Business Archives

J.B. Hunt named to Fortune 500 list for 12th consecutive year

John Worthen - June 5, 2024

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services has been named to the Fortune 500 for the 12th consecutive year, earning the 316 spot on the publication’s annual list. “Being on the Fortune 500 list is a testament to the incredible work of our people during such a challenging environment,” said Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt. “We remain steadfast in delivering exceptional value to our customers through operational excellence, which aligns with our mission to drive long-term value for our people, customers and shareholders. The Fortune 500 ranks the 500 largest U.S. companies by total revenue for the respective fiscal year. According to the outlet, companies on this year’s list represent approximately two-thirds of the U.S. GDP and generated $18.8 trillion in revenues, $1.7 trillion in profits, and $43 trillion in market value (as of March 28, 2024), and they employ 31 million people worldwide. Fortune has published the annual list since 1955. J.B. Hunt’s first appearance was in 2013 at No. 485.

Jeff McKinney named TCA’s 2024 Safety Professional of the Year

John Worthen - June 4, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has awarded Jetco Delivery’s Vice President of Safety, Jeff McKinney, as its 2024 TCA Safety Professional of the Year. The announcement was made recently during TCA’s 43rd Annual Safety and Security Meeting in Indianapolis. This honor is given each year to a trucking industry professional whose actions and achievements have made a profound contribution to enhancing safety on North America’s highways, according to TCA. McKinney has more than 25 years of experience in the trucking industry. He started as a driver and night warehouse manager, a TCA news release states. He joined Werner Enterprises in 1994, rising from company driver to safety supervisor, where he managed DOT compliance and safety meetings. From 2001 to 2002, McKinney worked as a lead trainer at United Driver Services, providing CDL training and defensive driving courses. As director of safety and operations manager at General Logistics from 2002 to 2007, “he significantly reduced accidents and costs,” the news release notes. “At Jetco Delivery since 2007, Jeff’s initiatives, including early adoption of Elogs, cut accident frequency by 50%,” according to TCA. McKinney earned his Certified Director of Safety designation from the North American Transportation Management Institute in 2007 and has led Jetco to numerous safety awards. He is also an active participant and presenter at industry conferences. “His leadership has also improved regional road safety, significantly reducing distracted driving, commercial vehicle and intersection crashes,” the news release states. “Through his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to safety, Jeff has left a lasting impact on the transportation industry, ensuring the well-being of drivers and promoting a culture of safety within organizations.” Jetco’s Strategic Maintenance Director, Amanda Schuier, nominated McKinney for the award. “One of the things that makes Jeff shine is his ability to make Safety approachable and accessible to all,” Schuier said. “Jeff maintains a ‘see, say, do’ mentality. I frequently spot him out with our professional drivers, diesel technicians, office staff and more. His example helps us all live and breathe safety every single day, across all departments of the company.” Jetco Delivery President Kyle Kristynik agrees. “Accountability is critical to any organization and one of our core values at Jetco,” Kristynik said. “I appreciate how Jeff incorporates accountability into Jetco’s safety culture. He partners well with our operations team, encouraging a culture in which everyone — not just a single department — owns safety. Jeff also recognizes that for everyone to be successful at their jobs, they must have the training and tools to execute.” Kristynik referred to McKinney as an “old school trucker” who “has truly embraced the changing environment of safety, using data and analytics to make first Jetco, and now the whole GTI Group, a safer company.” “We couldn’t be more proud of this recognition for Jeff, he is certainly deserving of this honor,” Kristynik concluded.

Navigating LTL freight: Key strategies for cost-effective small load transportation

The Trucker News Staff - June 4, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping is an efficient and cost-effective method for transporting smaller loads that don’t fill an entire trailer. As carriers navigate the potential of LTL for their business, it is important to be fully aware of how it works before making any decisions about engaging in this type of shipping, according to a report from load board company Truckstop. LTL Background LTL is considered when shippers don’t need an entire trailer to move their freight, they often opt for less than truckload freight shipping, and typically the most affordable way to transport smaller loads. Less than truckload freight is usually the preferred method for loads between 150 and 15,000 pounds that do not require the use of a whole trailer and it can maximize loads for carriers by combining multiple LTL freight shipments into full truckloads. How does LTL freight shipping work? LTL freight shipping works by combining partial loads from multiple shippers. This usually (but not always) creates multi-stop truckloads. Pricing is based on space and weight, classification of the goods being shipped, and pickup and delivery destinations. Less than truckload freight shipping can include standard, expedited, or date-guaranteed shipments. Carriers can also offer additional freight services for shippers, including: Lift gate pickup or delivery Inside pickup or delivery Residential pickup or delivery Reweighing Reclassification White glove service Because of the additional complexities involved, carriers can charge additional shipping fees, boosting their profits. What factors should determine your LTL freight rates? Several factors impact how carriers and brokers price their LTL freight rates. Take these things into account when determining freight rates: Market demand — LTL freight rates are impacted by the amount of current demand and space availability on trailers. Freight classification — Freight class is based on density, stowability, handling and liability. Distance — How far are you going in total? The more miles between points, the greater the cost for everyone. Destination — Where goods ship also impacts costs. Shipping along established lanes to major hubs will cost less than making multiple rural or residential deliveries. Dimensions and weight — The dimensions and weight of the shipment determine freight class and directly impact rates. Oversized or oddly shaped items, for example, take up more space. Smaller (but denser items) can limit the number of other items that can be shipped. Deadhead miles — Having to drive an empty truck from delivery to a new pickup should also impact pricing since carriers have to bear the cost of empty miles. Availability — You can only ship LTL freight when there’s available space on trailers, which varies based on seasonality and market demands. Accessorials — Extra services cost extra. Carriers can charge more for things like lift-gate service, delivery to limited access or residential locations, inside delivery, or white-glove services. Fuel costs — Fuel costs tend to vary significantly based on market volatility and location. Matching the right LTL loads to get the maximum revenue potential can be time-consuming and complex. In today’s fast-paced world, decisions often have to be made quickly. The key is better data and understanding rate trends to find the most profitable jobs. Use a dedicated LTL load board. As an owner operator, being flexible and agile can be the difference between success and failure. Using less than truckload load boards, such as Truckstop, gives carriers accurate, same-day rate data. It also provides rate recommendations specific to load, broker, and lane. A good LTL load board will track rate trends to help you adjust your pricing accordingly, accurately assess supply chain variables and demand for both origin and destinations, and help predict fuel rates and surcharges. LTL freight shipping combines efficiency with cost-effectiveness, accommodating smaller loads through a pricing structure influenced by factors like freight classification, distance, and required services. For carriers, mastering these pricing factors is key to maximizing profitability in a competitive logistics market.

Spot rates delivered mixed bag in latest week, Truckstop reports

John Worthen - June 4, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Reefer spot rates saw their largest drop in months — about 11 cents — during the week ended May 31, according to the latest data from the Truckstop system and FTR Transportation Intelligence. Meanwhile, flatbed spot rates gained for the third straight week, while dry van spot rates stayed virtually flat. Total broker-posted rates in the Truckstop system also remained essentially unchanged, according to a news release. Total loads Total load activity fell 17%, which is not an especially large drop for a week that includes Memorial Day, Truckstop officials say. Total volume was about 5% below the same 2023 week and about 28% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings fell 9.5% during the holiday week, and the Market Demand Index — the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system — fell to its lowest level in four weeks. Total rates The total broker-posted rate edged down two-tenths of a cent, according to Truckstop. Rates were about 5% below the same 2023 week and more than 7% below the five-year average for the week. The week-over-week changes in the rates for each of the principal equipment types were directionally in line with the changes for the same week last year. Dry van rates Dry van spot rates dipped by a tenth of a cent, Truckstop officials report. Rates were more than 2% below the same 2023 week and about 9% below the five-year average. Both comparisons were essentially the same as they were in week 21. Dry van loads fell 13.6%. Volume was about 2% below the same 2023 week and nearly 22% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated rates Refrigerated spot rates dropped about 11 cents, according to Truckstop. Rates were 1% below the same 2023 week and 6% below the five-year average for the week. The negative y/y comparison in spot rates was only the second in the past eight weeks. Refrigerated loads fell 18.6%. Volume was more than 8% below the same 2023 week and about 29% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed rates Flatbed spot rates rose more than 1 cent after edging up just over a half cent in the previous week, the Truckstop report states. Rates were 6% below the same 2023 week and more than 7% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads fell 19.5%. Volume was about 6% below the same week last year and nearly 35% below the five-year average for the week.

Bill would streamline veterans’ access to CDL training

Bruce Guthrie - June 4, 2024

In mid-May, leading congressional advocates for military veterans introduced the Sen. Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (HR8371). The bill boasts bipartisan sponsorship from House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), Senate counterpart Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT), and ranking member Jerry Moran (R-KS). HR 8371 seek to package together several bipartisan proposals to streamline the delivery of services via the Veterans Affairs (VA). A provision important to the trucking sector would allow veterans to use their GI Bill benefits to obtain training for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) at a new training facility if that new location’s primary facility has already been approved by the VA. Under current law there is a two-year waiting period to use those same benefits at a new training facility. David Pike, who serves as the director of recruiting for NFI, says the bill’s advantage for newly separated veterans would be nearly instantaneous. Pike says he spearheaded a survey amongst those veterans already employed at NFI, and found out that the top concern was transitioning from the military. “A servicemember separating from active duty faces many initial hurdles with re-entry to civilian life, like securing a meaningful and financially suitable employment. This bill should help that transition,” Pike said. As a whole, the bill encompasses many aspects of veteran life including healthcare matters which includes present day care but also nursing home care as well as economic issues including employment training, home loans, as well as homelessness, and record keeping. Both sides of Capitol Hill are working in hopes to pass the bill quickly and send it to the president this week. NMFTA is encouraging its passage.

Total Truck Parts to host grand opening for new Florida location

Erica N. Guy - June 3, 2024

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After four long years, Total Truck Parts has announced that work on its new 50,000-square-foot parts and service facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is complete. According to a news release, the new facility “represents a 300% increase in capacity needed to serve the growing Treasure Coast market in Florida. All 110 ESOP members are very excited about this continued commitment to growth.” The building includes a mandatory bicycle rack, special water fountains, more than 100 trees and 16 full shop bays, along with a complete hydraulic shop to rebuild cylinders and pumps, the news release notes. The facility features a 5,000-square-foot showroom for added retail capacity, and there are 26,000 feet of parts storage for the $1 million in parts stocked in this building; the expanded storage space will enable the company to introduce some storage and redistribution capability to the other five branches, company officials say. Later in the year, full alignment, DPF cleaning and fabrication will be added to the services offered. The grand opening will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 19. Everyone is invited.

Hendrickson purchases Reyco Granning

Erica N. Guy - June 3, 2024

WOODRIDGE, Ill. — Big rig suspension manufacturer Hendrickson has announced its purchase of the suspension business Reyco Granning from Reyco Granning LLC and its parent company, MAT Capital LLC. “We are excited about this acquisition, as it provides a platform for Hendrickson to expand our reach and manufacturing footprint. Reyco Granning will enhance our overall product portfolio and ultimately better serve our customers in the commercial vehicle industry; we look forward to promoting the Reyco Granning brand as part of our ride solutions portfolio,” said Matt Joy, president and chief executive officer of Hendrickson. Reyco Granning specializes in suspension solutions for a variety of vehicles, including motorhomes, commercial trucks, emergency vehicles, specialty trailers, buses and aftermarket products. The brand is set to continue its independent operations under the same name, preserving its market presence and guaranteeing ongoing consistency in operations and customer support, a news release states.

PAM Transportation announces final results of self tender offer

The Trucker News Staff - June 3, 2024

TONTITOWN, Ark. — P.A.M. Transportation Services has released final results of its modified “Dutch auction” tender offer to repurchase up to 550,000 shares of its outstanding common stock. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the tender offer, the company has accepted for purchase a total of 284,206 shares of its common stock, representing approximately 1.3% of the company’s issued and outstanding shares, at a purchase price of $18.00 per share, according to a news release. Payment for the shares accepted for purchase under the tender offer will be made promptly, at a total cost to the company of $5,115,708, excluding fees and expenses related to the offer. Based on the final count by Computershare Trust Company,, the depositary for the tender offer, an aggregate of 284,206 shares were properly tendered and not properly withdrawn at or below the final purchase price of $18.00 per share. The company will promptly pay for the shares accepted for purchase and return to tendering shareholders any shares tendered and not purchased. P.A.M. expects to have approximately 21,755,186 shares of its common stock outstanding immediately following consummation of the tender offer. The company may purchase additional shares in the future in the open market subject to market conditions and through private transactions, tender offers or otherwise. Under applicable securities laws, however, P.A.M. may not repurchase any shares until June 7. Whether the company makes additional repurchases in the future will depend on many factors, including the number of shares purchased in this tender offer, its business and financial performance and situation, the business and market conditions at the time, including the price of the shares and other factors the company considers relevant, the news release notes. P.A.M. has retained Georgeson LLC as the information agent for the tender offer.

ArcBest offers inaugural Employee Dependent Scholarship Program

The Trucker News Staff - June 3, 2024

FORT SMITH, Ark. — ArcBest, an integrated logistics company, has announced its partnership with Scholarship America to offer the company’s first Employee Dependent Scholarship Program, providing recipients $2,000 per academic year. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year opened in January 2024, and 10 students were selected to receive ArcBest’s inaugural scholarship funding based on their academic record, leadership and participation in school and community activities, statement of educational and career goals and financial need, according to a news release. “We’re excited about partnering with Scholarship America to continue investing in our employees and their children through financial support for higher education,” said Erin Gattis, ArcBest chief human resources officer. “One of ArcBest’s core values is growth, and it focuses on growing our people and our business. That extends to our employees’ homes and communities. Through this new partnership, we’re helping students access the education they want and empowering them to achieve their career aspirations.” The ArcBest Employee Dependent Scholarship Program is available to dependent children of full-time employees in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who have worked for the company at least three years. Dependent children are defined as biological, adopted, foster children, stepchildren, legal wards or children of a person standing in loco parentis under age 24 as of the application deadline date. The program excludes dependents of department directors and above. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, students in their final year of upper secondary school or CEGEP (college of general and professional teaching) studies, upper secondary school graduates enrolling in college for the first time, as well as students who have completed undergraduate courses while in high school or upper secondary school. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school. Recipients can earn up to $8,000 by renewing their scholarship each academic year for up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) is completed. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in full-time course studies and complete at least 24 semester hours during the preceding academic year. “It means a lot that ArcBest is so interested in its employees and their families that the company would offer this scholarship,” said Eleanor Gordon, an ArcBest scholarship recipient. “I am very thankful to be selected as a recipient as I begin my college career and continue growing my education.” The ArcBest Employee Dependent Scholarship Program was created in response to employee feedback and aligns with our Philanthropic Pillar of Education, which guides how ArcBest invests in local and higher education to help grow the current and future workforce. More than 60 students applied for the 2024-2025 scholarship. Scholarship America is the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. The Scholarship America evaluation team chose ArcBest’s first 10 recipients. 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients Aubrey Taylor, University of Kansas Clare Allison, Edgewood College Eleanor Gordon, University of Texas at Austin Emily Lockey, Rochester Christian University Hannah Stanley, Atlanta Technical College Jami Kurth, Carroll University Lillian Murray, Folsom Lake Community College Liset Vallejo, Friends University Mary Mungroo, The College of New Jersey Michelle Fernandini, Florida State University

Cemex inks renewable natural gas fuel agreement with Clean Energy

John Worthen - June 3, 2024

HOUSTON and NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Building materials and concrete company Cemex has signed a deal with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to provide ultra-clean renewable natural gas (RNG) to power 39 Cemex ready-mix and cement bulk trucks in Southern California. Forecasted to provide approximately 300,000 gallons of RNG annually, the fleet will utilize Clean Energy’s public station network in Southern California to fuel with RNG, according to a news release. Alongside the new fueling deal, Clean Energy will commission a private fueling station exclusively for Cemex’s growing RNG fleet. Located in Rialto, California, the new station will include time-fill dispensers and a dedicated fast-fill dispenser for easy and cost-effective refueling. The construction project is expected to be completed by the end of this year and Cemex trucks will begin fueling on-site soon after. Clean Energy will be supplying RNG to the new private station, as well as operating and maintaining the site upon completion. Transitioning part of its fleet to RNG is part of Cemex’s Future in Action program, which focuses on achieving sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity and natural resource management with the primary objective of becoming a net-zero CO2 company by 2050. The company is projected to reduce fleet emissions by roughly 8,822 metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year, which is equal to taking 1,981 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year or planting 137,648 trees, according to the news release. “As leaders in the building materials industry, we recognize the pivotal role we play in building a more sustainable future. Embracing renewable fuels isn’t just an option; it’s an imperative,” said Francisco Rivera, Cemex U.S. regional president-west region. “What Cemex provides is essential to building communities throughout California and the country. By utilizing Clean Energy’s renewable energy resources, we accelerate our aggressive sustainability goals, inspire innovation, foster resilience and build a legacy of responsible stewardship for generations to come.” Clean Energy currently has a network of over 600 fueling stations around North America and is steadily expanding that number with stations purposely built and strategically located for commercial fleets. “Cemex is not only a world-class leader in the building material space, but also one of the most advanced in how they are thinking about our sustainable future,” said Chad Lindholm, senior vice president at Clean Energy. “This expanded RNG truck fleet will help to decarbonize their overall operations as well as mitigate emissions associated with idling trucks on site. Cemex’s RNG fuel agreement with Clean Energy is a significant move forward in reducing their carbon footprint.”

Pilot unveils points-per-gallon promotions on diesel fuel

John Worthen - June 3, 2024

DALLAS — Pilot Travel Centers is bringing back its points-per-gallon promotion. According to a news release, throughout the month of June, diesel fuel users will be able to earn five points per gallon through PushForPoints in the myRewards Plus app. Typically, the company’s max points offering is 4 points per gallon after 8 qualifying fills of 50 gallons of diesel or more. For June only, this offer has been bumped to 5 points per gallon after only four qualifying fills of 50 gallons — allowing drivers to earn points faster. Points can be spent at any location for things such as showers and food. Points cannot, however, be redeemed for fuel.

Florida Trucking Association welcomes Elizabeth Emmanuel as public affairs VP

John Worthen - June 3, 2024

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Trucking Association (FTA) has named Elizabeth Emmanuel vice president of public affairs. With a career spanning both the public and private sectors, Emmanuel brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership to her new role at FTA, according to a news release. “We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Emmanuel to Florida Trucking,” said Alix Miller, president and CEO of FTA. “Elizabeth’s extensive background in advocacy, communications, issue management and relationship-building will make her an invaluable asset to our team. Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow the influence of Florida Trucking and the men and women who power Florida’s economy.” Prior to her role at FTA, Emmanuel served as the CEO of the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority, a special district responsible for economic development and advocacy in Florida’s Capital City. In that role, Emmanuel testified before numerous governmental bodies, built strong partnerships with the North Florida business community and led hundreds of events. Before her time in government, Emmanuel spent a decade in the private sector, first working for corporate and family-owned funeral homes and then at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Emmanuel is the chair-elect of Leadership Tallahassee, a member of the executive committee of the board for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, and a board member for the Urban Land Institute. Emmanuel is a graduate of Tallahassee Community College and valedictorian of Mid-America College in Indiana. “I am honored to have the opportunity to work with an organization that has a 90-year history and remains at the forefront of innovation, education, and impact,” said Emmanuel. “The trucking industry plays a critical role in driving Florida’s economy, and I am eager to contribute to its continued prosperity.” For more information about FTA, visit floridatrucking.org.

National Carriers announces 3 ‘impressive’ drivers of the month

John Worthen - May 31, 2024

IRVING, Texas — National Carriers Inc. (NCI) has awarded Driver of the Month recognition for February through April to Jonathan Owens, Keith Bradley and Ken Bores Jr. The drivers received a $1,000 bonus and are now eligible to be named 2024 Driver of the Year. The Driver of the Year will receive an additional $10,000 bonus. Bores was named the April Driver of the Month. He resides in Flower Mound, Texas, and began driving at NCI in 2014. He operates his truck throughout the lower 48 states. Prior to his career in transportation, Bores had a long career in mortgage banking. ”National Carriers is fortunate to have Ken at our company,” said Jill Maschmeier, NCI’s director of safety and compliance. “He puts safety of the driving public above all else. He is an outstanding example of what a professional driver should be. This is the second time he has been recognized as our Driver of the Month. He takes care of everything that needs taken care of when it needs taken care of. He is a God loving, family-oriented man who we feel blessed to have him driving for our ‘Elite’ fleet.” Bradley, of Pampa, Texas, was named March Driver of the Month. He joined NCI in November 2012 and currently delivers cattle hides from southwest Kansas to northwest Missouri. Averaging transporting 2,000 cow skins per week, Bradley estimates he has delivered well over a million leather producing hides over his career at NCI. “Keith has been a huge asset to our hide division at NCI for 10 years now. Keith is knowledgeable, hardworking and polite,” said his Driving Manager, Nickole Copeland. “There has never been a time that we could not rely on Keith. We consistently reach out to him to complete various challenging and off the wall tasks. Additionally, he always delivers his loads on time. He is that all-around go to driver with zero complaints. His kindness, great communication, and fun personality makes working with him such a pleasure daily. Keith will do whatever it takes to get the job done, but at the same time will also go out of his way to help anyone that needs it. We look forward to working with Keith for many more years to come.” Owens was recognized as Driver of the Month in February. He leases a truck through NCI Truck Leasing and joined NCI in November 2018. He makes his home in Maricopa, Arizona, and pulls refrigerated freight throughout the United States, focusing on the southeastern region. Owens boasts no late pick up or deliveries, no accidents, and one of the safest driving records in the fleet. “Jonathan is the type of man who speaks through his actions not words,” said NCI’s Media Director, Ed Kentner. “His driver manager reports he will do most anything and will go anywhere NCI needs him to. The manager of our truck leasing program calls him a “Rock Star” due to his great attitude and personality. Everyone agrees he is a great example of what an “Elite” driver should be. His focus on road safety, customer service, and positive interaction with everyone he meets is second to none.” NCI President Steve Gleisner also complimented the group of drivers. “Impressive is the first word that comes to my mind when I think of this group of drivers,” he said. “The work that these three individuals perform on a regular basis is phenomenal. Their performance goes well beyond the expectations of their position at National Carriers. We are incredibly fortunate to have Jonathan, Keith, and Ken on our team. Thank you!”

Estes wins 4th consecutive top workplace award

Erica N. Guy - May 31, 2024

RICHMOND, Va. — For the fourth year in a row, Estes Express Lines North America has been recognized as the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Top Workplace. This marks a total of six wins for the company, according to a news release. This year, Estes received the top honor out of seven other selected “mega” (having more than 900 employees) companies. Estes has more than 22,000 employees across 280 terminals nationwide. “Our employees are the backbone of Estes’ operations and success,” said Webb Estes, president and COO. “There truly is no greater honor than to receive recognition of this magnitude, resulting directly from feedback from our dedicated employees. Our organizational focus will be to provide a continued environment where all employees feel a sense of great pride working here, and express that pride by always taking care of each other and our customers.”

Idelic introduces new driver scorecards for fleets

Erica N. Guy - May 31, 2024

PITTSBURGH — Fleet safety firm Idelic is offering new driver scorecards as part of their Safety Suite platform. Diverging from the scorecard systems commonly employed by fleets, Idelic’s scorecards amalgamate data from numerous sources into a singular, intuitive assessment instrument, offering fleet safety managers rapid and accurate insights into driver performance, according to a news release. “Idelic’s scorecards aim to enhance safety outcomes and enable more effective management of driver performance,” the news release states. “They nurture a culture of safety and acknowledgment that resonates with a fleet’s distinct objectives.” Designed to address the limitations of traditional assessments, the scorecards offer a customizable, data-centric feature that allows safety managers to allocate different weights to various events like accident rates, speeding incidents, citations, complaints and telematics warnings, utilizing the extensive data integrated into the Safety Suite platform. The addition of scorecards enhances the existing capabilities of the Safety Suite, such as the Driver Watch List, the news release notes. This feature gathers driver data from numerous integration partners and utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to pinpoint drivers who may be prone to accidents. Utilized collectively, these resources offer an extensive perspective on driver conduct, allowing fleet operators to implement preventive strategies, corrective measures and positive acknowledgment initiatives. “Our new scorecards will create significant time savings for Idelic customers,” said Brian Filip, CTO of Idelic. “We’re automating the process and eliminating the time that safety professionals spend every month pulling data from multiple systems, matching it to drivers, scoring it, and distributing it. Not only does this save time, but it reduces human errors and makes it easier for safety teams to report on data that was previously just too hard to retrieve and use.”

Team behind big rig safety AI wins Stella Zhang competition grand prize

Erica N. Guy - May 31, 2024

IRVINE, Calif. — An artificial intelligence-enhanced system that watches over truck drivers and warns them when they are drowsy or distracted — without violating their privacy — took the top prize at the Stella Zhang New Venture Competition Grand Finale at the UCI Paul Merage School of Business. The Sentinel team took home the $20,000 grand prize in addition to $10,000 for winning the Business Products and Services category in the 20th annual New Venture Competition — the third with Stella Zhang as the title sponsor, according to a news release. Sentinel topped nine other finalist teams after the seven-month journey to this final pitch event. “This is one of my favorite evenings of the year,” said Dr. Ian Williamson, dean of the Paul Merage School of Business. “It’s my favorite because we are seeing our future, the stars and makers of our future here. We started this process with more than 400 individuals. What we’re seeing here tonight is the best of the best.” Zhang, who earned a master’s of business administration in 2005 from the UCI Paul Merage School of Business, was praised for providing the “transformational” gift that has raised the level of the competition. She is the Chief Operating Officer at American Lending Center, based in Irvine. She spoke to the crowd about the importance of perseverance and forming partnerships in the quest for entrepreneurial success. Sentinel’s team members are Kyle Deck, Michael Ross, Cody He, Spike O’Carrol, Natan Ampudia and Kevin Wu. Their warning system uses a video camera connected to a computer analyzer to watch for drowsiness or other signs of distracted driving and offers an immediate warning to the driver. The program uses machine learning to get progressively better at recognizing early signs of trouble. The team interviewed truck drivers who preferred Sentinel’s system because it turns off and does not monitor drivers when the rig is not in motion. While it does provide a record to review in case of incidents, there is no automatic video feed. The Neomold team of bioengineers won the competition. They created a 3-D-printed customizable ear mold that non-surgically corrects newborn babies’ outer ear deformities within two-to-six weeks of birth, avoiding surgery. The team took home an additional $5,000. Teams also found out whether they had finished first or second in their respective categories. It made a difference — first-place teams received $10,000, while second-place was worth $5,000. Sentinel, Flare, Quiver, Two Cube and PZ Nanopore were the first-place category-winning teams. Bagit, Lynne, Crafty Palate, Neomold and DermaVision were the runners-up. The Stella Zhang New Venture Competition is organized by the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. For more information, go to the website.

FourKites joins SSC to help improve freight efficiency

Bruce Guthrie - May 31, 2024

CHICAGO — FourKites, a real-time supply chain visibility provider, recently announced its role as a collaborator in the Scheduling Standards Consortium (SSC). According to a news release, FourKites is the first real-time visibility platform participating. FourKites joins organizations involved with the SSC, which aims to foster greater efficiency within the supply chain technology landscape, the news release states. Other participants include Arrive Logistics, BlueYonder, Coyote Logistics, DHL, e2open, Echo, J.B. Hunt Transport, Lineage, Mastery, One Network Enterprises, Oracle, Ryder, TI NTG, Uber Freight, Werner and Worldwide Express. Freight scheduling has been a pervasive problem for the supply chain, compounded by the past decade’s tremendous growth and diversification in scheduling solutions. Shippers and carriers today are responsible for juggling dozens of methods of scheduling freight with shippers, each with their own interface and application performance interface (API), which creates friction and inefficiencies throughout the supply chain. In response to this challenge, J.B. Hunt and Uber Freight joined forces in 2022 to establish the SSC to create the first universal appointment scheduling standard in the form of an API. With many leading organizations now involved and driving the Standard forward, the SSC’s goal is to simplify the integration of systems across the fragmented ecosystem between shippers, carriers and intermediaries to create a more efficient appointment scheduling process. The SSC has endorsed a universal standard for the API, released Oct. 2, 2023, which eliminates the need for multiple interfaces and allows carriers to interact through a single interface. “Embracing a universal scheduling API unlocks seamless coordination across supply chains,” said Viral Parekh, head of logistics operations at The Kraft Heinz Co. “As more companies endorse this unified approach, we pave the way for unparalleled system efficiency, streamlining operations and driving transformative growth throughout the industry.” The release added that FourKites is collaborating with the SSC because of its proven commitment to optimizing ecosystem performance, carrier success and building a more user-friendly operating environment. In addition, FourKites’ customer base and recognized industry leadership enables it to play a role in developing the API and accelerating adoption across its customer and partner network. With more than 100,000 appointments scheduled in the platform every month, Appointment Manager is one of FourKites’ fastest-growing products, as it significantly eliminates the friction associated with manual time slot booking. “We’re thrilled to participate in this consortium of industry heavy-hitters,” said Mathew Elenjickal, founder and CEO of FourKites. “A single API between our Appointment Manager solution and our shippers’ carrier networks will create a frictionless operating environment for everyone involved, and will make FourKites customers Shippers of Choice, with lower cost to serve and a reliable, reputable integration.”

C.H. Robinson’s Carrier of the Year winners announced

Erica N. Guy - May 30, 2024

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Third-party logistics giant C.H. Robinson has announced 24 winners of its annual Carrier of the Year Awards. According to a news release, the winners “stood out for their operational excellence,” in addition to their “adoption of technology to enhance efficiencies, growth in the volume of freight hauled.” C.H. Robinson also noted that these carriers showed resiliency in an ever-challenging freight market. The winners were selected from the company’s network of 450,000 contract carriers on its platform. The three-day, annual ceremony honoring these carriers will take place from May 29-31 at the C.H. Robinson headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. “Over the past year and beyond, the truck driving community has been resilient in overcoming different challenges, learning to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity which is a testament to their strength and determination,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson. “We’re excited to celebrate these outstanding carriers in person to pay tribute to how important they are to us and the economy. Looking ahead, we will continue to introduce innovative ways for carriers to succeed in all business cycles, including offerings that enable them to quickly book freight, get paid quickly, leverage the latest technology and receive support from our dedicated experts.” The 2024 Carrier of the Year winners are: ABR Transport Inc. — Sacramento, California Acme Truck Line Inc. — Gretna, Louisiana Barrera’s Express — South Gate, CACRST, The Transportation Solution – Cedar Rapids, Iowa Darrough Transportation Inc. — Beech Grove, Indiana Day To Day Logistics Inc. — Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Estes Express — Richmond, Virginia Gabriela Transport Services — Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Garesp – Phoenix GL Logistics – Apodaca, Nuevo León, México McGuire Transportation Inc. — Temple, Texas Old Dominion Freight Line — Thomasville, North Carolina Pahoa Express Inc — Clinton Township, Michigan Paveway Express — Greenville, SCRBX Inc. – Strafford, Missouri Rodrial USA LLC — Houston Skyline Fleet Inc. — Stockton, California Southeastern Freight Lines — Lexington, South Carolina Sunrise Trucking Inc. — French Camp, California Takata Trans Inc. — Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania Timmons Transit — Jonesboro, Arkansas Transco Lines, Inc. — Russellville, Arkansas Trucks For You Inc. — Muskogee, Oklahoma Zana Transportation Services Inc. — Tucson, Arizona “I am honored to be named a Carrier of the Year and to be recognized for efforts to grow and evolve my business in new and exciting ways,” said Terry Wallace of Transco Lines. “Last year, we booked nearly 70% of our loads digitally with C.H. Robinson. Not only have digital capabilities introduced by the company added another layer of efficiency and convenience, but we have established a strong relationship with our account rep, who is always available to help us work through challenges while looking out for our best interests.”

Goodyear appoints Nicole Gray to replace Gary VanderLind

Erica N. Guy - May 30, 2024

AKRON, Ohio—Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced the upcoming retirement of Gary VanderLind, its senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Following his departure, Goodyear’s Nicole Gray will be his replacement, according to a news release. Before joining Goodyear in 2016, Gray was a partner at McDonald Hopkins, where she collaborated with employers on a range of business and workforce issues, including litigation defense and talent strategy development. Gray led the company’s global labor and employment team once she became joined Goodyear. She eventually became a part of the senior human resources in leadership roles. “In Nicole Gray, we have an exceptionally qualified leader who is ready to take on the critical role of senior vice president and chief human resources officer,” said Goodyear Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. “Since joining Goodyear in 2016, Nicole has proven herself to be forward-thinking, strategic and collaborative. In both her legal and HR leadership roles, Nicole has been instrumental to critical people strategies around the world. She is the right Human Resources leader to help deliver on our Goodyear Forward plan as we navigate the increased complexity of our labor landscape, attract and develop talent, and advance our Global HR function.” Commenting on VanderLind’s departure from Goodyear, Stewart stated, “Gary has been part of the culture and fabric of Goodyear for nearly 40 years, starting in our company-owned retail business and then pursuing a path in Human Resources. There is nothing more important to Goodyear than our associates, and Gary has been instrumental in building organizational capability and associate engagement, whether at manufacturing plants, in our businesses, or his most recent role leading the function globally. It has been my pleasure to work with Gary, and I’m truly happy for him to embrace the next chapter of life with his family.”

TA Express opens Louisiana location with 31 truck parking spots

Erica N. Guy - May 30, 2024

WESTLAKE, Ohio — A new TravelCenters of America is open in Grambling, Louisiana. The TA Express Grambling facility offers traveling motorists and professional drivers amenities that include a convenience store that serves hot and cold beverages, snacks and merchandise, a hot deli, six diesel fueling positions with Diesel Exhaust Fluid, 16 gasoline fueling positions, 31 truck parking space with more coming soon, 35 car parking spaces, two private showers, laundry and a dog park. An additional amenity, Jimmy John’s, will be added and operating in September.