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Spot freight rates surge heading into holidays

The Trucker News Staff - December 29, 2022

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Data from Truckstop and FTR Transportation show a market that acted as it usually does during late December. With a large drop in truck capacity heading into the Christmas holiday, broker-posted spot rates surged in all segments, according to a news release. The jump in refrigerated spot rates was the largest since late December 2017. Dry van rates saw their largest increase in a year while the increase in flatbed rates was the largest since May. A sizable gain in refrigerated volume partially offset volume sharp volume declines in dry van and flatbed volume. With truck postings falling much more sharply than volume, the Market Demand Index increased to 63.3, which is the highest level since May. Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system rose during the week ending Dec. 23 as truck capacity plunged by the most since the week that included Independence Day. The overall rate increase almost matched the one experienced during the same week in 2021. The refrigerated segment’s surge in rates was the largest since the last week of 2017. Dry van rates saw their largest gain since the same week in 2021 and flatbed rates went up by the most since May. Total spot volume fell 9.4% and volume was about 40% below the same week last year but 11% above the five-year average for the week. Load activity was down in all regions, but refrigerated segment gains in the Southwest, South Central and Midwest regions kept total volume losses in those regions small. Truck availability went down by 18.2%, and the Market Demand Index rose to its highest level since July. The total broker-posted spot market rate soared just under 17 cents. Rates were about 14% below the same week in 2021 but about 9% above the five-year average for the week. However, FTR estimates that rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were nearly 23% below the same week last year. Dry van spot rates rose almost 18 cents. Rates were almost 20% below the same week in 2021 and more than 1% above the five-year average for the week. Dry van rates excluding a fuel surcharge were almost 30% lower than in the same week last year. Dry van loads went down by 13.2%. Volume was almost 37% below the same 2021 week but almost 16% above the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated spot rates surged almost 39 cents. Rates were almost 22% below the same week in 2021 but more than 5% above the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding fuel surcharges were almost 30% below the same week last year. Refrigerated loads jumped about 22% and volume was about 43% below the same week last year but about 17% above the five-year average for the week. Flatbed spot rates increased almost 9 cents. Rates were about 7% below the same 2021 week but almost 16% above the five-year average for the week. Excluding an imputed surcharge, flatbed rates were more than 15% below the same week last year. Flatbed loads fell 17% and volume was more than 51% below the same week in 2021 and more than 9% below the five-year average for the week.

JX Truck Center-Gaylord opening new Michigan facility

The Trucker News Staff - December 28, 2022

HARTLAND, Wis. – JX Truck Center-Gaylord plans to open its new, larger and fully modernized facility on Jan. 9 in Gaylord, Michigan. The new facility will expand its customer offerings to include service, parts, truck rental and leasing, and pre-owned truck sales, according to a news release. The newly renovated dealership is 11,625 square feet and sits on 5 acres, providing ample truck and trailer parking. The new address is 1180 Milbocker Road, Gaylord, MI, 49735, approximately 3 miles south of its current parts-only location and situated just off Interstate 75. The facility will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. “JX Truck Center-Gaylord will provide customers with expanded services and a modern facility with amenities and styling that enhance the total JX Customer Xperience,” JX Operations Manager Micah Herin said. “It’s in a great new location — the gateway to the Upper Peninsula — and will satisfy a greater range of customer needs with a dealership that exemplifies the quality, features and professional, well-trained staff customers expect from our dealer network.” Herin added that the dealership will have large parts and merchandise showrooms, as well as nine service bays with translucent-style overhead doors to maximize natural lighting. JX Truck Center-Gaylord will be staffed with personnel from its previous location, including experienced service technicians from other JX Truck Center locations.

Carrier Logistics to integrate SMC³

The Trucker News Staff - December 28, 2022

ELMSFORD, N.Y. – Carrier Logistics Inc. (CLI) has completed development work to fully integrate with truckload data and solutions provider SMC³. The new integration will benefit customers using FACTS freight management software by automating the handling of less-than-load (LTL) shipments with other capacity providers, a news release stated. “The nature of LTL freight transportation involves complex supply chain logistics that our asset-based clients address every day to efficiently move goods for shippers,” Ben Wiesen, president of CLI, said. “But those carriers sometimes need to provide services outside the geographical footprint they cover with their own trucks and drivers. When their shippers are looking for a single provider with a one-stop solution, the integration we’ve enabled in our FACTS freight management system with SMC³’s LTL APIs (Application Programming Interface) simplifies the selection of a capacity provider with the ability to move a shipment.” Through integration with FACTS CLI customers can use the SMC³ LTL APIs solution to connect and communicate with the expansive number of LTL carriers in the SMC³ network to: Electronically find carriers with capacity, schedules and equipment that meet their shippers’ needs. Receive quotes from multiple carriers to find the provider who offers the right mix of cost and service. Dispatch orders to capacity providers. Receive automated track and trace updates on in-transit shipments. View and download digital documents including weight certification, proof of delivery, bills of lading, and other critical shipment information. “Driven by the requirement for real-time visibility and connectivity, CLI is using our LTL APIs to offer their customers an integrated next-generation solution, with full visibility across the entire shipment lifecycle,” Brian Thompson, chief commercial officer at SMC³, said. “With this new opportunity, we are leveraging our combined expertise and trustworthiness in the industry and extending our relationship with CLI to offer users a winning combination.”

Vision Truck Group becomes Volvo’s fifth certified EV dealer in Canada

The Trucker News Staff - December 28, 2022

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has named Vision Truck Group as the first Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada. Vision Truck Group has served the heavy-duty trucking industry for more than 50 years, providing sales, service, modifications and parts across a network of dealerships in Southwestern Ontario. With the certification of its Brampton location, Vision Truck Group’s sales and service team will assist its fleet customers across the region, which includes Brampton, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Toronto, and York, with their transitions to zero-tailpipe emission transportation solutions. “Our team is excited to announce that Vision Truck Group has become the fifth Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer in Canada, further expanding the critical sales and service ecosystem necessary to support scaled deployments of the Volvo VNR Electric model,” Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said. “Vision Truck Group’s Brampton facility is located near Highway 410, one of the area’s busiest freight traffic corridors, making it a prime location to support fleets interested in deploying the Volvo VNR Electric Trucks for urban pickup and delivery.” Vision Truck Group’s Brampton location was newly designed, built and launched in 2019. It was designed as a dedicated Certified Uptime Center facility with 34 bays. Two of the bays were built with the tooling and barriers to service battery-electric trucks that can be easily expanded as the dealership adds electromobility customers. Given its role in growing Volvo Trucks’ market share and delivering superior customer service, Vision Truck Group received the Volvo Trucks’ Canada Dealer of the Year Award in 2019. “Our dealership has conducted a series of successful EV demo events at our Brampton facility this year and received a lot of interest from customers involved in local goods movement,” Anthony Crombleholme, vice president of sales and marketing at Vision Truck Group, said. “We plan to continue hosting these events, as they enable fleets to experience firsthand the powerful performance and quiet motor in the Volvo VNR Electric trucks.” Volvo Trucks now has certified EV dealers in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, as well as in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, Canada, with several dealerships across North America finalizing their certifications in 2022 and 2023.

Used Class 8 retail volumes trend downward, according to ACT Research

The Trucker News Staff - December 27, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Used Class 8 retail volumes (same dealer sales) were down 19% month-over-month in November, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research. Average mileage was down 1%, with average price down 3% and age up 2%, month-over-month. Longer term, average price and miles were higher year-over-year, with age up 7% year-over-year. “Used truck sales typically see a meaningful fall off in November when compared with October, so the decline was in line with expectations,” Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, said. “Used Class 8 retail truck sales for November were also meaningfully weaker for longer-term comparisons, falling both year-over-year and year-to-date.” He said near-term channel results show auction sales were up 46% compared to October, while wholesale activity softened 13% month-over-month. In total, the market was 3% lower in November than in October. “We are expecting the total market to decline in 2022,” Tam said. “Looking ahead to 2023, the market is expected to continue falling as inflation triggers a short, shallow general recession, concentrated in the manufacturing segment.”

ACT Research: Net trailer orders decline in November

The Trucker News Staff - December 27, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – November net U.S. trailer orders of 39,590 units were 17% lower compared to last month, -27% on a seasonally-adjusted basis, and 22% above the year-ago November level, according to this month’s issue of ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report. “Discussions across the past month continue to indicate more OEMs are expanding the availability of 2023 build slots, but 2023 is not yet fully open,” Jennifer McNealy, director–CV market research & publications at ACT Research, said. “Supply-chain concerns still linger, so OEMs are hesitant to overpromise and underdeliver for the second half of 2023, where visibility is limited. That said, nearly as soon as a build slot is available, there is a fleet ready to fill it with an order.” She said backlogs are resuming growth in line with typical seasonality, as orders flow in as more OEMs open or expand their 2023 build slot offerings. “We expect this trend to continue.” McNealy said. “November activity resulted in the industry closing the month with a 7.9-month backlog-to-build ratio (7.3 months seasonally adjusted), as order intake remained stronger than the uptick in build rates.”

TMAF spotlights trucking industry members for charitable efforts

The Trucker News Staff - December 26, 2022

Washington, D.C. — Last fall, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), asked member of the trucking industry to “toot their own horns,” so to speak, and share stories of how these companies and organizations work to give back to communities across the U.S. “The trucking industry is one of service — from delivering the essential goods that keep communities well stocked and supplied throughout the year, to finding ways to give back to their communities during the holiday season,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and vice president of government affairs and sales for Martin Transportation Systems. “TMAF is proud to help tell the story of how the trucking companies and organizations in states across the country give back to the communities they serve.” The following are a few ways the trucking industry is working to make the world a better place. Advantage Truck Group, based in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, marked the 10-year anniversary of its charitable initiative, Haulin’ 4 Hunger, that helps provide meals to people facing hunger in communities near ATG dealerships throughout New England. This year, Haulin’ 4 Hunger increased donations to provide over 4,000 fresh holiday meals in December to food pantry organizations in Central Massachusetts and continued to donate thousands of nonperishable foods each quarter to hunger-relief organizations near other ATG locations. With the support of its employees, customers and business partners, over the past decade, ATG’s Haulin’ 4 Hunger program has donated over 30,000 meals to food pantry organizations across three states to help those in need in its communities. Averitt Express, based in Cookeville, Tennessee, sponsors an employee giving program, dubbed “Averitt Cares for Kids,” that gives associates the opportunity to help others by donating just $1 per week. Company officials say more than 94% opt in to the program. In 2022, associates made their largest contribution in the program’s history with a donation of $1,050,001 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Associates also participate in Averitt’s Team Up Community Challenge, which serves 140 organizations in nearly 100 communities each year. Employees, families and partners of Big M Transportation, based in Blue Mountain, Mississippi, donated over $30,000 to St. Jude. The group has raised a collective $110,000 over the past few years. Employees also participated in the Tippah Toys for Tots, which takes place at the company’s annual Christmas party, as well as multiple blood drives that are held throughout the year. In addition, Big M participates in Wreaths Across America. During its annual Driven to Serve campaign, Brenny Transportation Inc., based in St. Joseph, Minnesota, raised $7,000. The money was used to buy gift cards to offer to those in need through a local school’s fundraiser. Brenny also donated to a local food shelter and provided a charitable haul by transporting the Christmas tree for St. Joseph’s WinterWalk festival. Northfield Trucking Co. Inc. based in Romulus, Michigan, organizes an annual Halloween trunk-or-treat. Last year’s event which was widely attended by the community, drew more than 300 children from neighboring cities. Volunteers donated toothbrushes, water, chips, candy, snow cones and chocolates to celebrate Halloween and help those families in need. Joplin, Missouri-based CFI gave back to the community through several charitable initiatives, including support for local charities and Wreaths Across America. The company also hosted its 29th annual Truckloads of Treasures fundraiser, which raised $41,000 this year. To date, the fundraiser has raised a total of $1,001,000 to support communities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada during the holidays. Pilot Co., based in Knoxville, Tennessee, has a long-standing tradition of supporting Wreaths Across America. This year, it partnered with the Truckload Carriers Association to celebrate and honor veterans in the trucking industry by sponsoring the event’s appreciation dinner, held in Arlington, Virginia, before of the laying of the wreaths ceremony. SH 130 Concession Company, based in Central Texas, partnered with the Caldwell County Sheriff Department’s Brown Santa program to collect more than 150 toys, games and books for area families that needed a little extra help during the holiday season. Conversion Interactive Agency, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, held its annual food drive to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Company employees donated and transported 1,505 items to a partner collection site to be distributed to people in need across central Tennessee. The Rhode Island Trucking Association co-hosted the state’s first Torch Run Truck Convoy for Special Olympics, partnering with the Special Olympics Rhode Island and various municipal and state enforcement agencies. Nearly 50 trucks from over 30 trucking companies took part. The event raised more than $13,000 for Rhode Island Special Olympics. The funds will help enable athletes to train and compete free of charge. The Texas Trucking Association Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) hosted its annual toy drive for Toys for Tots. The kickoff of the toy drive takes place at the association’s fall meeting each year. Members are is encouraged to host toy drives across the state. Dave and Lori Widly, owners of Anaheim, California-based DriverFacts, provided assistance for flood victims in the hardest-hit counties of Kentucky. They built wheelchair ramps, replaced sub-floors and roofs with a team of parents and students from Orange Lutheran High School. For Christmas, Trucking Angels for Christ, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is to minister to women and provide free Bibles and services, partnered with Teddy’s Angels to help children who have terminal illnesses. Wabash, based in Wabash, Indiana, partnered with agencies across the country to give back to its communities. Wabash donated over $500,000 in charitable funds in addition to thousands of volunteer hours donated by employees, with a focus on fighting hunger and supporting children and veterans. Wabash established a new partnership with Feeding America in 2022 as an ongoing commitment to help end hunger on a national scale. To celebrate this partnership, Wabash hosted employee volunteer events at local food pantries monthly and organized a companywide Drive Away Hunger food drive. With the support of its business partners, Wabash filled 1,000 backpacks with food for children in need during the company’s Ignite conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trailiner, based in Springfield, Missouri, participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks Bowl for Kids’ Sake Truckers Challenge. For the second year in a row, the company raised the largest sum of money of participating truckers, donating $4,000. Trailiner also participated in several other charitable acts, including a partnership with Ozarks Food Harvest and sponsorships for the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks and the Jeepin for a Cure event to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Employees also worked with the Department of Social Services to support children in the foster system and donated items in need to ensure they have a happy Christmas.

Courtesy, good customer service can make or break your reputation

Cliff Abbott - December 24, 2022

If drivers often feel ignored while at facilities while they are loading or unloading freight, well … it’s because they are. Most workers at these facilities are focused on meeting deadlines and satisfying their own customers, in addition to tending to incoming or outgoing freight. Other than opening doors, putting the truck in the right spot for unloading and presenting paperwork, drivers are typically ignored. Unfortunately, drivers that DO get noticed by their customers when picking up or dropping off freight are often conspicuous for the wrong reasons. Defective equipment, incorrect or missing paperwork, and inappropriate behavior quickly attract the attention of shippers and receivers — and not in a good way. There are, however, actions every driver can take to maintain and improve their relationships with the customers they serve. Punctuality is paramount. In the “just in time” environment in which many businesses operate these days, missing an appointment can impact schedules far beyond your own. Inventories are often kept low to save the expense of handling and storage. Assembly lines can’t operate without parts, and warehouses can’t fill orders without product to select from. Get there on time. If you can’t, provide as much notice as possible so alternate arrangements can be made. Customers usually understand that legitimate reasons sometimes exist for late pickups and deliveries. However, make sure your reasons don’t sound like excuses. All of the other trucks arriving at the facility experienced bad weather and heavy traffic too, so if they made it on time, your explanation may ring hollow. Regardless of the reason, remain courteous and apologetic, even if it wasn’t your fault. Equipment is another area of focus. While some drivers believe shiny tractors with lots of chrome are the way to convince customers of the quality of their services, it’s rare for a customer to even step outside to view a driver’s motorized utopia. It’s the other end of the truck that gets the most attention. Customers want to know the freight they are shipping or receiving is safe and well cared for. A dirty trailer with obvious damage that can snag boxes of freight being loaded can be cause for concern to some. Holes in the trailer’s sides and roof, especially if the trailer is showing signs of water leakage, can cause shippers to refuse to load and receivers to reject deliveries. Make sure the trailer you’re using is in good repair and is clean. Sweep it out, if necessary. Paperwork is a part of the job, and the way yours is presented can say a lot about your professionalism. If you bring in a manifest and accompanying documents stacked in a haphazard pile, out of order and coffee-stained, the receiver may wonder if you treated their product with the same degree of care. They might also wonder if any of the documents on which they depend are missing or damaged. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to stack paperwork neatly and in the correct order. A clipboard or paperwork organizer can help keep everything in order and just looks better, too. Your personal appearance can also make a difference, and an important one, at that. The hectic schedule of a professional driver can make it difficult to find time for personal hygiene, but if you show up looking like the town bum you won’t get favorable results. There may not be time for a shower and shave, but a clean face, a relatively clean shirt and some deodorant can make all the difference. Keep in mind that what you wear can change attitudes. If your favorite T-shirts are printed with messages or slogans that are in poor taste, that promote illegal activities or advertise alcoholic or other products, it’s probably best to save those shirts for the right environment. Political messages on clothing are nearly guaranteed to alienate 50% of the people you deal with, so save the campaign materials for your off hours. Body decorations — such as piercings and tattoos — are more popular than ever, and are widely accepted in society these days. But, there is always “that one person” who has to push the boundaries by choosing decorations that are guaranteed to offend someone. Tattoos featuring naked women, curse words, swastikas or other designs that might offend are better covered up while at a customer’s location. Attitude is another thing that can attract the customer’s attention, either for better or for worse. Dock employees are totally unaware of the perils and frustrations you faced to get their freight to them. They don’t know about the traffic jams, the DOT inspection, the unreasonable dispatcher, the mechanical problems or the weather. They aren’t aware of the argument you had with your spouse or whatever other problems that may have soured your mood. They’re just doing their job, and they expect the same from you. If you allow your bad mood to impact the way you treat others, don’t be surprised if they don’t bend over backwards trying to please you. Dock workers and office personnel can’t do a thing about your life on the road, but they CAN impact how quickly you get loaded or unloaded — or if it even happens at all. Arguing, especially in a loud voice with plenty of “salty” expressions thrown in, won’t make things go any smoother. In addition, keep in mind that dock workers have knowledge of their business that you don’t have. A delay in unloading, for example, can occur because the forklift driver is waiting for warehouse space to open up. A loading delay could be because they found a damaged pallet of freight and are preparing a replacement. It’s OK to ask questions, but complaining will usually only make the problem worse. If you run your own small trucking business and the customer is YOUR customer, prompt billing and good communication go a long way towards customer satisfaction. If you value the customer’s business, show it. If your customer is a broker or another load source, remember that they need satisfaction, too. The basics of customer service are the same for just about any business. Do what you say you’ll do, when you say you’ll do it. Be polite and professional. Show empathy for your customer’s business, whether your customer is your carrier, a broker, or a direct relationship with a shipper or receiver. Business empires have been built on great customer service. It’s a good practice to build yours accordingly.

ACT Research: Expect decline in economic activity to cut use of CVs

The Trucker News Staff - December 23, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – The longer inflation remains elevated, the more aggressively the Fed will respond with higher interest rates, according to ACT Research’s Commercial Vehicle Dealer Digest. This increases the chances of a sharper decline in economic activity, results in fewer commercial vehicles required to facilitate this subdued activity and will likely exacerbate downward pressure on spot and contract rates, adversely impacting carrier profitability. The report, which combines ACT’s proprietary data analysis from a wide variety of industry sources, paints a comprehensive picture of trends impacting transportation and commercial vehicle markets. “We are already seeing the slowest y/y growth in the money supply (M2) since 1995, and that metric will turn negative in coming months,” ACT President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth said. “Recent economic data are inconclusive: the labor market continues to add jobs at a pace that implies too-hot wage inflation pressures, but the most recent core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) reading indicates inflation may be moderating.” Vieth said the Fed will continue on its course of tighter monetary policy until the data signal unambiguously that inflation is moderating, as still deep-pocketed consumers and businesses drive demand for labor in structurally constrained markets.

Autonomous vehicle company TuSimple to cut workforce by 25%

The Trucker News Staff - December 22, 2022

SAN DIEGO — Autonomous trucking technology company TuSimple has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 25% as the company restructures. Company officials made the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The majority of the restructuring is in the company’s U.S. operations as it continues its plan to explore strategic alternatives for its Asia business, including a divestiture, according to a news release. A total of 80% of the remaining staff are in research and development, working as engineers who play a role in hardware and software resilience, reliability, safety and information security. TuSimple currently employs 1,430 people full-time globally. TechCrunch reports that talk of layoffs at TuSimple has been going on for weeks, particularly following the end of the company’s deal with Navistar to co-develop purpose-built autonomous semi-trucks. TuSimple rescinded offers to interns to join the company, and posts on LinkedIn and Blind have mentioned “huge layoffs.” TuSimple plans to actively work with key shipping partners to operationalize its autonomous technology. And, to help ensure capital efficiency, the company also plans to scale back freight expansion, including unprofitable freight lanes and respective trucking operations. “Trucking operations along those lanes utilize previous generation autonomous software that provides limited value to the company’s on-going technology development,” the news release stated. Returning to lead TuSimple one month ago, CEO Cheng Lu pledged to set the company on the path towards stability and long-term success. Lu’s predecessor and TuSimple’s founder Xiaodi Hou was fired following an internal probe that showed certain employees had ties and shared confidential information with Hydron, a China-backed hydrogen-powered trucking company. TuSimple is still facing multiple federal investigations related to its relationship with Hydron. In the past 30 days, TuSimple has named three independent directors to the board, reconstituted its board committees, including an independent audit committee in compliance with Nasdaq requirements and stabilized the management team, including naming its interim CFO Eric Tapia as permanent CFO. In addition, Mike Mosier, one of the new independent board members, was named as TuSimple’s Security Director – a position which required review and a notice of non-objection from CFIUS.

Food Logistics names Fleet Advantage 2022 Top Software & Technology Provider

The Trucker News Staff - December 22, 2022

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fleet Advantage has been awarded Food Logistics’ 2022 Top Software & Technology Providers Award for the ninth consecutive year. The Top Software & Technology Providers Award recognizes software and technology providers that have ensured a safe, efficient and reliable global cold food and beverage supply chain, according to a news release. Fleet Advantage was recognized because of its Fleet Modernization Studies, Comprehensive Emissions Studies and ATLAAS software, which scrutinizes each of its cold food supply chain customers’ truck performance data and economic factors to determine an optimum truck procurement and disposal strategy, the news release stated. “We are proud to be recognized again by Food Logistics as one of the top software and technology providers in the global cold food and beverage supply chain,” Matt de Aguiar, chief strategist at Fleet Advantage, said. “Our focus on fleet modernization has enabled customers to significantly improve their truck’s life cycles, allowing a cold food supply chain organization that typically runs a truck for 7-10 years to shift to a four-year life cycle, making a more significant impact toward a greener and more sustainable planet.” The company’s ESG Program was also acknowledged for helping corporate truck fleets certify their greenhouse gas emissions output, as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year. “As the only finance lessor that has been certifying such measures for a decade, Fleet Advantage’s sustainability focus allowed tractor-trailer fleets to operate at high annual mileages,” according to the news release. “With the help of Fleet Advantage and its emissions analysis, the company’s cold food supply chain customers have saved a total of approximately $250 million and over 1,000,000 metric tons in emissions since inception. Fleet Advantage also implemented and secured financing with a great residual position for their clients for several electric yard trucks as well as electric vehicle trailers.” For more information on this award and to view the other Top Software & Tech Provider honorees, please visit www.foodlogistics.com/software-technology/article/22419155/top-software-tech-providers-award-visibility-supply-chain-management-lead-the-way

Trucker Path, Transport Pro partner to expand load visibility for drivers, fleets

The Trucker News Staff - December 22, 2022

PHOENIX — Brokers using the Transport Pro TMS solution can now post loads on the Trucker Path TruckLoads digital freight exchange. The integration with TruckLoads instantly puts available loads in front of Trucker Path’s 1 million-plus community of drivers, according to a news release. “With the instant access to TruckLoads through our integration with Transport Pro, their brokers can substantially increase exposure to loads,” Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path, said. “At the same time, the community of Trucker Path users gains immediate access to more available freight. This integrated capability will help meet capacity needs for brokers, and enhance the ability of drivers and fleets using TruckLoads to easily find loads and generate revenue.” The new integration with Transport Pro allows brokers to opt in to post all of their available loads on TruckLoads with a single click. On the Trucker Path load board, users can lock in capacity instantly and digitally, or communicate directly with the broker to negotiate rates or ask questions. Drivers and carriers can also verify their operating authority and insurance on the platform, simplifying the onboarding process for brokers. The integration also offers a link back to Transport Pro’s Book Now platform, which increases online booking visibility. “By providing a seamless, automated integration to TruckLoads, Trucker Path enables our brokers to further expand their digital freight network,” Kenneth Kloeppel, director of technology at Transport Pro, said. “This new integration gives them an additional resource for finding quality capacity and meeting the freight hauling needs of their shipper customers.”

Young Trucks becomes first Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealership in Ohio

The Trucker News Staff - December 22, 2022

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has expanded its network of Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealers into Canton, Ohio, with Young Trucks. “Adding our 10th state to the Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer network is the perfect way to close out a year that has seen significant expansion of the electromobility ecosystem that is necessary to support battery-electric trucks,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said. “Our dealerships play a critical role for fleets in every stage of the transition to battery-electric trucks — from selecting the right vehicle configuration to securing incentive funding when available, and then ensuring customers can maximize their uptime once the trucks are deployed.” Two of Young Trucks’ technicians have completed Volvo Trucks’ hands-on training course, which demonstrates how to safely maintain and repair electric drivetrains and components, a news release stated. Additionally, the dealership has invested in the necessary diagnostic tools for its maintenance bays, and its service team has been outfitted with the personal protective equipment necessary to work with high-voltage systems. Young Trucks has dedicated one service bay for battery-electric trucks with plans to expand as adoption of the Volvo VNR Electric truck increases in the region. Young Trucks opted to utilize a portable 50 kW Heliox charger to support charging its customers’ Volvo VNR Electric trucks. The portable charger provides the flexibility to move it to other bays, as needed. In addition, the charger has lower power requirements, enabling the dealership to use its existing electrical service and fast-track its infrastructure deployment timeline. To ensure peak vehicle uptime, performance and productivity, the Volvo Gold Contract — Volvo Trucks’ premier service offering for the VNR Electric — includes 24/7 monitoring with remote diagnostics and software downloading, scheduled and preventative maintenance, towing and vehicle repair, including the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries and the complete electromobility system. “We have continued to focus on the road ahead and introducing battery-electric truck sales and service into our product and service offering was a natural next step for Young Trucks. We already service commercial trucks powered by various fuel types and technologies and adding battery-electric trucks to the mix allows us to further provide our customers with an array of solutions to suit their unique operating needs,” Ryan Young, dealer principal at Young Trucks, said. “Our leasing and rental company, Young Leasing, ordered its first Volvo VNR Electric truck to utilize as a rental unit for area fleet customers. This truck will also serve as a demo vehicle for local fleets, enabling them to experience firsthand the power and performance of the Volvo VNR Electric in their real-world routes.” Volvo Trucks now has certified EV dealers in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, as well as in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, Canada, with numerous dealerships across North America finalizing their certifications in 2023. To learn more about Volvo Trucks North America and the Volvo VNR Electric, visit the company website.

ACT Research: Carriers tapping brakes on capacity

The Trucker News Staff - December 21, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Supply and demand balance and volumes have decreased while freight rates continue to decline, according to ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index. The ACT For-Hire Trucking Index is a monthly survey of for-hire trucking service providers. ACT Research converts responses into diffusion indexes, where the neutral or flat activity level is 50. Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, said that volumes softened to the lowest levels seen since March and April of 2020, on tepid consumer demand, overstocked retail inventories and declining imports. He added that there are signs of progress on destocking. “The reading continues to reflect a loose trucking market and a late stage in the freight cycle,” Denover said. “But capacity growth slowed sharply among our respondents, who represent sizable fleets, which will help us transition from this oversupplied stage of the cycle back into the early stage when rates recover.” Denover said power clearly shifted to shippers over the course of 2022, but there is a slower decline this month that may be a sign the bottoming process is beginning, consistent with the slowing in capacity growth. The ACT Freight Forecast provides forecasts for spot truckload rates by trailer type for four to six quarters and truck volumes and contract rates for three years for the truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal segments of the transportation industry. In 2019, the average accuracy of the report’s truckload spot rate forecasts was 98%. The ACT Research Freight Forecast uses equipment capacity modeling and the firm’s economics expertise to provide unprecedented visibility for the future of freight rates, helping businesses in transportation and logistics management plan for the future with confidence.

Safety Series: Driving defensively is an ongoing process of learning, reevaluating, adapting

Cliff Abbott - December 20, 2022

What do champion weightlifters, concert pianists and safe professional truck drivers have in common? They understand the value of repetition. Whether it’s muscle-building exercises, muscle memory keyboard moves or safely piloting an 18-wheeler, repetition helps everyone ingrain the skills necessary to excel. Drivers are usually inundated with defensive driving training from their first day in CDL school. The carriers they work for, whether as employed drivers or independent contractors, know continuous safety training improves safety results and impacts insurance rates. Unfortunately, for some drivers, training sessions have become an exercise in compliance with company rules rather than valuable training opportunities. Too often, platitudes and generalizations are presented in place of valuable training. The same outdated videos are played again and again, often containing horrific scenes of blood and guts that are intended to shock viewers into being safe. Quality safety training programs, such as the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Courses or the Smith System of Defensive Driving, charge for their programs and materials. Some carriers choose to save the costs by presenting outdated versions or poorly constructed programs of their own. Whatever the program, it’s often the repetitive nature of the training that keeps safety top of mind for drivers. Whether the tenets of the program are called keys, principles, techniques or something else, similarities abound. Most defensive driving programs begin with looking far ahead. The reason is simple. When a vehicle is moving, time and distance are related. Both are included in the way we measure speed, in miles per hour or feet per second. The farther ahead a hazard is identified, the more time the driver has to deal with it. The additional time can mean the difference between being able to stop or not, and may even allow for other measures, like a lane change. A visual scan is another way to remain alert. By keeping a “head on a swivel” (moving both head and eyes all around the vehicle), the driver can identify some hazards before they happen. For example, a car that is overtaking a truck from behind might change lanes and brake in front of the truck it just passed. By noticing the aggressive driving behavior, the truck driver can be prepared. Good drivers scan all mirrors and gauges, as well as everything that can be seen through the windshield and side windows. Be careful, however, of any guidance that specifies a time interval. For example, some programs may specify looking in each mirror once every 10-12 seconds. Don’t get bogged down in scanning for the sake of scanning. In heavy traffic, what’s directly in front can change rapidly in the few seconds it takes to complete a scan. Nighttime on a deserted highway is another example. If there are no headlights in the mirrors, there’s no need to check every 10 seconds. It might be better to do a side-to-side scan to detect animals entering from the side. Some defensive driving programs teach drivers to avoid being “boxed in” so they have an escape route if something happens ahead. It’s not bad advice — but every driver’s first escape route must be the brake pedal. By controlling speed and following distance and ensuring that there’s always enough room to stop before colliding with another vehicle, drivers can avoid accidents. Never let the availability of an escape route distract from the task of making sure there’s room to stop ahead. Visibility also a large part of defensive driving. With the exceptions of bright headlights and fog lights reflecting off a wet highway, it’s always a good idea to turn on lights to make your vehicle as visible as possible to other motorists. Every truck driver has seen, (or not seen) a dark colored vehicle with no headlights in their rear-view mirror. However, lights need to be in good working order and must be clean of buildup of snow, ice or dirt. Modern LED powered lights give off very little heat compared to the incandescent bulbs of yesteryear. Whereas sealed beam headlights of the past were warm enough to melt snow buildup, modern lights can quickly be obscured. During inclement weather, they need to be checked and cleaned more often. Visibility also encompasses the driver’s ability to see. Dirty or obstructed windshields and windows impair visibility and can prevent the driver from spotting a hazard. Mirrors can be obstructed by rain or snow; heated mirrors can dry the moisture but leave dirt and ice-clearing chemicals behind. Carry extra windshield washer solvent, and make sure it will protect when temperatures get below zero. Rags or a squeegee can quickly clean mirrors or side windows to help maintain perfect visibility. Visibility includes eye contact, too. Vehicles that could pull into your direction of travel aren’t as likely to do so if their drivers are looking directly at you. There’s no guarantee that they’ll see your vehicle, but it their drivers are looking away they certainly can’t see you. Make sure they’re looking in your direction. Flash your lights and, if necessary, use your horn. Driving defensively should never be something to learn and forget. It is a never-ending process. Drivers are training with road experience, so they have the best chance of predicting the actions of others and avoiding the aftermath.

Freight rates may be reaching bottom, but inflation still impacting industry

Cliff Abbott - December 19, 2022

Time marches on and, apparently, so does inflation. Unfortunately, while costs continue to escalate, the freight rates needed to keep up aren’t materializing. In addition, continuing discussion about a coming recession isn’t inspiring confidence. On Dec. 14, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the seventh time in 2022, this time by a mere half percent. The “good” news is that the increase was only 0.5% instead of the .75% amount of the previous four jumps, purportedly indicating that inflation might be coming under control. In the short term, it means loans for equipment purchases or repairs and credit-card fees will cost more. It also can impact freight levels by helping depress purchases of new homes and automobiles — two factors that contribute large amounts of freight for truckers. DAT Freight & Analytics, which operates the DAT One truckload freight marketplace, reported that truckload volume for dry van freight decreased 9.5% in November 2022 from October levels and was 4.4% lower than November 2021 levels. Refrigerated freight levels were down 4.5% and down 5% year over year. Flatbed loads showed similar results, declining 11% from October, but the rates were actually 13% higher than November of 2021 in a departure from the other trucking modes. Part of the reason the declines weren’t worse is that trucking benefited from the threatened rail strike that didn’t happen in early December. “There was seasonality in the van and reefer markets around the Thanksgiving holiday, but also a surge in volume in major intermodal ramp markets like Los Angeles, Chicago and Kansas City,” said Ken Adamo, chief of analytics at DAT. “Shippers used the spot market to reduce the risk of disruptions ahead of a potential rail strike.” Rates didn’t fare any better, according to DAT. Average van rates of $2.38 per mile were down 55 cents from November 2021, while refrigerated rates of $2.80 per mile on the average were 65 cents lower than in November 2021. The average flatbed rate of $2.82 per mile was down 24 cents from a year ago. DAT report noted the difference between spot and contract rates widened in November as spot rates continued to fall faster than contracted rates. ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index for October, released Nov. 28, indicated the “bottom” for freight rates may soon be at hand. “The seeds of the next tighter environment are being sown as rising costs and falling spot rates threaten the viability of the significant small feet capacity which has recently entered the industry,” said Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst for ACT. “For the mostly larger fleets in our survey, capacity growth has slowed for three straight months. By our estimates, spot rates are further below costs than ever before, which could shorten the bottoming process.” Denoyer was referring to the record numbers of new carrier registrations that occurred in late 2020 into 2021 as more drivers bought trucks to take advantage of rising freight rates. Many of those small business profited while rates were high but began to struggle when rates fell. As those carriers go out of business, there are fewer trucks left to haul available freight, allowing those that remain to push rates higher. “We believe the bottoming process has begun, and it’s possible that supply factors — including tight diesel inventories — could shorten the downturn,” Denoyer said. The Cass Freight Index for shipments for November showed that numbers fell 1.9% in November and were 0.4% lower than November 2021. Expenditures for shipments remain higher due to rate increases realized last year. The Cass Index measures freight volumes and shipping expenditures submitted by Cass clients and represent multiple modes of transportation, including trucking, rail, air, ship and pipeline among others. Business owners who are concerned about inflation and the potential for recession might be surprised to learn that some economists think we’re already in one, while others expect a recession to arrive early in 2023. Opinions vary on exactly what constitutes a recession as well as on when the next one will arrive or how severe it will be. Many economists are using the recently coined term “pasta-bowl” recession to describe the expected impact. When drawn on a graph, economic indicators like the gross domestic product (GDP) are expected to decline on a gradual slope, flatten out and then gradually increase in a shape reminiscent of a shallow bowl used for serving pasta. This time around, however, even the economists don’t agree. In a survey published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Fourth Quarter 2022 Survey of Professional Forecasters predicted the GDP would grow by 1% in the fourth quarter, but more than a third of industry respondents said the economy would contract. For the first quarter of 2023, 47.2% of respondents predict negative growth, and the group was split roughly 50-50 on whether the economy would grow or decline in the second quarter. Clearly, the coming recession — if there is one — is different from past downturns in that the indicators aren’t clearly defined. Regardless of the terminology, however, controlling expenses is the best course of action for small trucking businesses to survive the upcoming turbulence.

Platform Science offers Netradyne’s Driver-i in marketplace

The Trucker News Staff - December 19, 2022

SAN DIEGO — Platform Science and Netradyne have announced a collaboration to offer Netradyne‘s Driver-i solution in Platform Science’s marketplace of safety camera systems. Powered by artificial intelligence and edge computing, Netradyne’s Driver-i “is an advanced vision-based fleet safety camera platform built to reinforce positive driving behavior,” according to a news release. “Platform Science’s innovative transportation solutions make it easier for fleets to develop, deploy and manage mobile devices and applications on commercial vehicles.” “For Platform Science and its fleet customers, driver safety is paramount, which is why this new collaboration with Netradyne is so critical,” Joe Jumayao, vice president of business development at Platform Science, said. “By adding Driver-i to our app marketplace of solutions, we’re providing fleets with the ability to integrate a cutting-edge safety camera system and advanced vision features with other solutions in a unified, user-friendly platform while giving drivers a tool to self-coach to drive safer on our highways.” The Driver-i system can assess speed, traffic sign compliance, following distance, aggressive driving, distracted driving and more. Driver-i alerts drivers of risky driving behavior by issuing a corrective alert in real-time, enabling fleets to better mitigate risks and reduce the likelihood of accidents. “We are thrilled to partner with Platform Science,” Adam Kahn, chief business development officer at Netradyne said. “By integrating our platforms, we are saving our fleet customers time and streamlining their workflow.”

Schneider tops EPA Smartway program for 13th consecutive year

The Trucker News Staff - December 19, 2022

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has once again recognized Schneider as a SmartWay High Performer. The EPA SmartWay program is voluntary and focuses on advancing supply chain sustainability by measuring, benchmarking and improving freight transportation efficiency. While thousands of companies partner with the EPA through SmartWay, just more than 2% of all SmartWay carriers make the SmartWay High Performer list for all metrics, a news release stated. According to the data, Schneider operates “an exceptionally efficient and clean fleet, emitting fewer pollutants and burning less fuel per mile traveled and for every ton of freight moved, as compared to SmartWay peers.” “Schneider is committed to many environmental and sustainability goals, including doubling intermodal business by 2030, reducing carbon emissions by 7.5% per mile by 2025 and by 60% per mile by 2035,” the news release stated. “The carrier has already achieved more than half of its 2025 goal by reducing per-mile emissions by 5%. Schneider uses new technologies, equipment and data science to push efficiency. In early 2023, the company will add 92 battery-electric vehicles to its intermodal operations in southern California, making Schneider one of the largest electric truck fleets in North America. Leveraging digital tools and on-the-ground expertise, Schneider associates work with customers to review network optimization, reduce empty miles, consolidate freight and pick the right mode of transportation.” To learn more about sustainability at Schneider, visit: https://schneider.com/company/corporate-responsibility/sustainability.

Pair of Surgenor Truck group Ontario locations become Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealers

The Trucker News Staff - December 19, 2022

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has announced the sixth and seventh Canadian dealerships to complete its comprehensive Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer program. Surgenor Truck Group, a family owned and operated truck dealership for more than 30 years, has completed the program at two locations — Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario, Canada — to support the growing regional interest in Class 8 battery-electric trucks. “Recent Volvo VNR Electric deployments in Canada have demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of our Class 8 battery-electric model in the extreme cold of a Canadian winter,” Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said. “The steady expansion of our Volvo Trucks Certified EV dealership network in Canada is a testament to increasing customer confidence to begin integrating battery-electric trucks into their fleet, so much so that dealerships like Surgenor Truck Group are certifying multiple locations at the same time to meet current demand and be prepared for a large scale-up of electromobility in the near future.” Surgenor Truck Group, which is the largest group of Volvo Trucks dealers in Eastern Ontario, has received multiple inquiries about the availability of the Volvo VNR Electric model, particularly from cities and local governments, a news release stated. “To help its customers evaluate which of its routes are the most ideal for electrification, as well as select the right Volvo VNR Electric configuration, Surgenor Truck Group’s sales team has been trained to use Volvo Trucks’ route planning tool — the Electric Performance Generator,” according to the news release. Additionally, both Ontario dealership locations can help customers evaluate the business impact of purchasing and operating the Volvo VNR Electric by utilizing Volvo Trucks’ Electromobility Total Cost of Ownership tool. “Our dealerships want to play a key role in the evolution of the trucking industry, so our team worked hard to complete the Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer program in just six months for both locations,” Steve Wickett, general manager of Surgenor Truck Group, said. “The training and certification process was straight forward, and our sales and service teams are now prepared and excited to support local fleets with their electromobility transition.” Volvo Trucks now has certified EV dealers in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, as well as in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, Canada, with several dealerships across North America finalizing their certifications in 2022 and 2023. To learn more about Volvo Trucks North America and the Volvo VNR Electric, visit the company website.

Meijer becomes first retailer to run all-electric semi-trucks in cold climate

The Trucker News Staff - December 16, 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer, a retailer that operates one of the largest fleets in Michigan, is deploying two of the first all-electric semi-trucks outside of California. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer is also the first nationwide to track the performance of the Freightliner eCascadia semi-trucks in a cold weather environment as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. “Our company’s earliest beginnings were marked by doing what’s right while keeping an eye toward innovation. That philosophy still guides us today and is exemplified by our company’s commitment to lessening our carbon footprint,” Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes said. “We’re excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Freightliner to pave a sustainable future for the industry.” Meijer received the battery electric semi-trucks earlier this month and celebrated their inaugural delivery Thursday, Dec. 15, with a more than 44,000-pound food donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and representatives from Meijer and Daimler Truck North America. The two semis will operate out of the retailer’s Lansing Distribution Center, which is now equipped with specific charging infrastructure. They will make multiple deliveries daily to Meijer supercenters within a 200-mile trip range of the distribution center. “With innovative companies, a storied manufacturing heritage, and the fastest growing clean energy sector in the country, Michigan is the best place to build the future,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “As one of the first in the nation to deploy all electric semi-trucks, Meijer is doing their part to preserve our pure Michigan natural resources while creating good-paying manufacturing jobs and setting a powerful example for companies everywhere. I look forward to building on our partnership with Meijer to grow Michigan’s economy and build a state where everyone can envision their future.” Meijer became a test fleet for Freightliner in 2009 and was selected in 2019 to test the manufacturer’s battery electric semi-trucks. After a successful conclusion of testing and integration of customer feedback in the design and development process, Freightliner is now rolling out the series produced battery electric truck to customers, including Meijer that received the first delivery. The retailer’s trucks were partially funded by a grant to Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office geared toward the demonstration of battery electric commercial trucks under diverse climate conditions. Meijer will continue reviewing data daily for temperature impact on mileage, charge times, battery life optimization and driver comfort. “Through this partnership, we can help accelerate the industry’s transformation to electrification by applying valuable insights from data collected and real-world applications in a cold climate environment and make a meaningful difference when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Mike Graham, senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing for Meijer, said. “We’re pleased to work with Freightliner to further put the eCascadia tractors into real-world applications outside of southern California as we look for solutions to achieve zero emissions.” Freightliner’s new battery electric eCascadia truck is the zero-emission version of the industry-leading Cascadia and is ideally suited for short-haul routes that allow for depot-based charging. Extensive development and rigorous testing through several prototypes and customer-tested trucks resulted in a powerful and efficient electric truck with multiple battery and drive axle options, providing a typical range of 230 miles, depending on vehicle configurations. With time being of the essence in this industry, a maximum battery capacity of almost 440 kWh can recharge 80% of the truck in approximately 90 minutes. To increase safety for traffic participants, especially in urban environments, the 82,000-pound (GCW) Class 8 truck comes standard with Detroit Assurance with Active Brake Assist 5 and debuts the Active Side Guard Assist (ASGA). The ASGA is an industry-first technology that engages at urban speeds of 12 mph or less to mitigate the truck from making a right turn when a moving cyclist or pedestrian is detected on the passenger side of the truck. “We are excited about the delivery of the eCascadia to Meijer as part of such an important industry,” David Carson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for DTNA, said. “Our goal is to provide our customers with the safest, most reliable, and durable battery electric trucks to ensure their needs are met even for the toughest use cases. This delivery represents a significant milestone in our customers’ and also in our own journey to a zero-emission future.” Detroit is the power behind the eCascadia. While the eCascadia is built in Portland, Oregon, the in-house developed Detroit ePowertrain is designed for a full integration with the eCascadia in DTNA’s Detroit manufacturing facility located in Detroit. Last year, the company announced plans for a $20 million investment in the Detroit manufacturing facility to serve as the North American source of Detroit ePowertrain components. The inaugural delivery of food donated by Meijer included 44,136 pounds of nonperishable food, including peanut butter and canned vegetables, fruit and meat that Gleaners representatives said will be immensely helpful and immediately delivered to their clients this holiday season. “We are proud to stand with Meijer in service to our community,” Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners, said. “We applaud Meijer’s efforts to improve our planet while providing thousands of pounds of nutritious food for households that are struggling right now.” To download b-roll of the Meijer eCascadia sem-itruck, please click here.