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.
Tight equipment supply at Edmonton auction
EDMONTON, AB - Ritchie Bros.' Edmonton auction house sold $553 million in equipment this year, dropping the hammer last week on the sixth and final sale of 2017. "Online and onsite bidders were eager to snatch up equipment for winter work, resulting in strong pricing both days of the auction last week," said Trent Vandenberghe, sales director. "We continue to see relatively tight equipment supply as many companies are hanging on to surplus equipment in anticipation of upcoming projects. This continues to result in higher demand at our auctions and an uptick in pricing across many equipment categories." More than 4,500 pieces of equipment and trucks were sold for $66 million at the most recent auction, which attracted more than 7,850 bidders. About 5,850 of the bidders were online, and secured 71% of the available equipment.
Ontario training schools call for tuition hike
HAMILTON, ON - The Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) is calling on the province to raise the $40 hourly cap on tuition governed by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development - and it has already found industry support in the call. Select carriers, insurance providers, and the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada are all supporting the bid. The cap has not been adjusted since 2009, but since then training school insurance costs have risen an average of 200%, equipment leases are up 45%, instructor wages are up 15%, and maintenance fees are up 20%, TTSAO argues. Costs also increased with the province's recent introduction of Mandatory Entry Level Training. "When you factor in the cost of fuel, insurance and wages for your staff and other capital expenses the $40.00 cap seems unreasonable for any kind of operation," says Guy Broderick, a driver training supervisor at APPS Transport Group and chairman of the association's carrier group.
Mack tests truck by wires using eHighway
GREENSBORO, NC - Mack has added to the growing list of electrified truck prototypes, showcasing a plug-in hybrid electric driveline as part of a zero-emission eHighway demonstration in Carson, California. The Pinnacle day cab drew power from Siemens-produced eHighway infrastructure, which came in the form of a mile of catenary systems -- similar to those used to power trolleys or streetcars. Energy was transferred through a "current collector" from Siemens. The demonstration near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was in partnership with Siemens, sponsored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. "Mack continuously investigates alternative solutions to diesel, and the catenary system is just one of a number of projects in which we are currently involved," said Jonathan Randall, Mack's senior vice president - North American sales. The manufacturer has explored several ways to reduce Greenhouse Gases, using everything from plug-in hybrid electric powertrains to alternative fuels such as dimethyl ether (DME).
