Trucks haul 80% of U.S. freight: ATA

ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. trucking industry accounted for 79.8% of the nation’s freight bills in 2016, amounting to US $676.2 billion, the American Trucking Associations concludes. The organization’s newly…

Hankook sales up, profits down

BRAMPTON, ON - Hankook Tire is reporting higher sales but lower profits in the second quarter of 2017, in the face of rising raw material costs.

Trimble announces new transportation divisions

NASHVILLE, TN - Trimble has created two new divisions as part of its transportation segment. The company made the announcement August 14 as part of day one of the In.Sight User Conference and Expo 2017, hosted by Trimble companies TMW Systems and PeopleNet. Presidents Brian McLaughlin and David Wangler are heading up the new divisions, while also keeping their old titles.

Saskatchewan association continues carbon tax fight

REGINA, SK - Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is retiring from politics, but the Saskatchewan Trucking Association is continuing his fight against carbon pricing - and also recommending steps that should be followed if such a tax becomes a reality. "We have supported the provincial government's stance on a carbon tax since the beginning, and that has not changed," said Susan Ewart, executive director, when releasing a related white paper on Friday. "The actions the federal government is planning on taking for backstop jurisdictions are not trucking-friendly and place an unfair burden on industry. Proper policy planning will prevent those actions." According to the association, a carbon tax would create an administrative burden, give U.S. carriers operating in Canada a competitive advantage, create budgeting challenges for trucking companies, and create inequalities between different transportation modes because of exemptions for marine and aviation.

Titanium continues acquisition hunt

BOLTON, ON - Titanium Transportation Group continues its search for companies to acquire, focusing mainly on Ontario-based truckload fleets with cross-border van or flatbed business.

Titanium logistics rises, company eyes acquisitions

BOLTON, ON - Titanium Transportation Group has reported record results in a quarter that featured a 9% boost in revenue to $32.8 million, and EBITDA up 7% to $3.4 million. The gains were primarily in its logistics business.

PeopleNet names new Sr. VP of trucks

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - PeopleNet has appointed a new senior vice president and general manager of their truck division. The company announced that Bryan Coyne is moving into the role from his current position as vice president of national accounts.

Betts aquires majority stake in J-Tech

WARREN, PA – Betts Industries has acquired a majority stake in J-Tech Incorporated. The parts manufacturer announced the acquisition of its long-time partner – a growth of their 20-year collaboration…

Wabash National buying Supreme body builder

LAFAYETTE, IN - Wabash National is purchasing Supreme Industries -- the second-largest maker of truck bodies in the U.S. - as an answer to the growing e-commerce segment. The cash offer is valued at US $21 per share, which equates to an equity value of $364 million and enterprise value of $342 million. The company expects to realize at least $20 million in annual cost savings by 2021, largely through corporate and procurement expenses and operational savings. Supreme, founded in 1974, recorded $299 million in sales last year and has seven facilities across the country. (All figures are in US dollars.) The Wabash portfolio includes dry freight vans, refrigerated vans, liquid and dry bulk tank trailers, and platform trailers.

Bendix reports production increases in June and July

ELYRIA, OH - Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems reports increased demand at three of its commercial facilities. Last week the company, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, which develops and supplies active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America, reported production milestones across all three of its facilities due to increasing orders.

Navistar ending medium-duty engine production

LISLE, IL - Navistar will stop producing medium-duty engines at its plant in Melrose Park, Illinois, beginning in the second quarter of its 2018 fiscal year. Most of the proprietary engines made in Melrose Park are nine- and 10-liter models for Class 6 and 7 trucks. Navistar reintroduced the option of a 6.7-liter Cummins engine in 2013, followed last year with the option of a nine-liter Cummins. Cummins engines for Class 6 and 7 trucks are produced in Indiana and North Carolina, while Navistar makes big-bore engines for Class 8 trucks in Alabama.

Overall TFI revenue up, but TL drags

MONTREAL, QC - TFI International saw a 23% boost in revenue in the second quarter of 2017, reaching $1.12 billion - but Canada's largest carrier still posted a $47.2 million operating loss because of a $129.8 million goodwill write-off of U.S. truckload operations.

Earnings Watch: Werner rises 27%

OMAHA, NE - Trucking and logistics provider Werner Enterprises has reported that its earnings climbed 27% for the second quarter, compared to the same period a year ago.

Kenworth projects strong vocational market

RENTON, WA -- The first half of 2017 has been good to the trucking industry, and to the vocational market in particular, and going into the second half of the year the underlying economic fundamentals look equally promising. That's the view from Renton, Washington, where Paccar vice president and Kenworth general manager Mike Dozier addressed reporters at a press event on Friday, July 21.

TP Commercial to get new head office

ROME, GA - TP Commercial Solutions -- the commercial arm of Pirelli Tire North America -- is establishing a new head office in San Diego, California, on September 1.