Blog

EnRoute - October 23, 2013


Top Stories

President Obama has signed into law a continuing resolution that ended the government shutdown that began on October 1st, increases the nation's debt-ceiling limit and establishes a special joint House-Senate committee to conference on the federal budget. FULL STORY
 
A report issued by the U.S. Energy Security Council (USESC) and compiled with the help of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS) is calling for the easing of tax and regulatory barriers where transportation fuels are concerned as a way to significantly improve the nation's energy security profile. FULL STORY 
 
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is reminding carriers to update their registration information with the agency. All companies under FMCSA jurisdiction are required to perform the update every two years as part of the new Unified Registration System. FULL STORY
 
 

Technology Trends

Navistar has developed a remote diagnostics system, the OnCommand Connection that will integrate with most existing fleet telematics systems and be capable of monitoring all vehicle makes. The product is currently undergoing fleet tests and is set to officially launch in January. FULL STORY
 
Michelin Americas Truck Tires has launched an expanded version of its ONCall emergency road service (ERS), ONCall 2.0. The expanded version will be available in January 2014 and adds mechanical and towing services to its current tire service offering. FULL STORY
 
Comdata has released an enhanced version of the FleetAdvance software which adds an opportunity analyzer to the program, enabling additional insight into potential fuel savings. FULL STORY
 
Hendrickson Trim and Bumper have launched the AERO CLAD Coronado SD bumper which is the latest in an entire line of lightweight, corrosion resistant bumpers offered as part of Hendrickson's All Makes bumper-product offering. FULL STORY

 

Briefly
 

Dana Holding Corporation's Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle has been selected as a finalist for the 2014 Automotive News PACE Awards, marking the third consecutive year a Dana technology has been honored. . .Carrier Transicold  has commemorated its 45th anniversary of the invention and production of its first “picture frame” container refrigeration system. . .Penske Used Trucks has simplified and modernized online truck shopping for its customers with the launch of its new mobile website, http://m.penskeusedtrucks.com. . . Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) announced its plant in Warren County, TN, will produce 9,000 truck and bus tire daily beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013. A $36.6 million expansion project begun in 2011 has created 45 full-time and other contractor positions and enabled a ramp-up in production to 9,000 tires per day. . .J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Encompass E-Log and fleet management system are now compatible with the iPhone and iPad using their KellerMobile App. . .Mack Trucks manufacturing facility in Hagerstown, MD, will begin assembling all Mack heavy-duty drive axles and machining all Mack carrier housings. The facility already produces all Mack engines and transmissions. . .Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has been named one of the world's 100 most innovative organizations for the third straight year. The Top 100 Global Innovator program, an initiative of Thomson Reuters' IP Solutions business. . .Mack Trucks will use two custom Mack Pinnacle model trucks to transport the 2013 Capitol Christmas Tree cross-country from the state of Washington to Washington, D.C. The tour officially begins on November 5 and this year's design features the bulldog pulling a lit Christmas tree on a sled.
 
 

People

 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s board of directors has elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Darren Wells, as president of Goodyear's Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business unit; Arthur de Bok, currently president of the company's EMEA business, will assume a new role as senior vice president; Laura Thompson, vice president of finance, North America, will succeed Wells as executive vice president and chief financial officer; and Damon Audia, senior vice president of business development, will succeed Thompson as senior vice president of finance in Goodyear's North America business. . .J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has added three new industry professionals to its field team. Nick Riggi has joined the company as a metro account executive serving clients in the Northeast; Mark Cunningham was hired as a regional account executive serving clients throughout the Midwest; and John Smith has also joined the company as a metro account executive serving clients throughout the Midwest. . .Mike McGrath, president of SKF Vehicle Service Market, North America Business Unit, passed away suddenly on October 11 at the age of 54.

 
 
 

Taking $tock

A look at truck transportation-industry Fortune 500 public companies:

Company Symbol (Click for Chart) 10/23 Close Performance
Allison Transmission Holdings ALSN $25.61 $0.23 -0.89%
Avis Budget Group Inc. CAR $29.35 $0.25 -0.84%
Cummins Inc. CMI $135.54 $2.64 -1.91%
Dana Holding Corp. DAN $22.86 $0.46 -1.97%
Eaton Corp. ETN $67.77 $1.25 -1.81%
General Electric GE $25.70 $0.32 -1.23%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber GT $21.86 $0.18  -0.79%
Navistar International Corp. NAV $37.18 $0.25 -0.67%
PACCAR Inc. PCAR $58.20 $0.21 -0.36%
Ryder R $64.07 $0.83 +1.31%

SOURCE: Yahoo! Finance

 

Money Matters

Rush Enterprises, Inc. has reported the company's net income was $15.2 million for the third quarter ending on September 30, 2013, compared to $14.9 million for the same quarter in 2012. The company's aftermarket services remained strong and accounted for more than 64% of the total gross profits for the third quarter of 2013. FULL STORY 

 


 

News From TRALA 

 
November 1 Deadline for TRALA's Industry Scholarship

Each year TRALA's Industry Scholarship annually awards up to four $2500 scholarships to students pursuing a course of study related to the truck transportation industry at an accredited vocational training school. The scholarship program is open to TRALA member employees, as well as their children. Additionally, there is no age limit on the new scholarship program and veterans are encouraged to apply. At this time, the Industry Scholarship program has awarded six scholarships since its inception in 2012.
 
The current deadline for applications is November 1, 2013. If you apply and are not selected, you are encouraged to apply for the next application deadline which is June 1, 2014. 
 
Please follow the link, http://www.trala.org/news-events/trala-scholarship, for a complete description of the program and to access the application. If you have any questions or concerns regarding TRALA's Industry Scholarship Program, please contact TRALA's Brian Hefner at bhefner@trala.org or (703) 299-9120.
 

 

Archive

Archive