GSM Services, Inc. - Driving Change

Preventing Risks to Keep Everyone Safe

Scott Bradley will never forget the day of the crash. As a 40-year employee of GSM Services, Inc., Scott was driving a company-branded truck on a routine trip. Suddenly, a car darted out to cross his path. Heart racing, Scott slammed the brakes, hit the horn, and swerved. He prayed the other driver would stop.

They didn’t. The vehicles collided. Thankfully, no one suffered serious injuries. However, the emotional weight of that day stayed with Scott. “It was scary,” he said. “You’re not just another average Joe who had an accident. You’re representing GSM, and that’s a responsibility.” For Scott and the leadership team at GSM, this incident became a stark reminder of why defensive driving matters. It is a principle deeply rooted in the company's safety culture.

A Legacy Built on People

For nearly 100 years, GSM Services, Inc. has stood as a pillar of the Gastonia, North Carolina, community. The company offers HVAC repair, duct cleaning, insulation, and more, but their mission goes beyond providing essential services. Brothers Steven and Joel Long lead the third-generation, family-owned business. They built their legacy on trust, care, and long-lasting connections. “Our goal is to build 30-year, 40-year, 50-year relationships,” Joel said. “And it’s been a lot of fun.”

This mindset reflects their core belief in putting people first. That includes employees, customers, and their community at large. Naturally, that dedication extends to their commitment to safety. “Safety isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we live every day,” said Erik Hendricks, GSM’s director of safety. “For us, it’s about making sure every single person gets home safely to their family.”

Implementing Technology for Safety

GSM takes this mission seriously. They actively learn from incidents like Scott’s and listen to lessons shared by their team. To prioritize safety further, they sought new solutions. This search led them to implement Federated DriveSAFE℠ telematics for their fleet of nearly 200 vehicles. GSM launched the program in collaboration with their Federated Insurance^® direct marketing representative, direct risk consultant, and the greater Federated Insurance team. The results spoke volumes.

“One individual, initially skeptical, saw major improvements in his driving within 30 days and said, ‘I think this is the best thing,’” Joel shared. To encourage employees to embrace the system, the company utilized comprehensive training sessions, open forums, and team-based incentives. “We saw improvements in driving behavior almost immediately,” said Andy Haynes, GSM’s asset manager. Haynes oversees the telematics system through the Fleet Admin Portal. “It’s become second nature to be safer on the road.”

Building a Benchmark for Safety

Safety at GSM is about more than reducing crashes. It is about creating a culture where stories like Scott Bradley’s make a difference. By combining technology, training, and personal responsibility, GSM ensures every drive ends with a safe return. The emotional lessons from veteran employees and the proactive efforts of their entire team have turned GSM into a benchmark for safety.

“We’re incredibly thankful for our partnership with Federated^® and the DriveSAFE telematics program — it’s a game-changer," Joel said. "Knowing that our drivers are safer and our company is more protected gives us peace of mind.”