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Lanier Tech expands CDL program to meet trucking demand

Truckers aren’t always looked upon endearingly on the road, Edwards said,“Everyone wants to blame a trucker,” he added.Learning these things and more will be the challenge for the eight to 10 expected in the upcoming eight-week summer course the college is offering.The Lanier Tech program presents a few options that other private trainers do not typically provide, Edwards said.
For example, training can be expensive, but some Lanier Tech students can offset costs with the HOPE Career Grant, which is available to qualified students who enroll in majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.
And if a student fails the state certification test, they will be retrained by the school free of charge until they get it right.But the biggest aspect is more time spent behind the wheel. Many training programs last just three weeks, Pierce said.“Everybody doesn’t get to start out in a truck like this,” Pierce said.

Source:https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/

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Law enforcement agencies begin safety crackdown on trucks, trucking companies

“Our ordinary day was destroyed in a split second due to truck negligence,” said Joleen Tichelaar, whose husband was killed by a big truck’s corroded brake drum that dislodged from the truck.Jay Tichelaar was driving on Interstate-94 in Johnson Creek in May 2017. Jay Tichelaar, 51, died instantly.That’s why Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt said he started a Joint Truck Enforcement Task Force Monday, promising tickets for truck drivers who violate the law and fines for trucking companies that don’t maintain their trucks properly.
“Suddenly, the brake drum broke apart and threw heavy pieces of metal into the air with intense force and crashed through my loving husband’s windshield, hitting him directly in the face and neck,” Joleen Tichelaar said. “I can’t even put into words the gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching emotions that our children and I have endured since that day.” The truck that ended Jay Tichelaar’s life kept going and officers have not been able to find the driver or company responsible.

Source:http://www.wisn.com/

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Busia one-stop border post renders hundreds jobless

There was hope for better trade when President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, opened the Sh1.3 billion Busia One Stop Border Post in February this year. What was meant to streamline processes by marking the end of a manual system has come with pain. As much as the government appears to have sealed leakages through which tax used to leak to corrupt revenue collectors, individuals who worked in the clearing and forwarding sector are crying over job losses.
Uganda to widen relief fraud probe to U.N. staff vows reforms Initially, the border was a hive of activity as clearing and forwarding agents moved up and down pursuing clearance of trucks with cargo crossing to Uganda. Clearing agents at Busia and Malaba customs say the introduction of the post has taken away their jobs. Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association Busia Chapter Chairman Joseph Ouma paints a gloomy picture of a people deprived of livelihood. An agent can go for two weeks without getting a job because the truck driver comes furnished with an Exit Note and he can do the remaining work himself, says Ouma. Everything is now done electronically and only KRA officers can access the system. Text the word ‘NEWS’ to 22840 Initially, agents would be assisted to fill forms from the Immigration office before gaining entry. Once they disembark, they go straight to the Immigration officer who keys in their details in the system; this takes a very short time and they are allowed to proceed to Kenya, says Ouma.
There are more than 1,000 clearing and forwarding companies at the Busia and Malaba borders and according to the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association Busia chapter chairman, some have closed. Moses Okendo, of Johen, says the introduction of the one-stop border point has denied him an income. This is the only place we could get money to take care of our families, but there is nothing we do at the border nowadays. Dominic Mburu, also a clearing agent, says there is no balance of trade between Kenya and Uganda. Our colleagues in Uganda are reaping big from the two borders, says Chief of Staff Robert Papa.
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Pilot Freight Services and RCL Global Logistics Solutions announce transportation alliance

LIMA, PA – Pilot Freight Services (Pilot) and RCL Global Logistics Solutions are pleased to announce an alliance between both companies. The pilot, headquartered in Lima, PA, is a worldwide provider of transportation and logistics services. The company began in 1970 as a domestic freight forwarder and has had exceptional growth in many different verticals including global transportation, contract logistics, supply chain management, customs brokerage, e-commerce, automotive, government and more while maintaining their reputation as a leading forwarder. With a domestic footprint covering the entire United States through 75 North American locations, and global coverage in 190 markets, Pilot truly can move freight anywhere in the world.
Pilot prides itself on being a technology-based forward-thinking transportation and logistics company with an unprecedented standard of customer service. The alliance between Pilot and RCL is a natural fit and an opportunity to provide a wider range of services to customers of both companies. “We are excited to enter this agreement because of the synergies between the two companies and the fact that we have similar cultures,” said John Hill, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Pilot Freight Services. “RCL views this new relationship as a way to leverage our core services with Pilot, building an even stronger offering to our clients,” adds Patrick Costin, President, RCL Global Logistics Solutions…

Source: https://www.ajot.com/

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More than 80% of carriers optimistic about 2018: TransCore

Canadian carriers and brokers benefited from a strong market in 2017, and are optimistic about the current year, according to a new report from TransCore Link Logistics. Seventy-three percent of respondents were carriers, while 27% were brokers. Most reported that the increase in load volumes seen in 2017 positively impacted their businesses, including 54% of carrier respondents. 21% of carrier respondents said the increase in volumes had a negative effect on their business, primarily because they didn’t have sufficient trucks and drivers to keep up. Those carriers cited an inability to find quality, experienced drivers, as a problem.
Forty percent of brokers said the increase in load volumes positively impacted their business, while 31% said it was negative. Only 38% of responding carriers said their expenses increased in 2017, compared to 2016. The technology was a key area of investment for carriers, with 71% saying they invested in technology. Fifty-two percent of carriers said they invested in trucks, and 45% invested in new staff. Other areas of investment for carriers included: building space; trailers; security; and electronic logging devices. “It is possible for brokers to expand into the carrier sector by purchasing trucks,” TransCore noted. “With freight volumes at an all-time high, brokers may be struggling to find trucks. This could lead them to invest in a trucking division of their own.”
In terms of profit margins, half of the carriers reported 5% or better margins in 2017; with 40% between 5-15% and only 10% of carriers had margins greater than 15%. This means half of the carriers had profit margins below 5%. But 82% of carriers said they are optimistic about 2018. A quarter of brokers said their profit margins were above 15%, with 90% having profit margins greater than 5%. Not surprisingly, carriers with higher profit margins were less affected by the U.S. exchange rate. Seventy percent of responding carriers and brokers said the “Trump Effect” had no impact on their businesses. More than half of carriers and brokers felt freight volumes, rates, and fuel prices would rise in the first quarter of 2018.

Source: https://www.trucknews.com/

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Bison Transport, Central Oregon Truck Company Win TCA Best Fleets to Drive For

Central Oregon Truck Company and Bison Transport have been named the overall winners of the annual 2018 Best Fleets to Drive For the contest, put on by the Truckload Carriers Association and its partner CarriersEdge.Central Oregon Truck Company of Redmond, Ore., won in the small fleet category, sponsored by EpicVue, and Bison Transport of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, won in the large carrier category, sponsored by Northbridge Insurance.
“These two companies are shining examples of consistency and innovation in trucking,” said John Lyboldt, TCA’s president. “Congratulations to Central Oregon and Bison for continuing to go above and beyond to create exemplary workplaces for their drivers.”Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest that recognizes North American for-hire trucking companies providing the best workplace experiences for their drivers. Central Oregon also received top marks for their compensation programs and operational strategy.
Bison Transport has placed in the Top 20 for eight of the ten years since the Best Fleets program was initiated, including three consecutive years winning Best Overall Large Fleet. This year also marks Bison’s fourth total Best Overall Large Fleet title, the first fleet to reach this milestone.With a 1,456-truck fleet, the company continues to find new ways to improve its offerings for drivers.

Source: http://www.truckinginfo.com/

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Uber Freight Seeks to Corral Truckers With Discount Program

Uber Freight has an offer that it hopes truck drivers cant refuse thousands of dollars in discounts on Navistars International brand big rigs if truckers use its freight-matching service. Uber also will provide price breaks for maintenance, tires, gas and cellphone services. that have materialized as freight demand climbs and more segments of the trucking transportation industry go digital. The discount program piggybacks on existing relationships between third-party vendors and Uber Freights parent company, Uber Technologies.
The ride-hailing business has long offered price breaks on gas and other services to Uber drivers. Offering a fuel card is a natural extension of what weve done so far with our mission to make it more affordable and efficient for truckers, said Eric Berdinis, Uber Freight product lead. When we talked to Uber Freight they were on a similar pathway. To be eligible for Navistar vehicle discounts, drivers must use the Uber Freight app at least 10 times. Uber Freight isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel by rolling out a loyalty program. Uber Freight Plus competes with existing fuel card discounts and loyalty programs offered by truck stop networks, trucking associations, and other industry groups. Some truckers are trying out the Uber program after having negative experiences with rivals.
When I heard about the Uber fuel card I was looking forward to signing up, he said. Uber Freight pegged the program’s announcement to the opening of the annual Mid America Trucking Show, which begins this week in Louisville, Ky. Ubers Advanced Technologies Group manages Uber Freight and the company’s autonomous vehicle development programs. Uber Advanced Technologies Group announced earlier in March that it had been testing autonomous trucks in Arizona since late 2017 as part of an experiment to blend self-driving and conventional driver-operated trucks.

Source: https://www.trucks.com/

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Brokers Issue Forecasts for Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc’s FY2018 Earnings (KNX)

Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Knight-Swift Transportation in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Knight Equity raised shares of Knight-Swift Transportation to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 26th. Barclays raised shares of Knight-Swift Transportation from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Knight-Swift Transportation from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Stephens lifted their price target on shares of Knight-Swift Transportation from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Knight-Swift Transportation has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $49.60.
Knight-Swift Transportation has a 12-month low of $26.68 and a 12-month high of $51.94. Knight-Swift Transportation (NYSE:KNX) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.13. Knight-Swift Transportation had a net margin of 12.58% and a return on equity of 5.92%. Knight-Swift Transportations payout ratio is currently 8.35%. bought a new stake in shares of Knight-Swift Transportation during the 4th quarter valued at about $231,000.
Grandeur Peak Global Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Knight-Swift Transportation by 119.3% during the 4th quarter. Grandeur Peak Global Advisors LLC now owns 591,570 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,863,000 after purchasing an additional 321,850 shares during the period. Xact Kapitalforvaltning AB acquired a new position in Knight-Swift Transportation during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,284,000.

Source: https://www.thelincolnianonline.com/

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Kenworth Donates T680 to Award Honoring Veterans Who Become Truckers

For the third consecutive year, Kenworth has donated a T680 Advantage to the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program recognizing the top rookie military veteran truck drivers. Armed Forces into a career in trucking. Around 200,000 service members transition out of the military into the private sector every year, and the program is part of an outreach to veterans informing them of career opportunities within the trucking industry, according to Fastport President Brad Bently.Kenworth recognizes the importance of our veterans, and the donation of our on-highway flagship Kenworth T680 …

We encourage those transitioning from military service to consider the trucking industry as their future career, and urge fleets in America to nominate their best drivers who have served to protect our country.The donated T680 Advantage is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, Paccar MX-13 engine with 455 hp, and a Paccar 40,000-pound tandem rear axle.The top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges.

Source: http://www.truckinginfo.com/

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Local program helps Welfare recipients find jobs in the trucking industry

“It’s pretty incredible getting in the truck and feeling so much power,” said Luna.She works at Lawson Rock and Oil in Fresno and is now in the driver’s seat after passing a truck driver training program that takes people off welfare and to work.The program was the brainchild of owner John Lawson and Leann Eager of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) after a chat about High-Speed Rail turned into the need for drivers. Lawson donated his land and time to create the program.
“When you’ve got the truck driving school on your property, you get your pick of the best ones in class,” said Lawson. They learn the components of the truck, how to do a proper pre-trip, inspect their vehicle,” said Glen Wills, truck driving instructor.Since it started 2 and a half years ago, 138 people have been trained.”Everybody that wants a job, can get a job. And in the welfare to work world, 82 percent is miraculous,” said LeeAnn Eager, Fresno County EDC President, and CEO.Pay for drivers can range from $15 dollars and go up. The program is free for those who qualify. So when it did arise, I went for it,” said Luna.
The New Employment Opportunities (NEO) program pays for a new employees salary for the first three months and there’s more compensation after that. We’re partnering with the Fairgrounds to have the training over there,” said Eager.A success story created here in the Valley.Interested applicant must qualify as ready to work.

Source:http://abc30.com/