Economy

Manufacturing expected to increase in final Q: Stats Can

OTTAWA -- Manufacturers are slightly more bullish about production prospects for the last quarter of 2005 based on increases in new orders, a higher backlog of unfilled orders and a decline in finished product inventories, according to a new Business conditions survey by Statistics Canada.

Hino likely to build truck plant in Ontario: Report

TORONTO -- Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to open a Hino Motors medium-duty truck assembly plant in Ontario next year, according to a report in the Journal of Commerce.

Mullen moves in on Pe Ben

ALDERSYDE, Alta. -- Alberta for-hire, and oilfield services trucking giant Mullen Group intends to issue a takeover bid for Pe Ben Oilfield Services in Edmonton.

Holland taps former Volvo Trucks Canada chief to head up sales & service

HOLLAND, Mich. -- Holland USA, Inc., a subsidiary of The Holland Group, Inc. (Holland), has announced that Michael O'Connell has assumed the position of vice president of sales & service and is now responsible for the leadership of all Holland sales, customer service and order activities.

New bridge crossing rates will take their toll on Atlantic truckers: APTA

DIEPPE, N.B. -- The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association says it's shocked by the Confederation Bridge's recent announcement to raise tolls for truckers as much as 20 percent.

Manufacturing dips slightly in Sept; Mostly due to slumping auto sector

OTTAWA -- Manufacturers curtailed production in September after enjoying a red-hot month of August, Statistics Canada reports.

Bradley bullish on 2006 trucking

TORONTO -- The economy and pricing discipline will be the keys to motor carrier success in 2006, says David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and President of Ontario Trucking Association, regardless of which direction the economy takes.

Pe Ben board resists Mullen acquisition bid

EDMONTON -- Pe Ben Oilfield Services' board has unanimously recommended shareholders reject a hostile takeover bid by Mullen Group Income Fund.

World Truck: International carriers tell Canadians what it’s like across the pond

TORONTO -- Ontario truckers found out this past month that their brethren around the world face almost the exact same challenges and opportunities that they do here.

Trimac buys propane transportation firm

CALGARY -- Trimac Transportation Services has purchased the Energy Transportation division of Superior Propane.

Oilfield firm completes buy of two trucking carriers

CALGARY -- Producers Oilfield Services has successfully closed the acquisitions of Raydan Transport Ltd. and NWP Trucking Corp.

‘Atlantica’ infrastructure concept studied

FREDERICTON - An Atlantic think tank has undertaken a comprehensive study into the transportation and economic conditions across Canada and the US' most eastern provinces and states.

More Ontario auto plant closures may be on the way

DETROIT-- Number three carmaker Ford Motor Co. will decide this week whether to shutter up to four North American auto plants after consecutive quarterly losses.

Cat scores well on JD Power engine survey, but overall satisfaction falls

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Caterpillar's C-15 diesel engine ranks highest in customer satisfaction with vocational heavy-duty truck diesel engines, according to the newest J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Heavy-Duty Truck Engine-Transmission Study, just released.

Stronger dollar squeezes profits: New StatsCan study

OTTAWA - There is a widening gap in the growth of manufacturing shipments between Canada and the U.S., according to a new study in the Canadian Economic Observer, Statistics Canada's monthly economic publication.