May 2012 Volume 23, Issue 5 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Just cold enough
Manitoba winter roads survive mild winter weather By Jim Bray WINNIPEG, Man. – The window was short, but it appears that it was open long enough for Manitoba’s version of ‘Ice Road Truckers’ to have gone off as hoped for this year, despite Mother Nature’s best attempts not to cooperate. “All things considered for how warm a winter it was, we had a good year,” said Larry Halayko, director of contract services for Manitoba Infrastructure. “We experienced one of the warmest winters on record in Manitoba, however we did get some opportune periods of cold weather which is what we need for building winter roads.” Cost of the winter roads, of which there are some 25 in all, is split right down the middle between Manitoba and the federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. They’re rebuilt each winter to take a year’s worth supplies to a number of remote communities, most of which are homes to aboriginal people – hence the federal involvement. “It’s very time sensitive,” Halayko said shortly after the roads closed for the 2012 season. “You only have a certain period of time to build the roads, get them open, keep them open and maintained, and get them closed – and Continued on page 18
the time is right: You don’t hear of many successful trucking start-ups anymore, which is part of what makes Saskatoon’s TimeLine Logistic so unique.
Starting from scratch
impson donned the director of safety and compliance hat. The trio, who claim over 100 years’ experience between them, also brought in industry veteran Donovan Swinnerton as director of business development. According to Stimpson, TimeLine’s goal is to get into the nuclear industry, the same business served by the trio’s previous employer. “We’d learned a lot about the industry and enjoyed it and figured it’s a good niche to get into because the nuclear industry in North America is
TimeLine Logistic is less than two years old. So why’s it already getting noticed? By Jim Bray SASKATOON, Sask. – They’ve been in business barely a year-and-a-half, yet Saskatoon’s TimeLine Logistic is already making a name for itself. TimeLine was born in September
Three new trucks highlight MATS Plus, we take the new T680 on one of its first drives Mid-America Report, pgs. 26-36
2010, after Troy Stimpson, Bob Grunow and Murray Schumacher left another trucking company to strike out on their own. Grunow took on the mantle of president, Schumacher became director of operations and St-
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Inside This Issue...
Mark Dalton O/O
• In the shop:
How to streamline your repair processes to improve efficiencies in the shop. Page 17
• A really long LCV: Saskatchewan and Loblaws have teamed up to run a pilot program, pulling three 53-ft. trailers behind a single tractor. We talk to the driver. Page 19
• Oil 101: Engine oil is one of the most misunderstood items we work with. We bring some clarity to the subject. Page 24
• On the road: We review the brand new Kenworth T680, fresh off the assembly line.
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau E-mail Jim Bray at jim@transportationmedia.ca or call 403-453-5558
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To view list of advertisers see pg. 40
Careers: 10, 15, 16, 23, 24, 36, 40 PM40069240