On the Move 2022

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ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

FREIGHTLINER AND WESTERN STAR OF MAINE IS GROWING! W COURTESY OF FREIGHTLINER OF MAINE

e recently acquired the Western Star brand for all of our stores to complement our existing Westbrook store.

This means that the same locations you have come to trust to buy Freightliner parts, sales and service, will also be able to fill your Western Star needs. But we didn’t stop there.

Due to the increase in business and to better serve our customers, we are adding a new location in Fort Kent at 599 Caribou Road, Rt 161. We expect this store to be open early summer 2022, with expansions coming after opening. This store will also be a dual branded store featuring Freightliner and Western Star parts, service and sales. There has never been a better time to be a Freightliner and Western Star customer. We have you covered from Westbrook to Fort Kent with service options including parts, service, sales, body shop, alignment, tires, and much much more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTERNSTARTRUCKS.COM

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BACK!

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he Truck Driving Championships are back! 2022 will be the first in-person Truck Driving Championship competition since the pandemic started, and many in the Maine trucking industry are very excited. This competition has been a bright spot for professional truckers since 1937, when it was then known as the National Truck Rodeo.

“This year is the first time hosting these events in-person in the last two years, and the turnout so early in the process has been incredible — people are really eager to participate in these safety events and see friends they haven’t seen in a while,” said Brian Parke, President and CEO of Maine Motor Transport Association.

The annual competition is a point of pride for Maine’s professional truck drivers. Not only do drivers come together to show off their outstanding mastery of all aspects of truck safety and driving, but they use the day to learn from one another and improve their knowledge and trucking skills.

Some of the fun challenges in the competition include components that test each driver’s knowledge and skill sets related to highway rules and regulations, safety and security,

BY SARAH COTTRELL

highways and bridges, fire safety, and so much more. Competitors will have the opportunity to show off their pre-trip skills by searching for simulated defects on their trucks. Maine State DOT inspectors will plant these defects to try and stump the competitors.

Competitors will get to flex their driving skills as they use precision and accuracy to maneuver through a difficult driving course. This portion of the competition will be in full view of spectators and will undoubtedly be a fun time.

Winners of the Maine Motors Transport Association’s Truck Driving Championships will move on to the national championships hosted by the American Trucking Associations. At the national competition, contestants will compete for highly coveted awards such as the Professional Excellence Award, the Vehicle Condition Award, the Rookie of the Year Award, and, of course, the most coveted award of all, The Grand Champion award.

This year, the state-level competition will be held on May 31 at the Dysart’s Trailer Shop in Hermon.

For trucking enthusiasts looking for more good old-fashioned competitions, the Professional Technician Skills Competition is held on the same day over at the Eastern Maine Community College campus.

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MMTA WORKFORCE SHORTAGE M 4

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

odern life is pretty darn comfy when you think about it. Not only is it increasingly effortless to indulge in any craving (Mexican food? A new iPhone?

Fancy jeans?) and simply click a button and have it delivered directly to you, but the speed at which we can receive these goods is dizzying. We can thank the American trucking system for our great fortune because without the hard-working men and women driving goods to and fro, we wouldn’t be able to acquire the things we need in real-time without much grief.

According to the American Trucking Associations, truckers move more than 72.5% of the nation’s freight by weight, equaling 10.23 billion tons every year. Those goods get moved by more than 37.9 million trucks and cover more than 300 million miles of road.

Unfortunately, the American trucking system, that lifeblood that keeps our modern lives secure and fruitful, has faced a national workforce shortage like other sectors of the economy.

In 2021, the trucking industry saw a historic peak workforce shortage of 80,000 drivers.

According to the American Trucking Associations estimates, that shortage could reach 160,000 by 2030 if efforts are not made to boost the workforce.

“A thing to note about the shortage is that before the pandemic, we were adding drivers to the industry – even though we had a shortage, more people were entering the industry,” American Trucking Associations’ Chief Economist Bob Costello said in a media statement.

“The issue is that new entrants into the industry didn’t keep up with demand for goods.”

Younger workers are entering the trucking workforce, but the demand for goods is outpacing the number of workers trying to jumpstart their trucking careers, contributing to the gap between the trucking workforce and the American appetite for more goods. But that gap may (hopefully) be finally given a chance to shrink thanks to combined efforts in Washington D.C. and at the American Trucking Associations and the Maine Motor Transport Association.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed by Congress and became law in November 2021, which includes $550 billion of new funding for transportation projects that will directly and positively impact truckers nationwide. The bill consists of several notable highlights that will help boost the trucking industry, including $110 billion set aside for building and improving roads, bridges and highways.

“The IIJA passed with an important nationwide trucking-specific provision that will allow some 18- to 20-year-olds to operate in interstate commerce through a strict apprenticeship program,” said Brian Parke, the Maine Motor Transport Association President and CEO. “These younger drivers are already allowed to operate within the state of Maine and do so safely. Freight doesn’t care about an arbitrary border, and the safety requirements don’t change just because you are in another state.”

Congress passed the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE Safe Act which allows the Department of Transportation to create a pilot program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under 21 years of age. This program will guide an apprentice through two probationary periods equalling 400 hours total. These periods will include driving time accompanied by an experienced driver. Allowing younger Maine truck drivers to expand their driving experience will be a huge boon, especially when the trucking industry as a whole faces a national deficit of 80,000 drivers in 2021 during the height of the pandemic.

The Maine trucking industry is eager to see a new generation of truckers step into a fulfilling career, so along with a badly needed injection of funding that the IIJA will provide, Maine has a few other ideas on how to boost the number of drivers.

“Go Your Way is our workforce development campaign designed to connect with Gen-Z,” Parke said. “It is mainly a social media campaign to get younger people interested in trucking careers, and it has produced some pretty cool stuff.”

The Maine Motor Transport Association also offers the MMTA Education Loan Program,

BY SARAH COTTRELL

which provides up-and-coming truckers the opportunity to get the education and experience they need before they get behind the wheel.

“We are offering a 0% interest loan (with some caveats) for people who go to a qualifying Commercial Driving school to get their CDL. We initially thought we would have a couple dozen, but after only 8 months, we have 76 approved loans,” Parke said.

Costello told the American Trucking Associations that over the next decade, the trucking industry would need to recruit roughly one million new drivers “to close the gap caused by the demand for freight, projected retirements, and other issues,” he said in a statement.

Here in Maine, the trucking industry is looking ahead at future generations of truckers and finding ways to attract talent. Not only is the pay in Maine rapidly increasing, but there are programs like Go Your Way, funding education through loan programs, and highlighting impressive skills and talents through community-building events like the annual Truck Driving Championships that each help bring interest to a career in trucking.

“I agree that this isn’t just a pay issue because we need to find new and different ways to connect with people to narrow that shortage,” Parke said. “We know that every industry is looking for skilled labor right now — I don’t care whether it is construction, food service, or car sales. Everyone is looking to hire. And we think the job market is soon going to adjust to getting the right people into the right jobs so there is more stability for both employees and employers over the long-term.”

Parke is confident that the Maine trucking industry can connect people who don’t know about trucking to the opportunities the industry offers. Currently, there are 33,690 trucking jobs in Maine with an average annual income of $47,292 and more than 5,300 companies that employ Maine truckers.

TRUCKING FOR A CURE

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

COURTESY OF NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH

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pend some time on the road and you might spot a truck painted with a giant pink ribbon, the words “Trucking for a Cure,” and a Pottle’s Transportation logo. Every mile that this truck has racked up hauling loads throughout the Northeast has raised awareness and supported local cancer care.

Recently, Pottle’s Transportation donated one and a half cents for each of the truck’s 395,527 miles to Northern Light Cancer Care. The total amount of Pottle’s gift was $5,932.91.

“Cancer awareness is near and dear to the Pottle’s family,” says Chelsea Pottle Demmons, vice president, Pottle’s Transportation. “Many of our employees and their families have been affected by cancer. Supporting this cause makes us feel like we’re really making a difference as a company.”

The breast cancer awareness truck was initially part of the company fleet but has been owned by Kathy Wildes, a Pottle’s owner-operator, since 2019.

Pottle’s donation will stay local to support cancer care services provided at Northern Light Cancer Care in Brewer. The gift builds on a legacy of support for local cancer care services that began when the Lafayette Family Cancer Institute first opened in 2009. A room

PICTURED AT THE CHECK PRESENTATION ARE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DONNA BOEHM: MSN, MPH, RN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, ONCOLOGY SERVICES, NORTHERN LIGHT CANCER CARE CINDY NIGHTINGALE: PAYROLL MANAGER, POTTLE’S; CHELSEA POTTLE DEMMONS, VICE PRESIDENT, POTTLE’S | KATHY WILDES: POTTLE’S OWNER-OPERATOR SUZANNE POTTLE | JENI LLOYD: PHILANTHROPY OFFICER, MAJOR GIFTS, NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH FOUNDATION PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHERN LIGHT HEALTH in the building is dedicated in memory of Betty Modery, the result of a special gift made to the facility by her children Barry Pottle, president of Pottle’s Transportation, and Cindy Nightingale, payroll manager.

“We are incredibly grateful for Pottle’s support,” says Donna Boehm, MSN, MPH, RN, associate vice president, Oncology Services. “With our community’s support, we’re able to ensure that the level of care that our patients deserve is available close to home.”

Family owned and operated since it was founded in 1962, Pottle’s is based in Hermon and has other terminals in Allentown and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Pottle’s has 250 team members, including 64 owner-operators. The company primarily serves the Northeast.

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ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

AMERICA’S ROAD TEAM

BY SARAH COTTRELL

TWO MAINE TRUCK DRIVERS HAVE BEEN TAPPED TO SERVE AS CAPTAINS ON AMERICA’S ROAD TEAM!

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he American Trucking Association’s America’s Road Team (ART) is a nationwide outreach program represented by some of the best drivers in the business. Together, ART captains serve as ambassadors of the trucking industry to help spread the word about highway safety while highlighting the professionalism, essentialism and talent behind the wheel. American trucking truly keeps the nation running, and America’s Trucking Association captains are the perfect representatives to shine a light on the hard work men and women truckers do every day.

Ken Duncan from Gorham drives for Walmart and has 40 years of driving experience and an impressive 3.8 million accident-free miles to his credit. Ron Round is from Enfield and drives for Pottle’s Transportation LLC, with 33 excellent years and 2.8 million accident-free miles to his name. Together, Duncan and Round will serve as captains on America’s Road Team, where they will participate in various nationwide events, meeting millions of people and spreading highway safety knowledge.

They’ll join other captains at the White House, state capitals, motorcycle rallies, career fairs, schools, and more in their mobile teaching unit known as the famous Interstate One. Interstate One is a 53-foot show trailer that serves as a classroom on wheels.

This impressive trailer is covered in a massive American flag graphic. It features interactive educational technology that allows visitors to try out a realistic virtual trucking experience to see what driving safely in different weather conditions looks and feels like while learning about highway safety.

Interstate One gives everyday people the opportunity to see how the trucking industry impacts daily life, including a glimpse into a satisfying career in trucking. Duncan and Round will bring a unique perspective as Mainers where they can share their decades of open-road experiences.

For example, not only has Duncan won multiple safety awards like Walmart Transportation One Million Safe Miles Award, but he’s won the Maine Truck Driving Championships four times, including being named the Grand Champion. He’s proudly given his time to Wreaths Across America for 12 years running.

And Ron Round is a trusted voice in Maine trucking where not only was he inducted into the Northern Penobscot Vocational School Region 3 Wall of Fame in 2019, but he serves as President of the Maine Professional Drivers Association and regularly appears on local talk radio to discuss trucking news, issues and safety.

To learn more about America’s Road Team, check out the American Trucking Association’s website.

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022

MOVING MAINE FOR 95 YEARS T he Hews Company has been manufacturing and distributing quality truckmounted equipment to transport Maine products and services since 1927 when Roland Hews moved his family to Portland from Aroostook County and started building horse-drawn wagons. Roland quickly found out that there was more of a market for motorized vehicles, and he developed a niche for himself converting motorcars and early Ford trucks into motorized wagons and delivery vans from his workshop on Portland’s West End. Roland Hews was joined by his son, Claude Hews, in 1946 following active duty as a Marine in the Pacific Theater. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the company focused on custom van bodies for its diverse client base, which includes all of Maine’s major industries.

The company, now based in South Portland with a branch in Bow, New Hampshire, has expanded its sales operations throughout the northeast and mid-Atlantic. The company celebrates its 95th anniversary as a family-owned business in May 2022. Bob and Charlie Hews, representing the 3rd generation of the Hews family, began working for the company in the early 1970s. Under their leadership, the company has expanded their products and geographic footprint to become one of the largest builders of truck bodies and distributors of truck equipment in Northern New England. The 4th generation of Hews is now in leadership positions, with Jim Hews serving as Chief Operating Officer and Drew Hews as Vice President of Operations.

Hews Company products range from Dump Bodies, Platform, Van, Service and Lube, and Custom Bodies to Truck Mounted Cranes, Liftgates and Suspensions. They also sell and service PTO’s and Hydraulic Systems and Components, Van Interiors, Ladder Racks,

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COURTESY OF THE HEWS COMPANY

Safety and Strobe Lighting Systems, Tool Boxes, Load Covers, Winches, Auxiliary Fuel Tanks and Trailer Accessories.

A major component of the Hews Company’s business continues to be PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: JIM HEWS, CHARLIE HEWS, DREW HEWS, BOB HEWS “upfitting” trucks to move PHOTO BY PORTRAITEFX OF MAINE products and services for the construction, transportation, marine, and forest products industries in Maine. Hews Company manufactures custom bodies and upfits trucks with a variety of cranes — loaders, telescoping, service and articulating cranes. The company’s shops in South Portland and Bow also upfit trucks for a variety of specialty uses with lift gates, dump inserts with hook lifts and truck-mounted forklifts. Recently, they upfitted vehicles in a customer’s fleet with solar panels to improve the vehicles’ energy efficiency.

The success of the company for 95 years is based on the strong relationships forged with our customers, suppliers, vendor partners and employees. Upfitting trucks is skilled work that requires a skilled workforce. The Hews Company has been fortunate to attract and retain good workers. The average tenure of Hews employees is over 14 years, and the company is always looking for skilled welders, fabricators, truck equipment technicians (installation and repair), and parts specialists to join the Hews Team!

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ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 13, 2022