John G Smith

Manac takes share of ABS Remorques

ASBESTOS, QC - Manac has taken a minority stake in ABS Remorques, a Canadian manufacturer of conveyor semi-trailers, the companies have announced. ABS designs and manufactures specialized live-bottom semi-trailers for aggregate haulers, and has a production facility located in Asbestos, Quebec. Manac produces vans, flatbeds, and specialty trailers such as dumps, low beds, grain hoppers, chassis, chip and logging trailers.

Ontario exploring pre-clearance, pre-screening

TORONTO, ON - A Request for Information (RFI) has been issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) that will help lay a foundation for commercial vehicle pre-clearance and pre-screening systems, often referred to as automated scales.

Excise tax campaign meets roadblock

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance's bid to restore Federal Excise Tax refunds failed to find a place in the government's report on pre-budget consultations, but it was raised in the official opposition's dissenting report to the Finance Committee.

U.S. trailer orders strong for third month

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Trailer orders in the U.S. reached 32,800 units in January - down 4% month over month, but up 86% year over year, FTR reports.

Pamphlets not enough to improve industry image: panel

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Industry employers need to overcome several barriers if they hope to attract a new generation of employees, according to several educators, career and guidance counselors. But the panelists, participating in the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario's annual conference on Thursday, say there are several ways to reshape the image of trucking-related careers.

Navistar honors 34 Diamond suppliers

LISLE, IL - Navistar has recognized the top 2% of its supplier base through the manufacturer's annual Diamond Supplier Award, handing trophies to 34 top-performing companies.

Omnitracs, Peloton partner in platooning

DALLAS, TX/MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Omnitracs is partnering with Peloton Technology to bring platooning trucks to market - using Omnitracs routing and dynamic dispatching applications to support navigation, and calculating savings that can be realized through scheduled or ad-hoc platoons of trucks from different fleets.

Nikola names Chief Financial Officer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Nikola Motor Company has hired Jonathan Spira as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), at a time when the company focuses on expansion and funding efforts to put the first zero-emission heavy duty vehicles on the road.

B.C. to resurface parts of Highway 19

COURTENAY, B.C. - As paving season approaches, the stretch of highway 19 between Courtenay and Campbell River, British Columbia will receive a fresh coat of asphalt under two road projects.

Trump, Trudeau commit to pre-clearance, Gordie Howe Bridge

TORONTO, ON - The inaugural meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resulted in a joint statement by the two leaders. And while the statement didn't mention NAFTA, it did mention the importance of deepening the relationship between Canada and the U.S. The statement touches on some issues pertaining to the trucking industry, namely the quick completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit, which is cited as a vital economic link between the two countries. In addition, it commits to implementing pre-clearance operations for cargo.

Intermodal makes gains in December: FTR

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Intermodal loads made some positive gains as 2016 came to a close, FTR's December Intermodal Competitive Index shows.

January spot truckload market improves: DAT

PORTLAND, OR - With spot truckload freight settling into its usual post-holiday pattern, the DAT North American Freight Index dropped in January, but still settled at significantly higher levels than January 2016.

Quebec maintenance summit prepares for Dragon

MONTREAL, QC - Transport Routier publisher Newcom Media Quebec and the equipment testers at PIT Group are in the midst of planning Sommet Canadien sur l'Entretien de Flotte (SCEF) - the Montreal installment of the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit. And that work involves preparing for the arrival of a Dragon.

Wahba leaves Kriska for CP

CALGARY, AB - Jonathan Wahba is leaving his role as Chief Operating Officer at Kriska Transportation in favor of the iron highway - taking a role at Canadian Pacific as vice president - sales and marketing, intermodal and grain. Wahba has also held leading roles at Schneider National, CN and Midland Transport. The appointment is effective immediately. "Better service, more in-depth analysis through trip planning and the most disciplined operating team in North America, combined with a strong sales and marketing team positions us well for the future," said John Brooks, the new senior vice president and Chief Marketing Officer at the railway.

Freight rising faster than capacity: ACT Research

COLUMBUS, IN - ACT Research's For-Hire Trucking Index sees freight rising faster than capacity, increasing the gap to levels not observed since 2014.