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Time is the key to profitability

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Maximizing profitability in an industry where margins can be thin comes down to just one thing: time. Panelists at the Surface Transportation Summit had differing views about where fleets could make the best use of their time to convert it into dollars and cents, but both agreed that the old adage is true: time is money. "Time in trucking is a perishable commodity," said Brian Abel, a freight network engineer for KSM Transport Advisors. Abel and fellow panelist Mike Buck, president of MCB Management Consulting, spoke about different ways fleets could save time by being proactive and rooting out waste. Buck presented ways fleets could capitalize on being proactive about maintenance, creating a schedule that would mean less downtime, would control costs, and would maximize the efficiency of equipment.

Markets will continue to see gains: FTR

COLUMBUS, OH – Trucking analysts at FTR say the truck market is going through a time of significant change. While hurricanes Harvey and Irma affected spot markets in September, helping…

Consolidated Fast Freight welcomes new VP of sales

WOODBRIDGE, ON – Consolidated Fast Freight has appointed a new vice-president of sales for Ontario. The company announced Kim Wonfor will assume the role after joining Fast Freight earlier this…

Rewarding companies keep employees: HR experts

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Wowing your drivers is the key to keeping them, according to industry human resources experts. Tim Hindes, CEO for Stay Metrics, and Tracy Clayson, managing partner for In Transit Personnel, spoke to an audience looking for clues to relieving tight labor conditions at the Surface Transportation Summit, Wednesday. Clayson emphasized that companies looking to recruit the best drivers and retain them should start trying to keep them from the very first meeting. How we hire drivers, how we give them orientation, how we explain the company's processes is really key, she said. Hindes agreed saying that folding employees into the company culture shouldn't be left to chance, managers should actively socialize employees starting with their hire.

80-day Swissport strike at an end

TORONTO, ON – After 80 days on the picket line Swissport ground crew at Pearson International airport are heading back to work. The 700 members of Teamsters Union Local 419…

September truckload demand at an all-time high

PORTLAND, OR - The DAT North American Freight Index is reporting a soaring demand for truckload capacity last month. Spot fright demand was at an all-time high in September, with a 74% gain over the same month in 2016. The increase was the largest seen since 2010.

Trump stumps to truckers on taxes

HARRISBURG, PA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) was on-hand in Pennsylvania this week to support President Trump in calling on the United States congress to ease the corporate tax burden on the trucking industry. ATA president and CEO Chris Spear said the group supports the President's plan to reform the U.S. tax code and hopefully have it passed into law by the end of 2017.

Crashes double from Oct to Dec says BC safety group

RICHMOND, BC - The Winter Driving Safety Alliance (WDSA) is urging drivers in British Columbia and everywhere to drive according to the weather conditions and go slow on the roads as Fall transitions into Winter. The group made up of industry insiders in that province, including the Government of B.C., the Insurance Corporation of B.C., and WorkSafeBC, says the number of police-attended collisions due to driving too fast for the weather conditions doubles each year in December, compared with October from the same year.

Teamsters congratulate new Quebec minister

Quebec City, QC - Quebec Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Pontiac André Fortin is the new head of the department of transportation for the province, and the Teamsters are looking for a spot on his dance card. Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard appointed Fortin to the post in Wednesday's cabinet shuffle, making him the Ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports (Minister of transportation, sustainable movement and electric transportation).

Trucking will need to take a holistic approach: analysts

MISSISSAUUGA, ON – When adding new and emerging technologies to their businesses, fleet should look at their impact on the whole ecosystem of the trucking industry, analysts say. Speaking to…

Green rebates should include older vehicles: OTA

TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is weighing in on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) draft Green Commercial Vehicle Program (GCVP). The government announced it was seeking feedback on the proposal in September, with commenting closed as of Oct. 6.

Celadon names new independent board member

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Amid a financial restructuring and an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Celadon Group has announced the appointment of a new independent director…

Goodyear launches new drive tire

ATLANTA, Ga. - Goodyear has introduced a new longhaul tire it says combines longer miles to removal with excellent fuel efficiency. The new Goodyear Endurance LHD was shown for the first time at the North American Commercial Vehicle show.

Demo shows 10 mpg is possible

ATLANTA, GA - Seven trucks have proven that 10 miles per US gallon (23.5 liters per 100 kilometers) is possible using technologies on the road today. Trucks participating in the North American Council of Freight Efficiency's Run on Less demonstration rolled into the Georgia World Congress Center just in time for the opening of the first annual North American Commercial Vehicle Show Sunday, having logged about 80,600 kilometers since starting their journey September 6, and achieving an average of 10.1 miles per gallon (23.5 liters per 100 kilometers) during the cumulative 99 days of driving.

IN PRINT — The Clock is Ticking: Consumer demands transform trucking

Seventeen years ago, Tom Hanks stood in a shipping yard and lamented that 87 hours was an eternity. Castaway was on the big screen, and the Hollywood superstar was playing a time-obsessed operations manager for a world-wide shipping company. Shouting that "the cosmos [were] created in less time. Wars have been fought and nations toppled in 87 hours. Fortunes made and squandered," Hanks was forecasting the future of the supply chain. From 87 hours to just 24 or less, time is running out for goods that take more than a day to get to consumers, and trucking is undergoing massive changes, all thanks to a store that sells just about everything: Amazon.