Inside the Yard: Meet CPC Team Members Keeping Operations Running Smoothly

CPC Logistics understands that efficient yard operations are a critical part of keeping freight moving for customers. Delays in the yard can impact a customer’s entire transportation network, including reducing on-time deliveries, lowering driver productivity and increasing operating costs.

CPC’s yard management and yard spotter services are built on the expertise of experienced team members who know that keeping a yard running effectively requires more than moving trailers from one location to another. It takes communication, situational awareness, problem-solving and a commitment to safety.

CPC manages yard operations for an international maker of farming, construction and yard tools in Milan, Illinois, where Yard Spotter Ron King and Yard Supervisor Ken Phillips play a vital role.

“We’re a small group in Milan, but we produce like a much larger team thanks to strong coordination and collaboration,” Ken said.

Challenges often arise, but as a CPC team member since 1995, Ron can assess each situation and determine the right path forward.

“Weather is one of the worst challenges, especially in the winter with snow and ice causing truck maintenance issues and holdups,” Ron said. “When problems come up, proper communication with the facility team helps everyone adjust.”

After more than 30 years with CPC, Ron is nearing retirement, ending a career that has included team driving, cross-docking operations and years in the yard. Regional Manager Shawne Koch, who works closely with the Milan team, said Ron has taught her a lot and is always proactive on the job.

“He’s the one out there relocating trailers and straightening up the yard when he’s not busy,” Shawne said. “He already knows what they’re going to call to the door before the building does.”

While spotters are often the ones making the moves, effective yard operations require additional organization and oversight. Ken’s path to yard supervisor reflects the opportunities for growth he has found within CPC. After joining CPC as a spotter in 2024, he helped CPC launch a new yard operation for the farming, construction and yard tools company in Davenport, Iowa, before returning to Milan as yard supervisor in 2026.

“Once I started working with CPC, I noticed people in management positions who started as drivers for the company,” Ken said. “I thought there was a chance for me to move up like they did.”

A major part of Ken’s role is helping customers improve the flow of their yard’s trailers, docks and freight.

“If customers don’t know how to place trailers out in the yard or get them in and out smoothly, CPC can do that,” Ken said. “I like to call us a ‘super logistics machine.’”

The services CPC provides for customers vary by yard and the needs of each operation. But CPC always brings dependable team members like Ron and Ken who are committed to working closely with customers to keep everything moving in a safe and timely manner.

“As long as the customer is happy, I am happy,” Ken said. “We get long lists of trailers that need to be moved every day. When I see no yellow lines showing trailers that weren’t moved the day before, I know we’re doing an awesome job.”