John G Smith

Wabash Canada appoints new president

KITCHENER, ON - TyCorra Group, operating as Wabash Canada - a trailer dealer serving markets in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes -- has appointed Shawn Lacey as president.

Tow Safety Week offers reminder to move over

MARKHAM, ON - It's been a year since Ontario updated its Slow Down, Move Over Law to help protect tow truck operators at work, but there is clearly the need for a reminder. The day before Friday's official launch of Tow Safety Week, Ontario Provincial Police who were closing a highway ramp had their cruiser hit from behind. That was within hours of a truck rollover where police watched a motorist weave through the pylons meant to protect emergency crews.

Fuel economy up 3% at 17 major fleets

NEW YORK, NY -- Seventeen major North American fleets - including Canadian-based Challenger Motor Freight and Bison Transport - boosted their fuel economy by 3% in 2015, according the Annual Fleet Fuel Study released today by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). Fleet-wide fuel economy increased from 6.87 to 7.06 miles per gallon (34.2 to 33.3 liters per 100 kilometers), representing the largest boost in eight years of consecutive improvements. And they saved just shy of $650 million on fuel bills when compared to the national average. Put another way, their individual trucks saved about $6,020 per year compared to the baseline of a "business as usual" truck that reaches 6.3 miles per gallon (37.3 liters per 100 kilometers).

Ayr barred from using Temporary Foreign Workers

WOODSTOCK, NB - Ayr Motor Express, which had actively promoted the value of Temporary Foreign Workers to address regional driver shortages, has been blocked from the program designed for that very thing. The federal government revoked the fleet's Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in July, citing "false, misleading or inaccurate information in the context of the request for that assessment," according to Employment and Social Development Canada.

Manitoba revises Rocky Mountain Double permits for PTH 6

WINNIPEG, MB - Manitoba Infrastructure is revising the number of trips allotted under Rocky Mountain Double permits for Provincial Trunk Highway 6 (PTH 6), the Manitoba Trucking Association has reported.

Manitoba association looking for memorabilia

WINNIPEG, MB - The Manitoba Trucking Association is calling on its members to help highlight the province's trucking industry in a special display to be featured in its renovated offices.

U.S. plans pilot program with military drivers

WASHINGTON, DC - Young members of the U.S. military could secure a fast track to driving jobs under a pilot program being proposed by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Bendix unveils fix for recalled trailer spring brake valves

ELYRIA, OH - Bendix has unveiled a no-cost permanent remedy to repair Bendix SR-5 trailer spring brake valves included in a voluntary safety recall campaign.

Trust Your Co-pilot: Bendix Wingman Fusion keeps virtual eyes on the road, foot upon the brakes

First, a confession. I am a terrible passenger. My right foot is always pumping against the floor mat whenever I find myself riding shotgun. A knot forms in my stomach when someone takes anything other than my favorite route. When the Today's Trucking team carpooled to a trade show earlier this year, I was quick to reach for the keys before anyone else had the chance.

Trust Your Co-pilot: Bendix Wingman Fusion keeps virtual eyes on the road, foot upon the brakes

First, a confession. I am a terrible passenger. My right foot is always pumping against the floor mat whenever I find myself riding shotgun. A knot forms in my stomach when someone takes anything other than my favorite route. When the Today's Trucking team carpooled to a trade show earlier this year, I was quick to reach for the keys before anyone else had the chance.

Trucking tolls in NY shouldn’t finance canal: Court

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Trucking Associations is applauding a federal court ruling against New York State for using the tolls paid by interstate truckers to finance unrelated tourism and recreation projects around the New York Canal System.

Kenworth enhancing day cabs, ending T660

KIRKLAND, WA - Kenworth has unveiled several new and coming product enhancements, particularly to its lineup of day cabs, but has also announced that it will officially end production of the venerable T660. The company has sold 60,000 of that aerodynamic tractor since it was first introduced in 2007, essentially replacing the T600. A final 500 of the T660 cabs will be built this year until the last model rolls off the assembly line. Ongoing investments at Kenworth have included a new climactic wind tunnel.About 80% of the trucks that the company builds today are the T680 or its vocational sibling, the T880. The T680 itself accounts for about 60% of sales, with the T880 at just under 30%.

Made to Measure: Advances in telematics

TORONTO, ON -- There was a time that trucks essentially disappeared into a black hole between fleet gates and customer loading docks. Nobody really knew where equipment was at any given point in time. The only person who knew a fault light was shining on the dash was the driver. Telemetry and telematics changed this dramatically, capturing and streaming data for drivers, vehicles, and operations teams alike.

Mercuri named Energi Canada VP

TORONTO, ON -- Raymond Mercuri has been named Energi of Canada's vice president - loss prevention and safety.

Shell unveils portfolio of next-generation oils

WASHINGTON, DC - Shell Lubricants has officially unveiled its engine oils designed to meet pending CK-4 and FA-4 oil categories that will play a key role in helping to support 2017 emission standards and improve fuel economy. Anxious buyers will even be able to tap into the benefits of T5 10W-30 CK-4 oils as early as this August, before the official December 1 rollout of the American Petroleum Institute oil categories.