July 2011 Volume 31, Issue 7 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Welcome to the Shell Rotella SuperRigs competition, a unique celebration of fine trucks and the people who run them.
Full story, pages 56-57
The new normal
Postal strike means headaches for some, opportunities for others
More consolidation. Better cooperation. Modal shifts. These are just a few of the things on the minds of carrier and shipper executives as they look ahead to the future. By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – As shippers and carriers came together for this year’s Transportation Workshop organized by Motortruck Fleet Executive and Dan Goodwill & Associates, the mood was noticeably improved compared to previous years. Mike McCarron, managing partner of MSM Transportation may have summed up why in one simple sentence: “It’s a lot more fun having 10 extra loads a day than 10 extra trucks a day.” Still, as the economy emerges from recession and the trucking industry’s survivors collectively lick their wounds, it’s quickly becoming clear the lessons learned from the past few years will leave a profound and lasting impression on the truck transportation landscape. Some changes will Continued on page 22
Navistar’s Heavy-Duty boot camp International dealers congregate in Utah for some heavy-duty comparative testing
By Harry Rudolfs OTTAWA, Ont. – Twenty-four-hour rotating postal strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers appear to be accelerating across the country as Canada Post Corporation has countered by announcing that it is cutting staff and services at postal stations and limiting mail deliveries in urban centres to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The rotating strikes began June 3 and have affected service across the country. Since that time, Canada Post claims that volumes are down by up to 50%. “Canadians are holding on to
their mail because they are unsure what parts of the country are going to get service the next day,” according to Canada Post spokesperson Anick Losier. The union has upped the ante by increasing the number of regions affected by the rotating strikes. The work stoppages began in Winnipeg followed by Hamilton, Montreal, Moncton and Victoria. More centres seem to be added to the mix every night. As Truck News goes to press, 13 medium and small cities are currently without postal services from coast to coast. Continued on page 19
Inside This Issue...
• Mixed messages: Is the economy improving or is it stuck in a rut? We cut through the mixed messages with this special report. Page 20
• Being a Best Fleet: Sharing some of the secrets of the best
fleets to drive for, as determined by their drivers. You may be surprised by what drivers really want. Page 32
Our mufflers are stronger, last longer and save you $$$!
• Getting healthy: Our over-the-road columnists share ideas on how to improve your health while on the road.
Pages 36-37
• Till Theft Do Us Part: Mark Dalton doesn’t like being duped and makes it his mission to find a parts thief.
See pg. 28
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