Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation ‘Don’t ask me what I think of you, I might not give you what you want me to’ by Roger McKnight Thinking, let alone writing about taxes bores me because they’ve already bore a hole in my pocket. Just making a trip to the ATM these days can sometimes be a,…
Justin Bailie Author Gravatar Image Equipment Is the driver shortage a myth? by Justin Bailie For those of you familiar with the transportation and logistics industry, you are well aware of the driver shortage “crisis” that has been a popular and urgent topic for many…
John G Smith Author Gravatar Image A reluctant (but rising) star by John G Smith Metro Truck Group seems surprisingly reluctant to tell its story. When a meeting is finally scheduled, senior managers spend much of their time explaining that they don't normally do this sort of thing. The Freightliner dealership group based in Ontario's Niagara Region rarely participates in interviews. When its Brantford dealership moved into a new building this winter, it even did so without the fanfare of a grand opening. No ribbons were cut. No speeches made. But there is no escaping the spotlight of a reality show.
John G Smith Author Gravatar Image Tread Safely: Maximum speeds, inflation play roles in tire performance by John G Smith When it comes to vehicle safety, a lot of attention is being focused on the one truck component that actually touches the road. The Rubber Manufacturers Association proclaims the first week of June as Tire Safety Week. Days after this concludes, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance begins a special focus on tires as part of the annual Roadcheck inspection blitz.
Justin Bailie Author Gravatar Image Transportation The truth about cold calling in the freight industry by Justin Bailie Cold Calling scares the living crap out of me!. Yes, the idea of picking up the phone and calling a stranger to build a relationship for the purpose of making…
Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation So, how do I – an Energy Analyst – predict petroleum prices? by Roger McKnight It is a rarity indeed when I feel the need to plead guilty to an over-exertion of negative enthusiasm (which is really a long definition of criticism) when I…
Lou Smyrlis Author Gravatar Image Health & Safety Step up and break the stereotype by Lou Smyrlis You know the stereotype: Truckers eat too much, don’t exercise enough and die too young. A quick look around your business and you likely see…
John G Smith Author Gravatar Image Demographic Demands: The business case for diversity by John G Smith Recruiters in Canada's trucking industry appear to be overlooking massive labor pools, and a recent report from Trucking HR Canada is making the business case to connect with several under-represented demographic groups. "We just want the industry to be aware of the demographics; that these are the labor pools we need to tap into," says CEO Angela Splinter, whose trucking-focused organization promotes best practices in human resources.
Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation Why I don’t have great expectations when it comes to market analysts’ predictions of crude oil by Roger McKnight During my 30 years in the oil industry’s downstream operations, I have learned but one thing, and that is not to have great expectations of the market…
Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation How the Fort Mac fires may impact the cost of gasoline at the pumps by Roger McKnight I’m sure you’ll all be pleased to learn that I have my first blister of the almost summer. This is thanks, once again, to my ‘easy-start-feather-lite, no-problems-whatsoever-with-this-puppy’… lawn mower,…
John G Smith Author Gravatar Image Prepare to be Schooled by John G Smith A Class 1/A licence falls well short of proving that someone is ready to work as a truck driver. Ask any industry recruiter. Hang around a busy loading dock long enough, and you'll likely have the chance to pick up a few extra dollars from frustrated newbies, all eager to hand the keys to someone who can actually reverse into tight spaces. This is especially true for people who, with a minimal amount of training, managed to learn just enough to earn the licence itself.
Charles Sheppard Author Gravatar Image Transportation Dealing with the escalating cost of cross-border transport by Charles Sheppard Despite efforts to harmonize laws and integrate processes, there remain costly barriers to cross-border freight movement. Carriers require a financial strategy to manage the ongoing and escalating costs.
Ray Haight Author Gravatar Image Transportation Unsung heroes by Ray Haight I wonder sometimes how difficult it is for the person who is just about to make the leap into this industry to get a good start. When I…
Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation Where are crude oil prices heading? by Roger McKnight Last week, this scribe lashed out at the speculative commune who gathered to talk about their month-end manipulation of crude prices. I also pondered, ever so pondifferously, on the…
Roger McKnight Author Gravatar Image Transportation OPEC meeting freeze-a-thon ends up a fizzle-flop by Roger McKnight The OPEC-o-pods and Putinoids certainly huffed and puffed and had the Wall Street speculators reacting in confused anticipation of the outcome of the freeze-a-thon that ended up being fizzle-flop. When…
