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Erica N. Guy

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About Erica N. Guy
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor's degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.

Posts by Erica N. Guy

Ryder System given the 2024 VETS Indexes Employer award

By Erica N. Guy -

MIAMI — Ryder System Inc. has been named a VETS Indexes Recognized Employer in the 2024 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The award recognizes Ryder’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing and supporting veterans and the military-connected community, according to a news release. “Ryder is proud to employ so many members of the veteran community and to recognize the disciplined, quality professionals whose skill sets match well with many roles in our company,” said Robert Sanchez, chairman and CEO for Ryder. “Veterans possess distinct skills learned through military service, including integrity and the ability to follow through on commitments, which are vital to delivering on our promises to customers. Ryder is honored to be recognized by VETS Indexes, but more importantly, we are proud of the veterans who work at Ryder and extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans for their service, sacrifice, and dedication.” This year, 344 organizations submitted surveys for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, an increase of more than 100 from last year and nearly triple the number from two years ago. Only those who demonstrated a solid commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges and universities. “The diligent efforts of Ryder to hire, retain, and support veterans and the military-connected community have earned the organization a highly coveted VETS Indexes Employer Award,” said George Altman, president of VETS Indexes. “Competition for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards was tougher than ever in 2024, as a record number of organizations participated. Even with hundreds of employers in the running, Ryder demonstrated a strong dedication to veteran employment. Congratulations to Ryder on this achievement.” Veteran Hiring Initiatives at Ryder Ryder has has hired more than 15,300 veteran employees in the United States since joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program in November 2011. Ryder’s Veteran Buddy Program pairs Ryder employees who are military veterans with new veteran employees. The program is designed to help ease the transition from military to civilian life, which can be a significant challenge for recently separated veterans returning to the workforce. Ryder also participates in the Pathway Home program, which helps ease the transition to civilian life for U.S. soldiers through a 12-week diesel maintenance technician training course and offers employment opportunities as a Ryder technician upon completion of the training. Jobs at Ryder Veterans interested in Ryder careers can visit Ryder Veterans Jobs, where they can match their skills with open positions in the company. Ryder Military Discount Additionally, the company offers military discounts to its customers with its latest program around used commercial vehicles. Ryder provides 10% off the advertised price of a used vehicle to veterans, active military, and reservists. Visit Ryder Used Trucks for Sale for terms and conditions and to learn more.

Diamond Line Delivery Systems selects CLI FACTS

By Erica N. Guy -

ELMSFORD, N.Y. —  Carrier Logistics Inc. (CLI), veteran providers of freight management software for less-than-truckload (LTL) fleets, has announced that Diamond Line Delivery Systems, an LTL carrier that serves customers across five states in the Northwest, has deployed its FACTS software as the foundation for growth and to improve and enhance its business processes. “We knew that we needed to replace our legacy green-screen system with a freight and transportation management solution that would give us visibility into our operation and streamline our business processes,” said Neil Smith, president at Diamond Line Delivery. “The challenge was finding a TMS that wasn’t built for truckload operations and then modified for an LTL carrier. Then we found Carrier Logistics. Their FACTS system was developed and built for LTL. It is a straightforward fit for what we need.” Since going live on FACTS in May 2023, Diamond Line Delivery has worked closely with CLI to roll out the software with a focus on enabling the same processes across all of its locations, according to a news release.The carrier plans to utilize the full spectrum of features and integrations available in FACTS, including route optimization, freight dimensioning to access accurate shipment size and weight data, and costing and imaging solutions. “CLI has proven to be the right company for us because they’ve consistently delivered what they committed to which was to build on the FACTS foundation to enable additional capabilities we need in the software,” Smith said. “They assured us they would do that when we first spoke to them, and they’ve delivered on that promise. Our goal is to double our revenue in the next few years without having to scale up our staff. With CLI and FACTS we have the technology and the support to achieve that objective and provide top service to our customers.” Headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, Diamond Line Delivery Systems, Inc. provides LTL service from 16 terminals in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. The carrier delivers freight to hundreds of communities, including next day service to and from all major cities in the Northwest, with 200 drivers and a fleet of 220 tractors and 500 trailers. “With Diamond Line Delivery we have a visionary customer who sees all the opportunities that FACTS can offer for their growing LTL operation,” said Ben Wiesen, president of CLI. “We’re pleased they have chosen CLI to help drive the growth they envision. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with them to build processes and capabilities that meet their freight management needs.”

Kittle’s Furniture operating Indiana’s 1st Kenworth K270E battery-electric cabover

By Erica N. Guy -

INDIANAPOLIS — Kittle’s Furniture has Indiana’s first Kenworth battery-electric truck. With six retail locations in Indiana, Kittle’s uses a Kenworth K270E electric truck to deliver to customers in the Indianapolis metro area from its distribution center in Fishers, according to a news release. The truck is leased through Palmer Leasing, the local PacLease franchise, and joins other leased medium-duty trucks also in service with Kittle’s. The truck’s 282 kW battery pack delivers 355 horsepower through a direct-drive motor and can travel up to 200 miles between charges, the news release notes. A 20 kW wall charger from PACCAR Parts provides overnight charging. Founded in Indiana and family-owned since 1932, Kittle’s owners say they are always looking to the future. “That’s why we wanted to be the first in the furniture industry in Indiana to start using an electric delivery truck,” said Eric Easter, Kittle’s CEO. “With recent advancements in EV technology, especially in commercial vehicles, we believe it’s time to test and move forward with trucks that eliminate emissions while reducing our consumption of fossil fuels. And we’re finding the truck is delivering as promised. The K270E is less expensive to operate and has fewer service and maintenance requirements. This helps offset the higher lease rate. Our EV Kenworth from PacLease allows us to move into the future.” According to Tyler Baker, Kittle’s director of operations, the K270E has been in service since November 2023. “We’ve been tracking the performance and project we will be saving $10,000 a year in fuel alone,” he said. “And our cost for recharging has been negligible — we’re not seeing much of a difference in our electric bill. We use the truck starting at 7:00 in the morning, and it’s returned to the charging pedestal by 6:00 in the evening. It’s then plugged in and ready to go in the morning.” Baker said 50% of Kittle’s customers are within a 10-mile radius of its distribution center in Fishers. “The K270E serves those customers and goes back and forth to our distribution center, normally putting on between 75-100 miles per day,” Baker said. “We have gone as many as 150 miles between charges, and the truck has performed nicely. We expect the truck to put on about 20,000 miles a year. Our diesels average 25,000 miles.” According to Baker, the main difference drivers have found between electric and diesel is the get-up-and-go power of the electric Kenworth. “It’s quicker out of the gate than our standard truck, thanks to the direct drive engine,” Baker said. “And it’s so quiet. That’s taken getting used to, but our drivers like it.” Customers like the truck as well. “We get lots of compliments,” Baker said. “They see the wrap on the truck, which promotes the fact that this is an electric-powered vehicle. They think it’s pretty cool we’re running on battery power.” With anything new, there was a period of getting used to the electric Kenworth. “There was a learning curve for us and Palmer since this truck was the first for both of us,” Baker said. “But we’ve been working together for a long time, so it was a good experience as we ramped up. We’re very comfortable with the electric truck now, and that will help us as the industry moves forward with battery electric vehicles and charging technology.” Palmer’s Chairman, John Nichols, said that his company has worked with Kittle’s Furniture since 2010. “We’re both family-owned organizations and view our relationship with Kittle’s as a partnership — we do whatever it takes to help them succeed in transportation,” he said. “We were thrilled they wanted to move forward with the new electric Kenworth K270E. The lease through PacLease made it very simple and cost-effective for them to move forward.” Kittle’s makes between 300 and 400 customer deliveries each week, according to Baker. Drivers shrink-wrap their loads each morning for protection, then make between 10-and 15 deliveries per day. Many deliveries are “white glove,” where Kittle’s drivers set up furniture in the customer’s home. More than 50% of deliveries are from orders placed at the company’s 132,000-square-foot superstore in Castleton, “but we go all over the state,” Baker said. About once a week, trucks deliver new ‘display’ furniture to its retail locations, but the core transportation is to residential addresses. “We pride ourselves on quick turnaround — our deliveries typically take place within two days of the order from one of our stores,” Baker said.

Multi-Service Fuel Card launches mobile app aimed at truckers

By Erica N. Guy -

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Truck drivers can now use their Multi-Service Fuel Cards through a new mobile app that was specifically developed to support over-the-road truck drivers and fleet owners as they seek out cost-effective fuel options. The Multi-Service Fuel Card mobile application is accessible to existing fuel card customers and non-customers alike and is available today for both Apple and Android operating systems, according to a news release. The mobile app has focused on providing all users with the most accurate fuel pricing available so they can make cost-effective fueling decisions over the road. Also, any user can store multiple truck profiles and fuel plan for the road ahead, leveraging proximity and amenity filters alongside their pricing data. Multi-Service Fuel Card has an extensive truck stop merchant network with nearly 8,900 locations. Multi-Service Fuel Card account holders receive additional benefits, such as customized pricing with specific merchant groups. Price transparency, card ordering and card management are all additional features available to account holders on-the-go via the new mobile app. “We are incredibly excited to finally launch our mobile app,” said Aaron Decker, CEO of Multi-Service Fuel Card. “The features at launch are tools our customers have requested of us. Our team has poured their hearts and souls into delivering for our customers, and we truly believe it will provide a new level of ease and transparency over the road. This release is just the beginning of many enhancements we are set to deliver over the next year.”

Intangles launches InRoute Connect to improve maintenance turnaround times

By Erica N. Guy -

PHOENIX — Intangles, an AI-powered predictive maintenance platform for the trucking industry, has announced  InRoute Connect, a product designed to improve the turnaround time of commercial vehicles in need of maintenance while on the road.  With the click of a button, InRoute Connect users can immediately turn Intangles’ AI insights into action, according to a news release. As soon as an Intangles-powered fleet receives a predictive alert warning that a vehicle is in trouble, the fleet manager can take immediate action and direct the truck to a preferred maintenance shop on the truck’s route right from the Intangles platform. “Fleet owners can’t afford to have their trucks broken down by the side of the road or spend time scrambling to find a suitable repair shop on the route,” said Alan McMillan, president of Intangles for the Americas. “InRoute Connect leverages our AI-powered insights and marries them to a network of maintenance shops across North America. Intangles’ predictive alerts coupled with InRoute Connect allow fleet managers to turn predictive insights into action and avoid having an impact on the truck’s delivery schedule.” Intangles’ predictive maintenance platform detects issues with a vehicle long before a truck’s diagnostic trouble code is triggered, giving fleet managers time before the car breaks down to quickly act on the alert and direct the driver to a nearby service facility. Using patented and proprietary algorithms and state-of-the-art software and hardware architecture, the technology, which is now installed in more than 175,000 vehicles around the globe, helps Intangles clients avoid expensive repairs and towing charges and reduces downtime. InRoute Connect includes: A database of registered service centers across North America The ability for fleets to choose preferred service centers in the platform A list of services at any given service location Functionality that allows users to rate and comment on preferred service stations. Ratings are kept private and segregated by account to keep reviews honest Routing instructions and service center contact information The ability for customers and service providers to upload their location information into InRoute Connect “We designed InRoute Connect as a foundation to give fleets complete visibility and control over the repair and maintenance process from beginning to end,” McMillan said. “Managing a fleet can be stressful. InRoute Connect puts the power and control over the entire process in their hands. Like all of our products, InRoute Connect is structured to make truck maintenance and repair as easy as possible.”

Drivewyze honored with Innovation Showcase Award from ITS America

By Erica N. Guy -

PLANO, Texas — Drivewyze, a commercial truck safety platform, recently received the inaugural ITS Innovation Showcase Award from the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) at the 2024 ITS America Conference & Expo in Phoenix. ITS America is a membership and advocacy organization that advances the research and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies to save lives, improve mobility, promote sustainability and increase efficiency and productivity, according to a news release. The ITS Innovation Showcase Award recognizes groundbreaking innovations and solutions that define the future of transportation. For the award, ITS America members submitted products driving innovation that were then voted on by those attending the conference and expo. The product with the most votes received the Innovation Showcase Award. “As the nation’s leading intelligent transportation systems event, this year’s ITS America Conference and Expo saw many deserving nominees for the ITS America Showcase Award. The innovations occurring daily in our sector are multiplying, and this win reinforces the strength and relevancy of Drivewyze’s solution and partnership with government agencies to deliver in-cab safety alerts to truck drivers,” said Laura Chace, President and CEO of ITS America. “Their creative and innovative approach to keep drivers safe on their roads can only be realized by the public and private sector working together. I want to congratulate Drivewyze on their Smart Roadways program. This award is meant to reflect the best of the best in the industry, and they are a very worthy inaugural recipient.” Drivewyze showcased its Smart Roadways technology, which state transportation agencies can use to issue in-cab safety alerts to commercial truck drivers on upcoming road hazards, such as sudden or unexpected traffic slowdowns, active work zones or parked service vehicles, as well as emergency events or conditions. This technology, free of charge to truckers and trucking companies through the Drivewyze Free application, has been shown to slow drivers down, helping them avoid potential crashes and improve roadway safety, the news release states. State agencies who sponsor real-time Smart Roadways alerts can assess their program’s effectiveness by monitoring driver behavior trends after drivers receive the alert, including changes in speed and where hard braking has occurred. “State agencies partner with us because our Smart Roadways services leverage hundreds of thousands of connected trucks, high-quality data, and quantifiable benefits, including insights into the number of in-cab alerts sent and the resulting improvements in driver behavior,” said Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze. “It’s exciting to work with leading transportation agencies that leverage our device-agnostic, one-to-many connected truck platform because, together, we are moving the needle on highway safety.”

Averitt wins Trane Technologies’ Logistics Supplier of the Year award

By Erica N. Guy -

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. —  Averitt has been named the Logistics Supplier of the Year award byTrane Technologies. According to a news release, Averitt’s expertise in all five of its verticals has made it a trusted partner for companies, including Trane Technologies, throughout the years. “We are honored to receive this recognition from Trane Technologies,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “This award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to delivering value and ensuring the success of our partners.” Its dedication to operational excellence and customer satisfaction has made Averitt the choice of supplier in the logistics industry, Trane officials said. “Averitt has been recognized by Trane Technologies for delivering differentiated value for our customers. The quality alert program with specific handling instructions for our best-in-class products reduces the chance of damages that could lead to a negative customer experience. Additionally, Averitt has sponsored a dedicated customer success team for our company. These and many other efforts result in Averitt being a supplier of choice for Trane Technologies,” said Bill Walker, director of logistics procurement at Trane Technologies. “Congratulations to the Averitt team for earning the 2024 Logistics Supplier of the Year award.”

Rush Akin joins RoadFlex as CRO

By Erica N. Guy -

NEW YORK — Rush Akin has been named chief revenue officer at fleet expense management firm RoadFlex. With more than two decades of experience in the fleet technology industry, Akin will lead the company’s sales revenue and partnership efforts, according to a news release. He previously served as the senior vice president of sales for Solera, where he was in charge of overseeing fleet sales and business development in North America. Prior to Solera, Akin was chief revenue officer at Rand McNally, where he led their fleet transportation, mileage and logistics sales groups. “We are excited to welcome Rush at a time when we are investing more in our go-to-market strategy and expanding our fleet expense management offerings,” said Dennis Chang, chief executive officer at RoadFlex. “Rush has an extensive track record of driving business growth and building sales organizations, and we know he will make invaluable contributions to our business and make an impact with our fleet customers.” Akin previously spent 10 years at the fleet technology company Lytx, where he was responsible for the sales organization that sold to the largest public-sector entities looking to supercharge their fleets with video telematics solutions. Earlier in his career, Akin worked at Syntech Systems / FuelMaster, a fleet management company that was an early pioneer of electronic fuel management systems. “From my early discussion with Dennis and the RoadFlex team, it was clear that they would deeply disrupt the fuel card and fleet expense management industry. They have built a game-changing product that far surpasses the solutions offered by the incumbents WEX and Fleetcor,” Akin said. “Taking into account the huge amount of demand for comprehensive fleet expense management solutions, RoadFlex has huge potential to redefine the industry. I am thrilled to join the RoadFlex team at such a pivotal time and very much look forward to bringing the company’s industry-leading fleet expense management solutions to a growing roster of commercial fleet customers.”

Port of Long Beach conducting Multimodal Transportation Study

By Erica N. Guy -

SANTA ANA, Calif. — The California Port of Long Beach has awarded Iteris Inc. a $900,000 contract for an 18-month multimodal transportation study. The project is designed to identify how best to accommodate cargo movement within the port in order to enhance safety and efficiency for various transportation modes, including trucks, rail, transit, bicyclists and pedestrians, according to a news release. It will also coordinate future port development and infrastructure improvements. The multimodal transportation study also aims to advance the goals identified in the Port’s strategic plan and “will identify strategies and recommendations to optimize the operations of the port’s transportation system for its users and port stakeholders,” the news release notes. The Port of Long Beach is a primary United States gateway for trans-Pacific trade. Voted “Best West Coast Seaport” by industry peers, the port handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million jobs across the nation and more than 575,000 in Southern California alone. Most recently, in 2023, Iteris assisted in a successful grant application to the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program, which awarded $52.6 million to modernize critical on-dock rail capabilities and improve several key roadways aimed at speeding the flow of cargo through the Port of Long Beach. “We’re proud to be a part of this essential project for the Port of Long Beach,” said Steven Bradley, regional vice president of mobility professional services at Iteris. “Their mission to enhance productivity and efficiency in goods movement and improve the environment through sustainable practices aligns perfectly with Iteris’ goals. We’re excited to work on this study to increase efficiency and sustainability.” Iteris has provided consulting services to the Port of Long Beach in various capacities for more than 20 years.

Averitt earns regional ’23 LTL Carrier of the Year Award from Mode Global

By Erica N. Guy -

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mode Transportation has awarded Averitt its 2023 LTL (less than truckload) Carrier of the Year award. Mode Global hosts the awards ceremony annually to honor the carriers in various categories and acknowledge their exceptional contributions and long-standing partnerships, according to a news release. “We are deeply honored to receive the LTL Carrier of the Year award from Mode Transportation,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of every member of the Averitt team. We remain committed to exceeding expectations, innovating, and providing unparalleled service to our customers.” Chase Smith, vice president of carrier services for Mode Global, expressed his admiration for Averitt’s dedication to delivering superior on-time performance, quality service and overall value. “Averitt’s commitment to service quality, technological enablement, collaboration and customer satisfaction is significant and resonates profoundly within our organization and industry as best in class,” he said.

$9.6 in federal funding earmarked for charging infrastructure at Georgia, California ports

By Erica N. Guy -

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Federal funding has been set aside to expand charging infrastructure at ports in Georgia and California. Voltera announced April 26 that it will receive $9.6 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities (RTEPF) program. The funds will be used to develop sites near the ports of Savannah, Georgia, and Los Angeles and Long Beach, California. The Savannah project will receive $7.8 million of the funds; California will receive $1.8 million. Each site will be built from the ground up, and electric vehicle (EV) charging will be offered to customers via multiple contracting models. Voltera says these port projects will help accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight operations by supporting the electrification and decarbonization of crucial logistics hubs, as designated through the recently released U.S. Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. “The assistance from the administration and state and local government agencies has been critically helpful,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Voltera. “Having a roadmap in terms of how to roll out freight corridors allows us to catalyze a lot of investment from the private sector to complement the incentives that the government has provided.” Developed in partnership with Georgia Power, Voltera’s Savannah site will deliver up to 23 megawatts (MW) of charging capacity and feature more than 120 charging stalls to accommodate Class 8 electric drayage trucks that service the Port of Savannah. At high utilization, Voltera estimates a reduction of up to 37,000 metric tons of emissions per year via this site. Voltera’s charging site in Wilmington, California, is adjacent to critical connection routes to the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. The Wilmington site will feature 20 charging stalls for Class 8 electric trucks and deliver up to 4 MW of charging capacity. Voltera estimates a reduction of up to 6,300 metric tons of emissions per year via this site. This site has also received funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “This is great news for Wilmington and our port communities,” said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44). “We struggle with unhealthy air and negative public health impacts from port pollution, much of it from the thousands of diesel-burning trucks that bring goods to and from the Port of Los Angeles every day. Our communities will benefit directly from the Jobs and Infrastructure Law through this federal investment in electric truck charging. We will be able to reduce emissions at our port, create good paying jobs, and improve our communities’ public health.” Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker (CD-15) also applauds the project. ​“Our Harbor Area communities, especially Wilmington and San Pedro, have long suffered from poor air quality due to their proximity to the port complex of LA and Long Beach, especially from idling truck engines as they travel through our neighborhoods,” McOsker said. “With this funding from the Biden Administration, it will give us a real opportunity to work with private sector companies like Voltera Power to reach our goal of cleaning the air for these surrounding port communities. Funding such as this makes clear that from the federal government in Washington D.C. to local government at City Hall that, protecting our communities from the environmental injustices caused by an industrial port complex should be a priority for us all.” Voltera is responsible for 21 charging projects that are either in development or already operating across the U.S. Earlier this year, Voltera announced it had invested approximately $150 million in private investment in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure real estate and was developing over 115 MW of charging capacity for ZEV fleets.

PACCAR Parts introduces new line of Peterbilt Model 589 accessories

By Erica N. Guy -

RENTON, Wash. — PACCAR Parts announced its launch of a new line of Peterbilt Model 589 custom accessories. The product lineup is manufactured from premium materials that elevate the model’s iconic appearance, according to a news release. “The Model 589 sets the tone for quality and elegance,” said PACCAR Part’s Senior Director of Marketing, Genevieve Bekkerus. “These Peterbilt Genuine Accessories for the 589 are the perfect complement for customers looking for added style.” The model 589 Peterbilt Genuine Accessories includes: Exterior Options — Wheel Cover Kits, Sunvisor, Rocker Panel, Stainless Steel Fenderettes, Door Pulls, Hood Latch Kit, Logo Trim Bezel, Fender Guard, Sleeper Panels Interior Options — Steering Wheel Spinner, Diamond Series Fine-Cut Shifter Floor Cover, Diamond Series Fine-Cut Pedal Set, Diamond Series Fine-Cut Shifter Kit, Diamond Series Fine-Cut Threshold Set, Diamond Series Fine-Cut Dead Pedal, Door Pad Grab Handle Set, Driver & Passenger Door Lower Trim Kit, Door Lock-Rod Set, A- & B-Pillar Grab Handles, Wardrobe Handle, Air Valve Knob Kit, Floor Bracket Lighting Options — Exterior Light Strip, Logo Lighting, Air Canister Lighting, Projector Logo Light, Day and Sleeper Cab Lighting Additional information about the new lineup of Peterbilt Genuine Accessories can be found at partsandservice.peterbilt.com under the Resources tab.

Zep introduces new vehicle wash

By Erica N. Guy -

ATLANTA — Zep has unveiled its Pro-Wash N’ Wick vehicle wash, which is ideal for large trucks, company officials said. The Pro-Wash N’ Wick “promises a high-gloss, spot-free finish with minimal effort” by using its high-pressure sprayer applications, such as pressure washers, truck wash facilities, foaming equipment and drive-through friction or touchless gantry systems, according to a news release. “This ensures versatility and ease of use in commercial washing scenarios,” the news release states. “The Pro Wash N Wick is distinguished by its high-foaming formula, which effortlessly cuts through the most vital road film, diesel exhaust, bugs, soils, and other icky residue you might pick up on the road.” The non-silicone formula also saves drivers time and cost “by streamlining the cleaning process and inventory needs,” Zep touts. “Pro Wash N Wick represents Zep’s commitment to innovation and our understanding of the needs within the vehicle wash industry,” said Lauren Houser, Zep’s vice president of marketing. “This product is designed to make vehicle washing more efficient and effective for businesses, providing a comprehensive cleaning solution that enhances appearance and maintains the condition of fleets over time. It underscores our dedication to delivering high-quality, efficient products, keeping fleets cleaner for longer, and saving businesses significant time, energy and resources.”

Forward Air announces leadership transition

By Erica N. Guy -

GREENVILLE, Tenn. — Forward Air Corporation has announced a shift in its leadership team with Shawn Stewart’s appointment as the new chief executive officer and director of the Board. “The Board and our advisors conducted a thorough search and are confident Shawn is the right leader to drive Forward’s future success,” said Independent Chairman George Mayes. “He knows this industry inside and out and has demonstrated a track record of successfully delivering growth and operational excellence. We look forward to working with Shawn to inspire and lead our teams into the next phase of growth for the newly combined company. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Michael for his leadership during this period of transition.” Stewart brings almost three decades of experience in logistics and transportation. At CEVA Logistics, Stewart held numerous leadership positions and recently served as the president and managing director of North America, where he “spearheaded the growth and development of the region, overseeing a vast network of operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.” Stewart also served in the U.S. Navy before joining CEVA. “Together, Forward and Omni have created an industry leader with a clear dedication to delivering world-class service to customers — a quality I share,” Stewart said. “I have been impressed by the resilience both teams have demonstrated in a challenging market and during a protracted transition period. I’m proud to take the baton from Michael and excited for the opportunity to work with these talented teams to achieve outstanding results.”

ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index down by 2% in March

By Erica N. Guy -

WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations’ (ATAs) Truck Tonnage Index decreased by 2% in March 2024 after increasing by 4% in February 2024. In March, the index equaled 113.4 (2015=100) compared with 115.7 in February. February’s increase was revised down slightly from the ATA’s March 19 news release. “Tonnage in March suggests that truck freight volumes remain lackluster, and it is clear the truck freight recession continued through the first quarter,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “In the first three months of 2024, ATA’s tonnage index contracted 0.8% from the previous quarter and declined 2.4% from a year earlier, highlighting ongoing challenges the industry is navigating.” The index fell 1% compared with March 2023, the 13th straight year-over-year decline but the second smallest over that period. In February, it was down 1.7% from a year earlier. The not-seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 114.4 in March, 4.7% higher than in February. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot market freight. According to the ATA, 100 would represent the year 2015 when calculating the index. ATA also calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership, which it has been doing since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and is subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

Carrier Transicold names 2 companies as its Dealers of the Year

By Erica N. Guy -

ATHENS, Ga. — Carrier Transicold announced the winners of its two Dealer of the Year awards at the annual Truck/Trailer/Rail Americas dealer meeting, which was held from March 27-29 in Phoenix,. MCT Companies was named the Dealer of the Year for the United States and Canada, and Refrigeración Especializada para el Transporte de Occidente S.A. de C.V. (RETO) as the Dealer of the Year for Latin America. “This award recognizes exceptional performance in 2023, but RETO’s ability to meet high standards over a long period of time is truly inspiring,” said Alejandro Genera, General Manager of Latin America Operations at Carrier Transicold. “It’s a testament to RETO’s culture, employees and deep-rooted commitment to customer service.” The Dealers of the Year awards from Carrier Transicold recognize companies that excel in all aspects of the industry, including dealer operations, including sales, service, market penetration, customer satisfaction, business investment and growth. “This is a transformative time for transport refrigeration with new products, technology and customer needs,” said Alice DeBiasio, vice president and general manager at Truck Trailer Americas and Digital Solutions Carrier. “Customers are looking for the expertise, products, services and geographic coverage that a strong dealer network can provide. We’re proud to celebrate Carrier dealers for their achievements.” MCT Companies was recognized for distinguishing itself with its expertise in refrigeration, product knowledge and ability to satisfy customers through creativity in its work. RETO, based in Guadalajara, Mexico, won its fourth Dealer of the Year award in the past 15 years. “At MCT Companies, we like to say we ‘bleed blue,’ which embodies our dedication to our customers, colleagues and the Carrier Transicold brand,” said Bill Willett, chief executive officer of MCT companies. “We have a set of core values that guides every decision and interaction at every level of the organization. Simply put, our people know what to do, and they produce results that exceed our customers’ expectations.” Carrier Transicold also announced three recipients of its Extra Mile Award for their extraordinary customer service. The winners of this award include: Carrier Transicold of Utah, Salt Lake City Nordic Refrigeration, Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada Refrigeración y Transporte, S.A. de C.V., San Pedro Sula, Honduras In 2023 alone, Carrier Transicold recognized 58 more than 200 dealerships throughout the Americas with 98 separate awards for customer satisfaction, growth, business investment and service proficiency. Seven individuals from five dealerships were recognized for outstanding performance contributions: North America Sales Manager of the Year — Robert Janes, Jr., W&B Service Company, Lowell, Arkansas. North America Parts Manager of the Year — Leonel Siqueiros, CT Power, Phoenix, Arizona. North America Service Manager of the Year — Robert Snyder, W&B Service Company, Converse, Texas. 20 Series Champion of the Year — Michael Clinard, W&B Service Company, Houston, Texas. Latin America Sales Manager of the Year — Manuel Esteves, Soluciones Ultra Frio, Callao, Peru. Latin America Parts Manager of the Year — Azrael Garcia, R.E.T.O S.A. de C.V., Guadalajara, Mexico. Latin America Service Manager of the Year — Juan Manuel Leal, Frio Servicio De Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico. To learn more about Carrier Transicold’s products, services and dealer network, visit Carrier Transicold North America.

Penske Introduces Catalyst AI

By Erica N. Guy -

READING, Pa. — Penske Truck Leasing has unveiled Catalyst AI (artificial intelligence), which is set to handle fleet management by delivering real-time insight into fleet performance. According to a news release, Catalyst AI “marks a pivotal shift away from traditional industry benchmarks, empowering fleet managers with actionable intelligence to optimize fleet performance using dynamic comparative data.” The Catalyst AI platform compares a fleet’s performance to similar fleets across Penske’s live database of hundreds of thousands of vehicles in real-time. This platform enables leaders to benchmark their fleets using apples-to-apples comparisons, unlock fuel efficiency opportunities, optimize utilization, and improve business performance using targeted insights. New industry research found that 77% of transportation professionals tend to rely on historical, annual forecasting and industry benchmark reports to inform their fleet planning and procurement decisions, the news release states. For fleet managers, this process is often manual and time-consuming and relies on data that may not be holistically comparable to their specific fleets. “Catalyst AI was born from our vision to harness the power of AI to meet the needs of today’s fleet managers,” said Ann Walsh, senior vice president of digital and customer data at Penske. “By integrating over 57 billion data points with AI, our patent-pending algorithm and industry expertise enables fleet managers to optimize their operations better using leading-edge technology.” At the heart of Catalyst AI lies its patent-pending algorithm, which identifies the most similar fleets by evaluating key dimensions of fleet operations and composition. This process creates a unique “fleet DNA,” enabling highly customized operational KPI benchmarks tailored to each fleet’s specific performance needs. “With innovation at our core, Penske is committed to developing solutions that drive efficiency and performance for our customers. Catalyst AI addresses the critical need for comparative, real-time insights in fleet management,” said Sherry Sanger, executive vice president of strategy and marketing for Penske. “This cutting-edge technology enables businesses to unlock new efficiencies, reduce costs, and ultimately, sets a new standard for fleet performance.”

All-new Volvo VNL now available for orders at dealers across North America

By Erica N. Guy -

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America  is accepting orders for its all-new Volvo VNL. Production of the Volvo VNL will begin in the summer, and deliveries will start later in the year, according to a news release. “The Volvo VNL has long been the flagship model series at Volvo Trucks North America and is the premier long-haul truck in the United States and Canada,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “We wanted to set a new standard for fuel efficiency, safety, driver productivity, connectivity, and customer uptime and to transform everything about the future of the heavy-duty trucking industry. We’re confident we’ve done that. Our customers have expressed that they are eager to deploy them into their fleet, and we are excited to be opening the sales books to get those trucks slotted and ready for production.” Since announcing the new truck back in January, dealerships across North America had already been participating in extensive competency development through the courses at the Volvo Trucks Academy, the news release notes. “In the world of trucking, every mile counts. With the all-new Volvo VNL, we’re not just delivering a vehicle; we are delivering significant value to our customers,” said Magnus Koeck, vice president of strategy, marketing and brand management at Volvo Trucks North America. “Volvo Trucks’ commitment to innovation means more than just savings on our customers’ bottom line — it’s about empowering fleets to go further, do more, and thrive. With more than $20,000 per truck in potential savings, the all-new Volvo VNL isn’t just a truck — it’s a game-changer for fleets and owner-operators.” During the summer season, Volvo Trucks will hold immersive dealer and customer launch events at the Volvo Trucks Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia. This Volvo location has recently expanded its customer experience track to three miles and offers a fully immersive driving experience of the full range of Volvo trucks.

Banyan Technology now offering ocean and air container tracking

By Erica N. Guy -

CLEVELAND — Banyan Technology recently announced that it has begun a strategic partnership with GoComet to enhance ocean and air tracking and freight spend management for its clients. “We are excited to announce this strategic partnership that represents a valuable advancement in freight management solutions. By integrating our ‘LIVE Connect’ freight execution software with the capabilities of an AI-powered transportation visibility platform, we are raising the standards for real-time ocean and air tracking and freight spend management,” said Brian Smith, CEO of Banyan Tech. “This partnership enables our clients to achieve unparalleled transparency, efficiency and control over their shipping operations.” GoComet offers clients visibility and shipment monitoring on a single dashboard, which allows Banyan’s clients the benefit of having real-time visibility with live updates on their container movement across all ocean and air shipments, according to a news release. Banyan clients can also use data science and advanced machine learning intelligence to automate shipment tracking and better manage their freight spending. “This GoComet partnership means Banyan’s clients will enjoy real-time visibility and live updates beyond OTR shipping. Leveraging the expanded capabilities afforded with AI-powered visibility provides Banyan clients with a competitive advantage in the market and an enhanced level of customer support and quality control,” said Rick Chappel, COO of Banyan.  

Vietnam veterans return to central Asia

By Erica N. Guy -

COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA) recently partnered with several trucking industry companies and non-profits to make a new documentary about Vietnam veterans who went on to work in transportation. The documentary, “Mission Veteran Expedition: Honoring Vietnam Veterans in the Transportation Industry,” can be viewed on WAA’s YouTube channel.  U.S. Army veteran Nicholas Mott, owner of Seven Five Media, was selected to capture and produce the film. “The documentary offers an intimate and compelling look at the journey of these veterans,” Mott said. “Capturing the essence of their experiences and the profound impact of the Mission Veteran Expedition was truly an honor. I hope other Vietnam veterans will watch it and find it healing.” The 10 Vietnam veterans who were a part of the documentary eventually made a career in the transportation industry, and they had the opportunity to revisit the country where they spent some of their time amongst fellow soldiers during their military service. Waypoint Vets led the expedition. The itinerary offered a variety of experiences, including: Grounds Tour of the Former Saigon Embassy Walking Street Food Tour through Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Luxury Tour War Remnants Museum Halong Bay Cruise Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency Tour A ‘Welcome Home’ ceremony hosted at Sirius XM studios in Hollywood, with interviews on Radio Nemo “The Mission Veteran Expedition successfully commemorated these veterans’ valiant contributions while allowing them to experience the beauty of Vietnam’s landscapes and the richness of its culture,” said Sarah Lee, Army combat veteran and founder of Waypoint Vets. “For many veterans, the memories associated with Vietnam are often intertwined with the challenges of war. This expedition redefined these associations and replaced them with new, healing memories. By engaging with Vietnam on a deep, personal level, the trip forged lasting connections and helped veterans find solace in the beauty of a nation at peace.” FASTPORT and WAA have welcomed home more than 7,500 Vietnam veterans as commemorative partners of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. “I feel the trip’s culmination was an important piece of closure for the participant’s journey,” said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT, who traveled to Vietnam with the group. “These men returned to the United States to a hero’s welcome, and for millions who never received this show of gratitude for answering the call of duty, it was truly an honor to say, ‘Welcome Home.’”