Cory Home Delivery Service Expands Safety Program

Furniture World Magazine

It’s no secret that the transportation industry is being challenged as never before by skyrocketing insurance costs that have doubled in the last year. In a pro-active move, CORY Home Delivery Service is taking the proverbial bull by the horns, addressing the issue by aggressively expanding its safety program. The initiative had its beginnings in the summer of 2001, as CORY observed the changing business climate. The economy — even before 9/11 — was in tough shape, only to be further challenged by the grievous events that would follow. Increasing insurance rates would seriously impact the cost of doing business — the demise of Consolidated Freightways a prominent case in point — accenting the need to keep ahead of the changing market. “These tumultuous times within the transportation industry mandate positive action to create awareness and take effective measures to help reduce the high costs of insurance, liability, and accidents,” says CEO Joseph Cory, Sr. “The comprehensive Safety First! Campaign is a win-win effort designed to improve safety procedures to reduce claims and lower insurance costs. The impact of such a program serves to benefit our clients nationwide.” Mr. Cory reports very good news as a result of the expanded safety program! With deliveries approaching the one million mark during its 2002 insurance year beginning October 2001, the company has reduced the number of accidents by 54 percent. And for the first time in its modern history, in July of this year the company had zero chargeable accidents in a one-month period. The multi-level campaign led by President James Cory includes strategic and tactical initiatives that reach throughout the entire CORY organization. CORY, the oldest specialized home delivery carrier in America, has grown from a regional delivery and warehousing company in the Northeast to one of the largest home delivery organizations nationwide in America covering 16 different states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Implementing the program are Vice President of Human Resources Raymond DeMilia and Corporate Safety and Risk Management Specialist Heather Gaedt. The Safety Committee, comprised of executives, management, and independent contractors, is the driving force of the program. The committee works to reduce and eliminate claims by reinforcing a wide variety of safety issues with facility and delivery managers on a weekly basis. A powerful strategy the committee employs is simultaneous teleconferencing with all facilities that includes outside industry experts. “Senior management participates in every conference call, and the interaction is extremely valuable,” says Fleet Insurance Services Senior Vice President Paul Michaels, CORY insurance specialist, and an active participant in the program whose observations on the industry are discerning and insightful. “The reality is that more is at stake than just the cost of insurance. People are hurt, property is damaged, and there is loss of manpower, which all increase costs across the board. Though it’s not possible to control every accident, you can control the number of accidents.” To that end, CORY enforces high quality standards, adds Mr. Michaels. Trucks go through daily mandatory safety checks, including careful inspection of tires and brakes. If a truck is not in top shape, it is off the road. Independent contractors are screened carefully using CORY’s 18-point screening process and evaluated regularly. Safety Committee members also work together, providing feedback on policies and procedures and a roundtable forum for ideas. Regional managers oversee the initiative for each location by communicating regularly with the corporate office and independent contractors on the road. Facility and delivery managers hold weekly stand-up meetings with independent contractors to heighten awareness, including review of the revised company safety manual covering policies on the road, damages, and claims. Because backing accidents are responsible, CORY has found, for 30 percent of all accidents, a key point strongly emphasized to independent contractors is correct backup procedure. CORY requires that each helper step outside the truck to assist the driver when backing up. Independent contractors involved in backing accidents face severe penalties, up to the termination of their relationship with the company. Each truck operating for CORY is in full DOT compliance and equipped with an accident kit that includes a camera to record an accident immediately and information on how to appropriately respond. Additionally, testing of motion detector devices to assist with backup and GPS safety systems is underway. “The Safety First! Campaign is a real morale builder, and we see that it’s making a difference. By end of year, we anticipate a savings of nearly $200,000 in insurance premiums and accident-related expenses,” says Mr. Cory, noting that safety is a number one priority to everyone in the company. “Benefits are considerable across the board. As we grow, Safety First! makes us stronger and better. It improves customer satisfaction and strengthens client relationships while reducing our clients’ liabilities to their customers and the public.” A family-owned and -operated business, CORY Home Delivery Service was founded by Joseph Cory in 1934. The company has grown to serve major retailers in the home furnishings, decorator, electronics and appliance markets. Among CORY clients are Rooms To Go, Ethan Allen, Thomasville Home Furnishings, Carson Pirie Scott, Crate&Barrel, Best Buy, Circuit City, and Home Depot. Based in Jersey City, CORY serves markets in the Midwest, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Northeast, and Puerto Rico. The company dispatches a modern fleet of 300 customized delivery vehicles daily and utilizes 1.4 million square feet of warehouse space. For more information, call Patrick Cory in Jersey City at 201-795-1000, extension 240, or visit the CORY Home Delivery Service Web site at www.corycompanies.com.