TrukTalk (2024)

02/04/2021

BLAZE, an enterprise resource of legal cannabis vendors, has closed on its Series A funding round for $8 million. Delta Emerald Ventures led the round, which included a past investor, Act One Ventures, and new investor, SOJE Capital. The company has raised a total of $9.5 million since 2019. “We’re thrilled to have such a great group of investors to help grow our platform and company to the next level,” said Chris Violas, co-founder and chief executive officer of BLAZE, in a release....

https://truktalk.com/blaze-raises-8m-enables-cashless-transactions/

BLAZE, an enterprise resource of legal cannabis vendors, has closed on its Series A funding round for $8 million. Delta Emerald Ventures led the round, which included a past investor, Act One Ventures, and new investor, SOJE Capital. The company has raised a total of $9.5 million since 2019. “We.....

02/04/2021

Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a national food service logistics provider, recently took delivery of a Volvo VNR Electric — the first zero-emission, battery-electric truck to be deployed in QCD’s fleet of more than 700 vehicles. The Volvo VNR Electric model from Volvo Trucks North America will begin running last-mile delivery routes to restaurants and coffee stores throughout Southern California from the company’s warehouse in Fontana, California....

https://truktalk.com/last-mile-delivery-fleet-takes-delivery-of-volvo-vnr-electric-equipment/

Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a national food service logistics provider, recently took delivery of a Volvo VNR Electric — the first zero-emission, battery-electric truck to be deployed in QCD’s fleet of more than 700 vehicles. The Volvo VNR Electric model from Volvo Trucks North America wi...

02/04/2021

Bridgestone is announcing it will increase prices by 8% on Firestone brand truck and bus radial tires sold in the U.S. and Canada. Photo: Bridgestone
In response to continued escalating raw material costs, Bridgestone is announcing it will increase prices by 8% on Firestone brand truck and bus radial tires sold in the U.S. and Canada. The new pricing will take effect on May 1, 2021....

https://truktalk.com/bridgestone-americas-announces-price-increase-for-firestone-tires-operations/

Bridgestone is announcing it will increase prices by 8% on Firestone brand truck and bus radial tires sold in the U.S. and Canada. Photo: Bridgestone In response to continued escalating raw material costs, Bridgestone is announcing it will increase prices by 8% on Firestone brand truck and bus radia...

02/04/2021

The HD Repair Forum (HDRF) will join the North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV Show) to host its conference geared to the heavy-duty collision repair industry at the same venue. It will be held Sept. 27-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: NACV Show) “This is the first time our event will be held in the Fall,” said HDRF president and co-founder Brian Nessen....

https://truktalk.com/heavy-duty-repair-forum-coordinates-with-nacv-show/

The HD Repair Forum (HDRF) will join the North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV Show) to host its conference geared to the heavy-duty collision repair industry at the same venue. It will be held Sept. 27-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. (Photo: NACV Show) “This is the ...

02/04/2021

A California district court this week dismissed claims alleged by roughly 500 current and former drivers for XPO Logistics [NYSE: XPO] that the company failed to pay wages for missed meal and rest breaks. The decision, by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Angel Omar Alvarez, et al v. XPO Logistics Cartage LLC, et al, is part of an ongoing case initiated in 2018 by drivers seeking damages for unpaid wages and benefits based on XPO’s alleged misclassification of its drivers as independent contractors....

https://truktalk.com/california-court-dismisses-xpo-meal-rest-break-complaint/

A California district court this week dismissed claims alleged by roughly 500 current and former drivers for XPO Logistics [NYSE: XPO] that the company failed to pay wages for missed meal and rest breaks. The decision, by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Angel Omar A...

02/04/2021

Of Biden's $2T infrastructure plan, he is proposing $174B would be for building electric vehicle charging infrastructure and $115B for repairing highways and bridges. Screenshot: YouTube
President Joe Biden on March 31 released details of his infrastructure plan, which includes $621 billion for transportation infrastructure. With the American Jobs Plan, Biden is asking Congress to invest 1% of gross domestic product per year over eight years to cover $2 trillion in planned investments....

https://truktalk.com/biden-infrastructure-plan-calls-for-300b-for-evs-roads-bridges-fleet-management/

Of Biden’s $2T infrastructure plan, he is proposing $174B would be for building electric vehicle charging infrastructure and $115B for repairing highways and bridges. Screenshot: YouTube President Joe Biden on March 31 released details of his infrastructure plan, which includes $621 billion for tr...

02/04/2021

The American Trucking Associations and NATSO, the trade association representing U.S.’ truck stops and travel plazas Thursday commended the $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan announced by U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday. The Truckload Carriers Association, meanwhile, expressed concern over the plan. Biden has called the blueprint “a once in a generation investment in America,” according to the Associated Press. The White House says the largest chunk of the proposal includes $621 billion for roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicle charging stations and other transportation infrastructure....

https://truktalk.com/ata-natso-encouraged-by-bidens-infrastructure-proposal/

The American Trucking Associations and NATSO, the trade association representing U.S.’ truck stops and travel plazas Thursday commended the $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan announced by U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday. The Truckload Carriers Association, meanwhile, expressed concern over th...

02/04/2021

The betas were unveiled as Lordstown Motors HQ employees applauded their arrival. Screen grab courtesy of Lordstown Motors.
On March 31, Lordstown Motors rolled the first two beta versions of its Endurance electric pickup off the manufacturing line. The betas were unveiled to the applause of Lordstown HQ employees. “They are critical to our success as we push ahead producing the rest of our 57 Betas and dedicating our energies to beginning mass production this September,” the company said in a statement....

https://truktalk.com/lordstown-unveils-two-beta-versions-of-endurance-pickup-fuel-smarts/

The betas were unveiled as Lordstown Motors HQ employees applauded their arrival. Screen grab courtesy of Lordstown Motors. On March 31, Lordstown Motors rolled the first two beta versions of its Endurance electric pickup off the manufacturing line. The betas were unveiled to the applause of Lordsto...

02/04/2021

While long-haul vehicle electrification continues to face infrastructure and battery technology challenges, adopting electric yard vehicles is much simpler. Alpharetta, Georgia-based yard management services provider Lazer Spot is dipping its toes deeper into the pool of vehicle electrification with the acquisition of Firefly Transportation Services, an electric spotter truck provider. “We’re excited that, with Lazer’s size and scale, they can take what our thoughts were for fleet electrification and supercharge it and take it to the next level,” Josh Mehl, former chief operating officer at Firefly, said in an interview with FreightWaves....

https://truktalk.com/lazer-spot-acquisition-electric-spotter-trucks-perfect-application-of-evs/

While long-haul vehicle electrification continues to face infrastructure and battery technology challenges, adopting electric yard vehicles is much simpler. Alpharetta, Georgia-based yard management services provider Lazer Spot is dipping its toes deeper into the pool of vehicle electrification with...

02/04/2021

Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a national food service logistics provider, uses the Volvo VNR Electric — a zero-emission, battery-electric truck. Photo: QCD in Work Truck
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Rocky Mountain Insitute (RMI) will be conducting Run on Less – Electric (RoL-E), a real-world electric truck technology demonstration featuring 13 trucks driving real routes, carrying real freight....

https://truktalk.com/electric-freight-trucks-to-participate-in-real-world-demo-run-green-fleet/

Quality Custom Distribution (QCD), a national food service logistics provider, uses the Volvo VNR Electric — a zero-emission, battery-electric truck. Photo: QCD in Work Truck The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and Rocky Mountain Insitute (RMI) will be conducting Run on Less ...

02/04/2021

Pilot will offer a $75 incentive to its drivers and other employees who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Photo: Pilot
Pilot will offer a $75 incentive to team members who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The incentive will be available to all Pilot Company hourly employees, professional drivers and general managers in the United States and Canada. ...

https://truktalk.com/pilot-to-provide-covid-19-vaccine-incentive-to-frontline-workers-drivers/

Pilot will offer a $75 incentive to its drivers and other employees who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Photo: Pilot Pilot will offer a $75 incentive to team members who choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The incentive will be available to all Pilot Company hourly employees, professional driver...

02/04/2021

The federal government will invest $3 million in Envoy Energy to install three natural gas stations in Northern Ontario, announced Marc Serre, parliamentary secretary to Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. The new refueling stations — which are located at existing gas stations in Nipigon, Hearst and Cochrane — will include on-site storage and easy-to-use dispensers providing all the features heavy-duty truck drivers need when refueling along the Trans-Canada Highway....

https://truktalk.com/three-cng-stations-coming-to-trans-canada-highway-in-northern-ontario/

The federal government will invest $3 million in Envoy Energy to install three natural gas stations in Northern Ontario, announced Marc Serre, parliamentary secretary to Seamus O’Regan Jr., Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. The new refueling stations — which are located at existing gas s...

02/04/2021

Freight rail stakeholders looked favorably upon the prioritization of freight rail within the transportation infrastructure provisions in President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion, 10-year American Jobs Plan. But some worry about its price tag and projects they view as unrelated to infrastructure. “The OneRail Coalition applauds the Administration for prioritizing rail as part of President Biden’s infrastructure proposal, and for recognizing rail’s role as part of the solution to climate issues....

https://truktalk.com/rail-stakeholders-see-promise-and-peril-in-biden-infrastructure-push/

Freight rail stakeholders looked favorably upon the prioritization of freight rail within the transportation infrastructure provisions in President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion, 10-year American Jobs Plan. But some worry about its price tag and projects they view as unrelated to infrastructure. “The ...

02/04/2021

This increase is based on increasing logistics, raw material cost, and other market factors that have affected internal costs. Photo: Hankok Facebook
Hankook Tire has announced a price increase of up to 5% for dealers on commercial truck tire products sold in the U.S. Additionally, a price increase will occur on all aftermarket fleet programs. This will be effective on shipments on or after May 1, 2021....

https://truktalk.com/hankook-tire-announces-price-increase-of-up-to-5-products/

This increase is based on increasing logistics, raw material cost, and other market factors that have affected internal costs. Photo: Hankok Facebook Hankook Tire has announced a price increase of up to 5% for dealers on commercial truck tire products sold in the U.S. Additionally, a price increase....

02/04/2021

Link Mfg. has broken ground on a 50,000 sq.-ft. high-tech manufacturing and training facility it says will set the stage for continued growth, while also accommodating its recent acquisition Hadley’s valve and suspension control products. The facility is expected to be finished by December, and is located adjacent to Link’s existing Sioux City Center campus. (Photo: Link Mfg.) “This is the beginning of a new chapter in Link’s 41-year history, made even more economically impactful to our city, state and industry through our recent Hadley acquisition,” said Jim Huls, president of Link Manufacturing....

https://truktalk.com/link-mfg-breaks-ground-on-plant-expansion/

Link Mfg. has broken ground on a 50,000 sq.-ft. high-tech manufacturing and training facility it says will set the stage for continued growth, while also accommodating its recent acquisition Hadley’s valve and suspension control products. The facility is expected to be finished by December, and is...

02/04/2021

For the second consecutive month, the Organization of Petroleum Countries and the non-OPEC oil exporters in the “plus” group that together make up OPEC+ surprised oil markets, this time with a decision to increase output. The second surprise from the virtual OPEC+ meeting Thursday is that oil prices finished the trading day near the highs of the day’s activity. Ultra low sulfur diesel on the CME commodity exchange settled at $1.8325/gallon, the highest settlement since the March 17 settlement of $1.9061/g....

https://truktalk.com/opec-surprises-with-more-oil-output-market-surprises-with-higher-prices/

For the second consecutive month, the Organization of Petroleum Countries and the non-OPEC oil exporters in the “plus” group that together make up OPEC+ surprised oil markets, this time with a decision to increase output. The second surprise from the virtual OPEC+ meeting Thursday is that oil pr...

02/04/2021

This increase is based on increasing logistics, raw material cost, and other market factors that have affected internal costs. Photo: Hankok Facebook
Hankook Tire has announced a price increase of up to 5% for dealers on commercial truck tire products sold in the U.S. Additionally, a price increase will occur on all aftermarket fleet programs. This will be effective on shipments on or after May 1, 2021....

https://truktalk.com/hankook-tire-announces-price-increase-of-up-to-5-operations/

This increase is based on increasing logistics, raw material cost, and other market factors that have affected internal costs. Photo: Hankok Facebook Hankook Tire has announced a price increase of up to 5% for dealers on commercial truck tire products sold in the U.S. Additionally, a price increase....

02/04/2021

Isuzu Motors has completed the transaction to acquire Japan-based UD Trucks from the Volvo Group for approximately $2.2 billion. Photo: Volvo
Isuzu Motors has completed the transaction to acquire Japan-based UD Trucks (formerly long known as Nissan Diesel) from the Volvo Group for approximately $2.2 billion. The transaction is estimated to have a positive impact on the Volvo Group’s operating income in the second quarter 2021 of close to $230 million and increase the Volvo Group’s net cash position by approximately $2.2 billion, Volvo officials said in a press release....

https://truktalk.com/isuzu-completes-acquisition-of-ud-trucks-equipment/

Isuzu Motors has completed the transaction to acquire Japan-based UD Trucks from the Volvo Group for approximately $2.2 billion. Photo: Volvo Isuzu Motors has completed the transaction to acquire Japan-based UD Trucks (formerly long known as Nissan Diesel) from the Volvo Group for approximately $2.2...

01/04/2021

Dive Brief: Customs and Border Protection has directed U.S. port personnel to seize imports of gloves produced by Top Glove in Malaysia, citing evidence of forced labor in the manufacturer's supply chain. "CBP has sufficient information to believe that Top Glove uses forced labor in the production of disposable gloves," the agency stated Monday. The finding follows a withhold release order from last July "based on reasonable but not conclusive information" of forced labor in the manufacturer's production, which resulted in detained imports from two Top Glove subsidiaries....

https://truktalk.com/us-directs-ports-to-detain-top-glove-shipments-from-malaysia-citing-forced-labor/

Dive Brief: Customs and Border Protection has directed U.S. port personnel to seize imports of gloves produced by Top Glove in Malaysia, citing evidence of forced labor in the manufacturer’s supply chain. “CBP has sufficient information to believe that Top Glove uses forced labor in the producti...

01/04/2021

By Jeff Berman, Group News Editor · April 1, 2021 Earlier this week, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was issued by the United States Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, which encourages states and port authorities to apply for $230 million in discretionary grant funding for port and intermodal infrastructure-related projects through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). DOT officials explained that the PIDP supports the efficient movement of commerce upon which the economy relies upon, with grants awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that strengthen and modernize port infrastructure and support the nation’s long-term economic vitality....

https://truktalk.com/dots-maritime-administration-issues-nofo-for-port-infrastructure-development-program/

By Jeff Berman, Group News Editor · April 1, 2021 Earlier this week, a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was issued by the United States Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, which encourages states and port authorities to apply for $230 million in discretionary grant funding...

01/04/2021

Canada’s ELD mandate won’t be fully enforced until June 2022, but some of the country’s largest ELD suppliers are stressing that it’s already time to begin preparing for the change. The central message emerged on Thursday during an online “town hall” presentation hosted by the Canadian Trucking Alliance. (Photo: istock) “The sooner you act and get involved in the process and start installing technology, the smoother the transition will be,” said Geoff Wood, CTA’s senior vice-president – policy....

https://truktalk.com/prepare-for-eld-mandate-now-suppliers-say/

Canada’s ELD mandate won’t be fully enforced until June 2022, but some of the country’s largest ELD suppliers are stressing that it’s already time to begin preparing for the change. The central message emerged on Thursday during an online “town hall” presentation hosted by the Canadian T...

01/04/2021

This is an excerpt from the April 1, 2021 edition of Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here. The plan: The infrastructure plan proposed by the White House this week includes billions of dollars for the health care industry. The White House’s infrastructure plan is just a proposal. Congress will have to approve any infrastructure spending. ...

https://truktalk.com/medically-necessary-infrastructure-plan-directs-billions-to-health-care/

This is an excerpt from the April 1, 2021 edition of Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here. The plan: The infrastructure plan proposed by the White House this week includes billions of dollars for the health care industry. The White House’s infrastructure plan ...

01/04/2021

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency's Run on Less – Electric will feature 13 fleets in the three week run starting Sept. 3. Source link

https://truktalk.com/electric-freight-trucks-to-participate-in-real-world-demo-run/

The North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less – Electric will feature 13 fleets in the three week run starting Sept. 3. Source link

01/04/2021

After a black swan hits, we often reflect that it was predictable and we should have seen it coming. COVID-19, with its far-reaching global impact, is a black swan event. And yes, crippling pandemics have occurred and had been forecast to happen again. The next pandemic should not surprise us so completely. A smaller, supply-chain-related black swan event played out recently in…...

https://truktalk.com/a-flock-of-black-swans-hovers-and-supply-chains-need-to-get-ready/

After a black swan hits, we often reflect that it was predictable and we should have seen it coming. COVID-19, with its far-reaching global impact, is a black swan event. And yes, crippling pandemics have occurred and had been forecast to happen again. The next pandemic should not surprise us so com...

01/04/2021

March manufacturing output turned in its strongest performance in years, on multiple fronts, according to data issued today by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). In its monthly Manufacturing Report on Business, ISM said that the report’s key metric, the PMI, came in at 64.7 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), which topped February’s 60.8 by 3.9%. This marked the tenth consecutive of PMI growth, coupled with March representing the tenth consecutive month of growth for the overall economy....

https://truktalk.com/march-manufacturing-output-hits-highest-levels-in-years-on-various-fronts-reports-ism/

March manufacturing output turned in its strongest performance in years, on multiple fronts, according to data issued today by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). In its monthly Manufacturing Report on Business, ISM said that the report’s key metric, the PMI, came in at 64.7 (a reading of 5...

01/04/2021

Amply’s charging-as-a-service and software platform will demonstrate managed charging and guaranteed uptime for Hawaiian Electric as it transitions its fleet. Photo: Amply
To optimize charging of its electric vehicles, Hawaiian Electric is partnering with Amply Power on a pilot to manage charging infrastructure for four of its vehicles, which are part of the passenger fleet set to be fully electric by 2035....

https://truktalk.com/amply-power-helps-hawaiian-electric-transition-passenger-vehicle-fleet-to-zero-emissions-green-fleet/

Amply’s charging-as-a-service and software platform will demonstrate managed charging and guaranteed uptime for Hawaiian Electric as it transitions its fleet. Photo: Amply To optimize charging of its electric vehicles, Hawaiian Electric is partnering with Amply Power on a pilot to manage charging ...

01/04/2021

A global microchip shortage has truck manufacturers unable to keep pace with demand for new trucks. Some have announced down days on assembly lines, while others are doing partial builds and parking incomplete trucks until the necessary parts arrive. That makes being a truck and trailer forecaster a tricky job, conceded Don Ake, FTR’s vice-president of commercial vehicles. He provided a commercial vehicle outlook by webinar April 1....

https://truktalk.com/component-shortages-have-truck-and-trailer-builders-stuck-in-traffic-jam/

A global microchip shortage has truck manufacturers unable to keep pace with demand for new trucks. Some have announced down days on assembly lines, while others are doing partial builds and parking incomplete trucks until the necessary parts arrive. That makes being a truck and trailer forecaster a...

01/04/2021

Photo: Geotab
Geotab has launched a new GO9 Rugged solution for fleets facing harsh weather conditions and environments. This new hardware is designed to better withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, precipitation, and dirt, with the added benefit of providing the same advanced GPS technology as the traditional GO9 device. The GO Rugged device allows for flexible installation options and is designed for fleets that are more exposed to dirt, debris, and harsh weather and operate in industries such as construction, engineering, agriculture, utilities, oil and gas, and mining....

https://truktalk.com/geotab-launches-go9-rugged-telematics-device-fleet-management/

Photo: Geotab Geotab has launched a new GO9 Rugged solution for fleets facing harsh weather conditions and environments. This new hardware is designed to better withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, precipitation, and dirt, with the added benefit of providing the same advanced GPS...

01/04/2021

Earlier this week, President Joe Biden tapped Daniel B. Maffei to become chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. Maffei, who had been an FMC commissioner, replaces previous Chairman Michael A. Khouri. Maffei’s appointment comes at a time of massive disruption in the world of trade. The list of challenges is long and costly: historic volume clogging ports, U.S. exports being denied by the carriers in favor of empty containers, costly detention and demurrage fees, and the persistent urging of vaccines for truckers and longshoremen....

https://truktalk.com/first-interview-with-new-federal-maritime-commission-chairman/

Earlier this week, President Joe Biden tapped Daniel B. Maffei to become chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. Maffei, who had been an FMC commissioner, replaces previous Chairman Michael A. Khouri. Maffei’s appointment comes at a time of massive disruption in the world of trade. The list o...

01/04/2021

When the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, it captured international attention as crews worked to dislodge the vessel and resume global trade flows. Days after the vessel was freed, hundreds of container ships were still waiting to get through the canal as a result of the backlog created by the blockage. Here is what unfolded over the six days in which the container ship was stuck, and its lingering effects on the supply chain....

https://truktalk.com/timeline-how-the-suez-canal-blockage-unfolded-across-supply-chains/

When the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, it captured international attention as crews worked to dislodge the vessel and resume global trade flows. Days after the vessel was freed, hundreds of container ships were still waiting to get through the canal as a result of the backlog created by....

01/04/2021

Less than two weeks after Calgary-based Class I railroad Canadian Pacific announced it is acquiring Kansas City Southern (KCS) for $29 billion, in a deal that will establish the first freight railway connecting the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the two companies said this week that they have received widespread support for this deal, from a whole host of industry stakeholders....

https://truktalk.com/cp-and-kcs-point-to-strong-industry-support-for-proposed-merger/

Less than two weeks after Calgary-based Class I railroad Canadian Pacific announced it is acquiring Kansas City Southern (KCS) for $29 billion, in a deal that will establish the first freight railway connecting the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the two companies said this week that they have re...

01/04/2021

Over the past decade Green APU has built a reputation with its reliable, durable, easy-to-maintain, cost-effective auxiliary power units. And while its innovations have helped truck fleets across the country—Green APU was born out of necessity: Art Logistics Inc., Green APU’s parent company, was frustrated that there wasn’t the kind of dependable APU its drivers needed on the market. So, instead, of waiting for the market to deliver, Art Logistics took matters into its own hands and founded Green APU....

https://truktalk.com/green-apu-a-10-year-success-story-thats-not-standing-still-equipment/

Over the past decade Green APU has built a reputation with its reliable, durable, easy-to-maintain, cost-effective auxiliary power units. And while its innovations have helped truck fleets across the country—Green APU was born out of necessity: Art Logistics Inc., Green APU’s parent company, was...

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