John G Smith

John G. Smith is the editorial director of Newcom Media's trucking and supply chain publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, TruckTech, Transport Routier, and Road Today. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.

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Alternative Financing: Will your lender buy in to alternative fuel? preview image Alternative Financing: Will your lender buy in to alternative fuel? article image

Alternative Financing: Will your lender buy in to alternative fuel?

MONTREAL, QC -- Trucks that run on alternative fuels promise to be easier on the environment, but the equipment itself can be tougher on a capital budget. Consider natural gas. It’s historically cheaper than diesel, but the trucks that use it can cost an extra $50,000 to $100,000 over the price of their conventionally fueled counterparts, depending on the spec’s.

Descartes acquires Aljex for US $32.4 million preview image Descartes acquires Aljex for US $32.4 million article image

Descartes acquires Aljex for US $32.4 million

WATERLOO, ON – Descartes Systems Group has acquired Aljex Software, which provides back-office systems for freight brokers and transportation providers, for US $32.4 million in cash. Aljex boasts about 400 North American customers who make 3 million freight moves a year, automating their business processes and creating electronic documents needed for the moves. Waterloo, Ontario-based Descartes supplies Software-as-a-Service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete other logistics processes.

Gibson Energy selling truck fleet preview image Gibson Energy selling truck fleet article image

Gibson Energy selling truck fleet

TORONTO, ON – Gibson Energy is selling all its Canadian trucking operation, and most of the fleet it operates in the U.S., as it focuses business assets on crude oil infrastructure. Between $275 and $375 million in assets are being sold overall, with the Canadian trucking operation expected to be sold by mid 2019, and non-core U.S. trucking businesses to be sold as early as the end of this year. “Gibson Energy will no longer be thought of as a trucking business,” president and Chief Executive Officer Steve Spaulding said in a Toronto presentation for investors, suggesting that some of the company’s assets simply don’t fit with the company’s vision for the future.