Raudel Martinez, a route driver at Vending One in Van Nuys, Calif., feels fortunate to have found a vending company to work for that really appreciates him. Which may account for his outstanding performance. Out of a highly competitive field of nominees, Martinez won the first quarter competition for the 2010 Automatic Merchandiser 7th Annual Route Driver of the Year Award, sponsored by Kraft Vending & OCS.
Martinez joined Vending One after working for one of the nationals. He has always loved being a route driver. He says a vending route driver has the chance to be his own boss and make his own success.
While working for his previous employer, Martinez met Barry Rosenberg, owner of Vending One, who was looking for someone to help him build his company. After spending some time on a route with Rosenberg, Martinez realized how much Rosenberg cared about his customers, as well as his employees.
While Vending One is a much smaller company, it is more progressive than the national that Martinez worked for. At Vending One, Martinez has been using DEX handhelds, which he finds helpful.
Rosenberg nominated Martinez for Route Driver of the Year. Drivers are selected based on a numerical score in the following areas: years as a driver, number of machines serviced, miles traveled, accidents and citations, days missed, speed, thoroughness, customer compliments, truck condition, empty spirals, and sales.
Rosenberg, for his part, credits Martinez for his company’s 35 percent growth this past year, even in a tough economy.
