May 23, 2023
The trucking industry forms the backbone of our supply chain, ensuring everyday life runs smoothly for hundreds of millions of people each year. However, in recent times, the trucking industry has been navigating a sea of challenges, with rising costs at the forefront.
May 23, 2023
The leadership of the small- to mid-size trucking companies that make up the majority of America’s trucking ecosystem are aging into retirement. While some have family members waiting in the wings to keep the business going, some may not have a succession plan at all, and that’s where an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) comes in.
May 18, 2023
More and more companies are piloting heavy-duty autonomous vehicles (AVs), and as they hit the road, the trucking industry inches closer to disruption – and so does the insurance industry.
May 18, 2023
Every fleet manager knows the importance of preventive maintenance (PM) for the health of its assets. By implementing a well-designed maintenance program, fleets can improve safety, reduce equipment downtime, increase productivity, and improve regulatory compliance. To achieve this goal the program needs to include regular inspections and maintenance checks on critical components such as tires, engine, aftertreatment, transmission, braking, hydraulic, tanks, and cooling systems.
May 16, 2023
The leadership of the small- to mid-size trucking companies that make up the majority of America’s trucking ecosystem are aging into retirement. While some have family members waiting in the wings to keep the business going, some may not have a succession plan at all, and that’s where an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) comes in.
May 9, 2023
During 2020 alone, more than 88,000 trucking industry jobs were lost and more than 3,000 trucking companies closed. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the trucking industry, causing changes in demand for certain goods and new challenges for truck drivers.
As we move into 2023 and beyond, the industry continues to adapt.
May 5, 2023
A carrier was able to exonerate one of its drivers in an accident that occurred just two weeks after that truck received a video monitoring system installation. A driver-facing dash camera showed that the driver was not distracted or tired the telematics systems proved the driver wasn’t speeding, and the ELD verified the driver was within their hours of service limits. A forward-facing dash camera showed that the passenger vehicle involved had cut the driver off and hit the front of the truck.
May 4, 2023
Truck driving can be a fulfilling career, but it comes with its fair share of challenges.
I’ve found that one of the utmost areas of stress for drivers and fleet owners alike are driver safety ratings from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). An individual driver’s standing (or DOT safety rating) is critical to their reputation as a motor carrier. It also impacts the overall standing of the trucking companies they work with.
May 2, 2023
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Monday appointed nine members to serve on a task force charged with evaluating truck lease agreements and the potential safety and financial impacts they have on owner-operators.
May 2, 2023
Working for a multi-national truck manufacturer taught me that the same words may not mean the same things. Something as simple as describing a truck can lead to significant misunderstanding.
For example, a “typical” truck in the U.S. might be described as a 6×4 conventional sleeper tractor pulling a 53′ two axle trailer &mdash, colloquially termed an 18-wheeler. Those same 18 wheels in Europe are most likely a 4×2 cab-over pulling a 44.8′ three-axle trailer. Go to Australia and you’ll need to add some wheels. There, a typical tractor is a 6×4 pulling at least a 3-axle soft-sided trailer, and likely a B-train double. The “typical” truck may have a wide range of definitions if operating north of the border in Canada or states like Washington where heavier loads are common.