Business Archives

Penske expands used truck network

The Trucker News Staff - October 25, 2022

READING, Pa. — Penske has increased the footprint of its network of used truck centers with four new locations in Kansas City, Missouri; Chicago; and Miami and Tampa, Florida. “While the majority of our used vehicle sales continue to take place online, our physical used truck centers also remain an effective channel and touchpoint with business customers,” said Jack Mitchell, senior vice president of vehicle remarketing at Penske. Penske Used Truck Centers are newly opened in: Kansas City at 3940 NE Great Midwest Drive. For more information, call (816) 927-3904. Chicago at 2050 Mannheim Road. For more information, call (708) 391-2103. Tampa at 5302 N 56th Street. For more information, call (813) 261-4717. Miami at 13000 NW South River Drive. For more information, call (786) 792-3127. “We currently have 16 used truck centers open and we plan to open one more by year’s end to better serve customers and demand for used vehicles in Texas,” Mitchell said.

ATA honors 9 companies with inaugural Change Leader Award

The Trucker News Staff - October 25, 2022

SAN DIEGO — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has presented nine companies with the inaugural ATA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Change Leader Award for their commitment to creating a culture of acceptance and belonging for their employees. The awards were presented on Sunday, Oct. 23, at the ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition. “ATA has led the charge to make trucking more diverse, and we are proud to recognize these companies for all they are doing to create a positive workplace culture for everyone,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said. “It is easy to talk about improving diversity, but these companies do the hard work of walking the walk and for that reason we are happy to honor them with this Change Leader Award.” The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Change Leader Award, sponsored by TenStreet, encourages ATA members to implement a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program or continue to improve an established company DEI program. The nominations were critiqued on the ability to develop a program, improve an existing program and measure and benchmark a successful culture of acceptance and inclusion. Award recipients are: Cargo Transporters Inc. Cummins Inc. FedEx Ground. Garner Trucking. Locomation. The Pilot Company. Trimac Transportation. U.S. Xpress Enterprises. Yellow. “TenStreet is honored to be associated with this award and with ATA’s work on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Marilyn Surber, TenStreet transportation advisor, said. “It is our hope that this inaugural award presented to these nine companies will highlight their innovative leadership, trying to ensure all peoples regardless of gender or ethnicity get an opportunity to enjoy a career at all levels in our industry, and together we’ll get there.”

October sees freight rates rise as number of available loads dropped

Cliff Abbott - October 25, 2022

The number of shipments available for haulage has declined but is still better than last year, while the amount shippers are paying for shipments is much higher. So says the October Cass Freight Indexes for Shipments and Expenditures. According to the Cass Indexes, freight shipments declined by 2.9% in September from August levels but were still 4.8% ahead of September 2021 — and even further ahead (by 5.4%) of shipment numbers in September 2020. Expenditures (the amount shippers paid to move that freight) grew by a smidgen in September, just 0.3%. Compared with September 2021, however, the spending was 21.2% ahead, and it was 60.2% ahead of September 2020. It’s important to note that the Cass indexes measure freight movements in multiple modes of transportation and derive its data from payments processed for Cass clients. Trucking is the largest in number of the modes measured, but other methods of freight movement, including rail, ship, air and pipeline, are also included in the totals. One Cass statistic that’s specific to trucking is the Cass Truckload Linehaul Index, which incorporates linehaul shipping rates from both the spot and contract markets. In September, the index declined by 2.2% from August numbers but remained 3.9% ahead of the September 2021 index, and 17.1% ahead of September 2020. Since both spot and contract rates are calculated, it is the spot rates pushing the decline. However, contract rates are beginning to decline as well — which doesn’t bode well for future months. Another report issued in October is the U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index, which accumulates data from actual freight payments transacted through the bank’s services; this index includes both truckload and less-than-truckload data. According to the U.S. Bank index, shipments declined by 2.9% in the third quarter of 2022, which ended Sept. 30. Compared with the same quarter of 2021, shipments declined 4.9%. That’s the largest quarterly drop since the first quarter of 2021. The U.S. Bank index also reported a decline in shipping spending, which is down 2.4% compared with the second quarter. Those looking for good news about shipment levels might look to the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA’s) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, which showed an increase of 0.5% in September after a strong 2.1% in August. For the third quarter of 2022, ATA reported a 5.6% increase over the same quarter of 2021. It’s important to note that the ATA index is comprised of data submitted by its member carriers, which tend to be larger in size and dependent on a large percentage of contract freight loads. Contract rates are generally slower to respond to economic factors than spot rates. “The latest gain put tonnage at the highest level since August 2019 and the third highest level on record,” said Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist. “This is another example of how the contract freight market remains strong despite weakness in the spot market this year.” Of course, inflation is driving much of what’s happening in the freight world. With less buying power, consumers are focusing their dollars on gasoline and groceries, and have little left over for home improvements, appliances and other durable goods. The Fed has tried to rein in inflation with three interest rate hikes of 75 points (0.75%), resulting in mortgage interest rates not seen in years. According to a recent State of Freight release by industry forecasters FTR Intelligence, home mortgage rates reached 6.7% at the start of October, their highest point since July 2007. Sales of both existing and new homes have fallen in six of the past seven months. ACT Research’s North American Commercial Vehicle Outlook forecasts the future of the industry and includes a great deal of economic data. According to the report, increasing wages are driving inflation rates, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In the report, ACT President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth said, “Employment metrics suggest there is little room to rein in wage inflation outside of aggressive monetary policy actions that reduce demand. Job growth is moderating, but September’s job gains were still 38% above the 2011-2019 average of 190k jobs per month.” Since the law of supply and demand applies to labor as well as to products, when workers are more difficult to source, as they are in periods of low unemployment, wages tend to move upward. If the Fed is successful in slowing the economy, lowered demand for products could also result in less demand for labor, helping to stabilize wages. But consumers are still spending, Vieth noted, and businesses drive the demand for labor in response. Vieth also expressed concern that the Fed’s approach to curtailing inflation could actually be too strong and have a negative effect. “We note that we are already starting to see some commentary arguing the Federal Reserve is moving monetary policy too fast, thereby increasing the likelihood of an overshoot that leads to a recession,” he said. In the ever-confusing world of economics, too much inflation is bad — but so is no inflation or, in severe cases, deflation, which is a contraction of the economy. The last time annual average inflation in the U.S. actually went negative was in 1954 in response to stock market corrections. The most famous, at least in the past century, would have been the three years following the stock market crash of 1929, when the economy shrank a total of 26%. Even in the recession year of 2008, the inflation rate remained in positive territory at 0.8%. The Fed’s target inflation rate is 2%. As of September, the U.S. inflation rate is 8.7% for the year. In 1980, as Jimmy Carter’s presidency wound down, the inflation rate reached 12.5% and the Fed Funds rate (the amount banks of interest banks paid to borrow from the government) was an incredible 18%. It’s doubtful the Fed will need to resort to rates that drastic for this inflationary round, but if they slow the economy too much, it will definitely show up in freight rates and volumes.

Tradelink Transport increases number of electric trucks in fleet

The Trucker News Staff - October 24, 2022

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America customer Tradelink Transport, a minority-owned trucking company based in Compton, California, recently purchased 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks for its land-bridge operations. According to a news release, the company transports a variety of products for major shipping companies between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and nearby rail yards. “The Class 8, zero-tailpipe emission trucks will provide air quality and noise-reduction benefits to the disadvantaged communities located adjacent to the ports and interstates 110 and 710,” the news release stated. “Since we started our business in 1998, Tradelink Transport has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable transportation, having always utilized a mix of new compressed natural gas trucks and the cleanest diesel models available,” Rigoberto Cea, president of Tradelink Transport, said. “With this order of 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks, we are excited to become one of the first fleets in the nation to deploy battery-electric trucks and supporting infrastructure into our operations at scale. Our drivers are excited to drive the new VNR Electric trucks. Most live within a 15-mile radius of our facility and see how vital it is for the trucking industry to reduce its emissions and community impact.” Tradelink Transport’s 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks will comprise nearly 30% of the total fleet once the trucks are deployed into its existing fleet of 40 Class 8 trucks at its Compton transfer facility. To determine which of its routes were the most ideal for battery-electric trucks, Tradelink Transport worked with TEC Equipment – La Mirada, a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer, and Volvo Trucks North America, to simulate real-world Volvo VNR Electric truck routes via Volvo Trucks’ Electric Performance Generator (EPG) route planning tool. The EPG application takes into consideration the vehicle configuration and battery capacity, environmental factors such as terrain and ambient temperature, and specific route details, including traffic patterns. “The EPG route planning tool helped us identify a driver training opportunity by highlighting that the heavy traffic around the ports will allow significant regenerative braking,” Tracey Craik, regional sales director at TEC Equipment, said. “This in turn can increase range by returning up to 15% of the power back to the battery. In addition to route planning and driver training, TEC Equipment has supported Tradelink Transport in growing its Volvo VNR Electric fleet by identifying zero-tailpipe emission vehicle funding opportunities available to fleets that operate in disadvantaged communities.” Ten of the 15 Volvo VNR Electric trucks were purchased with vouchers from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). Launched by the California Air Resources Board in 2009, HVIP provides point-of-sale vouchers to make advanced technology vehicles more affordable with first-come first-served incentives that reduce the incremental cost of commercial vehicles. “The Volvo VNR Electric is an ideal solution to support fleet customers with local and regional distribution, including port drayage, with less noise and emissions,” Jared Ruiz, acting head of electromobility sales for North America at Volvo Trucks North America, said. “Tradelink Transport recognized the significant benefits they could provide to the communities located near Southern California’s major freight corridors by deploying battery-electric trucks. Volvo Trucks has been really impressed with the commitment from both their leadership team and drivers.” To support its growing battery-electric truck fleet, Tradelink Transport is utilizing Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready Transport program to install 10 chargers — a mix of 180 kW and 360 kW dual chargers. The chargers will be installed at Tradelink Transport’s new, five-acre facility, paired with onsite solar panels to generate renewable electricity and help offset peak charging costs.

ACT Research: Volume, productivity, supply-demand balance all down in September

The Trucker News Staff - October 24, 2022

Columbus, Ind. – ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index, showed volume, productivity and the supply-demand balance all declined in September. 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. “It’s getting choppier out there, with more variance between freight data sets,” Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, said. “While not comprehensive, our For-Hire Trucking Indexes draw from a strong top-tier community of medium and large fleets with a sharp sense of market conditions and direction. So, we view these results as cautionary leading indicators for the broader market.” Denoyer said that six months after the market balance turned loose, rates have turned down broadly as contracts are re-priced. Downward pressure on freight demand related to inflation and interest rates, coupled with recovering equipment and driver capacity, will likely keep rates under pressure for a few more quarters. 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 with confidence. “The market fell to the loosest level since April 2020 in September, which portends additional rate pressure, but capacity growth has begun to slow, which is key to the bottoming process for rates,” Denoyer said.

FedEx Ground recognizes 3 service providers as Entrepreneurs of the Year

The Trucker News Staff - October 24, 2022

PITTSBURGH — FedEx Ground has named three companies that provide contracted package pickup, delivery and transportation services as FedEx Ground Entrepreneurs of the Year. They are: Black Enterprises of WNC Inc. of Asheville, North Carolina; Lerma Transport Inc. of Yuma; and GWC Trucking Inc. of Hagerstown, Maryland, according to a news release. “The annual Entrepreneur of the Year distinction recognizes service provider companies for valuing safety above all, delivering excellent customer service, building dedicated and engaged teams, and conducting efficient and optimized operations,” the news release stated. FedEx Ground contracts with more than 6,100 service provider companies throughout the United States and Canada, and this year’s winners were selected from among the top 20 regional qualifiers representing the best of those companies for the past fiscal year, ending May 31. The three company winners were recognized last night at a ceremony in Pittsburgh, home of FedEx Ground headquarters. “These exemplary companies have navigated shifting economic conditions and challenging market dynamics over the past fiscal year, and through it all have remained focused while placing their highest priority on delivering safe and outstanding service to FedEx Ground customers,” John Smith, president and CEO of FedEx Ground, said. “Since 2007, we have been recognizing exceptional businesses that successfully demonstrate an unwavering commitment to these principles, and we are proud and excited to honor this year’s winners.” Following are brief company profiles of the businesses recognized: Black Enterprises of WNC, Inc. – Asheville, North Carolina – Tyrone Black, Owner Pickup and delivery service provider Black Enterprises of WNC, which operates a fleet of 15 vehicles and has been in business since 2001, “is dedicated to achieving its primary goal: 100 percent daily service results without exception through the safe delivery of all packages,” according to the news release. President Tyrone Black said he trains all new hires and provides them with the tools they need to uphold the company’s impeccable standards. “By modeling the professionalism, he expects from the company’s employees, he encourages them to demonstrate integrity, honesty and accountability as they interact with customers and station staff alike,” the news release stated. “All of our employees’ behaviors together contribute to a positive outcome,” Black explained. Black said he employs a safety manager who ensures that safety remains an integral part of employees’ everyday lives. He also affirmed that the company utilizes the latest safety technologies with the goal of preventing accidents while determining what they’re doing well and where they can improve. In the community, Black Enterprises of WNC supports a local foodbank and an organization that helps underserved communities. During the holiday shipping season, the company also contributes to Christmas Angel, Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army. Lerma Transport, Inc. – Yuma, Arizona – Saul Lerma, Owner Operating for more than 20 years, Lerma Transport continues to excel through its safety efforts, business efficiencies and employee engagement practices, according to the news release. Owner and President Saul Lerma focuses on the big picture, while General Manager Frank Meza provides vital support for day-to-day operations involving the company’s fleet of 18 vehicles. Lerma regularly participates in discussions with FedEx Ground related to best practices, safety and sustainability, and he shares his knowledge with other service providers. Lerma also enjoys working with law enforcement agencies to enhance safety on the road for everyone. As a sign of the company’s ongoing commitment to on-the-road safety, Lerma Transport drivers participate yearly in the Arizona Truck Driving Championships, where drivers put their safety skills and professionalism on display. Lerma Transport also champions sustainable practices by promoting recycling at the FedEx Ground facility, using a paperless electronic paycheck system for its employees and promoting the development of local clean natural gas (CNG) stations. In the Yuma community, Lerma Transport supports the Harley Owners Group (HOG) Association, which participates each year in a breast cancer run that raises funds and awareness. Other charitable outreach benefits include the Yuma Community Food Bank, United Way, March of Dimes, and the Crossroads Mission of Yuma, including an annual Thanksgiving turkey drive. GWC Trucking, Inc. – Hagerstown, Maryland – Will Caceres and Gonzalo Caceres, Owners With roots dating back to 1995, GWC Trucking is a family business noted for safety, professionalism, and courtesy. “Our objective is for the business to be multigenerational — where our children and grandchildren learn the importance of structure, customer service and workplace etiquette,” GWC Trucking Owner Will Caceres said. To ensure its fleet of 14 vehicles operates safely each day, GWC Trucking subscribes to a professional motor vehicle safety program and conducts weekly safety meetings that are structured to help employees stay current with policies and procedures. The company’s drivers receive competitive compensation, weekly bonuses, paid vacation and health, vision and dental insurance. “As a result, driver turnover is minimal, which contributes to consistently high levels of service and keeps the operation running smoothly and accident free,” the news release stated.

EPA SmartWay program names Penske a high performer

The Trucker News Staff - October 21, 2022

READING, Penn. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay program has recognized Penske Logistics as a high performer in a pair of clean transportation categories. Penske earned the listing in the Truck Carrier Carbon Metrics and Logistics Freight Management categories, according to a news release. SmartWay Partners annually submit efficiency and air quality performance data to the EPA. The SmartWay program noted that a high performer consumes less fuel for every mile traveled and for every ton of freight that is moved. A company can earn entry to the Truck Carrier Carbon Metrics list by being among the fewer than 10% of all SmartWay carriers that operate fleets efficiently enough to earn placement for reduced carbon emissions, according to SmartWay. SmartWay also placed Penske on their Logistics Freight Management list for being among the 5% of SmartWay logistics companies that meet the emissions and carrier selection criteria. “We are very pleased to be recognized by the SmartWay program as a high performer,” Marc Althen, Penske logistics president, said. “We are dedicated to reducing the carbon footprints of our own fleet and that of our customer’s operations.”

E2open expands partnership with Uber Freight

The Trucker News Staff - October 21, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas – E2open Parent Holdings, Inc. is expanding its partnership with Uber Freight. The partnership will provide a real-time rating solution within e2open’s Transportation Management System application, a news release stated. “The Carrier Highlight is a new core capability enabled by e2open’s multi-tenant environment that offers all shippers an instant comparison of real-time transportation rate options against both contract and spot rates currently available in their network,” according to the news release. Uber Freight is the first preferred carrier partner showcased in the application. Through direct integration with Uber Freight’s digital freight brokerage, e2open compares real-time rates against existing network rates and provides 24/7 access with 100% tendered acceptance. E2open TMS users are presented with savings opportunities during shipment planning, with the possibility to tender the shipment at a lower cost. “In today’s changing market, building resilient supply chains and utilizing real-time freight are crucial for business success,” Laurent Hautefeuille, head of strategy and business development at Uber Freight, said. “At Uber Freight, we’ve built one of the world’s largest managed transportation networks and support shippers with reduced overhead costs and flexible, scalable operations. We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with e2open and support pricing decisions with new embedded features to help shippers secure optimal rates into the future.” The Carrier Highlight offers all shipper users access to the list of featured transportation providers, even if the carrier is not in the shipper’s network. The shipper can onboard the selected carrier to benefit from the current rate reduction and use the new carrier partner for future load savings. In addition, carriers in the network are afforded exposure to more shippers. “Shippers need ways to optimize their transportation spend to win when rates are rising and when they are falling,” said Peter Hantman, chief operating officer at e2open. “Together with our partners, e2open is focused on adding value for our clients and helping them realize more efficiency in their supply chains.”

Love’s Travel Stops’ 600th location includes 60 new truck parking spaces

The Trucker News Staff - October 20, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops has opened a new store off of Interstate 35 in Perry, Oklahoma, marking its 600th location. The new location adds 60 truck parking spaces and 70 jobs to Payne County. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s donated $15,000 to the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation to make Lions Park in Perry more accessible to children of all abilities. In addition to opening new locations, Love’s recently started adding RV hookups and Amazon lockers to better serve customers. Love’s also started adding RV hookups to locations. Water, electric and sewer hookups and Wi-Fi are available at 21 existing Love’s locations across the country. The company also recently opened its first RV park in Cordele, Georgia. The Cordele location offers full hookups, fire pits, pickle ball courts, a splash pad, laundry and more. Customers can visit, lovesrvstops.com for a list of locations and to book a stay. In addition to RV hookups, Love’s joined Amazon’s package pickup network to provide its customers with access to Amazon Lockers at more than 50 locations nationwide. Customers making a purchase on Amazon will have the option to choose the Love’s location nearest them, if applicable. For a full list of participating Love’s locations, visit loves.com. Below is a list of amenities at the Love’s in Perry: More than 12,000 square feet. Open 24/7. Arby’s. 60 truck parking spaces. 65 car parking spaces. Six RV hookups. Six diesel bays. RV dump station. Propane. Five showers. Laundry facilities. CAT scale. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. Dog park. “As Love’s opens its 600th location in the U.S., and 81st in its home state of Oklahoma, the company remains committed to being the best and most comprehensive travel stop on the highway and adding new amenities and services to get customers back on the road quickly and safely,” Shane Wharton, president of Love’s, said. “When you walk into a Love’s, you’ll see the same Clean Places, Friendly Faces that you’ve seen for the past 58 years, and that’s Love’s promise to customers.”

New Class 8 tractor orders rising as used units show decline

The Trucker News Staff - October 20, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind — The trucking industry revolves around the Class 8 tractor — it’s America’s iron workhorse, helping to deliver necessary goods across the nation each day. But the latest data from ACT Research shows that while new tractor orders are strong, used units aren’t moving at the pace they once did. While preliminary used Class 8 tractor retail sales volumes decreased 9% month-over-month in September, according to ACT, new Class 8 tractor orders rose from August to September in spite of interest rate hikes. September new Class 8 orders totaled 53,700 units, according to ACT. NEW TRACTOR SALES Heavy and medium duty net orders both took giant steps up from August levels in September, both on a nominal as well as seasonally adjusted basis, according to ACT. “For now, business activity is winning the tug of war with higher interest rates,” Eric Crawford, ACT Research’s vice president and senior analyst, said. “That said, we expect this dynamic to shift … as the Fed continues its aggressive push to subdue inflation.” Additionally, Class 5 and Classes 6-7 are segmented by trucks, buses, RVs and step van configurations, while Class 8 is segmented by trucks and tractors with and without sleeper cabs. This report includes a six-month industry build plan, backlog timing analysis, historical data from 1996 to the present in spreadsheet format, and a ready-to-use graph package. A first look at preliminary net orders is also published in conjunction with this report. Crawford said production levels were ahead of OEM build plans for both heavy-duty and medium duty by a considerable margin. “Otherwise, activity was largely in line with expectations: one, more Class 8 OEMs began opening 2023 order boards, and two, HD and MD cancellation volumes and rates remain low, albeit up from prior month for Class 8 following the record low set in August.” Crawford said that while underlying economic activity remains elevated, the record-breaking orders were also a function of customers’ inability to secure as much equipment in 2021 and 2022 as they’d preferred, creating pent-up demand for 2023, as well as a burst of activity when 2023 order boards were opened more broadly. “In other words, had supply chain and labor issues not dampened 2022 build rates, or had 2023 build slots already been widely available for orders to be placed, we think orders would have been strong, but not record-breaking strong,” Crawford said. USED TRACTOR SALES Preliminary used Class 8 tractor retail sales volumes decreased 9% month-over-month in September from August. September 2022 sales were also 29% lower compared to September of 2021, according to ACT. Other data from August 2022 to September 2022 showed that the average retail price for used Class 8 tractors fell 3%, average miles increased 2% and average age contracted 4%. Compared to August of 2021, the average retail price was 18% higher, with average miles and age both greater by 3% and 1%, respectively. “Retail unit sales reflect the challenges of both waning demand, as well as the curtailed flow of units coming from trade-ins,” Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, said. “Encoded in the supply-demand dynamics, the impact of pricing is to the downside.” Tam said the final interpretation depends on one’s role as a buyer or a seller. “Miles and age appear to be holding less sway over pricing but are also arguably mixed. Looking ahead, prices are likely to continue their downward trek into the first half of 2023, before starting to head higher, predicated on underlying economic and freight assumptions,” he said. Relating to new truck builds, Tam said that if history is any indication, September new truck builds, which totaled nearly 26,000 units, will translate into a meaningful uptick in the market in November or December once those units have worked their way through repair and reconditioning. “Of course, this assumes there are customers lined up with dollars (or financing) in hand to put those units to work,” he said. “Given supply has been a bigger issue than demand, which is probably a safe assumption.”

Tennessee Trucking Association names Ascend’s Kelly Moore Safety Professional of the Year

The Trucker News Staff - October 19, 2022

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) has named Kelly Moore, senior vice president of safety and maintenance at Ascend, Safety Professional of the Year. The award was presented to Moore during the association’s annual convention Sept. 20 in Destin, Florida. “It’s definitely an honor to win, especially as a first-year nominee,” Moore said. “Exciting but also very humbling.” Moore, who has been with Ascend for ten years, implemented numerous initiatives that have increased safety awareness and cost savings at the company, including a massive education outreach to the Ascend fleet, a news release stated. “Drivers are very smart — if we have a safety slogan, without the culture to support it, they’ll call you out,” Moore said. “When I talked to drivers, I realized we needed to help them understand why this was so important to us, why we were taking the time and making the investment – hundreds of thousands of dollars a year – in approaching safety. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how profitable we think we are as an organization; if we aren’t getting our employees home safely, we’re not a very successful company.” Moore says he and his team put measurements in place to see where Ascend’s weak areas were regarding safety. Then, the company invested in programs to improve and strengthen awareness in those areas. “Investing in that technology was huge,” he said. “Helping the team understand our heart, why we were doing this was also huge. Then, we put measurements in place so we could all hold ourselves accountable to making sure this was not only something we said but also something we would live by.” After implementing its education initiative and seeing positive results, Moore and his team eventually distilled it into a program they called Win the Day, which narrowed the safety focus to smaller steps in three areas to be more manageable. The three areas of focus were to go each day without one work-related accident, without a single work-related injury, and no CSA violations. In 2020, Ascend had one of its best safety years in a decade. As they kept driving the safety values in 2021 that Moore initiated, the company outpaced not only their target for the year but also beat the goals of 2020. Now, 2022 is on pace to be even safer, with lower scores and lower risk than 2021. Moore says this is evidence of a true culture change at Ascend, and over time the drivers have become the program’s leading advocates. To qualify as TTA’s Safety Professional of the Year, nominees must excel in the field of fleet and commercial motor vehicle safety and be an active member of the TTA Safety Management Council for the previous year. Additionally, Moore was required to produce records verifying his success in advancing the highway and industrial safety of Ascend’s fleet. Moore is currently serving as chairman of the West Tennessee Safety & Maintenance Council; he is a member of Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and serves on its Crash Data & Investigation Standards Committee and the Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee.

Class 8 natural gas truck retail sales see gains through August

The Trucker News Staff - October 19, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – U.S. and Canadian Class 8 natural gas truck retail sales for the first eight months of 2022 outpaced the same period in 2021 by 18%, according to Alternative Fuels Quarterly, a report from ACT Research. Although retail sales of natural gas Class 8 trucks are up, fueling infrastructure continues to contract, the report stated. “Sales of natural gas (NG)-powered vehicles, as reported by the six major truck OEMs, who account for approximately 60% of the heavy-duty (HD) NG market, were mixed in the June to August time period, with June dropping 33% year-over-year, July surging 204% compared to last July and August up 20% versus a year ago,” Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research, said. “In the near term, June was relatively benign compared to May (-4%), while July spiked 82% month-over-month. Unable to maintain, volumes pulled back 33% from July to August. Combined, sales in the three-month period extended and increased the year-to-date gain, with the first eight months of the year outpacing the same period in 2021 by 18%.” Tam said there are currently 822 public compressed natural gas (CNG) stations open in the U.S. as of mid-September 2022 — the vast majority of which can accommodate a heavy-duty (HD) vehicle. “The liquid NG (LNG) station count at the same period was 54, with all able to serve Class 8 vehicles,” Tam said. “This translates to 15 fewer public CNG station and no change to the number of public LNG station since mid-June 2022.” Tam said that given the existing station count’s downward trajectory, it isn’t a surprise that planned CNG stations are also contracting. “On a year-over-year basis, the number of planned private CNG stations was unchanged while planned public stations have declined more than 38%,” Tam said. Tam said it is worth noting that private U.S. stations also exist and are being planned. “These currently include 4,572 existing stations and 6 planned sites, a decrease of 31 existing stations from last quarter, but we presume these are temporarily offline, rather than shuttered,” he said.

Net big rig trailer orders see September bump

The Trucker News Staff - October 19, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Preliminary reports show that net trailer orders in September totaled 25,700 units, up approximately 45% from August, but around 10% lower than the same month last year, according to the latest report from ACT Research. Final September results will be available in late October. “With more 2023 order boards opening, September net orders rose in seasonal fashion,” Jennifer McNealy, director commercial vehicle market research and publications at ACT Research, said. “As the OEMs open next year’s build schedules more fully, they are reporting that most of the build slots made available have been filled.” McNealy said that while orders are up 45% from August on a nominal basis, seasonal adjustment narrows the sequential gap appreciably to around 5% month-over-month growth. “Additionally, some trailer manufacturers are reporting expectations that when they do open the remainder of their 2023 order boards in the next few months, those spots will also fill rapidly, despite no firm pricing available at this point,” McNealy said. ACT Research’s State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report provides a monthly review of the current U.S. trailer market statistics, as well as trailer OEM build plans and market indicators divided by all major trailer types, including backlogs, build, inventory, new orders, cancellations net orders and factory shipments.

Pilot opens new location in California; completes remodels of 8 more

The Trucker News Staff - October 17, 2022

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Company is celebrating the opening of a new travel center in Palmdale, California, and the completion of eight more store remodels as part of its New Horizons initiative. To officially commemorate these stores, Pilot Company teamed up with their local communities, partner organizations and Monster Energy to host on-site events featuring BMX bike shows, break dancers, special guests, giveaways and more than $100,000 in donations to area schools, according to a news release. “Our team works hard to open a new store and make these remodels happen, and it’s a moment of pride for them to celebrate with their family, friends, communities and guests,” Allison Cornish, vice president of store modernization at Pilot Company, said. “Being that September is also when we recognize Driver Appreciation, it was only fitting that we go even bigger with these events to create a fun atmosphere for professional truck drivers and community members to gather together and have a good time.” The new Pilot travel center in Palmdale and remodeled locations, which are listed below, incorporate Pilot Company’s latest store amenities: Altoona, Iowa: Upgraded restrooms and bathrooms, an expanded deli menu, and new Cinnabon kiosk. Boonville, Missouri: A new breakroom for team members, new kitchen to serve guests their favorite homecooked meal, and four self-checkouts. Florence, South Carolina: New kitchen for team members to prepare an expanded menu of fresh food and grab-and-go cold items, fully remodeled Wendy’s, and four self-checkouts. Gordonsville, Tennessee: Brand new restrooms and showers, newly remodeled Dunkin’ Donuts. Hope Hull, Alabama: Newly added deli with grab-and-go options, an expanded beverage selection, and new Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J service center. Joplin, Missouri: Upgraded food and beverage selections, fully remodeled Wendy’s, and four new self-checkouts. Palmdale, California: Brand new location featuring a full deli with freshly prepared pizza, homestyle meals, and grab-and-go options, Subway, Cinnabon, four self-checkouts, five shower rooms, 55 truck parking spaces, 142 gasoline fueling positions and 7 diesel lanes with biofuel, DEF, and high-speed pumps for quicker refueling. Pontoon Beach, Illinois: Fully remodeled restrooms, bathrooms, showers, kitchen, and Cinnabon kiosk. Sullivan, Missouri: Upgraded deli with additional grab-and-go items, expanded beverage selection, and four new self-checkouts. As part of the New Horizons project and in honor of its long history of giving back, Pilot Company is donating a total of $110,000 to 10 local school districts in the recently remodeled and new store locations to support their robotics programs, purchase needed equipment such as projectors and expand their creative labs. “The three-year $1 billion New Horizons project marks the company’s most significant investment in store modernization to date,” the news release noted. “It will fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers and make additional upgrades at several more locations across the country.” For more information about New Horizons, visit pilotflyingj.com/new-horizons, and to learn more about the 10-cent discount, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

Volvo Trucks North America marks 25,000 deliveries to Penske Truck Leasing

The Trucker News Staff - October 14, 2022

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America hosted Penske Truck Leasing executives at the Volvo Trucks Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia, on Thursday, Oct. 13, to commemorate the delivery of the 25,000th truck in a partnership that has spanned the last two decades. On hand for the ceremony were board members of the Volvo Group Board of Directors, including President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Lundstedt and President of Volvo Trucks North America Peter Voorhoeve. Accepting delivery of the trucks were Penske executives Art Vallely, president of Penske Truck Leasing and Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning at Penske. “We are extremely proud of the relationship that we have with Penske,” Voorhoeve said. “Over the past two decades, we’ve been able to deliver 25,000 trucks to them for their operations here in North America and are encouraged about the future with Penske as both companies have a passion and focus on sustainability and safety. Penske has been an early adopter of our Volvo VNR Electric truck and put trucks from the Volvo LIGHTS project in operation. Additionally, they have been early adopters of our new D13TC, focusing on creating greater fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions in diesel technology as we transition into the future of decarbonized transportation solutions.” Truck No. 25,000 is a VNL300 featuring the D13TC engine that was delivered on Sept. 29. The turbo-compounded engine is designed for fuel savings and CO2 reductions on a wide variety of applications. “We are pleased to celebrate this milestone with our longtime and valued friends at Volvo,” Vallely said. “We appreciate their innovative approach to quality, safety, driver comfort and more recently their advancements with fleet electrification. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future.” Penske has also outfitted nearly 2,000 trucks with Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS), a feature that uses an electric motor above the hydraulic steering gear to provide additional torque when necessary. The VDS system receives input 2,000 times per second through sensors on the truck monitoring yaw rate, steering angle, wheel speed and the driver’s own action. Volvo officials say this provides added safety in crosswind, heavy braking, on uneven lanes, pothole collisions or in the event of rapid tire deflation or sidewall failure. “In addition to its many safety features, VDS provides a more comfortable overall driving experience with less steering input required, especially when ranging at slow speeds, adding to a less fatigued driver,” according to Volvo. Penske has also elected to outfit many trucks with the fully integrated system featuring Apple CarPlay which allows drivers to safely use their favorite navigation apps, hands-free calling and other driver productivity functions while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.

Love’s opens 3 new Speedco locations in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, New York

The Trucker News Staff - October 13, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers at three new Speedco locations that are open 24/7. The locations, along with Love’s Truck Care locations, offer tire, lube and light mechanical services, as well as DOT inspections. Commercial drivers can stop at more than 430 truck care locations across the country for their needs. “Since Love’s acquired Speedco in 2017, the company has added more than 95 locations to its network, making it easier for customers to access the most expansive truck care network on the highway,” Gary Price, executive vice president of total truck solutions for Love’s, said. “Love’s knows that trucks are professional drivers livelihoods, and we remain committed to getting customers back on the road quickly and safely.” Love’s Truck Care and Speedco, combined, is the nation’s largest over the road preventive maintenance and total truck care network. Here are the newest Speedco locations: 1025 South Crawford Street, Clarksville, AR 72830. 1373 Route 28, Brookville, PA 15825. 6201 Shortman Road, Ripley, NY 14775.

Kodiak Robotics receives $30M in growth capital credit

The Trucker News Staff - October 13, 2022

FARMINGTON, Conn. — Horizon Technology Finance has provided $30 million to Kodiak Robotics, Inc. in the form of a growth capital credit facility. Mountain View, California-based Kodiak is a developer of self-driving long-haul trucks with an operations hub in Dallas. The company delivers daily freight across Texas and Oklahoma for a range of commercial partners, including Werner Enterprises, CEVA Logistics, U.S. Xpress and 10 Roads Express. “Kodiak is on the forefront of autonomous driving for commercial vehicles, providing innovative freight solutions which can fundamentally change supply chains for the better,” Gerald A. Michaud, president of Horizon, said. “We are excited to support Kodiak as it further expands its suite of solutions and revolutionizes how we think about the future of freight transport.” Kodiak is backed by a consortium of premier investors including SIP Global Partners, The Pilot Company, Bridgestone Americas, Battery Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and CRV. “We are very pleased to receive Horizon’s support as we build on our vision to become the world’s safest and most efficient driver,” Don Burnette, founder and CEO of Kodiak, said. “We firmly believe that self-driving trucking technology will make roads safer and supply chains more efficient and resilient while reducing emissions and improving quality of life for truck drivers. Horizon’s support will allow us to continue to scale the Kodiak Driver: the industry’s most advanced technology stack. We look forward to working with Horizon to continue to transform trucking.”

CarriersEdge’s new fleet resource library helps drivers apply training to real world

The Trucker News Staff - October 13, 2022

NEWMARKET, Ontario — CarriersEdge has introduced a new resource library to the CarriersEdge platform that’s designed to help drivers apply information that is covered in CarriersEdge online training courses into real-world use. The new resource library, dubbed “Put it into Practice” (PiiPs), provides fleets with a list of subject-specific follow up activity ideas that company administrators can use to help drivers better comprehend or retain concepts covered in driver training courses, according to a news release. “PiiPs give administrators suggestions on how to use driver incentives, surveys, social media, classroom activities, hands-on practice, driver communication strategies and more to better support driver education and safety programs,” the news release stated. According to Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge, information that CarriersEdge “collects through the Best Fleets to Drive For program inspired the decision to add PiiPs to its online training platform.” Best Fleets to Drive For, created by CarriersEdge in 2008 and produced in partnership with Truckload Carriers Association, is an annual program dedicated to identifying the best workplaces in the North American trucking industry. “Through our evaluations of fleets nominated for the Best Fleets to Drive For program, we’ve found that the top performing companies have comprehensive driver training programs, and that most use a combination of training follow up activities to support drivers in their education,” Jazrawy said. “Many of the ideas we’ve added to PiiPs were influenced by the activities the Best Fleets are having success with. We expect this new library of training follow up activities to be a great resource for fleets to support driver education and fleet safety.” PiiPs are currently available for several popular CarriersEdge courses, including Distracted Driving, Defensive Driving, Injury Prevention, Vehicle inspection, Weights and Dimensions and more. CarriersEdge will continue to add PiiPs for other courses in the library, and in languages including French and Spanish. The new PiiPs feature is available to customers now at no extra charge, as part of the CarriersEdge subscription service. CarriersEdge has more than 100 online driver training courses accessible in its monthly subscription package, with new and updated titles added regularly. Courses are offered as full-length orientation, short refresher and remedial titles, and as standalone knowledge tests.

NMFTA opens cybersecurity conference to entire trucking industry

The Trucker News Staff - October 12, 2022

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) announced on Tuesday, Oct. 11, that its annual Digital Solutions Conference on Cybersecurity will open to the entire trucking industry. This year’s conference is set for Nov. 13-15 at the Westin in Old Alexandria. Registration is available at the conference’s website by clicking here. The event is free. After kicking off with a welcome reception on the evening on Nov. 13, the general meeting begins on Nov. 14 with educational sessions touching on cellular cybersecurity, e-mail security and mobile device security, according to a news release. Nov. 15’s sessions cover topics such as vehicle security and enterprise security, as well as keynote speaker Eric O’Neill — a former FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence operative. Yongdae Kim, Ph.D., professor of electrical engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, will also present. He and his team have recently developed a system that can automatically analyze vulnerabilities of LTE mobile systems, the news release stated. The conference will close with a panel discussion titled “The Future of Cybersecurity — Where Do We Go From Here?” That panel will be moderated by Michael Wickham, senior staff engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. “We have been having this conference for many years for the LTL industry,” Debbie Sparks, executive director of NMFTA, said. “With so many digital security threats facing the trucking industry, we are very pleased to open the conference up to the entire industry so all will have the opportunity to benefit from these insights.” In addition to O’Neill, Kim and Wickham, other conference speakers include Chase Cunningham, Ericom; Gema Howell, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Jeremy Daily, Ph.D., Colorado State University; Kate Vajda, Dragos; and Ahmed Shah, Red Canari. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register soon to ensure availability. NMFTA encourages participation not only from IT professionals in the industry, but also from individuals who manage their own trucks along with supporting software.

NFI enhances Southeast Port Services with acquisition of MCO Transport

The Trucker News Staff - October 11, 2022

CAMDEN, N.J. — NFI Industries has acquired MCO Transport Inc, a container drayage, warehousing and truckload transportation company. With the acquisition, NFI expands its port operations and export drayage services to MCO’s locations in Wilmington, North Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, and Atlanta, according to a news release. Established in 1976, MCO Transport is a family-owned business specializing in container drayage services and headquartered in Wilmington. Alongside its container drayage offerings, the company operates transportation and warehousing operations, including domestic truckload and specialized commodities between its terminals in the Southeast ports. “The addition of MCO Transport enhances NFI’s network in the Southeast and enhances the offering to new and existing customers,” a news release stated. “When we look at an acquisition, we look at three things: their people, culture, and if the expansion brings value to our customers,” said Sid Brown, CEO of NFI. “With the MCO acquisition, we are getting exactly that. We are excited to welcome the MCO team to the NFI family and know they will play a key role in the future success of NFI. The acquisition also allows us to bring value to our customers by expanding our presence in the Southeast during a time when our customers are looking to diversify their port strategy. Danny McComas, owner and CEO of MCO, said: “Throughout this process, our team wanted to ensure we found a buyer that would create opportunities for our employees and our customers. It is a culture that matched what MCO has grown to expect. NFI is a great fit for MCO employees because of our similar cultures — they are a family-owned business, dedicated to their employees’ growth, and have a deep commitment to their customers.”