Today's Trucking Staff

Landmark Agreement Addresses ‘Right to Repair’ for Trucks

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The aftermarket repair industry and truck and engine makers have reached an agreement on the sharing of heavy-duty vehicle service information, which will give truck owners more options for diagnosing and repairing today's heavily computerized commercial vehicles. The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, together with the Equipment and Tool Institute, the Auto Care Association, and Heavy Duty Aftermarket Canada, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding addressing the availability of service information for model year 2010 and later trucks and buses over 10,000 pounds sold in the United States and Canada.

Truck-Lite Purchased, Penske Relinquishes Majority Interest

FALCONER, NY - Truck-Lite Co. has announced it is being purchased by an affiliate of Koch Equity Development LLC and BDT Capital Partners LLC and will partner with Penske Corp. The move will allow the commercial vehicle and filtration systems provider, owned by Penske and funds affiliated with the private investment firm Kelso & Company, to relinquish its majority control, while allowing Truck-Lite to expand with new products and services, according to a news release.

Truck Cargo Thieves Turn to “Jamming” for Heists

AUSTIN, TX - Truck cargo thieves have a new weapon in their arsenal when it comes to trying to steal high-value freight, even if its every movement is being tracked.

Titanium Transportation Names New Legal Advisor

WOODBRIDGE, ON -- Titanium Transportation Group Inc. has appointed Nia Karabatsos as general counsel for this trucking and logistics company serving both Canada and the U.S.

Bring More Loonies When Crossing the Soo Bridge

SAULT STE. MARIE - As if you needed further proof the Loonie doesn't go as far as it used to, some customers of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge will see higher toll rates starting on Oct. 1 for trucks and four-wheelers.

U.S. May Alter Plans for Phase 2 Truck Engine Rules

ORLANDO, FL -- Truck operators and builders are commenting strongly on the proposed Phase 2 Fuel Economy and Greenhouse Gas emissions proposals, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking notes and might well make some changes to the lengthy set of rules.

Here Come the Trucking Robots

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN -- Robots might soon find their way into a very specialized, vocational side of the trucking industry, according to one truck manufacturer. "Imagine a robot that quietly and discreetly enters your neighborhood, collects your refuse bin and empties it into the refuse truck. It is done without waking the sleeping families and without heavy lifting for the refuse truck's driver," the Volvo Group said in a recent press release. It's about 'ROAR', a joint project aiming to develop tomorrow's smart transport systems. ROAR, stands for 'Robot-based Autonomous Refuse handling', and the goal is to introduce a robot that, with instructions sent from a truck's operating system, can collect refuse bins in a neighborhood, bring them to the truck, and empty them. All of this happens under the supervision of the truck's driver.

Transcourt Adds to Western Canada Team

OAKVILLE, ON -- Transcourt Tank Leasing has announced the appointment of Kevin Quick to the role of vice president of business development for Western Canada, which includes British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Omnitracs Unveils Rebranding Effort

DALLAS - The fleet management technology provider Omnitracs LLC says it is rolling out new branding to better unify its different business units under one name. What operated before as independent business units; Roadnet, XRS, Sylectus, and Analytics; are now fully integrated flagship products within Omnitracs' broad range of offerings including: compliance, safety and security, productivity, telematics and tracking, transportation management system (TMS), planning and delivery, data and analytics, and professional services.

Truck Wheels Maker Alcoa Splitting Into Two Companies

NEW YORK - A company known for its truck wheels, among other lighter weight metal products, plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies. The move by Alcoa Inc. will result in a yet to be named company, what it currently calls "the value-add company," that will include its transportation, rolled, engineered and construction products. The other will keep the Alcoa name and will include its bauxite-mining, alumina-refining and aluminum-production businesses. The transaction, expected to be completed in the second half of 2016, has been unanimously approved by the Alcoa board of directors. According to the Wall Street Journal, the move comes in the wake of depressed aluminum prices as China has flooded the market with lower metals prices, and the company seeing its stock price fall 43% this year.

Volvo Upgrading Plant, Opening New ‘Customer Experience Center’

DUBLIN, VA -- Volvo Trucks North America says it will make several plant upgrades and open a new Customer Experience Center as part of a $38.1 million investment in the New River Valley (NRV) truck assembly plant in Dublin, VA, where all Volvo truck models for North America are assembled.

Toronto Cracking Down on Illegal Parking

TORONTO - If you can't find a parking place in Hogtown and think you can just park anywhere, it will soon cost you dearly and you may get your vehicle towed as a result.

Trucker Nailed at Border for Hauling Cocaine Bricks

WINDSOR, ON -- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Thursday a big cocaine bust involving a truck driver.

Mercy Sakes Alive, Looks Like We Got Us Some Convoys!

It's the season for truck convoys and all the work that comes with them to raise money for charities. In less than two weeks is the Trucking for a Cure Convoy in Woodstock, ON, that begins at the TA Travel Centre, Exit 230 off Sweaburg Rd. There will be a lot of pink on display...on people and trucks. According to organizers, Trucking for a Cure is a support group on behalf of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario. The group is made up of professional organizations and individuals in the transportation industry. Trucking For a Cure says it not only raises awareness and funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, but also builds bridges between commercial drivers, the industry, and the public at large, and hopes to unite trucking enthusiasts behind such a meaningful cause. This convoy on Oct. 3 follows a sister event held last weekend in Prescott, ON, which made its inaugural run in 2014. Together the two events raised $75,000 last year, according to organizers.

Are You Ready for the Big Chair?

TORONTO - Would you like to play a bigger role with your company, maybe even leading it one day, and do you believe your ideas can help shape its future? If so, mark your calendar, because the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has an event in less months to provide up-and-coming managers and executives an exclusive chance to hear from those who already answered those questions and made their way to the top of the trucking industry.