Jonker Trucking is a family-owned, cross-border shipping company in Ontario that has been using Axon Software since 2017. We recently spoke with co-owner Jeff Tenhage about how this integrated system reduces redundant work, improves customer service, provides clarity to their drivers, and more.
Q&A
How did the company get started in trucking?
Trucking runs in our family. My dad was a truck driver, and my father-in-law was a truck driver. All three of us grew up in trucking and it was in our blood.
My father-in-law sold the company to Tim, Harold, and myself about five or six years ago, and we’ve run it ever since. We mostly do cross-border shipping.
How has your experience with Axon been?
Our experience has been really good. It was a transition from a completely different form of accounting and took a little bit of getting used to, but it’s been a good transition, and we’re glad we did it. It’s actually allowed us to cut down some of our staffing, and I’m sure it’s saved us a lot of money over the years.
I can compare Axon to QuickBooks. QuickBooks was basically an accounting system and not a logistical system. Besides that, we were only using Excel and Microsoft Word and things like that. Axon integrated everything into one program, and it has just been fantastic.
Has the company grown since you started with Axon?
We grew it a little bit when we purchased another small trucking company, but since then, we’ve downsized a little. We had four people in the office prior to having Axon. We still have four now, but one is only part-time, so it really hasn’t been a big change in staffing. The way it manages the business and paper flow has certainly reduced a lot of overlap.
How has Axon helped with customer relations?
It has helped us. For every order in Axon, you can attach files, so we attach the invoice and paperwork. When you need to find something, even a customs invoice later on, you simply refer to the order and it’s all there. We are also able to get invoices out more quickly.
Has Axon helped you better manage your business through reporting?
Yes, we have been able to manage our business better. My accountant, who is not in-house, often asks me to flip him over balance sheets and financial statements, and I’m able to do that very quickly.
What about downloading fuel bills?
Downloading fuel bills is one of the biggest time-savers. It’s huge because I used to manually go through every single one. Now it’s just a batch file, and it goes very quickly.
How does Axon streamline your workflow?
Once we begin an order with Axon, it helps us streamline everything from payables and receivables to charging back our owner operators. It really reduces a lot of redundancy and data entry. You start an order, and you’re already working on payroll.
How do your owner operators feel about the process?
I believe our owner operators are very comfortable with the way they get paid and how that all works. They know how to read their pay statements. If they have questions, it’s always easy to explain.
I think Axon may have helped improve relationships with owner operators and drivers. Everything seems to be very transparent to them, and any questions they have are easily answered. It gives them confidence that things are being done right.
If someone in the industry asked you to describe Axon, what would you say?
I would describe Axon as a system that pulls everything together. It makes everything run smoother, easier, and more timely. It has been a very, very handy tool for us.
My experience with Axon is nothing but positive – right from support to the way we use it for our business and the way we run everything.
