Economy

Rail carloadings dip slightly, but up overall

OTTAWA -- Railway loadings declined in January this year compared with December, but only slightly, says a Stats Can report. However, business is booming for rail. In fact, on a year-over-year basis, tonnage increased at its fastest pace in three years the first month of 2006.

Goodyear receives Spartan Chassis SPARC Award

AKRON, Ohio -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber has received Spartan Chassis Inc.'s "SPARC" Award for commercial tires installed on Spartan recreational vehicle and fire truck chassis.

Senior VP steps down at Great Dane

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Great Dane Trailers announced the resignation of Chris Adkins, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. His departure is based on a personal decision to pursue a career outside the trailer industry.

Michigan senators want to tack on inspection fees to Canadian trash

WASHINGTON -- Two U.S. senators want Canadian companies hauling garbage to Michigan to fork over up to $45 million in new dumping fees.

Seatbelt use among US truckers improves

WASHINGTON -- Seat belt usage among truck drivers is steadily improving, but the industry still has a long way to go, according to a recent the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Mack breaks record for pulling longest road train

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa -- A Mack Truck Down Under is once again on top after breaking the record for pulling the world's longest road train.

Bendix shakes up head office

ELYRIA, Ohio. -- Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has made a series of executive changes.

MATS REPORT: Eaton does a 360

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Eaton Corp. announced an extensive new aftermarket transmission ordering program at the Mid-America Trucking show yesterday.

APTA names new director

DIEPPE, N.B. -- Peter A. Nelson, a policy development, government and public relations consultant advocacy has been appointed the new executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.

Sterling, CAW resume talks to end strike

ST. THOMAS, Ont. -- An end to the two-week old strike at the Sterling truck plant in St. Thomas, Ont. may be coming to and end as the Canadian Auto Workers and management agreed to go back to the bargaining table.

MATS REPORT: Volvo backs vehicles with new 10-point customer service guidelines

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- To compliment its new mid roof product offerings, Volvo Trucks North America introduced what it calls its 10 Point Service Commitment, which is said to clearly define the customer service from Volvo and its dealers, including repairs and parts transactions.

MATS REPORT: New Mini-marker from Truck-Lite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Less than three-fourths of an inch in diameter and depth, Truck-Lite's two new Mini-Marker trailer lights build off of the company's innovative Model 33 LED Mini-Marker light first introduced in 2004.

OTA wants government to protect traffic from blockades

TORONTO -- Ontario's government should take measures to ensure highway protests do not interrupt truck flow on highways and key border crossings, Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley wrote in a letter to Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter last week.

MATS REPORT: Meritor WABCO introduces PLC Display for tractor-trailer communications

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Meritor WABCO, a joint venture between ArvinMeritor and the WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has announced a new PLC Display for tractor-trailer communications.

Alberta transport minister booted out of cabinet

EDMONTON -- Alberta Transportation Minister Lyle Oberg has been stripped of his cabinet portfolio for criticizing Premier Ralph Klein.