Quality Custom Distribution increases driver retention and saves millions with Samsara

In partnership with Samsara, QCD elevates its commitment to safety, innovation, and driver well-being. By leveraging Samsara’s tools and platform functionalities, QCD has completely eliminated drowsy driving crashes during the first six months of implementation, reduced claims, and significantly improved training compliance.

Photos Courtesy of Quality Custom Distribution

Powered by the Samsara Connected Operations™ Platform

CAMERAS AND VIDEO
SAMSARA APPS
FLEET TELEMATICS

Meet Quality Custom Distribution

Legacy technology slowed response times and lacked customization

Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a subsidiary of Golden State Foods (GSF), provides distribution services for major brands like Starbucks, Raising Cane’s, and Chipotle. They operate a large fleet out of 25 locations across the U.S., including Hawaii. QCD is driven by a strong safety culture that emphasizes coaching and retaining their current drivers.

Before implementing Samsara, QCD faced several challenges with their point solutions. When incidents occurred, it was difficult to pull footage from their legacy dash cams. Requests for footage, particularly of incidents occurring during nights or weekends, often required waiting for their provider's customer service team to become available, which slowed investigations. They also lacked control over their data and system—supervisors could not easily review flagged events or add context (such as noting that a mobile device alert was triggered by a soda can).

Their prior ELD solution also made maintaining compliance difficult, primarily with log certification which is a frequent cause for flags during inspections. Driver training completion rates were below target due to paper or PC-based processes that often required waiting for available computers. Tracking deliveries and providing accurate ETAs to customers was also a manual process, relying on supervisors to make estimates between stops. QCD needed a more self-service platform with better data accessibility and integrated functionality.

MICKEY HORTON

An integrated platform to protect and upskill drivers

QCD rolled out a comprehensive suite of Samsara solutions including AI Dash Cams, Fleet Telematics, Connected Training, and the Driver App. The implementation process went quickly, completing installation across their 25 locations in approximately six months. While initially using a third party for installation, they incorporated their own team into the process due to the simple plug-and-play nature of Samsara devices.

A key aspect of the rollout, particularly in union facilities, involved careful change management centered on driver buy-in. QCD held one-on-one meetings with drivers, showing them exoneration videos captured by Samsara to demonstrate how the system would protect them and emphasizing that the goal was training, not punishment. “Finding and retaining good drivers is extremely competitive. Our strategy focuses on helping our current drivers improve by clearly communicating our safety expectations and providing transparent coaching,” said Mickey Horton, Senior Director of EHS at GSF. The intuitive Driver App also helped accelerate driver adoption and foster positive sentiment towards the new technology.

Saving millions and overturning FMCSA-recorded crashes with AI Dash Cams

Previously, QCD experienced delays with legacy dash cams and data issues. Implementing Samsara’s safety solution dramatically improved their safety metrics across the board—most notably, they completely eliminated drowsy driving crashes during the first six months of implementation. By transforming their safety culture with AI Dash Cams, QCD significantly decreased claims and saved millions in related costs. Samsara HD footage also helped overturn crashes in FMCSA data and continuously enables them to recognize positive driver behavior.

Photo courtesy of Quality Custom Distribution

MICKEY HORTON

Guided workflows improve compliance and training completion rates

QCD’s prior ELD solution lacked customizable features, like requiring drivers to certify their logs, which led to more frequent CSA violations. With Samsara’s ELD solution and the Driver App, QCD can control the features that directly prevent violations. As a result, QCD reduced their overall ISS (Inspection Selection System) score and a five-year low CSA score. Using Connected Training via the Driver App, they improved driver training compliance, ensuring drivers receive relevant and consistent training.

Improving customer service with accurate ETAs

Quality Custom Distribution previously struggled with providing accurate ETAs due to limited visibility. Implementing Samsara telematics enabled QCD to improve oversight, monitor routes proactively, and ensure efficiency. Now, they offer customers real-time delivery information and precise ETAs by tracking driver routes with pinpoint locations.