Economy

Mullen closes Pe Ben buy

ALDERSYDE, Alta. -- Canada Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Mullen Group Income Fund, has announced that approximately 2.7 million common shares of Pe Ben Oilfield Services Ltd. or about 84 percent of Pe Ben Shares have been purchased.

Contrans buys third flatdeck carrier in a row

WOODSTOCK, Ont. -- Contrans Income Fund, one of the top ten largest trucking companies in has acquired specialized flatbed carrier General Freight Carriers in Saint John, N.B.

Sterling-Western Star Canada names new GM

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Brent Hart as been selected to succeed John Nelligan as regional vice-president and general manager for Sterling and Western Star's Canadian division.

Ontario truckers submit next Ontario budget wishlist

TORONTO -- The Ontario Trucking Association wants the provincial government to overhaul "discriminatory" tax treatment of trucking and consider incentives for the purchase of '07 EPA-compliant diesel engines, among other recommendations.

Manufacturing shipments jump in the West, retreat in Ont., Que

OTTAWA -- Statistics Canada's monthly manufacturing survey found that large declines in petroleum prices and continued volatility in the auto sector were the driving forces behind the 1.5 percent drop in manufacturing shipments ($51.4 billion) in November.

TransForce expands into oilfield services

MONTREAL -- TransForce Income Fund -- the largest Canadian transportation and logistics company in Canada, has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Alberta-based Kos Corp. Oilfield Transportation Ltd. and its affiliated companies for a combination of TransForce units and cash.

Truckers generally relaxed over ’07 despite fuel pitfalls: HDMA panelists

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The near future looks bullish for the truck manufacturing industry, although an imminent pre-buy of moderate proportions will muzzle sales for most of '07, a group of equipment suppliers and transportation forecasters predicted yesterday.

Volvo initiates recall of 42,000 VN and VHD trucks

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Volvo Trucks North America has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the company will initiate a voluntary safety recall on approximately 42,000 Volvo VN and VHD model trucks manufactured from November 2002 to January 2006 and equipped with the Volvo D12D engine.

Manufacturers say lack of capacity, higher buck leads to little change for ’06

OTTAWA -- Canadian manufacturers were slightly more cautious in their outlook as they darted out of the gates for the first quarter of 2006 compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

’07 Pain is Aftermarket Gain: Economist

LAS VEGAS -- While most forecasters are predicting a moderate softening in the trucking industry post-'07, one respected U.S. transportation economist is warning that the stumble may bring a harder landing than first thought.

Manufacturing, raw materials prices down in December; but overall charges up from 2004

OTTAWA -- Monthly prices for manufactured goods at the factory gate were down in December, as prices for petroleum products declined for a third month. Raw materials prices were down for a fourth consecutive month in December, as prices for crude oil continued to fall.

International recalls over 1700 trucks

WARRENVILLE, Ill. -- International Truck and Engine Corp. is recalling 5000 and 9000 series trucks with Caterpillar C15 diesel engines manufactured in 2004 and 2005 because of the possibility of an oil-line break.

Michelin doubles NS plant capacity with wide-base tire intro

WATERVILLE, N.S. - Michelin North America says it will invest $92 million CDN to install production for Michelin's revolutionary X One wide single truck tires at its Waterville, N.S. plant.

Canadian roads and highways have reached half of their useful life: Stats Can

OTTAWA -- The average age of the four main components of Canada's public infrastructure has stabilized in recent years after 20 years of steady increases, thanks to higher investment.

Westport, Ford join for hydrogen engine development

VANCOUVER -- Alternative energy developer Westport Innovations of Vancouver has teamed up with Ford Motor Company today to produce an advanced direct injection fuel system for vehicles powered by high-efficiency, high performance engines operating on pure hydrogen.