Terrain Tamers Chip Hauling, Inc., headquartered in Dillard Oregon, is a local trucking company which provides transportation of wood by-products throughout the State of Oregon and Southern Washington. Although, all of our trucks and drivers are home daily and we are considered a local hauler, the majority of our freight is considered interstate commerece, as it is destined for shipment overseas to be used in bio-fuel operations.
Terrain Tamers was incorporated in May 1972 after Darrel Boyer and his wife Jackie started a business of their own after Darrel left his father’s company, Coos Trucking. This was the beginning of Terrain Tamers which has grown to encompass a fleet of more than 60 truck-trailer combinations in two terminals located in Dillard and Salem, Oregon.
The early success of Terrain Tamers came from the idea that if a truck could run day and night, they could haul more product and get more work done than the other haulers; thus, providing better customer service to the mill. There have been many challenges and obstacles to overcome in the past 40 years, but one thing has remained constant, Terrain Tamers is committed to providing superior, timely customer service to the wood by-products industry.
In the late 2000’s, Darrel and Jackie’s son, Brant Boyer, took over operations after working in and learning every aspect of the company, including obtaining his CDL to haul loads. He is the current president and owner of the company.
One of the major changes in the more recent years has been a change in equipment. It was once a requirement that all drivers hold a doubles endorsement and be able to pull the double trailers. In the past few years, Terrain Tamers has phased out double trailers and is now primarily hauling 53-foot possum-belly chip trailers, equipped with auto-tarps and Bluetooth scales. All of these trailers are pulled with the fleet of late-model manual transmission, 4-axle tractors. Terrain Tamers no longer requires drivers to hold a doubles endorsement.
By investing in modern equipment, the company is able to keep drivers on the road more consistently. Even with the pro-active approach to service and maintenance, break downs are inevitable which is why both of the terminals have an on-site shop staffed with well-trained mechanics around the clock. When a break down occurs, the company understand that it can affect the drivers pay; therefore, we have established compensation for time spent waiting for repairs.
The most valuable asset Terrain Tamers has, is the reliable, professional drivers that ensure day in and day out that every load is delivered safe and efficiently. Drivers are paid by the load; with an minimum daily pay of $250 and an annual salary between $55-80,000. Our drivers are paid bi-monthly, either by check or direct deposit. In addition to regular pay, Terrain Tamers offers a generous compensation package including tenue bonus, a medical, dental and vision insurance plan with flexible spending accounts, company paid life insurance policy, paid time off, six paid holidays, and a 401K retirement plan with company matching.
The company places a high emphasis on safety. Ensuring that drivers make it home safely at the end of every shift is of upmost importance.
It was through rigorous culture change throughout the company that led to Terrain Tamers receiving the 2018 Grand Champion Safety Award through the Oregon Trucking Association.