Summers-Taylor, Inc. Wins Inaugural ICS Innovator Award for Safety and Innovation

We are excited to announce that Summers-Taylor, Inc. has been awarded our first-ever ICS Innovator Award, recognizing the company’s exceptional commitment to safety and innovation in their business. This award celebrates forward-thinking risk management solutions and innovative business practices among our captive members.

When Summers-Taylor, Inc. purchased four acres of land near their Johnson City, TN, headquarters, they set out to make a transformative impact. That vision has come to fruition through their innovative approach to safety, showcased by their driver training program, The Proving Grounds.

About the Innovator Award

The Innovator Award was established to highlight the groundbreaking efforts of captive insurance members working to improve safety and risk management. We understand that innovation in business takes many forms, which is why our award categories allow for a wide range of submissions, including:

• Safety Enhancements
• Technological Advancements
• Employee Engagement & Retention
• Sustainable Practices
• Process Improvements

Each category contributes to building stronger, safer, and more efficient businesses. The Innovator Award was an initiative posed to seven of our property casualty group captives who attended our recent CAPTIVEMANIA event in London for their Board of Directors Meetings. By recognizing these innovations, we aim to bring greater attention to the hard work of our captive members as they strive to continuously improve.

The Proving Grounds:  A game-changing driver training program

We are proud to award Summers-Taylor, Inc. the Innovator Award for their exceptional Proving Grounds driver training program. Designed to train dump truck and concrete mixer operators, The Proving Grounds offers a series of live-training exercises that simulate real-world jobsite conditions. Unlike traditional training methods—such as written DOT tests or CDL courses—this hands-on program immerses drivers in various scenarios they will face in the field.

Training at The Proving Grounds covers crucial aspects like:

• Backing up vehicles
• Scale simulation
• Navigating uneven terrain
• Avoiding obstacles like powerlines and mailboxes

This rigorous training gives Summers-Taylor the opportunity to assess each driver’s strengths and identify areas where additional coaching is needed. All newly hired drivers work with an experienced trainer, spending at least two weeks refining their skills at The Proving Grounds before heading to the field.

Impact on Driver Safety and Productivity

The results of The Proving Grounds have been remarkable. Since its launch, the program has significantly improved driver safety, productivity, and retention at Summers-Taylor, Inc. With hands-on training, drivers feel more confident and prepared to handle large machinery on active jobsites.

According to data from 2023, 77% of vehicle incidents and accidents are now addressed through training scenarios at The Proving Grounds, meaning fewer claims for Summers-Taylor, but more importantly, fewer accidents overall. This proactive approach ensures that more drivers are able to return home safely each day.

A Vision for the Future

Although The Proving Grounds is still a relatively new initiative, Summers-Taylor, Inc. has ambitious plans to expand the program. The company envisions incorporating additional jobsite scenarios and developing new training modules for other large construction vehicles.

Summers-Taylor’s dedication to improving safety and innovation through programs like The Proving Grounds exemplifies what the Innovator Award represents. Their leadership will undoubtedly inspire other companies to prioritize safety and efficiency in the construction industry.

Congratulations to Summers-Taylor, Inc. on this well-deserved recognition. We are excited to see how this forward-thinking and safety-driven company continues to shape the future!