Fleet Owner

Drivewyze Demo

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:45:00 +0000

California-based Drivewyze Inc. demonstrated its new "e-inspection" system recently at the West Friendship weight and inspection station outside Baltimore, MD; a system that will electronically gather and send in real-time vehicle weight, driver CDL, driver HOS, CSA scors and other information to law enforcement personnel so fleets with good records can avoid being pulled over.

Will fleets acquiesce to “e-inspections”?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:15:00 +0000

So I got to check out this new “e-inspection” system put together by California-based Drivewyze Inc. yesterday at the West Friendship weigh and inspection station outside Baltimore, MD, yesterday – an interesting “cloud computing” platform that allows trucks to electronically send not only vehicle weight information but electronic logbook data and safety history in real-time to enforcement officers, hopefully allowing them to bypass such weigh/inspection sites altogether.

Trucks at Work

Trucking and Obamacare: How healthy will your company be in 2014?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:40:00 +0000

As we quickly approach the open enrollment period under the new healthcare, aka ObamaCare, law, many businesses, particularly smaller businesses, are still unsure how the law will affect them.

Well, I don’t have the answers either, unfortunately. And the sad fact is that for many people, finding an unbiased analysis of the program is virtual impossible. The truth is, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens and businesses will have to adjust their business model as they go.

Trucking Straight Talk

Formal debut of “e-inspection” technology

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:16:00 +0000

A long-awaited demonstration of what’s being dubbed “e-inspection” technology took place this week at the West Friendship Weigh Station and Inspection Site outside Baltimore, MD – technology that will allow trucks to transmit driver information, electronic logbook data vehicle weight, and other details electronically in real-time while the vehicle remains in motion.

Oliver Rubber releases SmartWay trailer retread

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:54:00 +0000

Oliver Rubber has launched the Vantage Trailer II, an EPA SmartWay verified trailer procure retread. The Vantage Trailer II is designed for long-haul, over-the-road applications.

“The Vantage Trailer II demonstrates the strength of Oliver’s experience,” said Philip Boarts, Oliver product category manager. “This new retread provides excellent fuel economy, treadwear and traction.”

Fontaine Heavy-Haul names director of R&D

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:52:00 +0000

Fontaine Heavy-Haul has named Neil Robertson director of research and development. Robertson will report to Randy McGuire, president of the lowbed and extendable trailer industry provider.

“We’re delighted to have Neil on our team; with almost 30 years in the trailer industry he brings a broad depth of experience to Fontaine Heavy-Haul,” said McGuire. “He really understands this business from the ground up and has earned his reputation as an innovator and problem-solver.”

SKF adds all-makes new and remanufactured dryers and cartridges

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:52:00 +0000

SKF has added 23 new part numbers to its all-makes new and remanufactured air dryers, cartridge and service kit offerings. Eleven of the new part numbers have been added to the popular Model 9 air dryer line, the company said.

The new part numbers are outlined in the updated all-makes new and remanufactured air dryers, cartridges and new service kits catalog.

Love’s Travel Stops to distribute Aeolus tires

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:51:00 +0000

Love’s Travel Truck Tire Care locations will now sell Aeolus truck tires under a deal between Love’s Travel Stops and Alliance Tire Americas, the U.S. distributor for Aeolus.

CALSTART to test battery technology

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:50:00 +0000

CALSTART has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to test 12-volt Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries in commercial trucks.

Auto Truck Group awarded ship-through status for ProMaster

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:50:00 +0000

Auto Truck Group (ATG) has been awarded ship-through status for Ram ProMaster cab chassis and cutaway models. ATG is an upfitter specializing in design, manufacture and installation of truck equipment. Its Bartlett, IL, and Fort Wayne, IN, facilities will handle the upfitting process.

Fleet Brake adds Quebec location

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:49:00 +0000

Fleet Brake has opened a new parts distribution center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

“This investment in a key Canadian market for Fleet Brake provides our mobile customers continued access to our premier product and service solutions. In order to provide true national fleet support in Canada, a presence in Quebec is essential,” said John Bzeta, president.

The Montreal location has access to major air and seaports complemented by a major highway network, the company said.

AMS Automotive names gm for Heavy Duty Group

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:19:00 +0000

Pat Biermann brings more than 40 years of experience to his new position as executive vice president and general manager of AMS Automotive’s Heavy Duty Group.

Biermann was most recently president of HD America, which he founded. Prior to his tenure with HDA, Biermann was director of heavy duty sales at Wagner Electric.

Bendix to open onsite healthcare facility

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:17:00 +0000

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems will open an onsite healthcare center at its Huntington, IN, manufacturing complex.

Through a partnership with Marathon Health, Bendix’s Huntington employees will have workplace access to total population health management, including primary care, health assessments, health coaching, and disease management. The Marathon Health MedicalHome@Work onsite healthcare model will also serve the spouses and children of Bendix employees.

Rebuild kit streamlines fifth wheel repairs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:16:00 +0000

Fontaine Parts Connection has released a new “major rebuild kit” to streamline the repair process for popular Fontaine fifth wheel models. The kit combines six previous kits into one.

2-post lift features 16,000-lb. lifting capacity

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:12:00 +0000

Stertil-Koni has released a new line of 2-post heavy-duty vehicle lifts. The Freedom Lift line offers hydraulic 2-post lifts with a lifting capacity of 16,000 lbs.

The lifts’ clean, ergonomic design is distinguished by wheels-free lifting, telescopic swing arms with a wide range of usability and a design that requires no mechanical structure overhead, the company said. The product provides optimal safety through a symmetrical, open floor design that optimizes workspace in the shop.

Zonar introduces rugged telematics platform

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:12:00 +0000

To meet the demanding needs of construction and work truck fleets, Zonar has introduced a new rugged telematics platform. The V3R platform for work truck fleets and construction equipment provides powerful vehicle tracking combined with operating information for vehicles that work in harsh conditions including dirt, mud, ice, sand, and rain, Zonar said.

Drivewyze names CFO

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:11:00 +0000

Jason Ding has joined Drivewyze as chief financial officer and vice president of administration. Drivewyze offers weigh station and inspection site bypass systems.

Ding was previously an executive-in-residence at TEC Edmonton, and served as a consultant for Drivewyze during the past year. Prior to his work at TEC Edmonton, Ding was a vice president and director and the deputy leader for Western Canada (Technology, Media and Telecommunications) for Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance Canada.

The ROI for IT

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:04:00 +0000

As I’ve noted in this space before, information technology is now a fundamental part of the global transportation business (freight and otherwise). The question many fleet managers rightly ask themselves, though, is how to figure out the return on investment or “ROI” for all the dollars being spent on IT.

Trucks at Work

Mobile Communications: Debating BYOD vs. COPE in trucking

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:40:00 +0000

There is a growing debate within the trucking industry regarding mobile communication technology as to whether a so-called “Bring Your Own Device” or “BYOD” approach is more beneficial or detrimental compared to the more traditional “Company-Owned Personally Enabled” or “COPE” strategy, especially in terms of security, privacy, cost and supportability issues.

Danger time for teenage drivers

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:46:00 +0000

Ah summer! A golden time for driving, as roads are clear of ice, snow, and the many other potentially dangerous weather conditions associated with winter. Right?

Well, no, actually – especially if you are a teenage driver.

Commercial vehicle operators should car about this because – as everyone well knows – they and teenage drivers share the very same asphalt ribbons, often at high speed. So if big rig operators know that summer is the time of maximum danger for teenage drivers, maybe such forewarning can help prevent some crashes.

Trucks at Work

Fontaine Fifth Wheel hires key account/marketing manager

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:47:00 +0000

Todd Kuipers has been hired by Fontaine Fifth Wheel as its key account manager for the Atlantic Coast region and as marketing manager.

Kuipers will be responsible for maintaining relationships with significant fleet and dealer customers in the region while also leading the fifth wheel manufacturer’s North American marketing efforts.

U.S. Xpress implements Kaazing management system

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:46:00 +0000

U.S. Xpress Enterprises has used Kaazing, a provider of enterprise web & mobile communication for live data delivery and creator of the HTML5 WebSocket system, to modernize its proprietary transportation management system, XPM, fleet management, planning and customer service.

Impco plans Silverado, Sierra crew cab CNG bi-fuel system

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:45:00 +0000

Impco Automotive will provide assistance in the production of a bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) crew cab configuration for 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD pickups.

Impco’s proprietary CNG bi-fuel system will be integrated into the pickups at the company's production facility in Union City, IN. These crew cab configurations are available for order. Shipping will occur in the third and fourth quarters of 2013, Impco said.

Con-way Freight boosts rates

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:45:00 +0000

Less-than-truckload carrier Con-way Freight has announced a general rate increase averaging 5.9% for non-contractual business, effective June 24.

The rate increase will be implemented for customers on the company’s CNW 599 tariff and will apply to general LTL rates, minimum charges and accessorial or supplemental fees for special services associated with LTL shipments moving within the United States and Canada, as well as cross-border shipments moving between the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Cadec Global announces annual User’s Conference

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:44:00 +0000

Cadec Global will hold its annual User’s Conference on Sept. 16-19 at the JW Marriott Buckhead in Atlanta.

This year’s theme, “Stay Connected,” reflects the trend towards fleets leveraging wireless technology in order to collect critical fleet data and maintain strong connections with customers, Cadec said. Customers who register by June 28 will save $200 on the registration fee.

OPW combines business units

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:41:00 +0000

Global integrated fluid handling solutions provider OPW has combined its Above Ground and Below Ground business units into a single entity known as OPW Retail Fueling.

Mike McCann has been named vice president and general manager of the combined group, reporting directly to OPW president David Crouse.

New in-vehicle computing solutions

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:40:00 +0000

Motion Computing is making available a new mobile computing solution which includes a range of docks, mounts, integrated features and computing accessories. The in-vehicle computing solutions are designed to work with Motion Tablet PCs.

ATA scores in drayage court fight with Port of LA

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:31:00 +0000

The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) has won part of its long court fight with the Port of Los Angeles over drayage-truck operations.

“Hands-free” may not mean “risk free,” you see …

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:50:00 +0000

There’s a new study out from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that purports to show while “hands-free” technologies might make it easier for motorists to text, talk on the phone, or even use Facebook while they drive, they generate what the group calls “dangerous mental distractions” when using them despite drivers keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Trucks at Work

Navistar launches truck manufacturing at Brazil plant

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:15:00 +0000

International Industria Automotiva da America do Sul Ldta. (IIAA), the South American subsidiary of Navistar International Corp., has begun commercial-truck production at the Navistar Industrial Complex, the company’s manufacturing facility in Canoas, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil. The new truck manufacturing line will have capacity for 5,000 trucks per year and potential for added expansion as demand grows, according to the OEM.