Mack chooses VISTA competition winners

Mack Trucks Inc recently selected the winners of its second VISTA Team competition to find its top dealer service technicians, a seven-month event that challenged contestants’ in-depth and hands-on knowledge of Mack’s products and service procedures...

Impact of driver shortage on fleet capacity is widespread, survey says

More than seven in 10 fleets surveyed for the Q2 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report indicate the shortage of drivers is either impacting their fleet now or may in the future...

Vigillo provides PSP Converter application

Vigillo LLC announced the availability of its Vigillo PSP Converter. The downloadable application enables motor carriers to convert Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) ...

Dana will acquire certain AIL axle assets

Dana Holding Corporation has signed a definitive agreement with Axles India Ltd (AIL), to acquire select assets of AIL’s commercial truck axle business....

Freight rates up for most carriers
in first quarter, TCP survey reveals

The recent First Quarter Business Expectations Survey completed by Transport Capital Partners LLC (TCP) found that a majority of the carriers reported that average freight rates in the past quarter continue to rise. Most of the rate increases were less than 5%, however. The larger carrier reported seeing more rate increases in the 1-5% range than did smaller carriers. However, smaller carriers reported more rate increases in the 5-15% range....

Used Class 8 vehicle prices keep rising

The upward price trend of used heavy-duty (Class 8) commercial vehicles that began in early 2010 continued into March 2011, according to ACT Research Co. The reported average sales price increased 6% from February levels....

Alaska West Express receives safety award

Alaska West Express received the Alaska Safe Truck Fleet of the Year Award for local cartage from the Alaska Trucking Association (ATA) at its annual awards banquet April 21, 2011. Alaska West Express was recognized for its safety performance in 2010, including accident rates, driver training and safety programs, and vehicle maintenance....

Longwei announces financing plan
for purchase of Haujie Petroleum assets

Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Ltd announced its plan for financing the acquisition of the assets of Haujie Petroleum Co Ltd. ...

VISTA competition salutes
top Volvo truck technicians

Service technicians from Beaver Truck Centre in Winnepeg, Manitoba captured first place at the 2011 Volvo Trucks North American VISTA competition. The hands-on team competition, highlighting technician excellence, helps participants hone skills while determining top dealer service personnel....

HTI president signs key policy statement

Greg Hewitt, president of Heil Trailer International (HTI) signed an important policy statement for the company’s Health and Safety Management System. HTI has always met or exceeded the requirements of relevant health and safety laws and regulations, and this signing reinforces and formalizes the company’s commitment to set new health and safety standards in the industry....

ATA hails continued increase in usage
of seat belts by commercial truck drivers

Officials from the American Trucking Associations praised industry and law enforcement groups, as well as the federal government, for their efforts to improve seat belt usage among commercial truck drivers....

ATA urges PHMSA to abandon
tank truck wetlines proposal

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) told the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) it “strongly opposes” a proposal to require tank trucks to install equipment to drain flammable liquid from piping used for loading and unloading. In comments filed April 27, ATA said PHMSA should drop its proposal because costs associated with the so-called wetlines rule “far exceed the purported public safety benefits.” ...

Webb adds training toolbox to website

Webb Wheel Products Inc has added a new training toolbox to its website. The material at www.webbwheel.com clearly shows the proper procedures for maintaining wheel-end components for reliability, durability and performance. ...

Carriers shying away from using
broker services, TCP survey says

The recent First Quarter Business Expectations Survey completed by Transport Capital Partners, LLC (TCP) found 87% of carriers reporting said they have used less broker services during the past three months....

March Canadian Freight Index sets record

TransCore’s Canadian Freight Index set a new all-time record in March 2011, topping the previous record from May 2008. Volumes for March 2011 were up 35% from the previous year and 36% from the prior month. ...

Study links future truck crash
involvement to driver history

In a study, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reveals that truck drivers with certain driving records (ie, prior crashes, violations, and convictions) are more susceptible to being involved in a future truck crash than their peers with clean driving records....

Advance offers two wet/dry combo units

The Advance Engineered Products Group has completed the manufacture of two second-generation wet/dry combination units (wet/dry combos) for delivery to a major North American carrier....

NTTC backs mandatory electronic logging

The National Tank Truck Carriers Inc (NTTC) announced that its membership supports mandatory electronic logging devices for documentary compliance with hours of service rules. ...

Polar Corp enhances production, services

Polar Corporation announced initiatives to reduce production lead times and expand after-sale support for customers that transport fuel, chemicals, propane, food, and other products. ...

ATA Truck Tonnage Index
climbs 1.7% in March 2011

The American Trucking Associations’ advance seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.7% in March 2011 after falling a revised 2.7% in February....

Heckmann orders 200 Peterbilt LNG trucks

Heckmann orders 200 Peterbilt LNG trucks Peterbilt Motors Company announces the purchase of 200 Peterbilt Model 367 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks. Heckmann Corporation has partnered with Peterbilt to transition its tractor-trailer fleet from traditional diesel vehicles to natural gas vehicles (NGVs)....

Goodyear’s fleetHQ goes for the gold

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has come up with a new “gold standard.”...

Company backed by Permira
funds to acquire BakerCorp

A company backed by the Permira funds announced that it will acquire BakerCorp, provider of equipment rental systems for liquid and solid containment applications in North America, for $960 million. The acquisition, subject to customary regulatory approvals, is expected to close by July 2011....

BASF forms partnership with MIT center

BASF is establishing a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL). ...

Shippers Condition Index continues to fall

FTR Associates’ Shippers Condition Index (SCI) as reported in the firm’s April Shippers Update continues to decline, reflecting tightening capacity in the trucking sector....