Business Archives

Building broker relationships is key to success for owner-operators

Cliff Abbott - April 25, 2024

As an owner-operator, once you’ve purchased your truck there are several ways to use it to produce income. The safest — and least expensive, in most cases — way is to lease the truck to a carrier. However, many owner-operators choose to get their own authority (permission from the government to operate a trucking business). Doing this usually means more work for the owner, but having your own authority could result in more independence and, perhaps, greater income. Operating under your own authority means you’ll be responsible for most of the tasks a carrier would provide — including finding your own freight to haul. Large carriers have salespeople to acquire and manage customer accounts and customer service staff to manage the operational relationship. If you’re planning to book your own loads, here’s some advice. Find a broker. Owner-operators must either arrange for their own contracts with customers or work with the “spot” market, and that often means dealing with one or more brokers. Shippers use brokers to schedule their outgoing loads for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a carrier they’ve contracted with can’t handle all the available freight and they need help. Sometimes the shipper doesn’t ship enough to attract a carrier. Sometimes rate fluctuations make it beneficial to use a broker that might find a cheaper rate. Often, the shipper isn’t large enough to hire a shipping staff who knows trucking details like rates, transit times and paperwork. A broker will find a carrier to haul the load, manage pickup and delivery, handle the details of insurance and legality, and investigate the carrier’s record, among other tasks. While some owner-operators prefer to run all or most of their loads for a trusted broker, while others depend on load boards to find and secure loads. Using load boards instead of a single broker can provide a greater variety of loads, rates and other variables — but it generally means dealing with more than one broker. Load boards often provide tools independent operators can use to evaluate broker performance and even to warn other truckers of problems they’ve encountered. Many load boards offer tools that let users determine average rates to or from an area; this information may help you negotiate a better rate or help you decide whether to accept a load to a particular area. The largest load board is DAT Freight and Analytics, and another large board is Truckstop.com; both offer tools to help owner-operators decipher the market, in addition to training tools. Other load boards are offered by factors and other businesses. Apps like TruckerPath also offer this service; in fact, an internet search for “load board apps” will turn up a number of options. In addition, some trucking companies often offer logistics services, which are basically load brokerages. Doing this allows companies to find other carriers to haul loads that don’t fit into their usual lanes in addition to acquiring loads for their own trucks. Some of these carriers post on the load boards you may already use. Build relationships. Any broker will have conditions for doing business with you — for instance, the amount of insurance you carry or how long you’ve been in business. Some brokers deal only with certain types of equipment or have age requirements, while others look more closely at CSA scores and driving records. When you deal with a broker for the first time, you’ll need to send them a copy of your authority, certificate of insurance and other documents. The next time you haul for that broker, you shouldn’t have to send the paperwork again. As an owner-op, taking the time and effort to get to know a broker — and let them get to know you — can pay off in the long run. A broker that’s familiar with the lanes you run and knows you’ve provided quality service in the past will be happy to deal with you. In fact, they may even get to the point of calling you before posting the load. In addition, if you’ve established a relationship with a particular broker, you’ll have an idea of how far you can push in rate negotiations, and you might receive higher consideration for the next load. Keep this in mind: The broker wants to please their customer, so reaching out to someone who’s known for providing reliable, courteous service is a smart move. Some brokers ask operators to download a specific app on their phones that allows the driver’s location to be tracked. This allows the broker and the customer to keep up with the progress of the load and see the quality of the service you’re providing. Some drivers invest in a second phone just for business to accommodate requests like this. You can always uninstall the app later, unless it’s one you use frequently. It’s a fact of life that some people aren’t easy to deal with. Brokers and drivers alike can tell stories about the ones who have been cranky or unreasonable. In this situation, your best bet is to be as cooperative as you can while standing up for your own interests. Being transparent about the rate you need and asking the broker to do the same will go a long way toward building a relationship. When things go wrong, take a minute before calling the broker to complain. Brokers are commonly accused of being dishonest — but there are times they’re surprised to find things customers didn’t tell them. On top of that, customers don’t always know the conditions you’ll face at the delivery point. It’s OK to express your frustration, but accusing the broker of lying or failing to inform you of something won’t motivate them to pay you faster or to get you another load. Remember, it’s a business — but businesses often revolve around personal relationships. Also keep in mind that the ratio of available loads and available trucks can either harm or help your rate negotiation. If the broker has 50 trucks vying for the one load leaving the city that day, you’ll have to accept a lower rate if you want the load. Most load boards can help you determine how many trucks are bidding for a load, along with average rates. In a nutshell, if you plan to rely on brokers for your revenue stream, it’s vital to build relationships, know the market and provide excellent service.

Flowers for mom: Demand for temp-controlled capacity soars ahead of Mother’s Day

John Worthen - April 25, 2024

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Global logistics provider C.H. Robinson is helping shippers navigate a surge in temperature-controlled freight leading up to Mother’s Day, with a combination of temperature-controlled air, truckload and less-than-truckload services, as well as a warehouse and distribution network that prioritizes freshness. Nearly 70% of all flowers move during a three-month period spanning Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, including 56 million pounds of fresh flowers delivered for Mother’s Day alone, according to a news release. This causes a jump in truckload demand as high as 3,000% when compared to the rest of the year. The surge in demand over a short period of time adds to the challenges shippers already face with a product that is globally sourced, perishable and relies on a limited supply of temperature-controlled transportation and storage, according to the news release. C.H. Robinson says it moves between 7 and 10 million boxes of flowers annually across North America. “A huge swing in demand for temperature-controlled capacity is not something many logistics companies could tackle,” said Mike Moyski, vice president of temperature-controlled and flatbed services at C.H. Robinson. “We are proud of our ability to quickly scale to meet our customers’ needs and reduce complexities that can lead to delays. With florals, the clock on freshness runs down quickly.” The full journey of a Mother’s Day bouquet goes like this: Temperature-Controlled Air — Direct from the field, florals are delivered to one of C.H. Robinson’s Latin America facilities where experts are on the ground to support airfreight capacity from Latin America directly to Miami. Once picked, the flowers are immediately cooled to 34 degrees to prevent them from blooming and will remain at that temperature throughout the full journey. Refrigerated-Warehouse Processing — Once the florals depart Latin America, they are transported to a 50,000 sq ft. temp-controlled warehouse strategically located at the Miami International Airport (MIA). With 90% of all florals traveling through Miami, C.H. Robinson operates as the only freight forwarder with ramp access at MIA, allowing for swift transportation to keep floral costs down, and freshness up. At the inbound processing facilities, the stems go through customs, agricultural inspection and are quickly moved to C.H. Robinson’s floral facility where they undergo labeling, air-cooling and consolidation before shipping to their final destination. Temperature-Controlled Surface Transportation — After packaging, the florals are loaded from tarmac to truck where C.H. Robinson leverages its relationships with over 7,500 retail customers combined with its temperature-controlled network — the largest in North America — to distribute the flowers to locations across the nation. Enjoy — With approximately 23 million flowers sold on Mother’s Day, C.H. Robinson’s end-to-end floral logistics solution ensures retailers’ shelves are stocked, helping to celebrate mothers around the world. “Last year floral sales surged to $8 billion dollars in the U.S. — up 48% since 2018,” said Jose Rossignoli, president of Robinson Fresh, a division of C.H. Robinson. “As the sector continues to expand, C.H. Robinson is excited to leverage our temp-controlled air, consolidation, and surface transportation expertise and scale to support that growth and our customers’ growth.”

Fortune, Bison take top honors in TCA’s 2024 Fleet Safety Awards

Truckload Authority Staff - April 25, 2024

The Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) 2024 annual convention, Truckload 2024: Nashville, culminated with the announcement of the winners of the 2023 TCA Fleet Safety Awards grand prize. The honor is given in two divisions — small carriers (total annual mileage of less than 25 million) and large carriers (total annual mileage of 25 million or more). For each fleet represented in the contest, creating a culture of safety is more than just a catchphrase; it’s something that permeates every level of business. This year’s grand prize in the small carrier division went to Fortune Transportation, Inc., based in Windom, Minnesota. In the large carrier division, Bison Transport, Inc., of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, took home top honors. Both carriers demonstrated exceptional safety programs and impressive accident frequency ratios over the past year. In addition, both companies — along with all the carriers that placed in the Top 3 of their mileage-based divisions — will be recognized again during TCA’s 2024 Safety & Security Meeting, scheduled for June 2-4 at The Westin Indianapolis hotel. “TCA is proud to recognize Fortune Transportation, Inc., and Bison Transport, Inc., for their outstanding achievements in safety,” said TCA President Jim Ward. Ward congratulated all of the fleets that ranked in this year’s safety competition, noting that 2023 saw the most-ever entries in the history of the awards. “(This shows) that TCA members are truly industry leaders when it comes to safety,” he noted. “Fortune and Bison are very deserving of the grand prize as a symbol of their amazing efforts to improve safety on our roadways.” To be eligible for the TCA Fleet Safety Award Grand Prize, fleets must submit their accident frequency ratio per million miles driven. The three carriers with the lowest ratios are identified as the winners for each of six mileage-based divisions. These carriers then undergo an audit by independent experts to ensure the accuracy of their results. TCA announced the names of the 18 division winners in January and invited the fleets to submit further documentation about their overall safety programs, both on and off the highway, to be eligible for the grand prize. After review by a diverse industry panel of judges, the winning companies were deemed to have best demonstrated their commitment to improving safety on North America’s highways. TCA’s Fleet Safety Awards are made possible through the sponsorship of Great West Casualty Co. and Assured Partners. This article originally appeared in the May/June 2024 edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Industry leaders honored with TCA’s 2024 Chairman’s Choice, Past Chairmen’s awards

Truckload Authority Staff - April 24, 2024

Each year during the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) convention, two industry leaders are presented with the coveted Chairman’s Choice and Past Chairmen’s awards. This year, the recipients were Rence Oliphant, vice president of global sales for Hendrickson and Robert Low, founder and owner of Prime Inc. CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE AWARD When presenting the sixth annual Chairman’s Choice award, outgoing TCA Chairman Dave Williams described Rence Oliphant as someone who “truly exemplifies the very idea of this association and its members.” In 1995, Oliphant left Volvo to join the Hendrickson team as a district sales manager. During the ensuing years, he was promoted numerous times. Before stepping into his current role as vice president of global sales, he served as the company’s senior director of North American sales. “While (Rence) will typically shy away from spending time in the limelight, he is always there to help — Always the gentleman and a great example to me,” Williams said. “I have enjoyed watching him excel in his career selling axles and other products while still finding time to give back to the industry,” he continued. “He has made sure that TCA programs, events, and issues have been staunchly supported by his company’s sponsorship, involvement, and communication.” PAST CHAIRMEN’S AWARD The Past Chairmen’s Award is the highest honor given by TCA. It is presented annually to a recognized industry leader who has had a strong, positive impact on the truckload industry and is recognized as a successful businessperson and association leader. Contrary to the award’s name, the awardee does not have to be a past chairman of the association; winners can be outside the trucking industry as long as they have made a significant contribution to the truckload industry. “Anyone who knows our winner knows that he is a generous, hardworking man, and it is plain to see that trucking runs in his blood,” said TCA’s Immediate Past Chairman John Elliott as he presented the award to Low. “His achievements and contributions to trucking are a tribute to his overwhelming personal and professional commitment to the transportation industry.” Low established Prime Inc. in 1970 at the age of only 19. Over the next 54 years, he grew the company into an industry giant that now includes 15 locations, 7,400 tractors, more than 16,000 trailers, and nearly 1,100 team members. In addition, Low served as TCA Chairman in 2012-13 and is currently on the association’s board of directors. He is also active in the American Trucking Associations, serving as vice president at-large, an executive committee member, and a member of the board of directors. This article originally appeared in the May/June 2024 edition of Truckload Authority, the official publication of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Ryder’s Q1 earnings slip while revenue increases

John Worthen - April 24, 2024

MIAMI — Ryder has reported first quarter earnings — before taxes — of $114 million, down from $201 million in 2023’s first quarter. It’s diluted per-share amount came in at $1.89, down from $2.95 in the first quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, total revenue increased to $3.1 billion in 2024, up from $2.9 in the first quarter of 2023, according to the company’s financial report. “Ryder delivered solid first-quarter results amid a challenging freight environment by continuing to execute on our balanced growth strategy,” said Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez. “The outperformance in the quarter was driven by better-than-expected used vehicle results and benefits from our ongoing maintenance cost savings initiative. The actions we’ve taken to de-risk the model, enhance returns, and drive profitable growth are delivering improved results relative to prior cycles. ROE was 17% and in line with our target, reflecting the transformation of our business model and increased resiliency. The company’s operating revenue sat at $2.4 billion, up from the first quarter in 2023 of $2.3 billion. First-quarter capital expenditures decreased to $716 million in 2024, compared to $802 million in 2023, primarily reflecting lower investments in commercial rental. First-quarter net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $526 million compared to $478 million in 2023, primarily reflecting lower working capital needs. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $13 million, compared to $101 million in 2023, reflects lower proceeds from sales of property and revenue-earning equipment. Debt-to-equity as of March 31, 2024, was 246%, compared to 232% at year-end 2023, and remains below the company’s long-term target of 250% to 300%, the company’s financial report states. Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions (FMS) saw earnings reflect weaker market conditions in used vehicle sales and rental, partially offset by ChoiceLease results. FMS total revenue and operating revenue decreased 3% and 1%, respectively, while total revenue reflects lower fuel costs passed through to customers and lower operating revenue. Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) arm saw earnings reflect better operating performance. SCS total revenue and operating revenue increased 8% and 11%, respectively. Total revenue reflects increased operating revenue and higher subcontracted transportation costs passed through to customers, while the increase in operating revenue was driven primarily by recent acquisitions, according to Ryder. “We remain focused on profitable growth of our contractual lease, supply chain and dedicated businesses as part of our balanced growth strategy,” Sanchez said. “Higher ChoiceLease results and our maintenance cost saving initiative benefited FMS results. Strong automotive performance as well as earnings from recent acquisitions benefited SCS. In DTS, integration of the Cardinal acquisition is on track and we expect to achieve planned synergies.” Sanchez reiterated that the company’s “strong balance sheet continues to provide us with capacity to fund organic growth, share repurchases and strategic acquisitions.” “Throughout the current freight cycle downturn, our transformed business model has consistently outperformed prior cycles,” he concluded. “We remain confident that the changes we’ve made to the business will continue to generate higher highs and higher lows while positioning us to benefit from the cycle upturn.”

Better days ahead: Reports show freight market is slowly improving

Cliff Abbott - April 24, 2024

March did not see much change to current freight conditions as shipment numbers and rates continued to bounce along the bottom. One indicator, published by Cass Information Systems, showed that U.S. freight spending surged 38% in 2021 and rose another 23% in 2022. It then reversed direction, falling by 19% in 2023 — and is expected to fall another 14% in the first half of 2024. Cass knows something about freight spending, since they handle the bill paying and other functions for numerous clients in the U.S. The March Cass Freight Index for Shipments fell by 0.2% in March from February’s index (2.3% when adjusted for seasonality). At the same time, the Cass Freight Index for Expenditures showed a rise of 0.1% over February but was still down 18.5% from March 2023. The Cass indexes cover multiple modes of transportation including truck, rail, ship, air and pipeline; about 75% of the information is derived from truck shipments. The March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore won’t figure into total freight statistics in a large way, as container shipping is diverted to other East Coast ports. Much of Baltimore’s shipping, however, is “roll-on/roll-off” operations for vehicles and machinery — and a greater need for flatbed trucks to move these products has resulted in higher spot rates. While crews work to open freight channels to Baltimore ports, predictions are that the port will be closed to container traffic through at least May. The bridge itself will take years to rebuild. Some container traffic may move to the Norfolk, Virginia, port or possibly the port in Wilmington, Delaware, but other East Coast ports are possible alternatives. Watch for rate increases for container and warehouse pickups. An FTR Intel release in early April noted that the Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Index posted a positive number for the first time in 17 months. Increased manufacturing bodes well for freight markets as manufacturers look to ship their products. Additionally, the production component of the Index showed strength, as did new orders. Imports factor into the numbers, too, and March imports were strong. Employment numbers were also strong in March, an indication that employers are increasing staff. That’s another factor that bodes well for trucking. Motive’s Monthly Economic Report for April began with the news that new carrier registrations surged while revocations slowed, indicating a growth in capacity for trucking. The report claims that gains in retail demand and increased consumer confidence are helping slow the contraction for the trucking industry. Motive has been predicting that the freight market will be “more carrier friendly” by the second half of the year. The issue here is capacity. Typically, the number of trucks available for hauling freight grows with the demand. When truckers can make money, more trucks are sold. But the biggest reason for the continued low rates is that there are simply too many trucks. The slowing of the contraction in the trucking industry is good news — but only if the trend doesn’t reverse too quickly to allow rates to rise. A key factor in the Motive report is the number of trucks visiting warehouses of the Top 50 U.S. retailers, as measured by GPS data. The more truck visits, the more freight is moving. Motive reports that March 2024 visits to those retailers jumped 3.9% from February and 3.9% over March 2023 numbers. Department stores, electronics retailers and clothiers experienced an 18.2% increase in visits from March a year ago. The biggest gain was in home improvement centers, which went up 20.5%. If customers are making home improvements and buying new appliances, the benefit to the trucking industry will be great. Motive predicts that increased warehouse visits will continue, and that 2024 will end at 25-30% higher than 2023. The company forecasts that spot rates will improve later in the year and increased consumer demand will continue. This month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Short-Term Energy Outlook. The EIA is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. The agency predicts that Brent crude oil prices will increase from last year’s $82 per barrel to $89 this year, primarily due to increased global consumption. Barrel prices are expected to drop by $2 for 2025. While no one wants to see an increase, the amount predicted signifies stability in the market. If prices for diesel fuel remain relatively stable, trucking businesses can more accurately predict their fuel costs, even if those numbers haven’t returned to the lower levels of years ago. The EIA is expecting hotter summer temperatures and an increased demand for electricity. That’s bad news for carriers that are investing in electric vehicles, especially in areas where the grid isn’t equipped to handle extra charging stations. Oil prices are highly susceptible to world events, and tensions in the Middle East can still play a part. Weather events can also impact crude oil prices. While the EIA predicts stability, it’s important to remember that such predictions do not include possible catastrophic events. Finally, DAT Freight and Analytics reported that spot rates for both dry van and refrigerated are down from the March average, while flatbed rates have climbed a few cents. With summer getting closer, building activity should increase and rates should rise with the increased freight levels. Analysts are still predicting that 2024 will see the trucking market climb out of the freight recession it has endured for more than a year now — but that climb won’t be a fast one. Still, any relief in rates will certainly be welcome.

Paper Transport celebrates millions of miles powered by natural gas

John Worthen - April 24, 2024

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Paper Transport (PTI) rigs have traveled more than 70 million miles on compressed/renewable natural gas (CNG/RNG), a fact that PTI officials are eager to share with the world. “At PTI, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a way of doing business,” said CEO Ben Schill. “The technology and processes are here today to make a difference for generations to come. It’s time to act on what is available to us now.” Since its inception in 1990, PTI has worked to integrate new technology into its fleet, and in 2011 the company purchased its first CNG truck. “For one of its large consumer products manufacturers, PTI combined Intermodal with asset-backed RNG trucks for drayage, successfully removing 2,419 tons of greenhouse gases from supply chains, significantly contributing to environmental preservation efforts,” a news release states. “RNG offers reliability, cost-effectiveness and scalability, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to minimize their environmental impact while meeting customer demands. With each RNG truck having the equivalent impact of removing three diesel trucks from the road, PTI is leading the charge toward a greener future.” PTI recently announced three new sustainability initiatives aimed at further reducing fuel consumption and optimizing operational efficiency: Mileage Goal: By the end of 2024, PTI aims to move 74 million miles with natural gas, saving 725,540 diesel gallons of fuel use. Driver Incentive Program: PTI is rewarding drivers for efficient driving and fuel conservation, to save 114,285 gallons of annual fuel consumption through best-in-class efficiency by the end of 2024. Route Optimization: PTI officials say they are committed to loading every mile via route optimization, backhaul load solicitation and collaboration with dedicated customers. By the end of 2024, PTI aims to load 80% of empty dedicated miles, turning 715,000 gallons of would-be burned empty miles into loaded miles. “We’re encouraged by shippers’ recognition of proven alternative fuels like RNG/CNG,” said Jared Stedle, PTI’s chief commercial officer. “While (battery electric vehicles) BEVs are increasingly present in transportation, local applications, such as intermodal drayage, remain ideal for their shorter run and return-to-base nature. Shippers can collaborate with carriers like PTI to adopt RNG as an alternate fuel, leveraging existing technology and infrastructure. Natural gas applications are economically viable today and can effectively replace diesel fuel in longer-range scenarios without sacrificing payload capacity.” Click here to learn more about PTI’s sustainable solutions initiatives.

Fleet Advantage’s Katerina Jones honored

John Worthen - April 24, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. — Fleet Advantage recently announced at the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition that Chief Marketing Officer Katerina Jones has been honored with the NPTC Excellence in Membership Award. “The award ceremony, held on April 21, celebrated Jones’s dedication and support in fostering growth within NPTC’s membership base,” according to a news release. “Annually, the NPTC Excellence in Membership Award is given to an employee of an NPTC Allied Member company that provides transportation-related products or services to the private fleet industry.” Jones brings more than 20 years of integrated marketing experience across broad industries and services. “Jones’s leadership qualities are evident in various aspects, making her a driving force behind Fleet Advantage’s success and a thought leader in the private fleet industry,” the news release states. With more than eight years of participation in the National Private Truck Council, Jones is a member of the Annual Conference Planning Committee. “Recognized for her private fleet knowledge and dedication to the industry, she has made innovative contributions to shaping substantive content and enhancing the networking value of workshops and seminars,” according to the news release. “Jones has been a very active member of NPTC and while she has attended every meeting since 2014, she has embraced a leadership role for the planning council as a committee member since 2015.” Jones serves as a liaison between Fleet Advantage, CTP associates and the NPTC. “Katerina’s achievements highlight her dedication to Fleet Advantage and the private fleet industry,” said Brian Holland, president and CEO of Fleet Advantage. “Through our longstanding partnership with NPTC, her leadership and educational programs have significantly contributed to industry-wide success, and we are incredibly proud of her and her contributions.”

Forward Air announces leadership transition

Erica N. Guy - April 24, 2024

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

Carriers, drivers can now use Relay to pay for weighs at CAT Scale locations

John Worthen - April 24, 2024

ATLANTA — There are many expenses for truck drivers and carriers while their rigs are out on the road. Having proper weight measurements is one of them, but getting those figures isn’t free. Enter Relay Payments, the fintech company that bills itself as a model for modernizing payments for the trucking and logistics industries. They have launched an integration to their service that enables carriers and drivers to use their Relay accounts in the Weigh My Truck app from CAT Scale. “We’re committed to being a fully digital, end-to-end payments provider for trucking,” said Emily Neuman, Relay’s executive vice president of operations. “Integrating with some of the most popular options to pay for scales allows drivers to use Relay to pay for all over-the-road expenses, while easily monitoring their cash flow. We have thousands of customers who now use Relay for fuel, unloading, broker, and scale payments.” The integration allows drivers to use Relay to pay for scales at more than 2,200 locations, providing nationwide coverage. Relay Payments officials say that truckers and carriers benefit from this service by being able to leverage existing Relay accounts to consolidate fuel, lumper, scales, cash and other over-the-road transactions, and to unify reporting and simplify back-office management. “We are pleased that Relay Payments customers can now use their account for Weigh My Truck transactions and realize the significant time savings it offers,” said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of operations and marketing for CAT Scale.

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

Erica N. Guy - April 24, 2024

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

Performance Food Group, industry partners unveil sustainable distribution center

John Worthen - April 23, 2024

GILROY, Calif. — In recognition of Earth Day 2024 on April 22, representatives from Performance Food Group Company (PFG), FreeWire Technologies, GridMarket and Volvo Trucks North America gathered for an open house event at PFG’s Gilroy, California, facility to show off what they are calling “a sustainable distribution center model of the future.” PFG officials say they are committed to mitigating the company’s carbon footprint and being responsible stewards of the environment. Through its partnerships, PFG has implemented the use of direct-emissions-free transportation and refrigeration technologies and incorporated solar power generation capabilities into its Gilroy facility. “PFG is proud to partner with companies that are at the forefront of building a sustainable architecture for our facilities,” said Jeff Williamson, senior vice president of operations at PFG. “What we’ve achieved at our Gilroy facility is a testament to how strong collaboration by all parties can have significant, positive results that benefit the environment and lead the way when it comes to distribution center sustainability.” To help grow its zero-emission fleet, PFG deployed seven zero-tailpipe emission Class 8 Volvo VNR Electric trucks with support from TEC Equipment of Oakland, a Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle dealership. TEC Equipment will provide service and support to the fleet’s Volvo VNR Electric trucks that are in use for deliveries in the northern region of the state, according to the news release. PFG also worked with TEC Equipment to evaluate funding opportunities to offset the costs for the battery-electric trucks and required infrastructure. Vouchers from California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) were used to purchase the Volvo VNR Electric trucks. Launched in 2009 by the California Air Resources Board as part of California Climate Investments, the HVIP program accelerates the commercialization of battery-electric trucks by providing first-come, first-served incentives to make advanced technology vehicles more affordable. “Private industry across California and across sectors is stepping up to be a part of the solutions that are needed to fight climate change, improve air quality and ensure economic competitiveness,” said Davina Hurt, a member of the California Air Resources Board. “The efforts done by Performance Food Group are an example of the innovation that will build a healthier California and of the partnerships that will be needed to make a zero-emissions future a reality.” Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, said that Earth Day marked the perfect opportunity to highlight PFG’s sustainability work. “We’re excited to partner with PFG to see those same advantages expand to California’s northern communities,” Voorhoeve said. “We’ve seen great success with customers pairing our zero-tailpipe emission Volvo VNR Electric model with electric refrigeration units to reduce noise and emissions while also enhancing the transport experience for drivers and the neighboring communities at delivery destinations.” In addition to adding electric trucks to its fleet, PFG’s sustainability plan calls for the food distributor to move away from diesel-powered reefers. To help achieve that goal, PFG partnered with Advance Energy Machines (AEM) to successfully replace its diesel-powered TRUs with 30-plus of AEM’s zero-emission SolarTech reefers to date. Each of the electric reefer installations completed within PFG’s fleet of refrigerated trailers has helped PFG eliminate approximately 20 tons of CO2 per TRU, per year, the news release states. PFG has paired the Volvo VNR Electric trucks with electric reefers. “Eliminating fine particle black carbon from energy sources has been a daunting challenge for the cold chain transportation industry. We applaud the leading-edge efforts PFG has devoted to their exemplary Gilroy site, as well as their other sites being worked on,” said Robert Koelsch, CEO at AEM. “We’re honored to be a part of their carbon-reduction solution. Their leadership will surely blaze the path for others to follow.” To help prepare the Gilroy facility to effectively handle its growing fleet of electric vehicles, PFG turned to FreeWire Technologies to implement a charging solution that would meet the facility’s needs. FreeWire Technologies installed 15 Boost Chargers at PFG’s Gilroy site that are capable of simultaneously charging 30 Class 8 tractors. These Boost Chargers deliver an ultra-fast charge using an internal battery to increase the speed of the charge without the direct use of grid power. FreeWire’s energy requirements are nearly 10 times lower than traditional chargers, reducing peak energy demand and grid strain while providing more efficient power. “We applaud the work that Performance Food Group is doing to prioritize sustainable transportation,” said Rob Anderson, Director of Fleet Sales at FreeWire. “By using FreeWire’s battery-integrated charging technology, PFG was able to add 3MW of power needed for ultrafast charging to their existing facility, leapfrogging the local utility company’s three-year timeline. This allows PFG to optimally operate their growing fleet of 100 percent electric Class 8 trucks today instead of three years from now.” PFG utilized the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) EnergIIZE Commercial Vehicles (Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles) program to develop its onsite charging infrastructure. “Moving medium-and heavy-duty vehicles to zero emissions is crucial to achieving California’s climate and clean air goals,” said CEC Chair David Hochschild. “We applaud companies like PFG for taking this step toward making their industry more sustainable.”

Gary Hoogeveen named president of Pilot’s energy division

John Worthen - April 23, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Fuel supplier and travel center giant Pilot has announced the appointment of Gary Hoogeveen as president of Pilot Energy. Hoogeveen brings more than 20 years of industry and business experience to Pilot as the company “aims to shape the future of energy,” according to a news release. “We’re excited to welcome Gary to our team. I’ve known Gary for a long time, and he is an experienced and talented leader who will bring a trusted voice and perspective to an important part of our business,” said Adam Wright, chief executive officer of Pilot. “Our energy team will continue to be foundational to our ability to reliably serve customers and navigate the alternative fuels transition.” As president of Pilot Energy, Hoogeveen will oversee the company’s integrated fuel supply chain, including upstream infrastructure and asset management, business development, fuel procurement, logistics and transportation. In addition, he will lead the company’s ongoing development and innovation of electric and alternative energy solutions, the news release notes. “As a leader in energy, Pilot understands we have a responsibility to help move the industry forward while continuing to optimize traditional fuel supply, which is core to our business,” Hoogeveen said. “The potential for positive impact and innovation at this company is incredible and so is the talent. It’s an honor to lead this team and to join a company that plays such an essential role in keeping North America moving.” Prior to joining Pilot, Hoogeveen served as chief executive officer of Rocky Mountain Power. He has held several management roles as part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy since 2000. Hoogeveen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Northern Iowa and a Ph.D. in space physics from Rice University.

Service One Transportation renews with EPA’s SmartWay

John Worthen - April 23, 2024

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — Service One Transportation has submitted and received approval for its current data submission to the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the transportation/logistics industry. The SmartWay Transport Partnership provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains, according to a news release. Service One Transportation will continue to contribute to the partnership’s savings of 379 million barrels of oil, $52 billion on fuel costs and 162 million metric tons of CO2, 2.8 million short tons of NOx and 114,000 short tons of particulate matter, the news release notes. This is the equivalent of the annual electricity use in 24 million homes. “For more than a decade, Service One Transportation has been a proud participant in the SmartWay Transport Partnership. Our mission to provide our customers with superior service while at the same time being a sustainability leader in transportation only reinforces our commitment to the SmartWay Partnership,” said Mike Myszewski, vice president of operations and logistics at Service One Transportation. Developed jointly in early 2003 by the EPA and Charter Partners, the SmartWay program has been making significant strides in promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact for the past 20 years. “Represented by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, the American Trucking Associations and Business for Social Responsibility, this program has become a leading example of successful collaboration between the government and private sectors,” the news release states. The partnership currently has nearly 4,000 members, including shippers, logistics companies, trucks, rail, barge and multimodal carriers.

Gunther Hochapfal joins Grote Industries in regional sales

John Worthen - April 23, 2024

AVON, New York — Grote Industries and Star Safety Technologies have announced the appointment of Gunther Hochapfel as the new regional sales manager at Star. Hochapfel brings with him over 18 years of experience in the safety and warning technology industry, according to a news release. Hochapfel previously served as a sales leader and applications specialist at a Canadian warning light manufacturer for nearly two decades. “His tenure there was marked by significant contributions to the industry, including playing a pivotal role in driving the evolution of the Canadian marketplace from strobe to LED warning lights,” the news release states. “Notably, Hochapfel developed highly successful snowplow warning light programs for various ministries of transportation across Canada, showcasing his innovative approach and technical expertise.” In his new role, Hochapfel will leverage his extensive experience and deep-rooted connections in the Canadian market. “We are confident that Gunther’s leadership and industry knowledge will propel our company to new heights,” said Doug Richardson, nationals sales manager at Star Safety Technologies. “His appointment reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge safety solutions and unparalleled service to our clients.”

Total spot rate barely moves in the latest week

The Trucker News Staff - April 23, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — As increases in flatbed rates offset declines in dry van and refrigerated rates, total broker-posted rate in the Truckstop system rose a fraction of a cent during the week ended April 19 (week 16). The total market rate was at its highest level since the end of June, but rates for van equipment were at their lowest levels in about a year, according to a news release. Flatbed rates were at their highest level since January of last year. Even so, van rates were slightly higher year-over-year while flatbed rates were down. Total loads Total load activity declined 3% after easing 0.6% during the previous week. Total volume was down more than 1% from the same 2023 week and was nearly 28% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings rose 6.3%, and the Market Demand Index — the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system — declined to its lowest level in seven weeks. Total rates The total broker-posted rate ticked up four-tenths of a cent after moving up slightly more than 1 cent during the prior week. Rates were nearly 3% below both the same 2023 week and the five-year average for the week. Spot rates will get a boost in several weeks due to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck inspection event, which is scheduled for May 14-16. Even in a weak market like last year, Roadcheck fueled a jump in spot rates that largely reset van rates for much of the rest of 2023. Dry van rates Dry van spot rates fell 3.4 cents after rising 2.6 cents in the previous week. Rates, which were at their lowest level since the week before last year’s Roadcheck event, were more than 1% above the same 2023 week but about 6% below the five-year average. Dry van loads declined 3%. Volume was more than 5% below the same 2023 week and about 22% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated rates Refrigerated spot rates declined six-tenths of a cent after decreasing more than 1 cent during the prior week. Rates, which were at their lowest level in exactly a year, were more than 1% above the same 2023 week but 6% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated loads increased 5.8%. Volume was less than 1% below the same 2023 week but about 31% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed rates Flatbed spot rates increased 2 cents following a gain of basically the same amount in the previous week. Rates were more than 4% below the same 2023 week and 2% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed loads fell 5.6%. Volume was less than 1% higher than the same week last year but about 33% below the five-year average for the week.

NAPFTDS conference rolls into Reno

Linda Garner-Bunch - April 22, 2024

RENO, Nev. — The National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) kicked off its 2024 annual conference this morning in Reno, Nevada — “The Biggest Little City in the World.” This year marks the association’s 34th annual conference. About 120 attendees from 70 member schools gathered for the event, which continues through Wednesday, April 24, and features informative sessions in addition to association business meetings. “NAPFTDS is excited to be in Reno, Nevada. This is a new area for our annual conference, and it will be exciting to see what Reno holds for us and to see the sights,” said Martin Garsee, executive director of NAPFTDS. “The agenda has a great lineup of speakers that will share information that will help you better understand the industry and keep us up to date on activity in the trucking industry.” Wednesday’s activities began with a defensive security training session, followed by an official welcome from NAPFTDS President Lorie Latigo. In addition to an update on the activities of the Truckload Carriers Association, presented by Dave Heller, the group’s vice president of safety and government affairs, the afternoon is set aside for NAPFTDS business, vendor recognition and presentations, and a 6 p.m. reception to welcome attendees. Tuesday’s sessions include presentations from FASTPORT, the American Trucking Associations, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The event is set to wrap up Wednesday after an FMCSA Update, a discussion on concerns in the training industry and a final board meeting. NAPFTDS is a membership trade organization with a goal of providing resources for publicly funded truck driving schools.

NFI’s SheDrives sisterhood provides sense of community, safety for women in trucking

Dana Guthrie - April 22, 2024

CONTENT SPONSORED BY NFI INDUSTRIES Women in the trucking industry have long sought out each other for both support and advice. With that unique experience in mind, NFI Industries, in collaboration with the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), established the SheDrives community to highlight NFI’s women drivers. The group provides a safe space for women in the industry to rely on each other while encouraging others to seek jobs in trucking. “The women drivers wanted a community where they could talk to one another, offer advice and just in general, have a community among themselves,” said Marie J., regional transport manager for NFI. “That’s how we started the SheDrives community.” Beginning in the South Jersey area, the SheDrives community has spread across the country and is now a robust organization for women. In addition to the SheDrives YouTube video series, the group offers a private Facebook group, workshops and meetings — all with the goal of discussing ideas to bring more women into the industry and being a support tool to guide one another. “It’s a fantastic program,” Marie said. “It started out with a video trying to encourage women to drive trucks.” After that initial video, Marie says, she and several of NFI’s female drivers attended a WIT event. “On the way back from that event, they were so excited about having a community of women drivers,” she shared. “We started talking about what women wanted to see and share.” One of the most important aspects of the community addresses the safety concerns that are unique to women in the industry. “Women wanted to be able to tell each other, ‘Hey, that truck stop in that location is a very bad place to go. Don’t go there. Or, this customer will not allow you to use the bathroom, so be careful if you have to go there,’’ Marie said. “Talking about things from a woman’s point of view.” According to Marie, most people in the industry do not understand or stop to think about some of the issues that are unique to women, such as safety concerns or dealing with menstruation on the road. With that in mind, some of the topics the women share also include self-defense techniques, how to handle family issues while on the road, and how to help those experiencing challenges such as breast cancer and domestic violence. “Beyond those topics, women also like to share the fun side of being in the community,” Marie said. “They will share pictures of their new haircut or their nails they just got done. Largely, it’s just supporting each other.” For more information, check out NFI’s SheDrives community on YouTube. To see more NFI SheDrives stories, click here.

The Trucker mourns the loss of former editor Lyndon Finney

John Worthen - April 21, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Trucker Media Group is mourning the loss of one of its own. Former Editor Lyndon Finney, age 76, died Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Little Rock. Finney served as editor of The Trucker from 2004-2019 and continued as editor of Truckload Authority magazine until 2022 before officially retiring and being named editor emeritus of the publication. “Lyndon’s loyalty, professionalism and commitment to objective journalism established The Trucker as the trucking industry’s leading source of news,” said Bobby Ralston, CEO of The Trucker Media Group. “He gained not only the respect of his peers within the company, but throughout the trucking industry as a whole.“ Finney first entered the news industry in 1965, taking a job as a reporter for the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, Arkansas; he later served as the publication’s sports editor. He then moved to Little Rock to take a position as sports editor at the Arkansas Democrat newspaper; he was later promoted to the position of assistant managing editor. His journalism career spanned nearly six decades, and he served as a mentor to countless aspiring journalists. During his time at The Trucker, Finney earned the respect of many industry stakeholders, from truck drivers to business owners and government officials, as he worked to provide accurate, up-to-date news. “The Trucker would not be what it is today without Lyndon’s influence and commitment to informative, engaging and objective journalism,” Ralston said. “Lyndon served as a mentor to his staff and inspired us all to not only be better at our jobs, but to be better people. “Even after his retirement, Lyndon was always there to help, to be a sounding board and to give guidance and support in any way possible,” Ralston continued. “He will be missed as a friend as well as a colleague.” In addition to his career as a journalist, Finney was an accomplished musician. He studied journalism and music at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of the Arkansas Razorback Marching Band. He was also an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, where he served as the organist from 1973-2019. He was also a percussionist for the church orchestra, directed a men’s quartet and directed handbell choirs. Finney is survived by his wife, Donna, along with three children and five grandchildren.

Some Penske Truck Rental workers seek votes to remove IAM Union officials

John Worthen - April 18, 2024

WASHINGTON — Employees of Penske Truck Rental have submitted petitions seeking votes to remove International Association of Machinists (IAM) union officials from power at Penske locations in the Minneapolis and Nashville. Penske employees Kyle Fulkerson and David Saylor filed the petitions at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) with free legal aid from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, according to a news release. The NLRB is the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal labor law, which includes administering elections to install (or certify) and remove (or decertify) unions. Fulkerson, acting on behalf of the Minnesota employees, and Saylor, acting on behalf of the Tennessee employees, both filed petitions containing signatures from a majority of their coworkers, clearly exceeding the 30% support threshold needed to trigger a decertification vote under NLRB rules, the news release notes. Because Minnesota lacks Right to Work protections for its private sector workers, IAM union officials have maintained contracts with Penske management that require Fulkerson and his coworkers to pay union dues or fees as a condition of keeping their jobs. As for Saylor and his coworkers in Right to Work Tennessee, IAM union officials are forbidden from enforcing a contract that mandates union membership and dues payments, according to the news release. In both Right to Work and non-Right to Work states, union officials in a unionized workplace are empowered by federal law to impose a union contract on all employees in the work unit, including those who oppose the union. A successful decertification vote strips union officials of both their forced-dues and monopoly bargaining powers. “Transportation and trucking employees across the country are realizing that monopoly union control is frequently harmful. While workers’ right to vote out union bosses they oppose is vital in every state, it’s especially important in forced-dues states like Minnesota, where union bosses can force workers to pay for ‘representation’ they don’t agree with,” said National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix. “It’s outrageous this current Administration is intent on paring back this right just to give union officials more tools to expand their coffers and their coercive influence over workers.”