Features

Tax tips: Every bit counts

Usually, it’s easy coming up with topics for this column in March and April. I go to the Canada Revenue Agency Web site, read the “what’s new” bulletins, decide what’s useful or pertinent to Truck News readers, and...

Focus on yard security will make sure nothing ‘falls off a truck’

You know cargo theft must be a problem in the trucking industry when stolen goods are described as something that “falls off a truck.” It might be more accurate to say some of the goods simply roll through the front gate. A 2011...

Achieving a healthy lifestyle begins with an aspiration

I closed off my February column with a commitment to share some thoughts about how I keep myself motivated to exercise and eat right while dealing with the rigors of the trucking lifestyle. I started laughing at myself over this.

It’s time to get a handle on emissions-related breakdowns

I would like to use this  column as a way of sharing some of the things I’ve learned over the years, mostly about improving fuel economy and lowering maintenance and operating costs.

When hiring drivers, small fleets are at a major disadvantage

As small carriers, we often watch job applicants leave our offices confused as to why, despite seemingly acceptable credentials, they were not hired as drivers. Maybe I can shed some light.

Tail blazers

MONTREAL, Que. – Taking yet another step to reduce fuel consumption, Montreal-based Groupe Trans-West has installed trailer tails on the 120 trailers it uses for US-bound trips. The carrier values the monthly fuel savings at $54,000.

The risk in making safety a competitive battleground

The advent of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program in the US has had a significant impact not only on how carriers manage their equipment and drivers, but also on how they sell their services.

Small fleets, large worries

Large carriers are always in the spotlight – they drive trucking association policy, are usually the first to test new technologies, and get a disproportionate share of the headlines. But the reality of the Canadian trucking market is...

Late for the party

The stunning collapse in the value of many Internet companies near the turn of the century – known as the burst of the “dot-com bubble” – had far-reaching consequences, with many still being felt to this day. The most...

Used truck buyers forced to overcome DPF fears

Used trucks with low kilometres are getting harder to find than hen’s teeth. Because of their dislike of 2008 and newer EPA engines, many truck buyers have been reluctant to commit to diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology. Instead,...

Investments: Always do your homework

In these days of low interest rates, it may be an excellent time to pull the trigger on a new truck. In the all-important world of cash flow, these rates can make such a major capital investment an affordable reality. If you are thinking of...

Like a lamb to slaughter: Part 1

Mark headed west, the collision in Ontario well behind him. While it hadn’t been his fault, and he’d actually helped the insurance company route out an organized fraud ring that had obviously been operating with impunity for years,...

TSQ: Do company drivers or owner/operators have a brighter future?

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Muir’s Cartage delivered a shocking blow to its company drivers to start the new year, as the carrier with over a century in business announced its company drivers would be released and it would operate solely...

In search of the big deal

Last year didn't see the major deals like the ones TransForce made for DHL Canada and Dynamex in 2011. But although acquisitions may have been flatter in the TL and LTL sectors, things have been heating up at the other ends of the spectrum.

The first ten things you must do after you sell your business

I spoke recently with Peter Churchill-Smith, managing director of Newport Private Wealth, one of Canada’s largest independent wealth managers. Peter has worked with entrepreneurs for the better part of his 30-year career as a wealth...