TransForce buys XPO Logistics’ TL business for US $558M

MONTREAL, QC -- TransForce has purchased XPO Logistics' truckload business for US $558 million in cash. After XPO bought Con-way Inc. a year ago, Con-way Truckload's operations appeared to many observers to be an odd fit for XPO, which bills itself as the second largest freight brokerage provider in the world. In February, the Wall Street Journal reported that after evaluating and rejecting bids from three trucking companies, XPO would instead hold onto the unit. "I think we can improve it by integrating it and bringing it lots of new customers from our other service lines," CEO Bradley Jacobs told a WSJ reporter.

Stronger Together: Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to go it alone

Those who work in the trucking industry tend to be an independent lot. Maybe it’s a function of a driver’s job. Those who crave crowds would likely struggle in a…

SAF-Holland expands lineup, pledges more to come

ST. LOUIS, MO - SAF-Holland has added a new on-highway sliding tandem axle air suspension and an electronic fifth wheel lock indicator to its expanding product line - and there's already the promise of more to come.

Class 8 market to drop to 215,000 units in 2017: Volvo

LAURENS, SC – Volvo Trucks North America is expecting a further drop in Class 8 truck sales next year, adjusting its North American forecast down to 215,000 units for 2017.

Volvo demonstrates evolution in safety

LAURENS, SC - Today's trucks are undeniably safer than the models that came before them. Cabs are tougher. Stability controls keep wheels on the ground during tight turns. Cameras and radar-based systems can even provide virtual eyes for the road ahead.

Benefits of ELDs outweigh costs 2:1, Transport Canada says

TORONTO, ON - Transport Canada has determined that the benefits of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) essentially double the related costs, according to a newly released Cost-Benefit Analysis. The analysis examined two scenarios - a mandate for all federally regulated carriers, and one that excluded vehicles that would already have to meet a pending U.S. mandate for the devices. The analysis "confirms the significant net benefit from an ELD mandate and dispels some of the myths about ELDs that are out there," said David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, which released the results.

U.S. funding driver training for vets

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted US $1 million to seven schools to help train more than 250 veterans and their family members as commercial drivers. The funding is provided through its Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.

Plans for Surrey parking area parked

SURREY, BC - Developers have abandoned plans to create a new parking facility at 192 Street and 16 Avenue in Surrey, British Columbia. A member of the city's planning department confirmed for Today's Trucking that the developer, GG Metro, has asked for the application to be closed. It will hardly be good news for truck drivers looking for a place to stop. Municipal staff estimate that about 1,300 trucks routinely park illegally in the community.

Dispatching to prevent the Zombie Apocalypse?

DALLAS, TX - Just in time for Halloween, or maybe the latest season of the Walking Dead, Omnitracs has launched the Zombie Dispatch game to illustrate ways fleets can become more efficient.

Mentorship panel named for Trucking HR Canada event

OTTAWA, ON - Trucking HR Canada's first-ever Driver Connect & Share event will include a panel discussion with driver mentors and proteges sharing personal insights on mentoring.

Groshong to lead Wabash tank business

LAFAYETTE, IN - Gordon Groshong has been named senior product manager - aluminum at Wabash National Corporation's tank trailer business.

Study showcases use of fuel-saving tech

ARLINGTON, VA - What does it take to reach 6.5 miles per gallon (36 liters per 100 kilometers)? A survey by the American Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, and sponsors at ExxonMobil offers some insights into what fleets did to reach this median target.

Natural gas fleet begins cross-border service

BUFFALO, NY - Innovative Transportation Services, an affiliate of the family-owned Sonwil Distribution Center, has officially launched cross-border transportation services

Navistar names three to board

LISLE, IL - Navistar International has named José Maria Alapont, Stephen R. D'Arcy, and Dennis A. Suskind to its board of directors, increasing the total number of seats to 12.

Ontario reviewing Class D requirements

TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is revisiting the medical, vision and knowledge requirements for Class D licence holders -- and the potential of aligning them with other commercial vehicle classes, the Ontario Trucking Association reports. A Class D is needed to operate straight trucks with gross weights above 24,000 pounds, and combinations above that weight which include towed vehicles with gross weights below 10,000 pounds. The proposed alignment would subject Class D drivers up to the age of 64 to complete knowledge and vision tests every five years, those under 46 to submit a medical every five years, those 46-64 to submit a medical report every three years, and those 65 and over to submit an annual medical, the association says.