Trucking News

  • No MELT exemptions for Alberta farm or bus drivers
    EDMONTON, Alta. – Following public criticism, including from some family members of those killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, the Alberta government will no longer consider exempting some commercial drivers from mandatory entry-level training (MELT) or re-testing. A September…
  • Traction to open first corporate location in B.C.
    LANGLEY, B.C. – Traction will open its first corporate store and a new distribution center in B.C. Currently serving Canada’s west coast with 12 associated Traction stores and other business partners, the company said the opening of a corporate store…
  • Edmonton woman first female to achieve Kenworth master technician status
    EDMONTON, Alta. – Edmonton’s Jennifer Lesnik is the first woman to earn Kenworth’s certified master technician status. Now in her 12th year as a service technician and having worked for Edmonton Kenworth Group since 2007, Lesnik’s achievement spans all of…
  • Volvo looks to bring its success in Canada to Mexican market
    PUEBLA, Mexico – Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) president Peter Voorhoeve could not be happier with the continued progress his company has made in the Canadian market. While looking to expand its footprint in Mexico with the GHG17 engine and…
  • Caron’s McJannet named HR Leader
    TORONTO, Ont. – Trucking HR Canada has named Caron Transportation Systems’ Denise McJannet as HR Leader of the Year, following an annual gala celebrating the organization’s Top Fleet Employers program. “This is a huge honor. I’m grateful to the company…
  • VNR Electric to make California greener
    DUBLIN, Va. — Southern California will soon see the deployment of electric rigs, produced by Volvo Trucks North America in partnership with 15 stakeholders, with some of the funding coming from the California Air Resources Board. The first Volvo VNR…
  • Peterbilt parade raises more money for United Way
    DENTON, Texas — Peterbilt Motors raised more than $20,000 in donations at its fourth annual Pride and Class Parade at its home base in Denton last week, the company said. The parade was part of the annual United Way Denton…
  • Continental opens $1.4-billion tire plant in Clinton
    CLINTON, Miss. – Continental has opened a new tire plant near Clinton, Miss., which is expected create 2,500 jobs over the next decade. The plant will produce truck and bus radial tires for the U.S. market. Production is set to…
  • Spot market loads, trucks, both declined in September
    TORONTO, Ont. – Canadian spot market load volumes were in line with normal seasonal trends in the third quarter, and the truck-to-load ratio did not change from August to September, according to the latest data from TransCore Link Logistics. Freight…
  • U.S. truckers make final push for safer HOS rules
    WASHINGTON — As the deadline to comment on the U.S. government’s proposal to modernize hours-of-service regulations approaches, an industry group has urged truckers to make their voices heard on how long they should work and drive. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers…
  • Marijuana is legal, but CTA wants comprehensive tests for truck drivers
    TORONTO, Ont. – The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is repeating its call for the federal government to implement a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program for workers in safety-sensitive positions. The news comes on Canada’s one-year anniversary of legalized recreational…
  • Wabco launches service partner program
    AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Wabco Holdings has launched a service partner program in North America, the company announced Thursday. Under the program, the company will certify vehicle service facilities that meet its technical and safety standards in the maintenance and…
  • Cummins names Melina Kennedy VP regulatory affairs
    COLUMBUS, Ind. — Engine maker Cummins has appointed Melina Kennedy vice-president, product compliance and regulatory affairs. In this newly created role, Kennedy will oversee engine emission certification, product compliance and regulations related to Cummins products, the company said. Kennedy will…
  • Freight volumes, Driver Inc., ELDs, key themes at STS
    MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Carriers are seeing a reduction in freight volumes, but are still experiencing a good year. That was a theme that emerged from discussions at the Surface Transportation Summit Oct. 16. Norm Sneyd, vice-president of business development with…
  • Mark Dalton: Bud’s bail buddy – Part 1
    Mark was on his way back from a nice easy trip to Calgary where he’d been able to stay a couple of nights between loads, and take in a Calgary Flames home game and have one of the best steak…
  • Phillips creates five new units in major restructuring
    SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. — Phillips Industries, the manufacturer of advanced electrical and air brake system components, has created five distinct strategic business units as part of a major restructuring. They are Phillips Aftermarket, Phillips OEM, Phillips Connect Technologies, Phillips…
  • The man behind Volvo Dynamic Steering
    DUBLIN, Va. — It happened almost 13 years ago. Technology specialist Jan-Inge Svensson and his colleagues at Volvo’s Advanced Steering Systems in Gothenburg, Sweden, were brainstorming about making truck steering controls more driver-friendly when an idea struck them. They had experienced…
  • Seeing the light
    TORONTO, Ont. — When it comes to keeping a clean safety record, and reducing maintenance costs, a good light management program is essential. Spec’ing quality light emitting diode (LED) lights, and properly maintaining them is the key. A holistic approach Lights…
  • Driver pay among list of top industry issues
    Last month in this space, I wrote about the impact driver and equipment detention is having on the industry. This year, for the first time, the issue appeared on the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) annual list of top industry…
  • Driver shortage a self-inflicted wound, says panelist
    MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The problem of the driver shortage in Canada is a “self-inflicted” wound, a panelist told the Surface Transportation Summit on Wednesday. “What I think may not be a popular belief in the room, but it’s a little…