Business

ST. LOUIS — HDA Truck Pride has expanded its presence in New Jersey with the addition of new member, Rodriguez Distribution. Raul and Karla Rodriquez operate three locations in the Newark marketplace, according to a news release. “Newark is an extension of the metropolitan NYC marketplace with an abundance of people, traffic and most importantly, an abundance of heavy duty vehicles necessary to support the economy and congestion,” the news release stated. “Established in 2008, Rodriguez Distribution is a family-owned truck parts and service company located in Newark, New Jersey. Rodriguez Distribution offers a complete range of heavy duty parts, for all trucking needs. A comprehensive inventory supports the demands of their tri-state customer base, along with quick and easy online ordering for pick up or delivery.” Rodriguez also owns Newark Spring and Suspension, a full-service repair facility which includes DPF cleaning, fuel tank repair, EGR cleaning, along with a full radiator and driveline service shop. While Newark Spring caters to vocational trucks, it is always ready and willing to assist customers with commercial vehicle service needs. Currently, Newark Spring operates four double bays with six technicians but they are continuously looking for expansion opportunities. “Raul and Karla Rodriguez are extremely passionate about their people and growing the business. HDA Truck Pride is thrilled to support them and be a part of their growth journey,” said Tina Hubbard, President and CEO of HDA Truck Pride. “The energy and dedication Raul and Karla exemplify is a key indicator that we are in for an exciting adventure of growth with Rodriguez Distribution!”  

MIAMI — Ryder is celebrating three female leaders as recipients of the 2023 Women in Supply Chain awards from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics magazines. The fourth annual award honors female supply chain leaders whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network, according to a news release. This year’s honorees from Ryder are: Cherie Brinkerhoff, vice president of supply chain solutions, for championing a new workforce development initiative within the retail, technology and healthcare vertical at Ryder. Cristy Gallo-Aquino, senior vice president, controller and principal accounting officer, for building the women’s leadership and support network at Ryder. Mauryo Jones, vice president for safety, health and security, for building leading indicators for proactive safety measurements rather than relying on lagging indicators, such as injury and crash frequency rates, to measure the effectiveness of safety performance. “With logistics engineers in short supply, Brinkerhoff is piloting an internship program for employees interested in exploring supply chain engineering,” the news release stated. “By temporarily backfilling the interns’ regular positions, it’s a risk-free opportunity to develop new skills and showcase them in a way that provides additional opportunities for growth.” A founding member of Ryder Women Leadership (RWL) in 2010 and a 13-year executive sponsor of the group, Gallo-Aquino “continues to reach deeper into the company to identify female leaders in customer warehouses and truck maintenance, rental and lease locations, as well as central support service locations, across North America,” according to the news release. “And, she’s expanded the educational component of RWL, because she believes that knowledge is power.” Working with Ryder’s strategic analytics and data science team, Jones is utilizing vehicle safety technology, incident management systems and apps, as well as driver training to build the leading indicators that “help Ryder focus on key injury and crash mitigation areas, predict future trends, and prevent undesired outcomes, the news release stated. “If you want to bring about new ideas and innovative approaches to tackling challenges and solving problems, then you have to bring together people with different backgrounds and experiences,” said Diana Anderson, vice president of talent management and human resources at Ryder. “That’s why talent development is central to everything we do at Ryder.”

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Global supply chain solutions company Mojix has named Chris Cassidy as CEO, effective immediately. According to a news release, Dan Doles, who served as CEO since 2015, will transition into the role of company chairman. “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead such a talented and committed team of professionals. Mojix has a rich history of innovation, exemplified by our current SaaS software platform that delivers true end-to-end visibility solutions to improve supply chain agility and resilience around the globe,” Cassidy said. “Mojix has supported many companies deploy real-time item level visibility solutions that are revolutionizing enterprise supply chains. The need for precise, real-time information on each item as it moves through the entire supply chain has never been greater. Mojix is uniquely positioned to help our clients improve decision-making, optimize inventory levels, reduce waste, drive automation and operational efficiency to enhance the customer experience. I’m proud to build on Dan’s success as we move forward.” Prior to joining Mojix earlier this year as president and CEO, Cassidy served as executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Trax Technologies. He has held various supply chain leadership positions of increasing responsibility with Gartner, UPS and GSK plc. He holds a bachelor’s degree in science, specializing in industrial engineering, from Georgia Tech and earned an executive program certification in supply chain management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “I am so pleased to continue partnering with Chris to build out a Mojix long-term strategic vision that will carry the company into the next phase of growth,” Doles said. “Mojix continues to empower our clients to delight their customers by providing best-in-class item-level visibility and traceability solutions.” Peter Leibman, a member of the Board of Directors at Mojix, added, “The Board is excited to have Chris take over as CEO of Mojix. We are also pleased to have Dan move into the role of Chairman. Since joining Mojix in 2015 as CEO, Dan has led the company through a number of successful acquisitions and helped build Mojix into a leading provider of SaaS-based visibility and traceability solutions and we thank him for these contributions.”

MIAMI — Ryder System Inc. has been honored with a SmartWay High Performer recognition in the All Metrics and Carbon Metrics categories from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to a news release, the SmartWay High Performer recognition in the All Metrics category is reserved for the top 2% of all SmartWay truck carriers that focus on reducing carbon, particulate matter or nitrogen oxide for every mile traveled and for every ton of freight moved. For the Carbon Metrics category, Ryder ranks within the top 10% of all High Performers for consuming less fuel for every mile traveled and for every ton of freight moved, the news release noted. “Ryder strives to enhance our leadership in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency,” said Steve W. Martin, senior vice president of Ryder’s dedicated transportation solutions business. “Our environmental programs reflect our commitment to conserve resources and associated costs, while investing in our buildings, fleet, and emerging technology to enhance operational efficiencies.” Ryder ranks within the top 2% among thousands of SmartWay truck carriers, according to the news release. SmartWay partners, including shippers, truck carriers and logistics service providers, report efficiency and air quality performance data to EPA annually, and the EPA aggregates and divides the data, assigning performance ratings. SmartWay High Performers are partners whose efficiency and/or air quality performance falls within the top-ranked performance range. Ryder has been a SmartWay partner since 2006 and supports customers with a series of coordinated measures to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions to SmartWay standards. The company has been honored with SmartWay Excellence Awards in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2021; the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award in 2014; and recognized as a SmartWay High Performer in 2020. Ryder remains focused on reducing our environmental footprint through efficiency and Innovation. Information about Ryder’s environmental, social, and governance initiatives can be found at www.ryder.com/sustainability.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Bulk Insurance Group LLC, a company created from BulkLoads.com, has unveiled its Farm/Agribusiness program. According to a news release, the program “has been meticulously crafted to deliver comprehensive insurance solutions tailored precisely to the unique requirements of truck drivers and farmers within the bulk freight industry.” Bulk Insurance Group’s Farm/Agribusiness program encompasses a diverse range of insurance options, including coverage for vital aspects, such as agricultural equipment, livestock, cargo and liability. “Whether you’re a truck driver responsible for transporting bulk commodities or a farmer in search of all-encompassing coverage, Bulk Insurance Group stands ready with a team of industry experts to provide unwavering support across all facets,” the news release states. Larry Hurt, CEO of Bulk Insurance Group, outlined the significance of the initiative, stating, “This program stands as a testament to our core values. Our singular mission is to cater to every facet of the bulk freight industry. With a dedicated team of specialists who possess an intricate understanding of both the trucking and farming sectors, we are exceptionally well-equipped to deliver insurance solutions and expert guidance to our valued customers.” Jared Flinn, co-founder of BulkLoads, said that the company’s original goal remains unchanged. “We have a commitment to serving the needs of truckers and farmers, addressing their pain points and offering unparalleled industry expertise,” Flinn said. “At the heart of it all, we are people serving people, and we remain dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and unrivaled industry insights.” Bulk Insurance Group has appointed Jeff Vale, a seasoned veteran in the agriculture insurance sector, to spearhead their efforts within the farming domain. “Jeff’s extensive experience and profound industry knowledge are set to play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of top-notch service to our cliente,” Flinn said.

CHICAGO — Christina Garcia, Echo Global Logistics’ senior vice president of engineering, has been named to Crain’s Chicago Notable Women in STEM 2023. Garcia was recognized for her work in fostering relationships with engineers and analytical work, a news release stated. “It’s an honor to be named to this award list,” Garcia said. “As a leader in Echo’s engineering department, I strive to be available as a mentor and teacher for others, helping to promote individual and team success as well as elevate technical excellence and deliver quality.” Crain’s Women in STEM features top women leaders in Chicago who are making an impact in the fields of technology, science, math and engineering. “Those recognized by this award demonstrate a measurable impact in their work and ability to effect change, make significant contributions to their industry or community and illustrate leadership capabilities for other women in STEM and professional organizations,” according to the news release. “Garcia’s contributions to enhancing Echo’s value proposition to shippers and carriers through its robust technology suite have been significant. She partnered with Echo’s product and business teams to understand the end user’s needs and challenges, allowing her to form technical considerations for the company’s business strategy. Garcia also actively promotes modern technological approaches to business while balancing deliverable objectives, enabling her engineering team to simplify operations and designs while taking Echo’s technology suite to the next level.” Echo Chief Information Officer Zach Jecklin said that Garcia “quickly infused efficiency and adaptability into our Echo team and technological landscape. Her engineering expertise has added tremendous value to our modernization agenda and elevated our technology administration.”

HOUSTON — Freight matching platform 123Loadboard and freight logistics firm 3PL Systems Inc. have teamed up. According to a news release, the partnership will allow 123Loadboard users to “populate the freight matching platform with a larger volume of load posts attracting more carriers and allowing brokers to capitalize on increased capacity.” The partnership enables carriers to search loads, place bids and experience seamless book now digital transactions on 123Loadboard’s platform, according to a news release. In addition to the increased volume of loads, members can access multiple rate sources, truck mileage and current credit ratings. Drivers also can verify their operating authority which will accelerate digital freight bookings on the platform. A profit calculator is also available to help with broker negotiations and forecasting load income. The integration enables 3PL Systems Inc.’s customers to post loads through 123Loadboards smart platform, which includes broker tools that help them see where available trucks are situated near their load’s location. Also, if the broker chooses, they can reach out and contact verified carriers matching the equipment type required, the news release noted. The broker will see available truck capacity at-a-glance. 3PL Systems Inc. and 123Loadboard have partnered, allowing carriers to search loads, place bids and book digital transactions on 123Loadboard’s platform. “This partnership with 123Loadboard has increased the broker’s exposure to added capacity and guarantees less effort searching for posted trucks. Brokers have more time to facilitate business interactions and improve efficiency. The increased truck capacity will allow them to move more freight,” said Cameron Robertson, CEO of 3PL Systems Inc. Both companies say they agree that the expansion of loads benefits carriers and speeds up the time frame in which brokers can improve the number of loads being hauled. Broker members also have access to take advantage of seamless Book Now, bidding, Messenger and Truck Searching on 123Loadboard’s freight matching platform. “By integrating with 3PL Systems Inc, we are giving access to quality, identity-verified carriers, secure two-way bidding and allowing the capture and analysis of data to provide complete load visibility. With the ability to provide our brokers with more trucks and easy platform transaction execution, we are fulfilling our mandate of increased efficiency for our broker members,” said Greg Adourian, CEO at 123Loadboard.

READING, Pa. — Penske Truck Leasing has recently opened a new facility in Channahon, Illinois, located near Interstate 55 and Route 6 in the West Chicago-area. At this location, Penske offers consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance, according to a news release. It is also outfitted with the company’s proprietary fully digital and voice-directed preventive maintenance process and Penske digital experience solutions, which help customers leverage Penske technology as well as options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.). “With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, Penske demonstrates its commitment to investing in the local community, associates, and valued customers,” said Mark Gerber, the North Central area vice president for Penske Truck Leasing. “This spacious and innovative environment enhances our ability to serve customers and employees effectively while accommodating our growing customer base, all while maintaining service excellence and maximizing fleet uptime.” The location is 22,752-square-feet and sits on 13.4 acres. It features five drive-thru bays with 10 service areas, plus an automated wash bay, and a full-service fuel island.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Professional drivers who stop by the new Love’s Travel Stop in Prescott, Arkansas, can clean their rides thanks to a new truck wash that opened on Wednesday, Sept. 27. With automated technology, Love’s Truck Wash offers the same quality as a hand wash in half the time, a news release noted. This truck wash is located next to a new, soon-to-be-open Speedco, which will provide preventative maintenance, light mechanical repairs, tire services and roadside assistance for pro drivers. The Speedco location is set to open next week. The Prescott location is Love’s second truck wash in Arkansas, following Hazen, and the fourth overall. Love’s plans to add truck washes at new and existing travel stops as it grows this amenity for professional drivers. More information can be found at loves.com/truckwash.

MIAMI — Tricont Trucking & Logistics, the inland logistics arm of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., has launched a new website and branding to, according to company officials, “enhance its customer experience and broaden its customer base.” This comes as the company has seen expansion over the last few years due to providing complete third-party logistics services, the news release noted. Tricont deals in urgent and complex supply chains in a cold chain environment across North America, which stems from years of handling Fresh Del Monte’s produce, combined with its network and technology-driven solutions. While Tricont’s biggest customer is Fresh Del Monte, the logistics company has been offering more and more of its top-tier services to others in need of varied logistics solutions, the news release stated. “Fresh Del Monte has been relying on Tricont Trucking and Tricont Logistics for years, with great success, to move fresh produce on time and in full,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and CEO. “In today’s world where logistics and shipping disruptions abound, we’re looking forward to offering our solutions to more people, giving them access to our robust, reliable distribution and logistics network. Tricont’s inland services complement our third-party ocean freight services provided by Network Shipping. Both serve as an example of our commitment toward asset optimization.” With 70% of all goods in the U.S. moved by trucks, equal to a more than $800 million economic value, and the consumer shift to ecommerce, the trucking and logistics industry is poised to thrive — over the next five years, the long-haul transport market is expected to grow by more than 4%, the news release noted. Tricont provides intermodal, warehousing, managed services and business analytics, as well as refrigerated and ambient LTL distribution, last-mile delivery, along with a dedicated contract carriage. The company serves North America with more than 30 distribution centers, almost 200 tractors, more than 10,000 reefer containers and nearly 2,000 chassis — with a 95% on-time delivery rate. “This is an exciting time for our business. As the logistics industry expands, we want to grow with it and become a logistics powerhouse in our own rite. We are now in a better position to achieve this with the new website and brand, as customers and drivers can more readily find information on our website,” said Rob Savage, President of Tricont Trucking and Tricont Logistics. Recently, Mann Packing, Fresh Del Monte’s vegetable arm, began to leverage Tricont’s services as it expanded to the east coast of the U.S. Mann’s will now use Tricont’s North-Carolina based distribution center and trucking services to serve more customers. This partnership allows Mann’s to have a vertically integrated supply chain, so customers receive products that have a more optimized shelf life at a lower cost, company officials said.

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The latest release of ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index suggests an approaching turning point in the freight cycle, but perhaps not as quickly as for-hire fleets would prefer. The Supply-Demand Balance surged to 55.6, seasonally adjusted (SA), in August from 42.2 in July, in the first result above the neutral 50 level in 18 months, according to a news release. Improving dynamics on both supply (capacity) and demand (volumes) drove the upward inflection. For context, in the 2015-16 downcycle, the Supply-Demand Balance was loose for 16 of 19 months. The Volume Index notably jumped 12.3 points in August to 54.4, seasonally adjusted, from 42.1 in July. While an encouraging signal, the increase may not be indicative of a market turning point just yet. Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, said: “This is the highest result in 18 months, but our diffusion indexes measure the breadth of a signal, not the strength. This month’s number indicates volumes picked up for a big number of fleets in our survey, but it wasn’t necessarily a large increase. So, we wouldn’t suggest this means the freight downturn is over, but it is a considerable ‘green shoot’ that suggests the retail inventory destock is playing out.” The Capacity Index contracted further, declining 1.1 points to 48.9 in August SA as fleets reined in supply. This index has been below the neutral 50 level for three of the past four months. Denoyer added, “New Class 8 tractor sales are still near record levels, so while we observe capital discipline among for-hire fleets, we also think private fleets continue to grow. Driver availability also remains extraordinarily good for the diverse group of for-hire fleets in our survey. In our view, this probably isn’t enough yet to turn the tide in the spot market, but the market rebalancing is progressing and this should be a good leading indicator of better times ahead.”

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The North Little Rock, Arkansas, Pilot Travel Center hosted a celebration event earlier in September to mark the completion of the center’s remodel construction, a donation to a local school district and Driver Appreciation Month. Local community members, such as the North Little Rock Chamber officials, also attended the celebration. The festivities included performances by a local school’s band and cheerleaders, giveaways, games, prizes, light refreshments and a check presentation for a $20,000 donation to Pulaski County Special School District, which will help support CTE programs for Harris Elementary School, according to a news release. The completed remodel is part of the Pilot Company’s nationwide initiative, called New Horizons, which involves a $1 billion investment in remodeling its stores to an upgraded experience that is prepared for the future of travel for customers and employees. Driver Appreciation Month is the company’s annual month-long celebration and recognition of the individuals who go above and beyond to keep America going. Commemorating the month, a tent was set up for professional drivers to rest, enjoy free pizza and play lawn games to win industry-focused prizes. “Our team works hard to make these remodels happen, and it’s a moment of pride for them to celebrate with their family, friends, communities, and guests,” said Allison Cornish, vice president of store modernization at Pilot Company. “Being that September is also when we recognize Driver Appreciation, it was only fitting that we create a fun atmosphere for professional truck drivers and community members to gather together and have a good time.” The Pilot travel center located at 3300 Highway 391 North now features: Refreshed and expanded restrooms and showers. Three new self-checkouts. Pilot’s premium coffees, including bean-to-cup selections and cold brew. New public laundry facilities. A lounge for professional drivers. A new team member breakroom. A remodeled Pizza Hut. A remodeled Subway. In addition to the Sept. 13 event, guests are eligible to receive 25% off food and beverage purchases at this location all month long by using the code “PFJDriver” in the myRewards Plus app.

WESTLAKE, Ohio — Truckers Against Trafficking’s (TAT) Board of Directors has elected Debi Boffa, CEO of TravelCenters of America (TA), to join them.  As a TAT board member, Boffa will contribute her 25-plus years of experience and expertise to help strategize the TAT’s legacy of raising awareness about the harsh realities of human trafficking and fighting against it to create a safer transportation industry, according to a news release. “Debi has an inherent passion for fostering safety and heightening awareness of human trafficking in the hundreds of TA and Petro travel centers and their surrounding communities,” said TAT’s Executive Director Esther Goetsch. “Her leadership and voice will be an invaluable asset to the organization as we continue driving forward our important mission.” Most recently, TA raised over $50,000 for TAT at its annual charity golf outing in August. “Truckers Against Trafficking addresses one of the most important issues facing the transportation industry,” said Debi Boffa, CEO of TA. “Our travel centers are located along the nation’s busy interstates, and our team members serve as the eyes and ears of our highways. At TA, we educate and empower our team members to take action to combat this crime, and we remain committed to helping TAT continue its important work.”

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Load posts decreased by 10.7% to the lowest weekly total since the July 4 holiday week, according to the latest data from DAT Freight & Analytics. There were 1.23 million loads on the DAT One network last week, down 10.7% compared to the previous week and 47% lower year-over-year. That’s the lowest number of available loads since the July 4 holiday week. The four-week average was 1.31 million. Van loads, at 625,327, were down 11.1% compared to the previous week and down 40% year over year.  Reefer loads, at 242,189, were down 19.0% week-over-week and 58% lower year-over-year. Flatbed loads, at 367,626, were down 3.4% week-over-week and 48% lower year-over-year. Truck posts fell by 2.1%, down 13% year-over-year. The number of trucks on DAT One fell 2.1% to 375,073 last week. That’s down 13% year over year but 10% higher than the same week in 2019. Van equipment, at 243,920, was down 0.3% compared to the previous week and down 7% year-over-year. Reefer equipment, at 79,437, was down 4.3% week-over-week but 10% higher year over year. Flatbed equipment, at 51,716, was down 7.2% and down 4% year-over-year and 34% higher compared to the same week in 2019. Load-to-truck ratios are trending lower for vans and reefers Vans: 2.5 loads per truck, down from 2.9 the previous week. Four-week average: 2.9. Reefers: 3.0 loads per truck, down from 3.6 the previous week. Four-week average: 3.8. Flatbeds: 7.0 loads per truck, up from 6.8 the previous week. Four-week average: 6.8. DAT benchmark spot line-haul rates declined for all three equipment types. National benchmark line-haul rates declined and continued to languish below their four-week averages. Heading into Q4, truckers are feeling the pressure of rising fuel prices and lower line-haul rates: Van rate: $1.54 net fuel, down 2 cents. Four-week average: $1.56. Reefer rate: $1.88 net fuel, down 6 cents. Four-week average: $1.93. Flatbed rate: $1.84 net fuel, down 2 cents. Four-week average: $1.86.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) has announced its new Regional Vice President of Canada, Matthew Blackman. Effective Oct. 1, Blackman will report directly to Peter Voorhoeve, the president of VTNA, a news release stated. Blackman will bring his two decades of extensive experience in the heavy equipment industry to his new role. “We are excited about the appointment of Matthew to this crucial leadership role,” Voorhoeve said. “His impressive track record and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in driving VTNA’s growth and success in the Canadian market. We have full confidence in Matthew’s ability to lead the team in Canada to new heights of achievement. At the same time, we want to thank Paul for his many years of service to Volvo and wish he and his family the best wishes.”  Blackman earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.