Today's Trucking Staff

Truck Orders Up from August, Down from Year Earlier

COLUMBUS, IN - Newly released preliminary numbers show there were 40,700 North American orders for Class 5-8 trucks booked in September, according to the commercial vehicle industry data provider ACT Research.

Audit Finds Vancouver Port Truckers Underpaid

VANCOUVER, BC - Truck drivers serving Port Metro Vancouver have been underpaid by container trucking companies as part of a settlement following a March 2014 strike at the port, according to an audit, while the union representing truckers is challenging a new truck licensing system at the facility. According to Office of the British Columbia Container Trucking Commissioner, six audits of fleets have been completed. It found they did not meet their obligations to pay their drivers rates retroactive to early April 2014, as required. The commissioner's office is currently evaluating what sanctions it will take against the six licensees.

Mullen Purchases Courtesy Freight Systems

OKOTOKS, AB -- The trucking and logistics provider Mullen Group Ltd. has closed on its acquisition of Courtesy Freight Systems Ltd., a privately- owned freight transportation company.

U.S. Wraps Study on Trucker Hours-of-Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal trucking officials in the U.S. have completed a study of the restart provisions in the country's hours of service rules for truck drivers and they may have a tough time getting regulations back to the way they used to be.

Value of U.S.-Canadian Freight Movements Falls 14 Percent

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The amount of freight moving between Canada and the U.S. has decreased in value, due in large part to lower prices for mineral fuels, according to a new report.

Freight Shipping Costs Fall Less Than 1 Percent

TORONTO --New results published by the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI) indicate that the total cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers decreased by 0.6 percent in July from the month before, following increases the previous two months.

Manac Moves Closer to Being Private Trailer Maker

SAINT-GEORGES, QC - Plans to take the Canadian trailer manufacturer Manac Inc. private took a big step forward on Wednesday with shareholders voting their approval.

GM, Navistar Sign Medium-Duty Truck Agreement

DETROIT and LISLE, IL -- General Motors Co. (GM) and Navistar announced Wednesday they have reached a long-term agreement to develop and assemble future medium-duty, conventional cab Class 4/5 commercial vehicles. According to a news release, the alliance allows Navistar to strengthen its product lineup and GM to expand its Chevrolet commercial truck portfolio. The future products will be jointly developed using Navistar's expertise in rolling chassis configurations and manufacturing capabilities, and GM's commercial components and engines. The vehicles are slated for production in 2018. GM offered medium-duty trucks for decades before getting out of the business in 2009 in the midst of its bankruptcy reorganization and the recession. That decision followed the death of a deal for Navistar to buy GM's medium-duty business.

North Sydney Ferry Terminal Getting Larger Truck Yard

NORTH SYDNEY, NS - Now that Marine Atlantic has opened a new ferry terminal in North Sydney, there will soon be more room for truckers.

Record Low Out-of-Service Numbers Hit During Roadcheck

GREENBELT, MD -- The annual North American-wide truck inspection blitz held this past summer produced the lowest out-of-service rates on record when it comes to the toughest vehicle and driver inspections. According to numbers released Tuesday by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which organizes the annual International Roadcheck, there were 69,472 total truck and bus inspections June 2-4.

Briley Named Fontaine Commercial Platform Trailer President

HALEYVILLE, AL - The trailer manufacturer Fontaine has named Alan Briley as president of its Fontaine Commercial Platform business. Briley joined Fontaine in October of 2010 as a regional vice president of sales. His previous experience includes nine years at Trailer Sales of Tennessee, five years with Hendrickson and four years at Aero Industries.

EG Gray Transportation Moves on Hunger

PETERBOROUGH, ON -- For Rob and Julie Tanguay, owners of EG Gray Transportation, it was a no- brainer. When they heard that employees of PepsiCo had organized a food sorting event in conjunction with the company's major food funding donation to Food Banks Canada, they wasted no time getting involved.

Tandet Continues Wave of Trucking Purchases

OAKVILLE, ON - The parent to several trucking operations continues growing, purchasing Connell Transport, based in Hamilton, ON. The move by Tandet Group creates new opportunities in its bulk logistics business, Tandet Logistics, according to the company, with the addition of 60 tractors and 80 trailers, and giving it terminals in Oakville, Mississauga, Cambridge and Sarnia, ON, along with a western focused terminal and rail transfer operation in Winnipeg, MB.

Diesel Prices Remain at Multi-Year Lows

LONDON, ON AND WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The trend of lower diesel prices continues in both Canada and the U.S. while gasoline has edged a bit higher here at home. The average cost of the distillate fuel fell $0.004 over the past week to $1.021 per liter, hitting its lowest level since September 2010, according to the latest figures from the petroleum information services provider The Kent Group.

Study: Operations Cost Increasing in Trucking

ARLINGTON, VA - A new study shows operational costs in trucking are on the rise again, at least south of the border. The American Transportation Research Institute on Tuesday released the findings of its 2015 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.