Roadrunner Transportation acquires California company

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. today announced the $4 million acquisition of Central Cal Transportation, an intermodal outfit in northern California. Central Cal moves nuts, wines and imported retail products.

jsonline

Minnesota truckers expect modest growth

A survey by the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) reflects some optimism for their state's trucking fleets. Sixty percent expect modest growth to continue, with forty percent expecting to expand fleet sizes.

Echo Press

Fort Wayne's Navistar location in final days

Navistar's pullout from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Lisle, Illinois is winding down, with about 20 employees remaining at year's end from approximately 1,400 two years ago. A Journal Gazette article likened the generous bonus package distributed to remaining workers to "combat pay." While 250 workers at the former testing facility transferred to the new Chicago-area headquarters, the remainder were thrust into unemployment or early retirement.

Wabash selects Meritor axles as standard equipment on trailers

Wabash National has selected Meritor axles as standard equipment on all its trailers, according to a Meritor press release. “Wabash National has a well-deserved quality reputation year after year for building long-lasting trailers,” said Craig Frohock, general manager, Global Trailer, Meritor. “Meritor’s proven product lineup will only enhance Wabash’s status as an industry leader.”

New CEO at Flying J returns to his roots #trucking

Tennessee native John Compton is homeward bound to head up Pilot Flying J Oil Corp. as new CEO. Compton succeeds owner James Haslem who last month purchased the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise. Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J began as a single gas station and is now the nation's largest truck stop operator.

Reuters
Knoxville News-Sentinel

Billionaire investor Icahn critical of Navistar #trucking

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn on Sunday called truck maker Navistar's board a “poster child for abysmal business decisions and poor corporate governance,” criticizing its change in CEO. The complaint was dismissed by the company as "unproductive tactics of threats, attacks and disruption."

NYPOST.com

Bloomberg

NM truck stop supported by town, opposed by residents #trucking

A proposed Pilot Travel Center in the Albuquerque suburb of Moriarity will experience the typical face-off between town leaders and nearby residents. The truck stop, along I-40 and west of N.M. 41, will occupy nine acres bordering a subdivision with accommodations for 90 trucks and 65 cars.

ABQJournal Online

C.H. Robinson expands in Europe, buys Polish freight forwarder #trucking

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. announced Thursday it is buying a Warsaw, Poland freight forwarder Apreo Logistics S.A.

St. Paul Business Journal

Upward trend in prices, mileage of used trucks

COLUMBUS, IN -- The upward price trend of used heavy-duty commercial vehicles that began in early 2010 continued into March 2011, according to ACT Research Co. (ACT). The reported average sales price increased six percent from February levels.

The price increases were reported in the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research. ACT also reported that average miles for vehicles in the used market also continued to increase.

“Inventory on hand continues to be very tight,” said Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT. “The trend is for vehicles coming to market with higher mileage, a reaction to fleets holding on to their equipment longer. Used prices will continue to rise, driven by tight availability of low-mileage and late model units,” added Tam.

Cummins reports strong sales, profits in first quarter

COLUMBUS, IN -- Heavy-duty engine maker Cummins Inc. today reported higher sales and earnings compared to the first quarter of 2010 on continued strength in key international markets, a recovering North American truck market and productivity improvements.

“Our outstanding first quarter results demonstrate that we are well positioned to take advantage of our significant growth opportunities as markets around the world continue to recover,” said Tim Solso, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The work we have done over the past two years to keep the Company strong during the global economic recession is paying off today.”

Read more at Businesswire

ABF earns national LTL carrier of the year award

FORT SMITH, AR -- For the second consecutive year, ABF®, has been named National LTL Carrier of the Year by the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC). The company was recognized during the NASSTRAC Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida, April 17-20.

NASSTRAC recognizes transportation providers on a quantitative scale in five key areas: 1) customer service; 2) operational excellence; 3) pricing; 4) business relationship; and 5) leadership and technology. The NASSTRAC Carrier of the Year program is co-sponsored by Logistics Management, a leading trade magazine for buyers of logistics services.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation.

--PRNewswire

YRC Worldwide makes progress on restructuring

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- Troubled trucking company YRC Worldwide Inc.announced yesterday "significant progress" in negotiations with lenders, its pension fund, and the Teamsters union in completing the company's financial restructuring goals.

Speculation that the company was on the verge of bankruptcy was fueled by a publicly acknowledged "milestone failure" in a report to the Security Exchange Commission in mid-March.

John Lamar, YRC Worldwide Chief Restructuring Officer stated, "We have been working closely with JP Morgan, agent for the senior secured lender group, the steering committee, the company's pension funds and the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee and we are very pleased with the progress that has been made and the support we have received. All stakeholders are continuing to finalize definitive agreements to complete the company's financial restructuring."

--PRNewswire, Businessweek, Kansas City Star

Indy Navistar parts unit to bring back 150 workers

"Heavy truck and parts manufacturer Navistar International Corp. said Wednesday that its engine parts business in Indianapolis will bring back 150 laid-off workers by June.

The business, called PurePower Technologies LLC, also plans to hire 100 more workers by 2014 at the Indianapolis foundry, which makes cylinder heads and blocks for diesel engines."

--BusinessWeek

National Truck Protection signs exclusive with Commercial Fleet Financing

CRANFORD, NJ -- National Truck Protection Inc. (NTP), an independent provider of warranty and service contracts to the trucking industry, announced a signed agreement with Commercial Fleet Financing, Inc. (CFF,) a Class 3-8 used truck provider based in Carrolton, TX, to offer NTP used truck warranties on all of their leased and sold vehicles.

"We are excited to be working with CFF as they provide working trucks that are instrumental to the livelihood of their owners,” said Robert S. Amico, president of NTP.

From Businesswire

Rush Enterprises, Inc. 1Q used truck sales encouraging

SAN ANTONIO, TX -- Rush Enterprises, Inc., today announced results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2011, reporting gross revenues totaled $446.1 million, a 49.1% increase from gross revenues of $299.3 million reported for the first quarter ending March 31, 2010.

"As expected, deliveries of Class 8 trucks remained challenging in the first quarter, " said W.M. "Rusty" Rush, Rush Enterprises Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. "However, we are greatly encouraged by the sustained increase in U.S. Class 8 new truck orders."

Rush Enterprises, Inc. owns and operates the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States, representing truck and bus manufacturers

Marten Transport earnings rise 5.2%

"A focus on growth and fuel efficiency and cost control measures helped boost Marten Transport Ltd.'s earnings by 5.2% in the first quarter.

The Mondovi refrigerated trucking firm reported earnings of $4.1 million, or 19 cents a share, up from $3.9 million, or 18 cents, a year earlier."

Read more: JSOnline

Ahern sees real uptrend in transportation

PHOENIX, AZ -- Ahern and Associates continues its momentum by announcing eleven new acquisition clients.Their latest acquisition deal involved Milan Express and publicly traded Vitran Corporation.

Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, commented, "Our analysts are seeing a real uptrend in the transportation industry as a whole and a marked increase in the number of acquisition deals being performed-we're excited to lead the way."

Ahern and Associates is North America's leading trucking and transportation management consulting firm. 

From PRWeb