John G Smith

Gala to feature top HR honors

TORONTO, ON - Forty-eight fleets recognized as some of the best workplaces in Canada's trucking industry will be vying for honors during Trucking HR Canada's 4th annual Top Fleet Employers gala.

Alberta assistant deputy minister outlines provincial plans

BANFF, AB - Shaun Hammond, Alberta Transportation's assistant deputy minister - safety policy and engineering, offered government views on a broad range of issues during the Alberta Motor Transport Association's annual meeting in Banff on Friday.

OBIT: Doug Conley, Shamrock Marketing founder

LOUISVILLE, KY - Doug Conley, the Chief Executive Officer of Shamrock Marketing and long-time director with the Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau, has died at the age of 69.

Alberta plow operators clear the way

EDMONTON, AB - Alberta's snow plow operators logged 186,558 hours - the equivalent of more than 21 years - clearing and sanding provincial highways this year, the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association says.

UAP acquisition spree continues

ST-AUGUSTIN-DE-DESMAURES, QC - UAP's heavy vehicle parts division has acquired Belcher Pièces de Machinerie, a seller and distributor of heavy machinery parts for construction, mining, agriculture and forestry industries.

Mexico’s trucking industry a world apart

BANFF, AB - Mexico has clearly realized the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The southernmost member of the trading block is now Canada's third-largest trading partner, behind only the U.S. and China. "It has been good to us. It has been good to our economy," says Rogelio F. Montemayor Morineau, president of the 5,000-member Canacar - Mexico's national trucking association, referring to the trade deal. It has clearly played a role in the Canadian economy, too.

Industry faces time of change: Laskowski

BANFF, AB - From discussions about driver training to negotiations around the North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada's trucking industry is facing a time of significant change. And the Canadian Trucking Alliance is in the midst of it all.

Fully autonomous vehicles still years away: panel

BANFF, AB - Announcements about various advances in autonomous vehicles are coming fast and furious. Demonstrations have been held on tracks and highways alike. In its latest budget, Ontario even committed $80 million over five years to create an Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network. Just don't expect driverless trucks to be a reality anytime soon.

Transportation in midst of “significant shift”: Alberta MLA

BANFF, AB - Canada's trucking industry is on the "edge of a significant shift in transportation technology", Alberta MLA Cam Westhead says. And members of the Alberta Motor Transport Association are playing a part in it.

King pin pusher set

Technicians who need to change king pins or brake anchor pins have a new tool at their disposal in the form of OTC's 4240A 30-ton king pin pusher set.

Floor-deployed trailer platform

Randall Access' new floor-deployed platform combines a patent-pending grab handle that offers three points of contact, a 41-inch wide platform, and integrated platform. The FDP 4128LH also includes the company's signature walking surface on the platform and ladder steps.

Lightweight CNG tank from Quantum

Quantum Fuel Systems' Q-Cab60 is a Compressed Natural Gas fuel module that will hold up to 60 Diesel Gallon Equivalents of fuel without blocking the view through the back of a cab.

Captive beam decking and a shoring wall

Ancra International's new Logist-A-Panel combines captive beam decking and a shoring wall system, replacing a plywood or liner panel in a sheet-and-post trailer. The result can be used for shoring, strapping loads of all sizes.

Slow U.S. truckload business dampens TFI results

MONTREAL, QC - TFI International remains "cautiously optimistic" about the North American economy because of low unemployment, healthy consumer spending, and a bit of a rebound in energy-related investments, says Alain Bedard, chairman, president and Chief Executive Officer. The company just doesn't expect any significant improvement before the end of the year.

Train, Terberg sign distribution deal

TORONTO, ON - Train Trailer Rentals has secured Canadian distribution rights for Terberg Special Vehicles shunt trucks, a European design currently available in more than 90 countries.