Truck News

The battle against cargo crime

We have a problem. On top of all the other challenges our industry faces, we're getting ripped off every day - quite literally, in fact. I'm referring to truck cargo crime, a problem that costs $5 billion in this country and half-a-million...

Retirement plans may have to wait

As I write this column, the stock markets are taking yet another beating. The average Joe (or Joanne) who has been investing in the stock market has seen their retirement nest eggs become just a tad scrambled. It looks like Greece is going to...

Show them the money

Check any list of trucking issues going back several decades and "driver shortage" will be there. What you won't find though, is a shortage of opinions about how to define it, what's causing it, and how to fix it. There's even debate about...

Make strategic use of your CCA

My column last month about how to tax-plan when you buy or lease a truck triggered some great phone calls from owner/operators. A few had to do with Capital Cost Allowance, or CCA. That's where you're allowed to deduct a calculated portion of...

Volvo introduces ‘downspeeding’

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Volvo Trucks has introduced a new concept called 'downspeeding,' which takes the industry-wide shift towards lower engine speeds to a new, well, low. Introduced as the XE13 (exceptional energy) powertrain package, Volvo's...

Rebirth of a star

PORTLAND, Ore. - In 2008, as the US and global economies plunged into recession, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) made the decision to eliminate the Sterling truck brand. We now know that Western Star was also scrutinized by its discerning...

First impressions behind the wheel of the Cat CT660

PEORIA, Ill. - Before the smoke had cleared from the unveiling of Caterpillar's CT660 at its Conexpo-Con/Agg launch, trade press editors - including yours truly - were clamoring for an opportunity to put the new truck through its paces.That...

OK Tire opens new shop offering more than just tires

ETOBICOKE, Ont. - Toronto-area customers of OK Tire are lauding the grand opening of the chain's newly revamped Etobicoke location, a one-of-a-kind facility that boasts quick lube, alignment, in-house parts, and a spring shop in addition to...

The Good Shepherd

The story so far...Mark is at a truck stop near Winnipeg and sees a woman talking to drivers, asking them for a ride. She's attractive, and when Mark learns she's heading to Vancouver, he offers her a ride hoping them might get intimate along...

TSQ: Why is it so difficult to attract younger drivers to trucking?

MILTON, Ont. - When posed with the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" most young children tend to stick to a fairly conventional list of occupations. Doctors, astronauts, fire fighters and athletes tend to dominate, but...

cut yourself loose from the past

The driver shortage, and what to do about it, is once again rising to the forefront of fleet executive concerns. The American Transportation Research Institute's latest release of its Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry report shows that...

let’s get personal

Building understanding into how one "ticks" is key to leadership development at Versacold-a Canada-based global 3PL specializing in cold storage and distribution.

Metrics management

Once new hires have signed on, smart employers are using their assessment data to help manage their new talent.

Time to google yourself

Much to the chagrin of the rest of the McCarron tribe, my foray into social media began about a year ago when I started dabbling in the world of Facebook and LinkedIn. I had loads of fun catching up with pals from all over the world and even...

economic outlook

Despite a steady stream of apocalyptic media reports on the economy, the US is actually experiencing a manufacturing renaissance, wages are holding steady and Canadians have hoarded away an unprecedented amount of cash.