Pet Food Experts reduces total annual claim payouts by 80% with Netradyne

Company

Pet Food Experts (PFX) is a family-owned, third-generation company and leading distributor of pet food and supplies. With six distribution centers across the U.S., PFX is committed to supporting over 10,000 independent pet retailers with fast, reliable delivery, excellent service, and a strong focus on driver safety and operational excellence. 

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Challenge

Before adopting Netradyne, Pet Food Experts did not use a video-based safety system in its fleet. As the transportation team began evaluating solutions, they were focused on finding more than just a camera system — they wanted a tool to help build a culture of safety and accountability across the organization. 

Phil Young, Director of Safety, Security, and Compliance at PFX, partnered with Lisa Almeida, Director of Logistics, and Tiago Oliveira, National Transportation Manager, to evaluate potential fleet safety solutions. While several systems were considered, including Samsara and JJ Keller, none offered the comprehensive capabilities needed to drive behavior change, protect drivers, and deliver transparency from the road to the boardroom. 

To better understand one of the options, Young visited their parent company, Dot Foods, which was using Samsara at the time, to assess the system’s strengths and limitations firsthand. After thorough evaluation, including a detailed review of Netradyne’s technology and discussions with their team, Young concluded that Netradyne was the best fit for PFX’s needs. 

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Solution 

Netradyne’s Driver•i platform stood out for its focus on positive reinforcement, ease of use, and robust coaching tools. Young especially appreciated the DriverStars program and the comprehensive Safety Playbook Program, which were key in building buy-in from drivers and leadership alike.

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“We realized that most systems are focused on the negative. With Netradyne, you get recognition for safe driving. That shift in mindset really mattered to us.”
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Phil Young
Director of Safety, Security, and Compliance at PFX
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The rollout was executed deliberately, distribution center by distribution center, with a clear implementation plan. Young and his team developed custom literature, held on-site meetings, met with every driver in person, and partnered with Netradyne’s customer success team to make the transition smooth. Leadership buy-in was equally important — senior executives were trained on the platform to ensure support at every level. 

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Results

The impact of Netradyne was immediate and measurable. In locations like the Illinois distribution center, distracted driving incidents dropped dramatically. In the first week alone, the Illinois team logged over 1,200 alerts, most related to distraction, but within two months, they achieved three consecutive weeks with zero distracted driving incidents. 

Driver engagement also saw a boost, thanks in large part to the gamification aspect of the Driver•i platform. Drivers began comparing their GreenZone scores across locations, creating a sense of friendly competition that helped reinforce positive behaviors. This not only encouraged individual improvement but also fostered team pride and accountability. 

Coaching became more structured and effective across the fleet. PFX leveraged both managed and virtual coaching to ensure drivers understood why they were receiving alerts and how to improve. The company also established a peer-led transportation safety team that meets weekly to review footage and determine root cause — making accountability a shared responsibility rather than placing the burden solely on fleet managers. 

Incident investigations were also streamlined. With Netradyne footage available, safety leaders could quickly assess what happened during an incident, saving time and reducing friction. This helped create a more transparent and objective review process. 

Financially, the benefits have been substantial. Pet Food Experts saw a 75% reduction in average claims costs and a nearly 80% decrease in total annual claim payouts after implementing Netradyne. According to Young, much of this improvement can be directly attributed to the presence of video evidence and the resulting change in driver behavior. 

Beyond the numbers, Netradyne has become deeply embedded in PFX’s culture. Every new driver is now trained to use the system as part of their onboarding process. Expectations are clear from day one, and safety is no longer an add-on, it’s a foundational part of the company’s operations. As Young puts it, “We’re not just reacting anymore. We’re communicating, analyzing, and leading with transparency.” 

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Next Steps

With their core fleet fully equipped, PFX plans to expand Netradyne’s coverage to their newly acquired company, Animal Supply Company (ASC). Currently, ASC uses Samsara but lacks four-way cameras and a comprehensive coaching program. 

“We’ll be replacing that system with Netradyne next year. Now that we know the formula for success, we can repeat it,” Young explained. 

PFX is also integrating GreenZone scores and DriverStars into its formal safety incentive program, tying performance directly to bonuses. The goal is simple: create a safer culture that supports both employees and the communities they serve. 

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“At the end of the day, it's not about delivering pet food. It’s about getting our drivers home safely to their families.” 
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Phil Young
Director of Safety, Security, and Compliance at PFX
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Learn how to implement Netradyne’s fleet safety solutions in your fleet and transform your safety culture. Book a demo now.