April | 2020 | Trucker Tom’s Podcast

Monthly Archives: April 2020

Driver assistance systems deliver immediate ROI, JB Hunt executive says
WASHINGTON, D.C. – JB Hunt has seen a direct return on its investments into advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), says senior vice-president – safety, security and driver personnel Greer Woodruff. Building on the widespread adoption of tools like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward-facing cameras, the fleet plans to begin spec’ing blind spot detection systems […]
U.S. trucking lobbyists bring wish lists to FMCSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Infrastructure investments, including additional truck parking, and the allowance of hair testing by the U.S. DoT were among the items trucking industry lobbyists appealed for, when speaking at the Federal Motor Carrier Administration’s (FMCSA) Truck Safety Summit. But Lewie Pugh, executive vice-president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said his group’s […]
Truck arrivals continue to drop
OTTAWA, Ont. – The number of truck drivers entering the country dropped 7% to 102,985 during the week of July 27 – Aug. 2, from 110,324 the same week last year, the Canada Border Services Agency said Wednesday. It is the fourth consecutive drop since truck arrivals returned to normal during June 29 – July […]
OTA cancels November convention due to Covid-19
TORONTO, Ont. – The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has canceled its annual convention and awards dinner that had been scheduled for November, citing Covid-19. The association remains committed to resuming the event in November 2021. “Unfortunately, the events of this year means we have to regrettably cancel our convention in November. I want to sincerely […]
Training, technology and driver health keys to fleet safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hiring the right drivers, supporting them with technology, and keeping them healthy are three winning strategies when it comes to operating a safe fleet. Those were some of the observations from seven panelists participating in two discussions on ‘What’s Working’ at the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Truck Safety Summit held […]
Nikola posts US$86.6 million loss, but makes progress towards production
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Hydrogen fuel cell truck maker Nikola posted a US$86.6 million loss in its first quarter as a publicly traded company, but is on schedule for commercial production in the U.S. and Germany. “In the second quarter of 2020, Nikola met predetermined milestones on our journey toward becoming the zero-emissions transportation leader in […]
OPP: Don’t veer for deer
NORFOLK COUNTY, Ont. – The Norfolk County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging truck drivers and other motorists not to veer for animals. The call came just days after a truck ended up in a ditch as it swerved to avoid a deer. The incident happened around 6 a.m. Monday. Police said […]
NTEA cancels leadership summit due to Covid-19
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – A leadership summit hosted by NTEA – an association representing the work truck industry – is the latest trucking event to be canceled because of the impact of Covid-19. The event was originally to be hosted on Oct. 20 in Baltimore, Md. “Our priority is the health and safety of the […]
ECONOMIC WATCH: Strengthening freight markets drive stronger truck orders
BLOOMINGTON & COLUMBUS, Ind. – Truck orders stormed back in July, with Class 8 orders marking the strongest month since October 2019 and Classes 5-8 orders reaching a six-month high. FTR reported 20,000 preliminary Class 8 orders for July, up 28% from June and double the number from July 2019. Orders were better than expected. […]
Virtual truck beauty contest opens Monday
HOUSTON, Texas – The 38th annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs will be going virtual this year, its organizer announced Tuesday. The truck beauty contest will accept entries Aug 10-2, and winners will be announced daily Sept. 14-18 on social channels, Shell Rotella said. “North American truck drivers have faced unprecedented challenges on the road this year […]
$30-M truck parking facility coming to North Surrey
SURREY, B.C. – Work begins this month on a new truck parking facility in North Surrey, B.C., as part of a $30-million project funded by the federal and provincial government. Built on provincially owned land on the north side of Hwy. 17, below and east of the Port Mann Bridge, the facility will have room […]
DTNA introduces new engineering and technology leader
PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) new senior vice-president of engineering and technology was working on artificial intelligence (AI) before most people knew it was a thing. Dr. Rainer Muller-Finkeldei was introduced to the truck press today, after being promoted to his new position as well as to DTNA’s operating committee. In his […]
WIT honors truckers with photo contest
PLOVER, Wisc. – HERoes of the Highway is the subject of this year’s photo contest being organized by Women In Trucking (WIT). “We are inspired by your hero-like strength, not only during these challenging times, but always,” the association said in an announcement posted on its website. “So, for this year’s photo contest, get out […]
First Brands Group acquires Raybestos, Luberfiner brands
CLEVELAND, Ohio – First Brands Group has acquired the Raybestos and Luberfiner brands to its portfolio, through its acquisitions of Brake Parts Inc., and Champion Laboratories. The company, formerly known as Trico Group, said the acquisitions are effective immediately. “We are excited to add Raybestos and Luberfiner comprehensive product lines to our market-leading portfolio of […]
Kraus stepping down from HDMA helm
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Heavy-Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) – the commercial vehicle division of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) — is looking for a new leader. Tim Kraus has announced he will step down as president and CEO on Feb. 21, and the association says an active search is currently underway for his […]
Motion acquires TRC Hydraulics
DIEPPE, N.B. – Motion Industries, a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Companies, has acquired TRC Hydraulics – a supplier of hydraulic products and services in Atlantic Canada. TRC Hydraulics has been in business since 1986, and last year had expanded into the U.S. by opening a facility near Spartanburg, S.C. “This is a fantastic opportunity to […]
TFI International buys Keith Hall & Sons Transport
BURFORD, Ont. – TFI International has acquired Keith Hall & Sons Transport, a family-run hauler of liquid and dry foods and general freight. TFI’s latest addition generates about $30 million in annual revenue, and has more than 100 full-time company drivers as well as about 20 part-time company drivers and owner-operators. It runs nearly 120 […]
Road tests returning to 42 DriveTest Centres
TORONTO, Ont. – Commercial driver road tests will expand to 42 DriveTest locations across Ontario as the province moves into the second phase of a reopening plan for the facilities. The change, coming Aug. 4, will coincide with the addition of Class G2 road tests, and Class M2 and Class M motorcycle road tests. The […]
Canada’s economy recovering, but still well below pre-pandemic levels
TORONTO, Ont. – Canada’s real GDP rebounded by 4.5% in May, following two months of unprecedented declines, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada released July 31. However, economic activity remained 15% below February’s pre-pandemic level. For trucking, the important goods producing GDP numbers were up 8%, with 17 of 20 industrial sectors posting […]
Fleets make the case for hair tests to screen truck drivers
ACTON, Ma. — Fleets that have implemented hair testing for illegal drugs in addition to the DOT-mandated urine testing for commercial truck drivers say not only is it the right thing to do, but it also offers benefits that fleets might not think about. In a July 29 webinar from Psychemedics, which is a major […]

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