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.
Mexico a “land of opportunity”, says Daimler’s Kurschner
PUERTO VALLARTA, MX - In a year when dealers in Canada and the U.S. face a dramatic downturn in truck sales, Mexico is a world apart. As of November the market for Class 4-8 vehicles was up 18.5%, and Daimler Trucks North America accounted for 36% of it -- up 7.8% over last year. But Stefan Kurschner, president and Chief Executive Officer of Daimler Vehiculos Comerciales Mexico, says there's room for more.
Diesel Dilemma: Are the days of our favorite fuel numbered?
Rudolf Diesel must be rolling in his grave. The 19th-century inventor gave birth to the engine that bears his name. Now the country where he did the work is looking to bring the technology to an end. German legislators recently passed a resolution that calls for a ban of all internal combustion engines as early as 2030.
IN PRINT — Signs of No Parking: B.C.’s parking dilemma
British Columbia's newest truck parking area was on the verge of opening in early November. "We're just putting in the poles for the lights," said the project manager, referring to 40 spaces being created at Nordel Way in Delta, the result of a $2.8-million investment and some provincial land. As helpful as that is, it barely scratches the surface of the province's broader parking shortage. Nearby Surrey has concluded that about 1,400 trucks are parking illegally on its streets and in neighboring Langley on any given day. Commercial lots can charge about $250 per month to store a truck and trailer, but that's if they can be found in the first place. Available spaces are often unavailable, inconvenient, or unaffordable.
IN PRINT — The Next Generation
Meet some of those under the age of 40 who are already making their mark in the trucking industry. These are the up and comers, the ones to watch, and the faces and names that you will start to see and hear more and more often. Our Next Generation Class of 2016 is strongly comprised of successors to the throne - the youth who have seen the paths blazed by their parents' footsteps and noticed room for their own. Many are helping to usher family businesses into the digital age, whether it be telematics, electronic logs, or simply ensuring their company has a sleek website or a passionate voice on social media. If our 2016 Class is any one thing it's versatile. They are learning about all aspects of trucking, all the time. Nearly all of them say, without prompting, that what they love best about the business is how every day is new. It's something that's very important to the millennial generation, as they try to continue challenging themselves, and pushing even beyond their own boundaries, because they know that's how to get better. By doing. By doing, after all, is how they've found success so far.
Nikola preps to unveil Class 8 electric truck, hydrogen network plans
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Nikola Motor Company is scheduled to unveil an electric Class 8 truck tonight, naming Ryder System as its exclusive distribution and maintenance provider, and announcing plans for a network of hydrogen fueling stations across Canada and the U.S.
Rolf Lockwood Scholarship presented for networking article
TORONTO, ON - A story on the ins and outs of business networking - and how it helped an insurance lawyer raise about $250,000 to support children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy - secured the 2016 Rolf Lockwood Scholarship for a Ryerson University journalism student.
Hyndman opens new Ayr terminal, closes Kitchener
WROXETER, ON - Hyndman Transport, a subsidiary of Celadon Group, is settling into a new terminal in Ayr, Ontario. Located at 2616 Cedar Creek Road, just off highways 401 and 97 at Exit 268, the facility features a new driver lounge, dorm rooms, and an expanded maintenance facility with wash bay and loading dock. The site will also serve as a base of operations for recruiting and orientation, and includes administration space as well.
Future Shock: Speakers discuss changing workplaces
BRAMPTON, ON - Predicting the future is an inexact science, but several emerging trends offer glimpses of things to come. The Toronto chapter of CITT, which offers training in supply chain logistics, pulled together several industry representatives at its Fast Forward event on Thursday night to share thoughts on challenges they experience and expect.
