Trucking, shipping groups dig into USMCA changes

TORONTO, Ont. – Whether you call it USMCA or the unofficial brand of NAFTA 2.0, North America’s new trade agreement is being greeted with a sigh of relief by transportation industry lobbyists and analysts alike.

CTEA commits to growing voice

WINDSOR, Ont. – Complying with all the rules that apply to producing a vehicle is no small task, and this even holds true for the businesses which build on the work of Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Attach something like a dump body or snow plow, and you’re expected to identify and certify the final product with a Canada Safety Mark. Each change has to meet applicable standards, and those who do the work must be able to issue recalls and respond to compliance audits, and familiarize themselves with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Put another way, reaching for a welder or torque wrench is just part of the job.

The Canadian Transportation Equipment Association (CTEA) has long been a resource to help comply with the underlying rules. But it’s also been quietly building on that mandate – establishing a stronger voice for businesses which perform the tasks.

Nikola to manufacture in Arizona

PHOENIX, AZ – Nikola Motor announced today that it will build hydrogen-electric semi trucks at a new 1-million-square-foot facility on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona, in nearby Buckeye. The announcement represents more than US $1 billion in capital investment […]

Volvo expands land for customer experience

DUBLIN, VA – Volvo Trucks has added 49 acres to a customer experience track next to its 36,000-square-foot Volvo Trucks Customer Center.
The land builds on the 1.1-mile track that already features on-highway and off-road areas.
Another 221 acres has also been secured under a lease-to-purchase agreement for future use.

Stemco purchases air disc pad maker

LONGVIEW, TX – Stemco has purchased Commercial Vehicle Components, a manufacturer of air disc brake and medium-duty hydraulic disc brake pads.

Diesel engines an economic driver: Forum

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. manufacturers produced more than 741,000 heavy-duty diesel engines last year, playing a role in the economies of 14 states, the Diesel Technology Forum says.

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.

Double Coin opens new tire plant

RAYONG, THAILAND – Double Coin and CMA has opened a new manufacturing facility in Thailand that will produce truck, bus and industrial tires for the North American market.

U.S. trailer orders, production rise

BLOOMINGTON, IN – Net orders for U.S. trailers exceeded expectations — reaching 18,900 units in June, FTR reports. That marks an increase of 12% over May and 58% above June 2016.

Mexico’s trucking industry a world apart

BANFF, AB – Mexico has clearly realized the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The southernmost member of the trading block is now Canada’s third-largest trading partner, behind only the U.S. and China. “It has been good to us. It has been good to our economy,” says Rogelio F. Montemayor Morineau, president of the 5,000-member Canacar – Mexico’s national trucking association, referring to the trade deal.

It has clearly played a role in the Canadian economy, too.

Utility plant produces 250,000th refrigerated trailer

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – Utility Trailer Manufacturing has now manufactured more than 250,000 refrigerated vans at a plant in Clearfield, Utah.

Recommended tire repair, retread practices online

FALLS CHURCH, VA – The Tread Rubber and Tire Repair Materials Manufacturer’s Group has published new Recommended Practices for retreading and repairing tires, with details now published on the Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau’s (TRIB’s) website.

Mack’s bulldog bullish on economy

LOUISVILLE, KY – Mack Trucks has added to the chorus of positive economic news presented during this year’s Mid-America Trucking Show.

Peterbilt targets 15% market share

LOUISVILLE, KY – Peterbilt produced 36,000 trucks in 2016, marking its fourth-highest production year on record. But it wants more in 2017. Specifically, the target is more market share.

Kenworth rolls forward with array of products, systems

LOUISVILLE, KY – Kenworth is projecting a growing Class 8 truck market in a year that will feature several planned rollouts – from automatic transmission options to a program for certified used trucks.