set to celebrate the truck drivers and carriers who keep our supply chains moving with activities from coast to coast during Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept. 14-20.
For the first time, under the banner of Carrier Honors, the company is also presenting its coveted Carrier of the Year Awards during this week.
“Between tariff disruptions, geopolitical troubles and extreme weather events, this past year has again shown how extraordinarily important truck drivers and carriers are to our society,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of North American Surface Transportation (NAST) at C.H. Robinson. “By doing even more to dedicate this special week to them, we want to express our deep appreciation for their hard work and resilience.”
Keeping America Moving
“C.H. Robinson understands the extraordinary impact of this work like no one else,” the company said. “Every year, carriers move millions of shipments through our network, delivering the goods that keep America moving forward.”
During two days of special events in and around Minneapolis for drivers and executives, C.H. Robinson will celebrate its 2025 Carrier of the Year Award winners, whose names will be announced on Sept. 17. The honorees vary from family businesses that operate a handful or even just a single truck to large fleets with more than a thousand vehicles.
“The one thing they—and the 360 other nominees—have in common is that they consistently go above and beyond to provide the highest level of service, said Pat Nolan, NAST vice president of truckload. “These carriers are the best of the best. We are proud to honor them for their exceptional achievements.”
Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Throughout the week, C.H. Robinson employees across the country will greet drivers and hand out gift boxes, including personal, handwritten thank-you notes. Drivers will be celebrated at the company’s consolidation centers and customer warehouses in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Columbus, Ohio.
“During Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the company is also reaffirming its commitment to making a positive impact on the entire carrier community and the transportation and logistics industry,” the company said. “This commitment is reflected in financial contributions, employee volunteerism, and partnerships that provide meaningful support to carriers, drivers and their families.”
Giving Back
Last year, the C.H. Robinson Foundation and company gave nearly $1 million to support the trucking community and industry, including scholarships, charitable donations and funding for strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Next Generation in Trucking Association, St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, Truckers Against Trafficking, the Women in Trucking Association Foundation and more.
“Being a truck driver is a demanding job,” said Michael Castagnetto. “They work long hours and drive many thousands of miles, away from their families for days or weeks at a time. That’s why this week, we want to emphasize our appreciation for everything they do all year long. If it wasn’t for them, many of the goods we take for granted every day would never make it to our homes. We’re looking forward to this week of celebrations and another year of working with these true heroes of the road.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
Subject: Reflections on the Trucking Industry
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I would like to take a moment to share my thoughts on some of the challenges currently facing the trucking industry. With 44 years of driving experience—approaching 45 this October—I have witnessed significant changes that have influenced the profession.
Historically, the expectation for time away from home has shifted dramatically. Where drivers used to be away for 7 to 10 days, many companies now require extended periods of 3 to 4 weeks. My early career included working with A&J Produce and Wakefern (Shoprite), where I would regularly travel from New York City to Los Angeles and back to Hunts Point Market. Later, with Walsh/NRT/Keystone Freight, I made similar runs from North Bergen, NJ, to LA and back.
Over my career, I have accumulated 8.5 million miles of driving experience, primarily only in a manual transmission, non-governed trucks. While I fully understand the importance of safety, I believe that the current trend towards automated systems, governing trucks has negatively impacted the industry. Professional drivers know the significance of operating within the optimal RPM range for fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, the industry’s focus on automation has led to a concerning rise in inexperienced drivers on the road, which creates safety challenges.
It is alarming to observe that individuals who are relatively new to the profession are receiving their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) with limited training. For instance, while it used to be a requirement to have a minimum of 24 years of age and 3 years of experience to drive Over-The-Road (OTR), new graduates can sometimes be assigned a truck just days after completing their training, often with trainers who themselves have less than a year of experience.
I appreciate the opportunity to share these insights and express my concerns about the industry’s evolving landscape. Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Michael (Steel-Cowboy)