Panama Transfer, Inc. earns recognition for safety

PANAMA — Panama Transfer, Inc. recently received the 2024 Grand Trophy for Fleet Safety at the 2024 Iowa Motor Truck Association’s (IMTA) awards program held in Cedar Rapids.
 Panama Transfer, located in Panama, IA, was recognized for outstanding achievement in highway safety. The awards program is held every year to recognize those who complete the Iowa Motor Truck Association Leadership Program and recognizes companies and employees for their achievements in various areas.
Panama Transfer was chosen by a panel of judges appointed by IMTA, who based their decision on accident frequency in terms of number of accidents per 1,000,000 vehicle miles. “Panama Transfer was chosen for this award due to having no DOT recordable accidents, as well as the safest driving history for the time frame the award was chosen,” Panama Transfer Operations Manager Matt Schmitz said.
Schmitz said the company held multiple safety events throughout the year for employees, as well as public events including distractive driving education, a course on human trafficking awareness, and a driving simulator event.
 “Panama Transfer continues to not only train and educate their employees on road safety, but continues to hold free events to work with surrounding schools and public to educate on highway safety and learn more on the trucking industry,” Schmitz said.
  In addition to the grand trophy, the company also received a plaque for outstanding achievement in highway safety, which was given to fleets with the lowest accident frequency rate in its class.
Schmitz said the awards were “remarkable achievements” for the company. “Our team’s unwavering dedication to safety and professionalism has earned this prestigious recognition. This success is a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment of every employee, underscoring the importance of teamwork in achieving safety excellence.”
 Brothers Jim and Don Kloewer founded the company in 1957. At that time, the business mainly consisted of pickup and delivery of freight to and from Omaha to seven Western Iowa Communities. In 1988, Jim’s son-in-law, Mark Crall, was hired to manage company sales and Jim’s son, Dean, took over operational duties. The company maintains a fleet of 155 tractors and 215 trailers. In addition to the corporate office in Panama, the company also has terminals in Wellsburg, and Richland, and maintains terminal facilities in Des Moines, Sioux Falls, Hawkeye, and Omaha.