Fed up with bad working conditions and propelled by a desire to create a positive industry example, Oleksandr “Alex” Dovgal launched freight transportation trucking company DVL Express 11 years ago.
After immigrating to the U.S. from Ukraine, Dovgal worked as a driver in the industry, and his experience was far from positive. He shared the story of working at a company and driving a truck down a hill in Arizona when his brakes failed. In another incident, he narrowly missed hitting a bridge due to bad tires.
Unreliable pay levels, faulty trucks and an unpleasant work atmosphere were issues he and workers he knew at other small freight transportation companies were grappling with.
“My goal was to create a completely different type of transportation company where you can really enjoy working in the company, to create something different, modern, to show the example for other trucking companies as well,” Dovgal said. “Our main philosophy is basically we want people to grow with us, to be happy and healthy.”
Staff at DVL Express apparently are happy. They’ve helped the Markham business grow from being a single owner-operator enterprise with one truck, one driver and one dispatcher to a company with 250 trucks on the road, 147 employees plus 209 drivers transporting consumer goods, food, business products and equipment across the country. DVL Express is ranked No. 1 among small employers in the Tribune’s list of Top Workplaces, as measured by the consultancy Energage in Exton, Pennsylvania.
DVL Express provides round-the-clock support to drivers, who also have free access to lodging, showers and laundry facilities at the company’s Markham site. It pays monthly cash bonuses and incentives to drivers and has a quarterly bonus program for office employees. Other perks include an on-site gym with access to a personal trainer, free LA Fitness memberships and an employee lounge, where staff celebrate birthdays and enjoy other events.
“We have a state-of-the-art terminal in Markham,” Dovgal said. “We spent a lot of money, energy, resources and time to remodel” the site.
That includes adding modern furnishings and adjustable desks that enable staff to sit or stand.
The company’s Markham location also has a meditation room.
“Sometimes you just want to be with yourself,” Dovgal said of that amenity. “This is not an easy business. Sometimes there are stressful situations, and you just need to take a break, to bring harmony and balance back.”
DVL Express provides training and lease options to help drivers become lease operators and owner operators if they desire. About 15% of company drivers each year become owner operators with DVL and start their own business, said human resources manager Alena Stefanishina.
“I like that you’re not micromanaged,” driver Mario Tillman said of the company culture. “You’re in touch with your dispatcher. They give you an assignment and you do it. They are straightforward when it comes to communication.”
Tillman has worked in the industry for seven years and has been a local driver with DVL for more than a year. He transports consumer goods, primarily in Illinois.
“My long-term goal is to become an owner operator, purchase a truck and grow from there,” Tillman said. “I like that you have that opportunity.”
Viktor Bodnaryuk is a DVL Express driver who transports goods across the country. He has worked at the company for five years.
“It’s a really friendly place,” he said. “They work hard to help drivers be comfortable. It’s a good relationship between the company and drivers. You can feel it when you come in. I’m sure everybody (there) can feel that. The attitude of the personnel — it’s never rude, never impolite. It’s always a pleasure to talk to someone. They are really helpful. They care about workers, about drivers.”
When Bodnaryuk came to work for the company, he didn’t have experience working with flatbed trucks, but DVL Express trained him.
An onboarding course for new employees at the company covers various areas of trucking and monthly trainings are offered and tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
“We do workshops, invite people to teach and train, share knowledge and wisdom to help people grow,” Dovgal said. “We provide them space where they can create. We want to hear their ideas.”
Tillman said he likes that the company shows appreciation for employees with special events and activities. He also values the priority the company places on its fleet.
“The equipment isn’t all beat up and worn out,” he said.
“Our fleet is pretty young, the oldest (truck) is five years,” said Oleg Paletchi, who started out as a driver with the company and is now fleet specialist helping to maintain the company’s trucks.
DVL Express is waiting to receive delivery of five electric trucks it ordered, noted Dovgal. The company’s goal is to ultimately have a predominantly electric fleet.
“I’m creating a conscience business,” Dovgal stressed. “It means you do business with love, where you care about employees, about the environment and making this world a better place.”
It’s not about money, he said.
Among charitable organizations the company has supported are Restoration Ministries and United Help Ukraine, Stefanishina said.
Paletchi has been with the company six-and-a-half years. He immigrated to the U.S. from Moldova and likes the diversity of the company’s workforce. Diversity is a priority, Dovgal said. The company has drivers from more than 30 countries and office employees from more than 10.
“DVL unites; that’s what we say,” Dovgal said.
The company has succeeded in creating a culture where staff feel valued, Paletchi said.
Employees are committed to the company because of “how the owners treat us,” he said. “Most of the time you spend at the workplace, so it’s very important coming to work that you know that somebody respects you, and you will be treated good and you will be remunerated for your work. Everybody who works in DVL can tell that this company never forgets the employees.”
Francine Knowles is a freelance writer
