Business

STEVENSVILLE, Md. — Stertil-Koni is reporting record lift orders, sales and installations in 2022. “Making the milestone even sweeter was that fact that 2022 was a year in which we celebrated Stertil-Koni’s 25th anniversary in North America,” Stertil-Kon President Dr. Jean DellAmore said. DellAmore said 2022 was marked by extensive supply chain interruptions, higher raw material prices, and significant uncertainty in the global economy. “Nonetheless, our extended team — along with a dedicated network of long-established, highly knowledgeable distributors —  performed at the highest levels,” DellAmore said.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — PacLease added 21 new sites in 2022. That brings the network up to 472 U.S. and Canadian locations. Additional locations are expected to open this year. “We continue to expand our footprint, adding additional sales and service capacity, as more customers are looking to full-service lease and rental for their Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks,” Ken Roemer, president of PACCAR Leasing, said. “This is a testament to our strong network, excellent customer service and great products. It all bodes well for a very good 2023.” New PacLease franchise locations include: Dobbs Leasing: Sumner, Washington. Gabrielli PacLease: six locations in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Jackson Group PacLease – Oregon: Salem, Oregon. LUCKY’S PacLease: Bow, New Hampshire. MHC TRUCK LEASING, LLC: La Vergne, Tennessee. Miller PacLease: Franklin, MA, and Pert Amboy, New Jersey. Palmer Leasing Group: Fort Wayne, Indiana. Premier PacLease: four locations in Florida. Truckworx PacLease: three locations in Alabama. Worldwide Equipment Leasing, Inc.: Albany, Georgia. Roemer said that in addition to strong demand for PacLease products and services, there is also growing interest in new technologies, especially electric trucks. “We’re adding electric Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks into our rental fleet as a way to showcase the technology, and we’re actively quoting lease programs for EV units,” he said. “Our locations are also ramping up with the special equipment and technician training needed to service these units. Leasing makes a lot of sense for those looking to add their first EVs to their fleet. We’re ready to assist in finding grant opportunities to help offset the cost, and we are building up our charging infrastructure throughout the network. We are very excited about the future of electric vehicles.” PacLease also saw increased momentum for its Managed Maintenance program. “We have lease customers that have a percentage of their fleet in ownership,” Roemer said. “They’ve come to love the services we provide on the maintenance side, so we’ve extended that to those who also own their vehicles. It is a fully customized program that fits each customer’s needs. It’s working out very well.” To help foster quicker turnaround on trucks in for maintenance, Roemer said PacLease franchises are adopting the company’s Voice Guided Preventive Maintenance platform. “It’s a real time saver, while also improving consistency and quality,” he said. “By providing audible cues for a PM, there are no delays in moving from one procedure to the next, and nothing can be skipped. It allows us to get trucks back to our customers quicker, allowing for more uptime. And for any fleet, uptime is the name of the game.”

PHOENIX — Trucker Path is opening a new in-app marketplace featuring discounts and special offers on products and services aimed specifically at big rig drivers. The marketplace’s offerings are available and accessible to all members of the Trucker Path Community, according to a news release. “Our mission is to provide products and services that help our community of drivers operate more efficiently and to help make life on the road a little easier for them,” Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path, said. “The new Trucker Path Marketplace was developed to provide easy access to discounts from leading providers who offer products that not only help truckers go about their business more efficiently, but also help them with life’s essentials and comforts.” For the initial launch, the Trucker Path Marketplace “features a set of offerings from trusted partners to coincide with this time of year, including healthcare and tax-related services,” the news release noted. That list includes: Telehealth Services (with the first 2 months free). Discount Prescription Cards. Major Medical Insurance. Dental & Vision Coverage. Life Insurance. Accident Medical Coverage. Accounting Services. Tax Preparation “Making the marketplace available right in the app our members already rely on for navigation, parking availability, finding food and hotels and many other services makes it very easy for them to access the discounts they deserve,” Oliver said. “With our partner providers, the Trucker Path Marketplace continues our mission to support truckers and make their lives on the road easier and more efficient.” Additional services and products will continue to be added to the Trucker Path Marketplace in the very near future.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fleet Advantage is offering a complimentary financial analysis of their fleet operations, including a lease versus purchase analysis, as part of Financial Wellness Month in January. The offer includes Fleet Advantage conducting “a Fleet Modernization Study to directly address key operational and financial areas and provides recommendations for cost savings,” according to a news release. The study analyzes a multitude of data points, including a fleet’s performance and utilization, as well as current cost per mile — factoring in depreciation, finance, maintenance, repair and used truck values. Fleet Advantage also works with organizations to review their procurement strategy and key financial metrics. Nearly half of respondents (42%) are leasing trucks today, up from 31% a year ago, according to a recent industry benchmarking survey. “Furthermore, the government’s slight 20% reduction to bonus depreciation effective 2023 means leasing remains the most favorable option for fleets planning new equipment acquisitions,” according to the news release. Additional financial wellness metrics that should be considered are: Sales tax analysis. Comparative cost analysis to determine the optimal time to upgrade equipment. Diesel vs EV Comparative cost analysis. Per unit P&L. OEM Equipment Cost Tracking. SWAP Rates. Residual Values. “We have always felt it is important to offer a holistic data analysis and guidance to set our clients up for financial success,” Brian Holland, president and CEO of Fleet Advantage, said. “Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to helping our clients build a proper strategy and asset management plan that maximizes financial flexibility in their equipment life cycle, regardless of the direction of the economy.”

DE PERE, Wis. — Paper Transport has obtained two new locations in the Broadway District of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The first location is within Base Companies at 340 N Broadway and will employee almost 50 people, a news release stated. The second location is the Larson Canning Company building located at 540 N Broadway Street, which will be renovated over the course of 2023 and will eventually have around 100 employees. “The opening of the downtown office is a statement that we are on the cusp of another significant run,” Paper Transport CEO Ben Schill said. “Paper Transport is one of the largest success stories when it comes to the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s support of business startups. In 1990, Paper Transport was born and leaned on the Chamber’s incubator program to get on our feet. At that time, we had two founders and five trucks. Fast forward 30 years, and the company has grown to approximately 1,300 employees and over $300M in revenue. At our first new location, we are ironically located right next to the Chamber’s Urban Hub – serving as the incubator for local tech start-ups.” Paper Transport’s current location on Mid Valley drive in De Pere has been its headquarters since 2016. The Mid Valley location will remain open and house most of its employees.

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — PGT Trucking Inc. officials have promoted Sharyn Stewart to controller and Joseph Newton to director of safety. Stewart, a Youngstown State University alum, will focus on the company’s financial reporting process, expense analysis and operating efficiencies, according to a news release. Stewart has been with PGT since 2011, holding positions from staff accountant to assistant controller. She has 13 years of experience as an accounting manager. Newton, a Butler County resident, will lead PGT’s team of Safe Operations Managers, ensuring the reliable performance of drivers and equipment, the news release noted. Newton spent 23 years overseeing shipping and receiving departments in manufacturing before joining PGT in 2016. Newton has professional memberships through the American Trucking Associations and National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.

IRVING, Texas — First Call Logistics recently celebrated the opening of a new location in Irving. The facility, built to house 35,000 square feet of dry storage and an additional 13,000 square feet of temperature-controlled space, provides an expansion for both First Call and Horton’s shipping, warehousing and distribution networks, a news release stated. “We are thrilled to be operating in Texas, and to become a resource for all types of businesses,” said Horton President Mike Wise. “Our team has extensive experience in produce and logistics, and now we can offer efficient and effective solutions to our customers from a region experiencing tremendous growth.” Horton Fruit’s sister company, Grow Farms Texas, will operate a sales office out of the new facility. Company officials say the new location will allow them to better manage dry goods and produce originating from Mexico and Texas. “First Call’s expansion into Irving will put us in prime position to help out new and existing partners,” First Call Co-CEO Kyle Bland said. “We want to be a one-stop shop for customers to carry, warehouse and distribute. Warehousing services are the next logical step in making that vision a reality.”

MARSHFIELD, Wis. — S&R Truck LLC has appointed Mark Snyder as general manager. Snyder comes with 18 years in the fabrication industry, four years in food production and 11 years in farm management, a news release stated. He has held roles including project management, process control management, continuous improvement and employee development. Snyder worked for 18 years at A&B Process Systems, located in Stratford, Wisconsin, before joining S&R. “Knowing the Hastreiter family, I’m excited to be part of a company that is locally owned and making impact on the local community,” Snyder said. “Impact grows by taking the existing strong workforce and upskilling current abilities, improving efficiencies and finding ways to bring synergy between departments and individuals.” S&R joined the Hastreiter LLC family of companies in May 2022 S&R products include the manufacturing of heavy truck equipment, fire apparatuses, UTV units, rescue vehicles, command vehicles and the distribution of trailer and truck mount transportation tanks for dairy and other industries. S&R handles the repair and service work for all three groups as well as parts retail/distribution. “Mark really exemplifies the values we hold as a business and as a family,” S&R President Ken Hastreiter said. “Both S&R and Mark joined the Hastreiter family of companies last year and we’re ecstatic to have someone of Mark’s character and caliber join us in leading S&R in serving our community, meeting our customer needs and taking care of our employees.”

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Two Circle Logistics executives are moving up the chain of command. Derek Holst has been promoted from vice president of sales and operations to senior vice president, and Andrew J. Smith from vice president of sales and operations to senior vice president, according to a news release. Holst Following Circle’s establishment in 2011, Holst was one of the first employees and team members on-board to serve shippers and carriers in search of long-term relationships for moving loads, the news release noted. In addition to establishing and implementing best practices in sales, operations and truck dispatch, Holst is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the company’s headquarters in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “Derek is an exceptional leader who cares about being a solution for shippers and carriers seeking to move quality loads successfully at the best price,” Eric Fortmeyer, president and CEO of Circle Logistics, said. “Because Derek has established so many unique relationships and has developed a sales team known to solve challenges efficiently and cost effectively, Circle Logistics continues to grow under his direct leadership.” As senior vice president, “one of Holst’s top priorities is to ensure shipper-carrier-broker relationships remain strong as he further develops Circle’s expanding portfolio of regional, national and international accounts,” the news release stated. The Circle team’s 624 employees who provide industry-related counsel now span the U.S., Panama, Mexico and Colombia to serve a growing customer base. Holst directly leads 350 of those team members. “Circle’s continued growth is my primary focus in my new role as senior vice president,” Holst said. “The ability to see great results from constant, committed team members who all have the passion to help others is rewarding, so I look forward to leading our team so we may continue to grow as we assist our customers in their own successful growth within this ever-changing industry.” Smith Smith was the fourth employee at Circle following the company’s establishment in 2011. Since then, he has expanded the Circle team to 250 industry-knowledgeable employees across the U.S., Panama, Mexico and Columbia. Smith is now responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Chicago and Tinley Park locations within Illinois, in addition to the Orlando office location. He will develop and implement best operating procedures in the areas of sales, operations and truck dispatch, the news release noted. “Andy is a natural leader,” Fortmeyer said. “His drive and dedication was evident back when Andy and I worked at Echo Logistics, where he started his career. “Circle Logistics has grown tremendously due to Andy’s genuine relationship-building skills, desire to help people and leadership within our sales and technology capacities.” Under Smith’s leadership, “Circle is now a leader in Enhanced Visibility, live-tracking 90% of the company’s loads, resulting in end-to-end visibility, better customer communication and more secure shipments. Additionally, Smith created an Electronic Booking Platform that empowers Circle carriers to streamline the booking process that rewards most reliable carriers with the best-fit loads at the highest rate,” according to the news release. “My full focus in my new role as senior vice president will be Circle’s continued exponential growth powered by our driven sales team and enhanced by the use of our innovative tech stacks,” Smith said. “It is encouraging to witness all of the progression that our devoted, industry-experienced team continues to provide to professionals within such a great industry.”  

MANHASSET, N.Y. – Commercial Motor Vehicle Consulting’s Parts Aftermarket Sales Leading Indicator (PLI) decreased by 0.9% in November 2022, following a decrease of 0.4% in October. PLI has decreased for four consecutive months, and the decline in PLI appears to be accelerating, signaling decelerating growth rates of parts aftermarket sales in the coming months, a news release noted. PLI was 4.1% higher than November 2021, but monthly growth rates from year ago levels are slowing. “PLI remains at a relatively high level, so is signaling slowing growth in parts aftermarket sales in the coming months rather than decreasing parts aftermarket sales, but the risks to the parts aftermarket sales outlook are on the downside due to evaluated risks of a recession in 2023,” according to the news release. However, the news release notes, the risks to the parts aftermarket sales outlook are on the downside due to evaluated risks of a recession in 2023. “Three of the six variables that make up PLI were negative in November and the factors that were positive, the improvements are slowing,” Chris Brady, president of CMCV, said. “The fleet business environment is changing as freight growth slows causing fleet capacity utilization to trend downward from evaluated levels with risks of fleet capacity utilization decreasing to low utilization rates as a result of evaluated risks of a recession in 2023.” Brady said that low fleet capacity utilization implies a significant slowdown in the rate at which the truck population depreciates, thereby dampening parts aftermarket sales. “… the actions taken by fleets in response to low truck utilization further dampen parts aftermarket sales,” Brady said. “Currently, fleet capacity utilization is trending downward from evaluated levels, so the truck population is depreciating at normal rates spurring parts aftermarket sales.”