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.
Reception honors Canadian women in trucking
Women are a rarity in Canada's trucking industry, representing just 3% of people who work behind the wheel. But on the same day that Newcom Business Media recognized the first women to be named HighwayStar of the Year, another Truck World gathering celebrated all the industry's female drivers. The Salute to Women Behind the Wheel - running for seven years in the U.S. -- came to Canada on Saturday afternoon.
Clean data, clear goals are secrets to success: Altrichter
Kirk Altrichter, vice president - maintenance for Nebraska-based Crete Carrier, says the ability to gather maintenance data in real time is nothing short of amazing. The secret, he said during a keynote address at the inaugural Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit, is to decide where to focus your attention.
Equipment testing models meet different needs: Provencher
Yves Provencher, manager of PIT Group by FP Innovations, is a clear believer in testing new vehicle technologies. "Testing technology on your truck is not an option," he told delegates during the inaugural Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit. "You need to invest with confidence ... instead of trying it for months and months."
Big data can guide big maintenance decisions: Panel
The electronic revolution is a reality in the trucking industry. Electronic Control Modules now feed data from engines and transmissions alike. Maintenance software can spit out reams of reports, measuring just about every imaginable operating parameter. As important as all the underlying data can be, however, the secret is to turn it into actionable information.
UPS driver honored as Liberty Life Saver
MISSISSAUGA, ON - Richard Ramdathsingh saw the accident unfold in front of his UPS package car last November. One motorist moved left when there was no place to go. There was the crunch of metal. The rollover came next. Now he's been recognized for his heroics.
Trail King sees Canada as key market for hopper
LOUISVILLE, KY - Trail King is leveraging last May's acquisition of Dakota Trailer Manufacturing to unveil a new aluminum hopper within its AG product line - complete with a removable auger and Convey-All conveyor. And Canada's grain producers are seen as a leading market for it.
Pirelli announces plans for commercial tires
LOUISVILLE, KY -- Pirelli, a tire maker that many North Americans equate with Formula 1 or Superbike racing circuits, has announced plans to launch commercial tires in North America. "We're coming. We're testing," says Clif Armstrong, who has been named president of the company's newly formed TP Commercial Solutions. The products are to be manufactured in Brazil and available for Class 6-8 applications, with selected sizes available for Class 5 vehicles. One thing that sets this announcement apart from traditional rollouts, however, is the lack of tires. They are not yet available through a tire dealer near you. But 40 North American fleets are involved in testing 1,800 tires in on/off-road and linehaul applications. Armstrong himself spent time in Montreal working on some of the tests. The final results for steer and drive tires in the on/off-road segment are expected in 60 days, meaning production could begin by September. Tests of the 225 linehaul tires will take eight to 12 months. And Armstrong says there is no rush: "We're going to do this the right tire at the right time." The announcement still deserves to be taken seriously. Pirelli makes 5 million commercial tires per year for markets including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, using production facilities established in Brazil, China, Egypt and Turkey. Armstrong is familiar with the North American market, having held senior roles with Continental Tire.
Orlick’s term as CTA chair begins with search for chief
Gene Orlick's tenure as chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) can still reasonably be counted in days. The owner of Alberta-based Orlicks Inc. assumed the role just last week, during the alliance's spring board meeting in Arizona. But his mandate already includes one issue that will define the nation's largest trucking organization for years to come. Who will replace David Bradley?
