John G Smith
John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - content and design, and previously served as the editorial director of Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist began covering the trucking industry in 1995.
Navistar executives looking ahead
NEW CARLISLE, IN - Backed by a new family of products and a robust economy, Navistar executives are clearly feeling positive about the future. "We have [introduced] a lot of new products in the last two years, and we got a lot of new products coming in the next two," said Denny Mooney, senior vice president - product development, during a briefing to industry media. Those new products include the LT linehaul tractor, its RH regional hauling counterpart introduced at the Expocam trade show in Montreal, the heavy vocational HX tractor launched last year to replace the PayStar, and the new HV that replaces the WorkStar. The HV was unveiled at the recent North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Georgia. The HX itself represents a market segment that Navistar saw drop in half after it stopped producing 15-liter engines. "Our [13-liter model], because it was an EGR engine, we couldn't cool it at some of the power and torque ratings we needed," he said.
Freight volumes, rates to rise in ’18: Analysts
MISSISSAUGA, ON - The coming year appears to hold the promise of a growing economy, tighter capacity, and ultimately higher rates for those who haul freight. "When you have the economy doing reasonably well, transportation tends to be generally picking up," said Carlos Gomes, senior economist - Scotiabank, in a presentation during the Surface Transportation Summit in Mississauga, Ontario. He projects economic growth of about 2% in 2018, compared to the 3% seen in 2017. "The Canadian economy recently has been very strong," agreed Walter Spracklin, equity research analyst - transportation sector at RBC Capital Markets. But where railways have enjoyed higher volumes against the backdrop of recent growth, trucks didn't fare quite as well. Railway volumes surged in part because of the demand for fracking sand, feeding into the 6.5% boost in overall freight that moved over iron highways, he said. Intermodal freight volumes are growing as well, although grain volumes are likely to drop when compared to the strong crops of 2016. Of the Canadian railways, CN is seeing capacity tighten, leading to congestion challenges and a projected boost in capital spending.
Short-term truck rentals to be exempted from ELD rule
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to announce on Oct. 11 that it will grant an exemption from being required to use an electronic logging device to "all drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles rented for eight days or less, regardless of reason."
TFI to sell, lease back four properties
MONTREAL, QC - Pure Industrial Real Estate Trust (PIRET) will buy and lease back four TFI International properties, Canada's largest fleet has announced. The $135.7-million deal includes two facilities in Montreal, and another two in Toronto, and represents less than 20% of the net book value of TFI's real estate portfolio. "This transaction underlines our continuous efforts to unlock shareholder value," said Alain Bédard, chairman, president, and Chief Executive Officer of TFI International. "Through this sale, we believe TFI has realized market value for these real estate assets.
The FBI Group acquires Consolidated Carriers
VAUGHAN, ON - The FBI Group has acquired its third non-asset-based freight broker -- Consolidated Carriers of Markham, Ontario. Consolidated employees now join FBI (Freight Brokers International) Group at headquarters in Vaughan, Ontario, while Consolidated owner Wayne McCord will join the team in a sales capacity. "We're excited to bring Wayne and his staff into the FBI family," said John Elisio, senior partner, The FBI Group. "As a small freight broker, they've built a track record for personal attention, strong professional connections, and innovative approaches to moving freight by any mode, anywhere in the world. We're looking forward to introducing their customers to our expanded portfolio of services."
New president at CVSA
GREENBELT, MD - Captain Christopher Turner of the Kansas Highway Patrol has been named the new president of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which has made several changes to its leadership team. Sean Mustatia of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will serve as vice president of Region 5, which includes Canada.
