Archive for May, 2012

Natural gas! Almost everything’s natural gas! That was my impression while walking through the displays at the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in early May at the Long Beach Convention Center. Suppliers were offering all sorts of equipment and services connected to this fuel that’s so much in the news.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance, in partnership with OSA Canada Inc., is launching a pilot in Canada to deliver a full-service sleep apnea program to commercial truck drivers.

Freightliner Trucks has introduced the 2014 Cascadia Evolution powered by Detroit and featuring some of the most advanced aerodynamic enhancements in the industry. The Evolution is the most recent addition to Freightliner’s line-up of fully compliant GHG14 vehicles.

FedEx Corp. will acquire the Brazilian transportation and logistics company Rapidao Cometa Logistica e Transportes S.A., the latest step in FedEx’s strategy for growth in Latin America.

Surface trade between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners, Canada and Mexico, was 6.2% higher in March 2012 than in March 2011, totaling $85.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. announced the opening of two new less-than-truckload outbound terminals serving the Northeast region of the U.S.

The International Fuel Quality Center has ranked the top 100 countries based on sulfur limits in on-road diesel and found that 44 countries can now boast that their on-road diesel fuel is the cleanest in the world.

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association announced the two winners of its scholarship for children of member-company employees for outstanding scholastic and personal achievements. Akhil Patel of Westerville, Ohio, and Yuxin Guo of Columbus, Ind., have each been awarded $5,000 scholarships

Cargotec Solutions LLC., manufacturer of Ottawa Terminal Tractors, presented two checks for $10,000 to the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Kansas.

Chris Voss

Nationally recognized social media expert, Chris Voss will share his expertise during the 2012 truck driver social media convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Voss will discuss the facts, myths and benefits of social media and how to incorporate social media toward your personal and business goals.

He is the founder of Strategix One Consulting and has been a CEO, building, managing and investing in a multitude of corporations in differing fields of industry for over 20 years.

A successful entrepreneur of multi-million dollar companies, he has consulted individuals and businesses alike on a wide range of business and personal life issues.

He is in the 1100 of the Top Twitter people followed, out of an estimated 60 million daily users, with a combined Twitter following of over 300,000 and in January of this year, he was recognized as one of the Top 50 Social Media Power Influencers by Forbes Magazine.

His experience of Business Ownership and Controlling Interest Investments range from: Mortgage, Real Estate, Stock Markets, Investing, Mall Retailing, Computers, Clothing Lines, Talent Agencies, Courier Companies, Personnel Companies, Telemarketing Call Centers, Construction, Pay Per Call Industry, Club Promotions and Social Media.

At 18, he started his first company and in 1992, with a mere $2000, he started his first Multi-Million Dollar producing company, that ran for over 13 years.

A year later, with $4000, he started his second Multi-Million Dollar company that still operates today. Later,  he oversaw  three companies simultaneously, while building and investing in over 22 different companies.

He is proficient in most all aspects of Business Management, Operations, Start-Ups, Sales, Motivation, Training and overseeing thousands of employees. He brings vision to a business in his ability to “think outside the box ” and is known for his innovation of outside the paradigms of a company’s self-limiting belief systems.

Given his breadth of diversity he can assimilate a business quickly and assess its good and weak points. In one case, he took over a company, turning it around and preventing it from bankruptcy.

As a successful entrepreneur of Multi-Million Dollar Companies, he has consulted people and businesses alike on a wide range of business and personal life issues.

He currently writes a blog and is host of the popular podcast, The Chris Voss Show, in which many of his market predictions come into play.

The 2nd Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention will be held at Harrah’s Hotel and Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri on October 27-28, 2012.

© 2012, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: chris voss, chris voss show, convention, forbes, Harrahs hotel, kansas city, social media, social media speaker, top 50 social media, trucking, Twitter

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a 60-day extension of the time that motor carriers have to comment on proposed improvements to the agency’s proposed Safety Measurement System. The comment period now runs through July 30.

Diesel and gasoline prices have declined for the sixth straight week, according the Energy Information Administration’s weekly fuel update. Oil prices fell due to concerns over Spain’s weakening economy and large debt.

As interstate trucking operations have been expressing increasing interest in using liquefied natural gas in their trucks, the American Trucking Associations’ state law experts say widespread adoption of LNG will pose a large challenge to fuel tax administrators.

As the labor dispute at Canadian Pacific Railway enters its eighth day, Canadian federal labor minister, Lisa Raitt has tabled back-to-work legislation that could force striking workers back to their jobs as early as Thursday.

April saw a turnaround in the trend of the prior two months in the used Class 8 truck market as volumes sank and pricing rose, according to State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research Co.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered Texas-based Denny Mekenye, doing business as Demco Express and Demco Trans Inc. to immediately cease all transportation services based on serious safety violations that posed an imminent hazard to public safety.

Hendrickson Specialty Auxiliary Axle Systems was named a 2012 Automotive News Pace (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award winner for its Compliant Tie Rod and Dampening System with PerfecTrak Technology.

Pilot Flying J announced plans to open seven new travel centers and travel plazas in June and July.

Republic Diesel Inc. has opened a new parts distribution facility in Louisville, Ky., at 4670 Jennings Lane.

A second free concert, artist James Wesley, has been added to the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, an event that celebrates America’s truck drivers. The 33rd Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, will be held July 12-13, 2012 at Iowa 80 Truckstop,

Phillips Industries has added three new Territory Sales Managers in its effort to put more people in the field representing the company with sales and technical support.

Horton Holding Inc. was given the Paw of Approval Award for extraordinary accomplishments in CO2 reductions. Given annually to a local business, the 2012 award was presented by Polar Bears International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to polar bear conservation, and by the Como Zoo and its partner Como Friends.

Elaine M. Papp – FMCSA

Elaine M. Papp RN, MSN COHN-S CM, is the Division Chief of the Office of Medical Programs at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in Washington, D.C. and will be joining us as our special guest speaker for the 2nd Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention.

Elaine will be discussing the many aspects of the FMCSA medical regulations including various topics such as medical exemptions, waivers, sleep apnea and the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

She will also be a part of the expert panel and will be available for the Q&A during the Open Forum Session scheduled for Saturday, October 27th.

Ms. Papp has a broad range of occupational safety and health experience, from private industry to international organizations.  Previously she worked for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in several capacities: analyzing legislation and writing Congressional testimony, crafting regulations and compliance assistance materials, participating in on-site enforcement inspections, and conducting presentations on behalf of the Agency.

While at OSHA, Elaine was selected for the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) and spent a few months in Geneva Switzerland working with the World Health Organization and the International Council of Nursing (ICN) as part of the ELP development program. Elaine authored the International Council of Nursing’s (ICN) “Guidelines for a Health and Safety Program for Nurses” and recently published monograph for “A Guide to Health Care Waste Management for Nurses.”

Prior to working for the government, Elaine had her own company working as an Occupational Safety and Health Consultant.  She has also worked in private industry for TRW, a fortune 100 company, as a Senior Health and Safety Specialist.

She also served as a member of the Board of Occupational Health Nursing, the credentialing body for the nursing specialty and is active in her local chapter of American Association of Occupational Health Nursing.  She was recently selected as a Fellow in the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses.

Special thanks to Mr. Rick Ash of the Trucking Solutions Group for his assistance and efforts with the 2012 convention.

Seating for the 2012 Truck Driver Social Media Convention is limited and reservations can be made through the reservation page.

© 2012, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

Technorati Tags: convention, Division Chief, Elaine Papp, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA, Office of Medical Programs, Rick Ash, social media, truck driver, trucking, Trucking Solutions Group

The medium-duty world is dominated by the rental and leasing sectors and the pickup and delivery sector, at least in terms of the Class 5-7 trucks using 17.5- and 19.5-inch tires. What they want dictates what the tire makers deliver.

Mark Botticelli has joined PeopleNet as executive vice president and head of technology, and several company veterans have been promoted to executive-level positions.

Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products announced that its global line of wheel products are now Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level, resulting from material choices and production processes that are environmentally safe and healthy and aluminum that is infinitely recyclable.

Streamlined “teardrop” trailers are saving enough fuel money for Tradeteam, a British beverage distributor, that it’s buying a second set of them.

Toledo Spring of Toledo, Ohio, is celebrating 80 years in business.

Founded in 1932 by Gunnard Rubini, Toledo Spring is a third generation, family-owned business.

Fontaine Modification, provider of custom truck modification services, has made several personnel changes.

Two key economic indicators that affect trucking freight, housing starts and industrial production, exceeded expectations in April.

A recently released natural gas analysis from TIAX LLC predicts the opportunity for the compressed-natural-gas fueling market will grow steadily over the next few years.

Saying the state is in a “unique position” to take advantage of the upcoming expansion of the Panama Canal, the Texas Department of Transportation is taking steps to make sure the Lone Star State is well-positioned to capitalize on this economic opportunity.

NAFA Fleet Management Association will offer a webinar, Getting Control of Fuel Costs, Wednesday, May 30, from 1-2 p.m. Eastern.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the launch of a new “Consumer Checklist” to assist consumers in choosing a responsible interstate moving company and protecting themselves from fraudulent or dishonest household goods movers.

Although the maintenance-free tractor-trailer is still a few years off, there are really only two big maintenance items left when it comes to axles and suspensions: the shock absorbers and the air springs. Some historically large maintenance items today are designed to almost outlive the trucks.

On Wednesday, May 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association’s Office of Analysis, Research and Technology is will hold its annual webinar providing data on truck and bus crashes in 2010 and trends during the past five years.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Logan Township, N.J., announced its 2011 North American Dealer of the Year awards. Each year, MFTA recognizes its most outstanding dealers in the U.S. and Canada for overall performance sales, parts sales and service performance.

YRC Worldwide named Scott D. Ware president of its Holland subsidiary, a provider of next-day regional less-than-truckload services.

Leaders of American Trucking Associations asked members of the conference committee currently negotiating on the highway bill to address several critical issues for the trucking industry — one of them calling for electronic onboard recorders, which the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and a coalition of other groups are lobbying against.

The American Trucking Associations issued a statement praising the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed requirement for electronic stability control on large trucks.