Like every business in America, if not the world, TKO Graphix during COVID-19 has changed. If you open TKO Graphix Website, you’ll immediately see this banner, “TKO Graphix remains open to serve our customers. We continue operations as an essential business supporting the critical work done by many of our customers.” So, what makes a graphics company an essential business?

One positive that has come from the COVID-19 pandemic is that more and more people, from all walks of life, are realizing the importance of trucking and the men and women who drive the trucks – the truckers.

According to Forbes Custom, “Trucking is the driving force behind all companies’ worldwide supply chains, moving nearly everything consumed in this country. Nearly 80% of U.S. communities receive their goods exclusively by truck. Virtually all U.S. goods touch a truck during at least one leg of the supply chain. Trucking moves nearly 70% of all freight tonnage in this country. Even goods that have traveled by ship and rail eventually wind up on a truck for the ‘last mile’ of the delivery.”

TKO Graphix not only works with national trucking companies such as RL Carriers, and Knight Transportation but also trailer manufacturers like Great Dane and Wabash National. And we work with some of the largest last-mile carriers in the world who deliver packages to your door. As well as businesses with their own dedicated fleets delivering food, medical supplies, and more.

So, What Makes TKO Graphix During COVID-19 Essential?

What makes TKO Graphix during COVID-19 essential is we help keep fleets on the road delivering the goods America needs. We not only print and install graphics such as DOT numbers but help businesses identify their cars and trucks. For example, an ambulance on an emergency run with sirens blaring, but without identifying graphics could be dangerous or in the least confusing. A plain unidentified delivery truck pulling into your driveway could be concerning, and the same goes for service trucks from plumbers to heating and air specialist.

DOT Numbers

I mentioned DOT numbers. These identifiers are required by federal law for carriers. “Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number. Also, commercial intrastate hazardous materials carriers who haul types and quantities requiring a safety permit must register for a USDOT Number.

The USDOT Number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company’s safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections.” — Do I need a USDOT Number?

In addition to graphics, and maybe even more essential to keeping trucks on the road, TKO’s sister company, 360 Fleet Services, complete trailer repairs, installations, and inspections. Here’s a sampling of what 360 Fleet Services does.

DOT Inspections
Preventative Maintenance
Electrical – Lights & Wiring.
Brake Service. Computer ABS Diagnostic
Complete Wheel End Service. Axles & Suspension Repair
Trailer Collision Repair including Trailer Body & Floor Repair

These services keep America moving.

TKO Graphix During COVID-19

I Zoomed (is that a verb now) with Chris Hurley, TKO Graphix VP of administration. We discussed the precaution’s TKO is taking during the pandemic. To begin with, those who could work from home are doing so. For example, the customer service staff are all working from home. However, there is daily paperwork that can only be handled at the office. So, VP Chris comes in every day, chats with the CSR staff, and completes the necessary paperwork.

All employees have the option to work or wait it out. Some employees with health issues opted to stay home while others with childcare needs have sheltered with their children.

Production employees arrive at TKO between 6 am, and 10 am. Chris, Ronnie Roessler, TKO Graphix Logistics / Installation Team Manager, along with the other managers at all locations take the temperature of every TKO team member every day. Anyone with a fever is sent home and cannot return until they’re free of fever for 24 hours.

Chris said it can be exhausting, not only taking the temperature of nearly 200 people but calming those with stress without sugar-coating it. However, she said there is a huge upside. She has learned more about her teammates and feels closer to the staff than ever before. She said, “It’s inspiring to see how so many have risen to the occasion. It’s been huge to have the support of the managers at the other locations, and Ronnie here. I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Here are a few of the precautions TKO is taking

The Human Resources department has informed all employees of the CDC guidelines.
TKO distributed masks to every team member working on site, and told them, if needed, they could take the masks home.
TKO added signage and floor graphics as reminders for social distancing, washing hands, and things you need to do at work and outside of work to keep yourself, your family, and co-workers safe.
Every day, James Ladd, TKO’s safety director, disinfects the premises.
Twice a week, a cleaning crew comes into the TKO facility and not only cleans but uses an electrostatic disinfectant.
TKO’s executive team conferences almost daily reviewing the latest in the pandemic, how it could affect the TKO team, and what to do about it. As Chris said, “As an executive team, we have to talk about our ever-changing response to COVID-19.”
On Friday’s TKO has local restaurant, The Coachman Inn, cater lunch. We do this for two reasons to thank our employees and show our support of a long time local restaurant.

Before we ended our conversation, Chris, on behalf of the entire executive staff, wanted to thank all the dedicated TKO employees working in the shop and at home for their hard work and dedication. She said it confirms how great of a team TKO is. Stay safe, and if we can help in any way, don’t hesitate to Contact Us.