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.
Loadlink reports surge in loads, drop in trucks
TORONTO, ON - Load volumes on TransCore Link Logistics' Loadlink load board surged in December, jumping 45% higher than those reported during the same month in 2015. The number of trucks vying for those loads also dropped, leading to what is cited as "healthy" truck-to-load ratios.
Fleets looking to connect more data: Chevin
FITCHBURG, MA - Chevin Fleet Solutions, which provides web-based fleet and management software, says fleets are increasingly looking ways to use and consolidate a wider variety of data -- whether it's generated internally or externally."With fleet operations under continuing pressure to keep costs down and reduce workloads and reduce deadlines to a minimum, many organizations are increasingly recognizing the potential of using data more 'smartly' to help streamline processes, improve efficiency and reduce expenditure," said Ron Katz, senior vice president - North American sales, in a document including predictions for 2017.
Meeting scrapes surface on system to clear ice, snow
FERGUS, ON -- Shawn Nelson sees a direct link between snow-laden trailer roofs and safety, and he's on a mission to create - even mandate - a network of snow removal equipment to address the problem. There is no question that the debris represents a flying threat. Layers of snow and ice on a 53-foot van trailer can weigh one to 10 tonnes, raining debris on the road below, he says. News footage culled from dash cams regularly show how dangerous that situation can be. "Sometimes it's not the initial impact of ice and snow. It's the reaction," he says of the risk. Crash through a windshield or not, the debris can force motorists to swerve into the path of other dangers.
190 losing jobs with Meyers closure
BELLEVILLE, ON - About 190 people are losing their jobs this month as Meyers Transport prepares to close after 90 years in business, citing a steady drop in freight volumes. "LTL is definitely a volume business. You need critical mass," said Natalie Meyers, chairwoman of the business that had been counted among Canada's largest fleets. "The profitability in LTL just isn't there." Much of the company's freight came from industrial clients, which have been gradually declining in Eastern Ontario where the fleet is based. "There's not a lot of surprise," she says of the decision, "but more sadness." The owners just wanted to close the doors on their terms, rather than waiting for the situation to be forced on them.
Meyers Transport ceasing LTL operations
BELLEVILLE, ON - Meyers Transport -- a trucking company that has been in business for 90 years -- is closing the doors on its LTL fleet January 20, while related Mortrans and Mosaic Logistics businesses will continue operations. Mortrans, based in Belleville, Ontario, will continue to provide truckload and dedicated specialty services between Ontario, Quebec and the U.S., and will be owned and operated by Larry and Natalie Meyers. Mosaic Logistics, based in Peterborough, Ontario, provides third-party logistics services and will be owned and operated by Jacquie Meyers.
TransForce acquires National Fast Freight
BRAMPTON, ON - TransForce International (TFII) is acquiring National Fast Freight from Calyx Transportation Group, the companies have announced. National Fast Freight is a non-asset-based company that provides Less than Truckload (LTL) intermodal service across Canada, and generated $80 million in revenue in the past year. It will continue to operate under current management as a standalone business unit. TransForce International's existing LTL intermodal operations include Clarke Transport and Vitran.