Emery Sapp & Sons reduces safety events by 40% with Connected Training

Connected Training enables custom, ongoing training at scale

Before Samsara, driver onboarding at ESS was limited to standardized, in-person sessions covering technology, policies, and safety. Annual training was completed in large group settings based on driver feedback, regulatory updates, and the previous year’s data. ESS wanted a scalable way to provide tailored, ongoing driver coaching but lacked the resources to overhaul their training program or manage another platform.

Since ESS was already using the Samsara Driver App, adopting Samsara Connected Training was an easy win. With Connected Training, ESS was able to customize driver onboarding and continued learning with a vast training library, ability to build custom courses, and automated course assignment. As ESS scales their training program, drivers are intelligently assigned relevant courses in the Driver App based on their driving history and safety events. “Connected Training simplifies driver training. Our managers save time on harsh event follow-ups as safety improves,” said Eric Thiessen, Transportation Manager.

ESS now offers personalized training to all drivers, improving safety behaviors and reducing the need for manager-led coaching. Combined with in-cab coaching, they achieved a 40% reduction in safety events per 1,000 miles using Connected Training. 

Reliable Asset Tags let ESS seamlessly track any piece of equipment 

ESS relies on their 600 trailers and specialized equipment to complete projects efficiently. However, their previous tracking solution only sent location updates every 12 hours, or stopped working entirely, leaving gaps in visibility. This lack of real-time data led to frequent instances of missing equipment, with monthly losses ranging from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $150,000.

In response, ESS installed the Samsara Asset Tag—a ruggedized and discreet tracker designed to improve visibility, reduce theft, and streamline asset management. Unlike bulkier trackers, the Samsara Asset Tag is compact and easily hidden, making it effective for theft prevention—in fact, one of ESS' drivers installed an Asset Tag inside the tail light of a trailer for added security.

Today, ESS has transformed asset management. “The Asset Tag provides a complete view of our trailers and equipment. Instead of a 12 hour snapshot, we have a granular view of where everything has been,” said Thiessen. This level of visibility has not only reduced equipment loss but also improved efficiency by ensuring that teams always know where their tools are and who has been using them. 

When equipment theft inevitably occurs, ESS is confident that their Asset Tags’ discreet placement and tracking capabilities will help recover any stolen items quickly, minimizing potential losses.

The Driver App provides end-to-end task management for drivers 

ESS’ drivers previously managed tasks—such as proof of delivery—through various methods including phone calls, texts, and emails, and used legacy tablets for HOS compliance. Maintenance also relied on phone calls and paper forms, leading to unreported or unresolved vehicle defects and frequent FMCSA violations.

With the Samsara Driver App, drivers now complete all tasks—including DVIRs, HOS, and claiming unassigned drive time—through a user-friendly interface to improve productivity and compliance. Now, drivers upload pickup and delivery photos directly in the app, streamlining chain-of-custody tracking. Using DVIRs to improve vehicle health, ESS’ maintenance team is instantly notified of reported issues so repairs are done quickly. By staying on top of maintenance, they reduced violations and improved their FMCSA score by 11%.

ESS doubles down on safety training without additional resources using AI Dash Cams

ESS had prior experience with dash cams but wanted an all-in-one provider. When they transitioned to Samsara for Vehicle Telematics, they also adopted AI Dash Cams. Initially, drivers were hesitant, but gamifying Driver Safety Scores helped secure buy-in. Today, Safety Score leaderboards promote friendly competition among drivers, turning safety into a team motivator.

Using in-cab alerts, ESS gets ahead of their primary safety concerns, with no additional in-person training required. Now, when risky behaviors are detected—like distracted driving and tailgating—AI-based audio alerts help drivers self correct right then and there. "Samsara helps drivers recognize and correct bad habits, motivating them to become safer and better on the road,” said Thiessen.

This led to safety improvements across the board including a 65% reduction in mobile use, a 25% reduction in no seatbelt use, and a 67% reduction in close following distance. As their drivers build safer habits, ESS brought down their at-fault accident rate by 25% and their DOT-reportable accidents by 40%. ESS is looking forward to using the Drowsiness Detection in-cab alert to improve safety for their drivers working long hours.