John G Smith
John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
Driver shortage leads to Wiersma sale
KITCHENER, Ont. – Challenger Motor Freight is acquiring the assets of Ed Wiersma Trucking in a deal expected to close at the end of March, expanding Challenger’s Special Commodities Division. The 16-truck, family-run fleet specialized in flatbed truckload freight moving between southern Ontario and the U.S. But while it had up-to-date equipment and freight to haul, it was no longer able to attract the drivers it needed.
Shock Gap: Reefer techs can lack the training to stay safe
GUELPH, Ont. -- Modern reefer units are clearly more efficient than their belt-driven predecessors. Compressors and electric motors have combined into single units, and there are no alternators to be found. Noise has dropped; reliability has improved.