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.

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ATA calls for continued ELD push

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is calling on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to continue in the push toward a December rollout of mandated Electronic Logging Devices. "Supporters of a delay are attempting to accomplish, almost at the 11th hour, what they've been unable to do in the courts, Congress or with the agency: roll back this common sense, data-supported regulation based on at best specious and at worst outright dishonest arguments," says Bill Sullivan, executive vice president - advocacy, in a blunt letter to the administration's deputy administrator. U.S. Representative Brian Babin has introduced legislation to delay the mandate by two years.

Alliance submits wish list for NAFTA talks

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has officially submitted comments on cross-border trade to Global Affairs Canada, as governments prepare to renegotiate aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The association's submission covers 11 related areas of interest including: in-transit truck moves, cargo pre-clearance, government investment at ports of entry, harmonization of security programs, the trend in rising cross-border fees, the movement of food products and related inspections, and e-commerce, among other topics. "Many of the comments by the carrier community contained in our submission are longstanding issues that have been impeding cross-border trade," said president Stephen Laskowski. "CTA is eager to work with Ottawa, Washington, and the business communities on both sides of the border to try and resolve these issues for the betterment of the economies in the U.S. and Canada."

Guilbault acquires Ideal, secures warehousing

QUEBEC, QC - Groupe Guilbault has purchased Ideal Logistical Solutions - including Ideal Logistics, Ideal Transportation, and Ideal Warehouse divisions. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the acquisition clearly offers Groupe Guilbault a key presence in the warehousing sector. Ideal has a 250,000-square-foot warehouse in the Armand-Viau Industrial Park, once a distribution center for Provigo. A similar-sized facility is in Lachine, Quebec. Ideal and its 150 employees will become a Guilbault operating division and continue to run independently. The combined companies will have about 975 employees.