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ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES MANDATORY BY 2020 – Despite the exasperated cries of a disgruntled few, ELDs are coming to a truck near you and there’s no turning back says Carter Hammett.
Page 6
THE FREIGHT INDUSTRY IN FLUX – Despite an uncertain NAFTA status and industry disruptions, things look bright for Canada’s freight industry. Contributor Jon Barry sheds light on a rapidly moving sector.
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Page 12
SALES TEAM Meg Devries meg@autoatlantic.com
ALL ABOARD…THE SILVER STREAK RIDES AGAIN! From MirrorEyes to mud flaps, there was something for everyone at the TMC Convention in Atlanta, reports Bill Kaprecellan.
Page 14
NEWS OF THE WEIRD – Didja here the one about a guy who stole a car to drive himself to court while up on charges of car theft?
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FLEET TECH TRACKING – Kenneth E. Seaton takes a big picture view of fleets and sees good things in the future as well.
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FUELLED BY A COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER CARE – Pat Healey writes about Multiserve Petroleum as they celebrate their 20th anniversary and the people who helped make it happen.
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THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT – Thousands of structures in Nova Scotia are being analyzed as the provincial government works to align weight restrictions with the rest of Canada.
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FILLING THE STOCK CAR CALENDAR – Tim Terry offers a “top ten”list of “must-see” racing events this season.
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Letter from the Editor
ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES MANDATORY BY 2020
T
By Carter Hammett
HERE’S A NEW TECHNOLOGY LOOMING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT’S CASTING LONG SHADOWS FOR SOME IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY. In the off-chance you haven’t heard the news, the federal government will require all Canadian commercial truck and bus drivers to install electronic logging devices (ELDs) in their vehicles by 2020. ELDs, are already required for Canuck drivers entering the United States since December 2017. The federal government decided to follow suit and will have the technology in place within two years. “We’re constantly looking at how technology can improve road safety, and electronic stability control and electronic logging devices fit the bill,” said Transport Minister Marc Garneau. “These new measures not only make trucks and buses safer, but they also have a trickledown effect of making the roads safer for all Canadians.”
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The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) was among many who also applauded the announcement. “The PMTC and its members are extremely pleased about this announcement,” said PMTC president Mike Millian. “Our membership has been involved in the consultations with the department and are firm believers that this regulation will benefit the entire industry. Electronic logs will make compliance easier to verify, ensuring all carriers are following the hours of service rules. This will result in a leveling of the playing field within the industry and improved road safety for all.” While many in the trucking industry who have been anticipating the move for a while now, applauded the initiative— following legislation, similar and recently introduced south of the border—some aren’t so happy about the news. Indeed, some owner-operators, drivers and small fleets made no bones about their displeasure with the new system. Some scoff that ELDs have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with compliance, while others mentioned that simply enforcing speed limits would be
more effective. Under the old pen-andpaper system some drivers, especially those working for smaller firms, fudged logbooks in order to meet deadlines. Under Canadian regulations, truckers are allowed to be behind the wheel for no more than 13 hours per day to limit driver fatigue. The devices will notify drivers how much time they legally have behind the wheel before taking a break. Doing so removes the not-sohealthy choice of making deadlines or compliance with rules around driving times. Another issue gets resolved with the introduction of ELDs and that’s crossborder travel. With over $650 billion in goods going back and forth between the Canadian-U.S. border, drivers are required to cope and comply with changing regulations on either side. There will be a lot more consistency with the new laws in place, and Canadian fleets will be able to operate all over the continent essentially worry-free about meeting the demands for differing regulations. Among the perceived benefits of ELDs are: reduced driver fatigue, simplified compliance for service hours, improved communication between driver, office and truck; cost-savings through automation and fleet efficiency. Furthermore, drivers will save time through reduced paperwork and shorter inspections Improved communication will provide updates as well. Harassment is expected to be eliminated because of increased fleet service accountability. In the meantime, drivers should be aware of discussions regarding the U.S. regulations after Canada implements its own as issues will inevitably surface once more. While no system is entirely fool proof, ELDs are certainly a step in the right direction when it comes to enhancing cross-border relationships and stepping up accountability on the road. It’s the right thing to do. Onward!
THE FREIGHT IND DESPITE AN UNCERTAIN NAFTA STATUS INDUSTRY DISRUPTIONS, THINGS ARE LOOKING BRIGHT FOR CANADA’S FREIGHT INDUSTRY.
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DUSTRY IN FLUX By Jon Barry
T
HE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE SEEN A LARGE BOOM OF GROWTH AND EFFICIENCY WITHIN THE TRUCKING AND FREIGHT INDUSTRY. The driving factors for growth are largely due to the high performing Canadian economy, technological and operational efficiencies within the industry, and recent shifts in consumer buying habits. Moving forward in 2018, the expected growth of the Canadian economy is expected to slow to a steadier pace, with growth in the industry most likely reflecting that shift. While slower and steady growth is the expected new norm, there are still concerns about upcoming disruptions within the industry that could cause growth to stall or even decline for some freight companies. When the economy is doing well, so is the freight industry. We rely on the trucking industry for almost every aspect of the economy. According to the Federal Transportation in Canada 2016 Report, “Of the produced goods that remained within Canada, over 875 million tonnes were transported by the commercial sector in 2015. Nearly 72% of this amount was carried by for-hire trucking, 21% by rail and 7% by marine.” While the Canadian economy has its foot on the gas, the freight industry picks up a lot of speed. Much of the other success in the industry is due to evolutions and efficiencies in new technologies combined with increased demand for shipped consumer goods. Freight companies have been leveraging Big Data technologies and connected fleets to provide more real time feedback on the status of their fleets and information to point out areas that could be improved for efficiency. The connected fleets can gather weather, traffic, and road conditions
to relay through a centralized system to provide optimal routes and safety warnings to operators. These connected fleets also provide an immense amount of information that can be analyzed using Big Data software to search for further efficiencies. These increased efficiencies have allowed carriers to lower their prices and thus make their services more attractive and in demand. Changes in consumer products and consumption habits have also drastically led to the growth of the freight industry. This is the so-called “Amazon Effect”. As the millennial generation slowly becomes the main consumer class, their preference for convenient, isolated, and hassle-free online shopping has pushed the demand for shipped goods up and thus the price, down. This creates a positive feedback loop that continues to lower prices making shipping more accessible and in demand leading to more growth. Compartmentalization and manufacturing efficiencies have also made it easier to ship a variety of different consumer goods that would have taken up far more space in the past. Flat screen TVs are the best example. A decade ago, many consumers would not even consider ordering the old massive tube large screen TVs from China or South Korea due to the excess shipping costs. But with modern technological manufacturing and design efficiencies, a shipment of big screen TVs can now carry a substantial amount more of TVs in a single shipment, greatly improving the availability of home shipments and in turn further lowering the price. While Big Data, The Amazon Effect, and modern manufacturing efficiencies have been large drivers to growth, there are some shifts coming the industry’s way that could create a few bumps in the road. One of the driving forces that has pushed growth in the industry is the relative strength of the Canadian economy. The freight industry has been performing exceptionally well and even outpacing the wider economy due to their recent efficiencies. The federal government’s report on transportation sums up the relationship: “Transportation and warehousing is important to the Canadian economy,
representing 4.5% of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016. This sector grew by 3.0% in real terms in the past year, more than double the growth rate for all industries. The compound annual growth rate for GDP in the transportation sector over the previous five years of 2.9% also exceeds that of the economy as a whole (1.4%).” But as we begin to see economic growth level off to a steadier pace, some believe this could lead to a more leveled and steady growth within the industry. There are even whispers of a potential recession with some warning about high household debt and a potential housing bubble and their effects on the Canadian economy and the shipping industry. When discussing the American industry, Fleet Owner quoted transportation economist Noël Perry speaking at FTR State of Freight webinar series: “Our economy has shifted from a high-growth, high-cyclical economy to a slower-growth, more consumer-oriented economy”. Perry also cautions about economic growth: “We are increasingly concerned—not in 2017, but certainly for 2018-19—about the chance of a recession” with Fleet Owner claiming that could result in a five - 10% drop in pricing and volume. The last few years have seen strong growth in the Canadian economy. According to the OECD 2017 Revised Canadian Economic Report, in 2015 GDP growth was only at .9% but by 2017 economic growth had risen to 3.0%. According to OECD, Canadian GDP growth is set to decline from 3.0% growth to 2.2% in 2018 with a projected growth of 2.0 in 2019. This leveling off and stabilization will be felt in the freight industry as it loses momentum from the increased economic growth. But while growth is leveling off at a steady pace, there are still several concerns in relation to the Canadian economy that have investors and freight leaders proceeding with some caution. Last year Moody’s Investor Service downgraded the credit rating of the Big 5 Canadian banks for the second time in recent years reports the Financial Post (FP). The largest reason for the downgrade is in regards to Canadian household debt, which is now at a may 2018
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Truckers Corner
record high of “167.3 percent of disposable income, as of the fourth-quarter of 2016.” according to FP. A recession or other severely impactful economic shift could lead to a credit crunch that would drastically affect consumers and small business. Much of the growth within the consumer side of the freight industry could be fuelled by debt, and in the event of a credit crunch, Canadians will have less access to funds for credit based purchases, like the aforementioned big screen TVs. Small businesses and fleets could also be affected in a credit crunch if they are unable to secure loans to further fuel their growth. The unstable housing market is another point of worry for the ratings agency. The recent trend of elevated housing prices have led many to fear that there is a housing bubble occurring in Canada. It should be strongly noted that a housing bubble bursting is an absolutely disastrous event. The Great Recession of the previous decade was largely fuelled by an excess of bad credit that was flying around the housing markets of the United States. While recent steps have been taken in large cities like Vancouver and Toronto to slow down the housing market, a bubble
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burst is still uncertain. Beyond the wide reaching damage to the wider economy, the construction industry relies massively on the freight industry as a large part of its housing supply line for the entire building process. From shipping raw materials to the furniture delivery on moving day, the shipping industry is intricately tied with the housing market. One of the other reasons for caution in the coming years is the upcoming government mandate for mandatory electronic logging devices (ELDs). ELDs are a big part of the freight industries push towards utilizing Big Data and connectivity to increase productivity, cut down on paper work, and improve safety. ELDs already became mandated in the US in December 2017 with Canada following suit by announcing their own plans for mandatory ELD’s on the same day the US regulations came into effect. ELD’s are set to replace the old outdated systems of paper log books that are meant to keep track of hours spent on the road by an operator. According to the government’s press release: “Electronic logging devices help a driver to remain compliant with the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regu-
lations, which reduces the potential for driver fatigue. Electronic logging devices also reduce the administrative burden related to paper log books.” But just because the ELDs are meant to be more efficient, doesn’t mean the freight industry won’t have a few bumps in the road towards their full adoption. Organizations like The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) are applauding the federal government’s shift towards ELD in a recent press release. CTA Chair Gene Orlick also cautioned that there will be an adjustment period for freight companies to get used to the new reguations: “The US’s experience in implementing ELDs has shown us that even with two years to prepare, there will be some in our sector that never choose to comply in time,” said Chair Orlick. Fleet Owners quote Noel Perry’s FTR State of Freight webinar where he claims that some American companies that had a rough adjustment to ELDs and saw a productivity decline of four-to-eight percent. The issue is fleets and even individual operators have been able to improve their on the road efficiency by not utilizing ELDs. The old paper-and-pen methods are easy to cheat and allow operators and
Truckers Corner
fleets to get more work done in the legally allowed time. Once this work around is no longer available, many operators and fleets will notice their efficiency drop somewhat as operators have to spend less time on the road or risk the wrath of government regulations that can levy heavy fines. The question that remains is how much this correction will end up impacting the efficiency of the freight industry as a whole. If operators have to spend less time on the road, they will need more operators, but of course, as many people already know, those new operators are nowhere to be found. Even though everyone within the industry is tired of hearing about it, the impending driver shortage is a real problem. As we have reported before, the operator labour force is drastically out of step with labour trends in the rest of the economy. According to the Conference Board of Canada: “By 2020, the gap between the supply and demand of drivers is expected to be 25,000. This number could exceed 33,000, assuming a lower rate of productivity growth.” “The age of the average truck driver has increased more rapidly than the age of the average worker due to fewer young workers entering the industry.” “This is cause for concern, not just for the trucking industry, but for its customers, the Canadian economy, and, ultimately, consumers.” While domestic issues like the Canadian economy, upcoming regulations, and the operator shortage will contribute to the industry’s slower pace of growth, one
of the largest factors that could contribute to a massive down turn in the freight industry has nothing to do with Canada. It’s all about everything that’s going on south of the border under the wild and unpredictable ride that is the Trump presidency. The largest factor that could have a colossal impact on the industry is the final round of negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA is the governing trade agreement that sets laws and regulations on what type of trade products are allowed to be sold between Canada, Mexico and the United states and for what price. Since his campaign days, President Trump has been deriding the agreement as a bad deal for American business. He has been threatening to withdraw fully or heavily alter the agreement to favour domestic American production, thus damaging Canadian production and trade potential. This would be a massive blow to the Canadian economy and the freight industry as the vast number of rules and regulations that everyone has gotten used to are torn up and rewritten to favour America. While a renegotiated NAFTA is hard to predict, we can get some idea of the impact on the Canadian economy by looking at just one commodity: steel. Until recently, many within the Canadian industry and government were fearing the impact of a potential steel tariff that could be implemented by the US federal government that would make steel much more expensive to ship to America from Canada. When it was announced that
ATLANTIC GROWTH SPOTLIGHT The state of the Atlantic economic and shipping growth will be driven by trends that are more unique to the region. According to the CBC’s report on the findings of the Conference Board of Canada the largest barrier to growth for the Atlantic provinces is the same issue driving the operator shortage: a rapidly aging population. They report that PEI will be the growth leader of the area largely due to its manufacturing and tourism industries with a 1.8% increase. Even though Halifax has been experiencing a boom in construction, Nova Scotian growth was only projected at .5% as the large construction developments in Halifax begin to slow down. That doesn’t mean that freight hasn’t been seeing massive gains within the province however, particularly at the port in Halifax. The Chronicle Herald reports that much of the growth at the port is due to new services and larger vessels. The port has worked to “minimize transit times, reduce operating costs, mitigate risks and add value to port users moving goods through Halifax.” Speaking with The Chronicle Herald, the Port Authority’s Lana Farguson summed up the gains they have experienced: “We are seeing 14 per cent growth year over year . . . and we’ve now seen 21 consecutive months, or seven quarters, 10
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Canada would be exempt from potential steel tariffs, the OECD revised their earlier economic outlook for 2018 in Canada from 2.1% up to 2.2% on the strength of that one exemption alone. One large commodity is worth a whole .1% of economic growth. Now imagine if hundreds of commodities and finished goods were barred from the US market or were much more costly to export to America. With the Port of Halifax being the destination for many of the shipped goods in the Atlantic Corridor, access to American markets is crucial for the region. According to the Conference Board of Canada “70% of the value of exported merchandise moving through the Atlantic Corridor (excluding pipelines) was destined for the U.S. and Mexico.” While much of the industry remains strong, this is the reason that the wild political shifts south of the border have a lot of people within the industry feeling worried. But these are the nightmare scenarios. So far President Trump has had a relatively positive relationship with Canada and the federal government. The freight industry has made real gains in efficiency through leveraging new technologies in shipping and manufacturing. As long as the economy remains strong, the demand for shipped goods doesn’t appear to be disappearing anytime soon. And as long as freight companies can stay ahead of the ELD mandate and the operator shortage, the industry is in for more slow but steady growth.
of growth” “It’s momentum that we’re happy to see. We’re in a growth cycle and that’s good . . . It means jobs.” This is good news overall for the region as the Halifax port and its access to global freight is crucial to the region’s trade economy: “The Port of Halifax, [is] one of the few ports on the North American east coast that can handle fully laden post-Panamax container vessels, is also North America’s closest point of ice-free and minimal tide access to Europe and Asia (via the Suez Canal) from the east coast.” According to the Conference Board of Canada, “Key exports through the Atlantic Corridor include petroleum products and seafood products. In 2016, $24 billion worth of exported merchandise moved through the Atlantic corridor (excluding pipeline exports)...” New Brunswick is set to have a 1% increase, while fears of a possible default by the provincial government on its bonds have investors worried about the province. Recent reports by Dominion Bond Rating Service “changes New Brunswick’s economic trend assessment from “stable” to “negative” according to the CBC. To be sure a default is not certain, but it has many people worried about the strength of the provinces economy. While Newfoundland and Labrador are still expected to grow at 3%, they are the only Atlantic province headed for negative growth.
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The Lower 48
ALL ABOARD . . . THE SILVER STREAK ROLLS AGAIN
A
By Bill Kaprelian
S TECHNOLOGY SWEEPS ACROSS EVERY FACET OF OUR LIVES WELCOMED OR NOT, THE RECENT TMC CONVENTION IN ATLANTA BROUGHT TO LIFE SOME PHENOMENAL BENEFITS FOR TRUCKERS AND PEOPLE WHO TRY AND MANAGE THEM.
Fleet managers roamed the floor of the Georgia Exposition Center to learn about software tools to track and manage their fleet and some beyond-beta testing tools to help their drivers do their job better… or as the ATA folks theme puts it “Driving Excellence Through Expertise”. There was plenty of expertise to be had at the 4-day event in early March. I on the other hand was just there to soak up the new stuff and get “wowed” over products that many of you consider pedestrian/mainstream. Remember my rig is ’95 4Runner interment with an ’05 Tundra….but in my heart beats a Chevy. TMC 18 attracted over 350 exhibitors with products that pretty much covered commercial trucks bumper to bumper. All tire brands were front and center with wide-based tires – very interesting to me but fairly passé to fleet managers and their truckers. As I heard many times from the tread folks – it’s all in the sidewall construction. A well-engineered sidewall will sustain multiple retreads, lengthen the life of the tire and that ‘s good for profit. Even though the wide-based approach has been out there for many years, there is 12
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a reluctance to drive with “one” tread vs. “two” especially when it comes to sustaining a flat. Is there such a thing as sustaining a flat…maybe “controlling” is a more realistic term. There were three exhibitors (fairly good batting average since I only visited with 4….just kidding) that really stood out from an innovative perspective and in each instance these vendors took something old and made it new again. Hyliion unveiled a hybrid diesel or as they put it the Hyliion intelligence algorithm with HySight determines when to apply power for optimal fuel savings – no it’s not like the Cadillac V8-6-4 debacle (which incidentally they finally figured out, too bad it ain’t 1981). So like the diesel engines of Union Pacific fame that start rolling in electric mode until a certain speed is attained for the diesel to kick in and do the heavy hauling/torqueing that electric engines can not perform no how, the Hyliion hybrid diesel can go and go and go and…. with the electric compliment as warranted by topography down the road. Cummins is dabbling with an all-electric vehicle but unmistakably the proto-type in Atlanta sure looked like it had room for a Cummins under the hood to marry with the electric power plant, which is a natural in these days of hybrids. The better mouse trap award (yes I’m giving awards now too) has to go to Eco Flaps. Talk about what’s old is new again – enter the mud flap. Famous for stopping stones that big rigs are very capable of launching and unfortunately contributing to “wet out” and “white out” conditions on the windshields of passing cars and pickups. But no more! The Eco Flap has created slats – pretty darn simple and yet a thinking man’s mud flap. It not only stops the spray (and the stones for sure) but it actually saves on fuel. The fleet managers loved this pitch and this booth had plenty of action the several times I passed by.
With less wind resistance against the mud flap there is less drag and real fuel economy…who woulda thunk. The two other gems I uncovered are totally millennial. In other words they’re “perfect”. The common side mirror has been reborn MirrorEye™ by Stoneridge Electronics. The claim is it removes blind spots and by virtue of cameras mounted on the outside the driver is “checking his mirrors” by looking at a dash monitor and probably in ensuing versions a Heads Up display. If you need a new set of mirrors… check out Stoneridge Electronics. Finally I stumbled into Matt Johnston the designer/inventor/guy who is real familiar with the Augmentor™ and this may actually be perfect. Not that I am any where near to being a millennial. It is (as the brochure and booth personnel stated) an augmented reality system that allows experts to engage with drivers/mechanics and everybody in between. With a pair of special glasses the unknowing stare down mechanical problems/maintenance issues and their lack of understanding is sped across an enterprise network where that expert is patiently waiting to help you troubleshoot yourself back on the road. This little device/system will allow for experts to provide virtual help at any time in any place to anyone behind or near the wheel. The skills gap is getting bridged thanks to Augmentor. And then near the edge of the exhibit floor – off the carpet and parked on highly polished cement sat the Shell AirFlow truck dubbed the bullet truck. A proven design that offers an energy-efficient class 8 tractor-trailer for today and tomorrow. All they needed in the booth were Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor to complete “the picture” – it was the Silver Streak come to life. The aerodynamic designed body comprised of carbon fiber gets the job done. Recently this “starship project” hauled a load at 65,000 pounds G.V.W. coast to coast and averaged a record 13.4 mpg. As I headed to the door to find Marta and the airport I realized I did not come across a CB in the whole place. But no matter I could never master the talk/listen feature. I’m still learning how to find sirrus stations while driving 70+mph on I-65…10-4 good buddy!
Carter’s Corner
NEWS OF THE WIERD THE STRANGE, THE WEIRD, THE NOT-SO-NORMAL POSING AS NORMAL
AND THE WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY THINKING ALL COMPILED FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE. NO, REALLY: YOU’LL THANK US. MAN DRIVES STOLEN CAR TO COURT TO ANSWER CAR-THEFT CHARGE
Autoblog recently reported a story about brainchild Jonathon Rivera 25, who showed up to court in Hartford, Conn., to answer a charge over a stolen car - and got there by driving a stolen car. Rivera was charged with first-degree larceny and tampering with a motor vehicle. That theft occurred back in February. While he was at court talking with a judge about that charge, parking officers were scanning license plates in the courthouse parking lot. They spotted a car that had been reported stolen, so officers waited for a driver to return. Police say Rivera was arrested as he tried to drive away. Two new charges were added — second-degree larceny and taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission. Maybe he’s going for a hat trick, or, if he wants to keep things simple, steal a car straight from the courthouse parking lot.
AT GOODYEAR, TIRES PUT THE AIR INTO YOU
ous tire called the Oxygene. The company is showing it off at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, and es there is actually living moss inside it. But it’s also so much more than that. The above photos show blue and gray sidewall strips and that’s not a color option – the tire actually creates its own electricity through photosynthesis (remember, there’s living moss in there) and can light up to communicate different vehicle actions, such as turning or braking. Electronics, sensors, and even a CPU are embedded in the tire to make all this happen. Hopefully it’s all pothole-resistant. That’s actually the tire’s secondary function – a by-product if you will of its mission to help generate fresh air. The Oxygene absorbs moisture from the road and CO2 from the air to feed the moss inside, which then releases oxygen. Goodyear estimates that, in a city with 2.5 million vehicles, the “living” tires could create 3,000 tons of oxygen and absorb 4,000 tons of CO2 a year. Granted that would require 10 million such tires, but still, that’s a fairly significant amount of fresh air. The tire itself is naturally an airless design so you never have to worry about punctures or blowouts. It uses recycled rubber for the tread and the main structure, so yes, it’s technically a tire that in fact puts air into you instead of the other way around. Of course it’s just a concept that, according to Goodyear is “meant to challenge our thinking and help drive the debate around smart, safe, and sustainable future mobility.” In other words, don’t expect to see these living tires anytime soon. Still, props to Goodyear for most decidedly thinking outside the box on this one.
PASSED-OUT-DRUNK MAN RACKS UP $1,600 UBER FARE So what happens when you’re a company primarily known for tires, but want to help make the world a better place? That hasn’t stopped Goodyear’s research and development teams from trying innovative ideas, and the result is a very curi14
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It’s happened to the best of us but even this can be considered a little extreme. After spending the day and night partying hard in Morgantown, W.Va., Kenny Bachman ordered an Uber ride to take him back to where he was staying near the West Virginia University campus. The
only problem is that he apparently passed out soon after his ride arrived. When Bachman awoke he was in the middle of more than 300-mile trip to his home in suburban Camden, N.J. Bachman, told local media he spent about $200 at the bar after already drinking all day,” had also ordered the moreexpensive Uber XL, which can accommodate groups of six. And because it was a Friday night, surge pricing was in effect, doubling every charge except the booking fee. Total fare? A cool $1,635.93. Bachman reportedly challenged his bill with Uber, claiming he never entered his home in New Jersey as the destination, and he claims the driver answered a FaceTime call on his phone while he was passed out without his permission. But he ended up paying the fare in full. He also gave the driver a five-star rating.
PEUGEOT ION GETS KITCHEN IN THE TRUNK IS ULTRA-TINY RV EV While converting the tiny trunk of a Peugeot Ion into a working kitchen doesn’t seem make sense the host of YouTube channel Kiwi EV Adventures sees it as a given. He takes on the challenge of fitting a sink, prep area, stovetop, and refrigerator into the small space. Needless to say lots of preparation’s required. The builder starts out using cardboard to figure out the basic shape of the countertop and then cuts the design out of plywood. The situation gets more chal-
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Carter’s Corner
a rapidly ageing population means funerals are anything but a dying trade. Elderly mourners can register their names on a touchscreen tablet device and make a traditional offering of incense just by rolling down a car window — a process relayed to screens inside the venue for the grieving funeral host to watch. The initiative aims to speed up funeral services and also to give infirm relatives the chance to participate, said the firm’s president Masao Ogiwara. “Older people may hesitate to attend a funeral because they have to ask for help to get out of the car,” Ogiwara said. “But we want as many people as possible to be able to come to say farewell to
lenging when the time comes to incorporate cabinets because the trunk opening’s complex curves and small area don’t leave much room to incorporate them. Kiwi EV Adventures makes the odd decision to incorporate a gas camping stove into the back, though. Both for safety’s sake and as a better way to fit with EV aesthetic, an induction cooktop seems like a much better choice. They’re only a little more expensive but come with the advantage of not having an open flame in the back of the car, which seems dangerous. Incorporating the sink requires some clever engineering. The host cuts the bottom out of a common metal bowl and fits a waste water tank underneath. A sepa-
rate reservoir supplies the fresh water for washing off food. The little refrigerator also looks almost comically small with barely enough room for more than a couple cans of soda. Given the limited room, it would be hard to fit anything bigger, though. Perhaps there’s room in the cabin for a cooler for keeping more items on ice.
MOURN AND GO? The Daily Telegraph recently reported about a new concept in Japanese death: a chance to pay their final respects to deceased loved ones without leaving the comfort of their cars. The firm claims that the “drivethrough” service is a first in Japan, where
their friends or neighbours,” he said. Ogiwara said the time is cut down to just a few minutes by the service, which the Kankon Sosai Aichi Group in the central Nagano prefecture expects to offer from December.
NEW NGK SPARK PLUG AND GLOW PLUG PART NUMBERS
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GK SPARK PLUGS CANADA LIMITED IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF 96 NEW PART NUMBERS TO THE NGK SPARK PLUG, GLOW PLUG, AND WIRE SET PROGRAMS IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.
This expansion provides additional coverage to over 12.3 million Canadian VIO (Vehicles in Operation), including many late model vehicle applications. This new product release is an example of NGK’s commitment to maintaining its market leading position in the ignition category. These updates have been provided to all E-cataloging sources and are live on the NGK web catalog. We thank you for your continued business and support. If you have any questions, please contact your local NGK Representative or NGK Customer Service at 1-877-2SPARKY (1-877-277-2759) or visit us on the web at www.ngksparkplugs.ca. 16
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Truckers Corner
FLEET TECH FOR TRUCKING
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By Kenneth E. Seaton
UMANS – FOR A LONG, LONG TIME NOW – HAVE ALWAYS HAD A COMPULSIVE NEED TO GROUP TOGETHER & LIST ANIMALS, PEOPLE, AND THINGS. These grouping of collective nouns were often given catchy names; host of angels, pride of lions, gang of hoodlums, a litter of puppies, gaggle of geese, hive of bees, armada of ships, pod of whales, troop of baboons, etc. While, at first glance, some of these name groupings may be quite appealing; for many people there is nothing quite as eye catching or inspiring as spotting a
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fleet of trucks rolling purposely down the highway. It’s next to impossible for someone to sit outside of an UPS or Canada Post depot at the crack of dawn and to not get to musing on just where all those trucks and goodies are going. The next logical thought, is a wondering of just whose job it is to bring order to all that seemingly structured chaos. Fleet Managers are usually to be found front and centre of all things trucking. It’s one of their responsibilities to ensure that all deliveries and distributions are correctly dispatched. They’re also responsible to ensure that their drivers keep to their usually jam packed schedules. These tasks are accomplished by correctly matching up a properly maintained vehicle with the best driver for the job.
FROM OLD SCHOOL TO NEW SCHOOL Long gone are the days when a balding baseball-capped, beer bellied, cigar
smoking older man with a gravelly voice, barked out orders while referring to the daily run sheets pinned to his clipboard. Today’s fleet managers are more than likely to be young, university educated and instead of a clipboard they undoubtedly clutching a tablet or cell phone. Savvy trucking business companies and by extension their fleet managers know that there’s a technological revolution underway and it’s beginning to make noticeable in-roads into the trucking industry. Companies that are failing to move with the times are simply failing! Technological advances –mere ideas or fancies just ten years ago – are now either under the hood, on the dashboard or working somewhere inside the vehicle. Common everyday tasks, that once caused fleet managers many sleepless nights, have now become technological solutions that make these once troublesome tasks seem almost mundane. Soft-
ware resolutions aid the trucking industry as it goes about carrying out its daily operations. Daily tasks such as: • Fleet vehicle maintenance • Scheduling • Route planning • Proper load optimization • Adhering to government rules & guidelines • Ensuring that driver health and safety rules & guidelines are followed Today’s fleet managers, drivers and their vehicles are much better prepared to meet the industries ever changing needs than their predecessors. In the past the trucking industry seemed to take a much slower and more sedate pace about embracing & adopting newer innovations and technologies. Due to rapid tech advancement, the need to attract more millennials into the industry and the predictions for stronger industry growth has driven the need for greater and more progressive industry changes. In its 2016 study¹ CPCS Transcom – prepared for the Canadian Trucking Alliance – reported that: “Based on forecasts by the Conference Board of Canada, forhire trucking industry GDP is expected to grow from $19.2 billion in 2014 to $24.1 billion in 2024, for a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. Taking into consideration expected labour productivity growth; this industry growth implies the need for 25,000 additional truck drivers by 2024.”
road delays, blockages and closures. The benefits of not adding to and/or maybe even subtracting a few minutes of driving time from each driver’s daily Hours of Service (HOS), possibly will boost the overall fleet utilization. Drivers and vehicles are now required – supposedly by the year 2020 for the Canadian trucking industry – to have installed and must be using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). These hardware
devices are connected directly to the Engine’s Control Module (ECM) and they automatically record the driver’s compliance to the HOS requirements. ELDs collect the vehicle’s vital data including date, time, kilometers driven, engine hours, etc. It also transmits alerts for vehicle malfunctions and for purportedly unassigned driving time. It’s original and main purpose was to replace the cumbersome and often-inaccurate paper log
GPS, GSM, ELD, HOS, AOBRDS EQUALS OMG! From the time that drivers pull out of their depot, they and their vehicles are supported by telematics. Generally speaking, telematics is the merging of telecommunications with information and communication technology into a device that can collect, store and then transmit to the vehicles vital information from any location. This device is integrated into the vehicles Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and combined with an electronic Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) device; it continually transmits information to the fleet manager via secure web-based software. Through the employment of telematics systems, fleet vehicles are continuously monitored for its movements, speeds, location and operational status, etc. Effective usage of real-time communications and routing apps (like Waze) provide fleet managers with the ability to divert and steer drivers away from accidents, may 2018
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Truckers Corner
books, required for over-the-road truck drivers. Older units were once called Automatic Onboard Recording Devices (AOBRDs). Another major benefit to telematics technology is that it gives fleet managers a tool to genuinely increase fleet efficiency by allowing them to monitor how their drivers are driving their vehicles. Gathered data is interpreted and will show if drivers are speeding, accelerating too rapidly or
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maybe, even over applying the brakes. At which point drivers can be brought in for training or re-training with the cost saving goal of reducing fuel consumption by coaching them how to properly drive their vehicles at its optimum speed. Not only will the use of telematics allow owners and fleet managers to better control their financial costs but it will also enable them to grow their fleets greener. More and more attention is being put on
greenhouse gases, clean technologies and zero-emission commercial vehicles, etc. Trucking companies that demonstrate that they are working towards a cleaner environment should experience a positive impact on their financials.
APPING THE WAY AHEAD Shrewd fleet managers, who are supportive of the reasonable usage of selected trucking apps by their drivers, are not only embracing new technology but are also demonstrating their concerns for the health and welfare of their drivers. With advance knowledge of what’s happening down the road ahead, drivers can not only reduce downtime, but may also lower their stress levels while saving the company money. Apps can provide: Real-time information on the weather, allowing drivers to be better informed and prepared (i.e. installing chains) before driving into potentially sloppy weather. Timely info on truck stop parking availability, with some apps even having the capability to reserve parking spots. Fuel price comparisons along with depot truck height clearances. Data about whether upcoming weigh stations are open or closed, as well as the vehicle’s weigh station status history and CAT scale locations. Drivers can plan out full route maps with info on truck stops and wash locations, restaurants, exits and any low clearance bridges or other potential hazards that may be along the route. Scanning of trip related documents, receipts and contracts. Documents can be saved to the Cloud and/or faxed, printed or emailed to Fleet Managers. For both long and short haul trips fleet managers and their drives can use technology to plan out increasingly complex & customizable trip routes. They must take into consideration the weight, dimensions and number of axles on the vehicle. Other migrating factors that must be included in the equation are; circumventing obstacles like low bridges, speed & vehicle size limit restrictions, narrow streets & avenues, any challenging road geometry including inclines. Once mapped out, the customized routes can then be downloaded or programmed into the driver’s or the vehicles mobile devices. There are an abundant number of tailor-made or configurable apps available to truckers, owner-operators and fleet managers. The sole purpose of these apps is to save drivers time and money. Autonomous trucks will more than likely be coming to trucking depots in the
not too distant future. Meanwhile, several companies are hard at work putting vehicles nose to tail as they work out the kinks to platooning vehicles. Truck platooning is when two or more vehicles travel in tight formation – convoy style – and are digitally tethered together utilizing technology and automated driving support systems. A lead vehicle is the head of the platoon and is closely drafted by other vehicles which automatically maintain a set and predetermined distance between each vehicle. As the lead vehicle brakes or accelerates the following vehicles automatically mimic its movements. These actions require little to no action from the vehicles drivers. However, it is important to note that drivers, if needed, are always ready and able to take over control of their own vehicles. As the trucking industry looks to increase profits and lower costs; challenges like a looming driver shortage, ever increasing government
regulations and always more demanding customers are pushing and pulling at its bottom lines. Perceptive fleet managers are turning to new and continually expanding imbedded and mobile technology – including but not limited to smartphones, tablet computers & other handheld devices – for affordable and easily implemented support solutions.
WHAT FUTURE TECHNOLOGY MAY BE DOING DOWN THE ROAD TO THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY As the technological highway keeps expanding, there will be major challenges effecting just how trucking fleet managers conduct business. It’s easy to see how many factors like electric and driverless vehicles will be grabbing their attention. However, there is such a plethora of tech changes heading the trucking industries way that it’s virtually impossible to see the forest through
the trees. Changes will come in many shapes and types. Virtual Reality (VR) will soon be used as a highly effective added component in driver training. As part of the move to entice more millennial type drivers into the industry, VR training is being reworked to appear more video game like. By making the driver training courses more engaging for the trainees, the end game is to have a much better trained driver ready to drive, even before they climb behind the steering wheel. New varieties of augmented reality will become available to drivers. Similar to the heads-up displays’ that pilots now use in their fighter planes; truck drivers will have a constantly updated mix of layered information displayed on the windshield in front of them. The information will include, not only the operational status of their vehicle, but also important Intel on the environment ahead of the vehicle. This flow of heads up data will enable drivers to make safer and smarter decisions when sitting right behind the steering wheel. They’ll be able to keep their eyes on the road while assimilating info advising them of any real-time lane traffic congestions on the road ahead. Theoretically, this new technology will permit
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ATA of Atlantic Canada
drivers to monitor their vehicle and its pay load while keeping their eyes on the road. The Internet of Things (IoT) will be putting the finishing touches to combining and connecting trucking vehicles with all its various telematics components. During the vehicle’s run, IoT gremlins will be keeping an electronic eye on its pay load as it monitors for changes temperature and vibrations, etc. If any problems or issues begin to develop, alerts will then be transmitted to the drivers and fleet managers. A major bonus and potential selling feature to this IoT technology, is that the monitoring system could be set up in such a way that it will be able to watch over the shipment throughout its various international transportation journeys. From its initial starting point, through any vehicle, rail or steamship changes right to its final destination, the shipment will be completely covered and monitored. ¹ The Truck Driver Supply and Demand Gap - Final Report, Prepared by: CPCS, 6-May-16
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ATA EXPANDS MEDAVIE BLUE CROSS PLAN
T
HE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY GROUP INSURANCE PLAN WILL NOW BE AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. The association plan which is underwritten by Medavie Blue Cross, was established in 1995 to provide exclusive and Industry specific group insurance plan benefits to the Automotive Industry in Nova Scotia. The plan was designed especially for auto dealers, recyclers, collision repair shops, retail gasoline dealers, tire dealers, parts and equipment suppliers, muffler and brake shops and independent repairers. Mr. Carlos Rodrigues with Corporate Benefits 2000 was instrumental in the development of this industry specific
plan. Recently, MacLellan Moffatt Group Consultants (MMGC) have acquired the program from Mr. Rodrigues and are gearing up to make the plan available across the Maritimes. MMGC has offices in Truro and Halifax and will provide advisorconsulting services to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. Mr. Mark Denholm is the managing partner of MMGC and has been providing pension and benefit solutions to Atlantic Canadian businesses since 2004. MMGC has 15 employees who can provide benefits and pension solutions to Atlantic Canadian businesses specific to the individual business needs. To learn more about this new opportunity, contact the ATA at 902-466-7516, ataatlantic@ eastlink.ca or info@mmgc.ca Below, ATA Executive Director Graham Conrad with Mark Denholm of MMGC and ATA employee Nikki Barnett.
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Multiserve 20 year anniversary
FUELED BY A COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER CARE MULTISERVE PETROLEUM CELEBRATES ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN
H
By Pat Healey
ARDWOODLANDS: NOW 20 YE ARS IN, MULTISE RVE PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT LOOKS QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN IT DID AT THE VERY BEGINNING.
What started as a two-man operation in the basement of owner Jeff McMackin’s home is now 15 employees strong, with a dedicated, fully-stocked warehouse in central Nova Scotia. But at its core, the company hasn’t changed a bit. McMackin says the growth the company has seen is all about the
people – both his clients and his staff. “I feel that all of my customers are my friends,” he said. “My goal, and our goal as a company here at Multiserve, is to treat every customer that way – with honesty, fairness, and as much help as we can give.” This philosophy has also enabled the company to build up a strong network of partnerships with oil, automotive and heavy equipment jobbers across Atlantic Canada. “The jobbers we work with have given us so much support over the last 20 years,” says McMackin. “These partnerships mean so much to us and we’re grateful to be their first choice when it comes to sourcing equipment, construction and
OWNER JEFF MCMACKIN
THE MULTISERVE TEAM
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Multiserve 20 year anniversary
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installation.” The team at Multiserve is just as crucial to its success. Lia Renaud is relatively new to the company, having been hired in the fall of 2017 as a project lead. But says she saw both the emphasis on excellent service, and the importance of each employee’s role in providing it, right away. “Coming onto this team, it was immediately clear to me that doing our very best for each and every customer is top priority,” she says. “And we all work together, each lending our own skills and expertise, to deliver the best possible service. You can really tell that’s what drives every member of this team. It’s at the heart of who we are as a company.” When McMackin started Multiserve, he had a vision for a different kind of company. One focused more on quality rather than sheer quantity. “When I worked for other companies in the field, before starting Multiserve, I found they were so driven by the mentality of more is always better – more clients, more products,” McMackin says. “But the way I saw it, that’s not necessarily true. If you’re just overloading yourself with every product on the market and an endless list of customers, the quality isn’t there in service and it’s not there in terms of products.” He made the choice to focus Multiserve only on the top-notch products and providing dedicated, seamless client care. “From a strategy perspective, it just makes sense,” says Eric Fleming, Multiserve’s operations manager. “Providing the best products and the best possible service to our customers helps their businesses to grow and succeed, and in turn, helps us to do the same. When our clients are happy, our team is happy – and that’s good for everyone’s business.”
PAUL WILLIAMS LEADS TECHNICAL SALES AND SERVICE FOR MULTISERVE
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Multiserve 20 year anniversary
“WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, EACH LENDING OUR OWN SKILLS AND EXPERTISE, TO DELIVER THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE. YOU CAN REALLY TELL THAT’S WHAT DRIVES EVERY MEMBER OF THIS TEAM. IT’S AT THE HEART OF WHO WE ARE AS A COMPANY.”
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Multiserve is equipped to serve its clients on the smallest job sites to the largest construction projects. The company outfits customers in the automotive, petroleum, mining, agriculture and marine industries (and beyond) with equipment like fuel and fluid storage tanks, gas pumps, commercial cardlocks, lubrication systems and signage. But there’s more to Multiserve’s comprehensive service than just installations and hardware. “It’s important to us to offer a seamless experience to our clients, and a big part of that is technical support. We want to ensure that the work is done right from the start, but also that our customers know that we’re there for them if there is ever an issue,” says Paul Williams, head of technical sales and service. “We’re always harnessing innovative new technologies, as well, so that we can continue to provide the very best solutions when we’re serving our clients.” For the past two decades, Multiserve has covered the four Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador. McMackin’s vision has grown even further over the last 10 years to include Multiserve’s sister company, Fleming Reid Petroleum, which serves British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. “We’re in a position where, with our in-house inventory and multiple locations, we can ship things quickly and costeffectively throughout both Atlantic and Western Canada,” he says. “That’s another thing that was important to me when I started the business – keeping a healthy stock of equipment. It’s just another way we work hard to make things easier for
SOLID TECHNICAL SUPPORT STARTS WITH A PROFESSIONAL AND KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM
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Multiserve 20 year anniversary
MULTISERVE MAINTAINS A FULL STOCK OF COMMONLY-SIZED TANKS
Congratulations from your friends at Jiffy Lube!
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our customers.” With a slogan like Fueling Industry Solutions, one may wonder what it is that fuels the team at Multiserve to work just as hard 20 years in as they did at the beginning. But from the very first interaction with any staff member at the company, it’s easy to see: creating a friendly, helpful and high-quality experience for clients is the gas that makes this petroleum equipment service truck go.
WITH A FULLYSTOCKED WAREHOUSE, MULTISERVE CAN SHIP MOST PRODUCTS THE NEXT DAY THROUGHOUT THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES ALWAYS HARD AT WORK AT MULTISERVE
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Multiserve 20 year anniversary
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East Coast Road Report
ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT BITS AND PIECES OF HIGHWAY-RELATED NEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC REGION NEWFOUNDAND AND LABRADOR
Minister Crocker Updates FiveYear Provincial Roads Plan Building off a successful road construction season in which more than 600 lane kilometres of highway were paved and more than 300 culverts replaced, the Department of Transportation and Works February 7 announced the 2018-19 edition of the Five-Year Provincial Roads plan. Again this year, $77.2 million has been allocated for the program. The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works, will be available to discuss the plan with media today (Wednesday, February 7), at 11:30 a.m. and will be joined by Jim Organ, Executive Director of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. The availability will take place in St. John’s at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road in the Conception Bay North Room. Full details of the plan, including the routes scheduled for repairs for each year, can be found on www.roads.gov.nl.ca.
Projects are ranked on factors such as safety, traffic volume, and input from the department’s engineers, and users of provincial roads and highways. A public consultation held in November received 470 submissions. Like last year, all tenders for road construction projects will be issued well in advance of the road construction season. By issuing and awarding tenders earlier in the year, contractors are more prepared to start road work when the weather allows and can take full advantage of the province’s short construction season. The five-year plan and this year’s update are part of The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, which outlines government’s plans in the face of fiscal challenges by achieving better value for money.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Investment in Miramichi road project
The provincial government is partnering with the City of Miramichi to fund the reconstruction of part of Route 117 this summer. It is part of a $30-million investment in transportation infrastructure in the Greater Miramichi region. “Your government recognizes that strong partnerships with municipalities are important as we improve our roads and highways,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “Better roads mean safer, more efficient transportation for goods and people, and help keep our economy moving forward.” About 650 metres of Route 117, from civic number 1265 to Knox Street, will be rebuilt. The municipality will fund 15 per cent of the cost and the provincial government will fund the remaining 85 per cent. Under the Municipal Designated Highway Program, municipalities apply for funding assistance for capital upgrade projects. Funding for the program has more than doubled since the 2014-15 fiscal year, increasing to $25 million in 2015.
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East Coast Road Report
It has remained at that level as part of a government commitment to sustain funding for municipalities. “The Municipal Designated Highway Program has allowed our city to move forward with many important infrastructure projects,” said Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon. “We appreciate the Government of New Brunswick’s contributions to the maintenance of our shared roads in the Miramichi.” The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2-million capital budget reflects the government’s priority of investing strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the government’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs.
NOVA SCOTIA
Red Tape Reduction in Trucking Industries Changes to roadway weight restrictions across the province will help make Nova Scotia’s trucking industries more competitive. Nova Scotia is working to bring roadway weight restrictions in line with those across Canada. Many roads that do not have structures such as bridges or large culverts now have an increased weight limit up to 62,500 kilograms, based on
truck configurations. In the meantime, thousands of structures are being analyzed to determine their ability to sustain an increased weight. Truck configurations are also being analyzed to assess their impact to roads. Purchasing trailers that are more pavement friendly is one kind of adjustment that allows the vehicle to carry more weight on the road. Assessing the weight capacity of roads can shorten routes which results in savings for truckers hauling products. Vehicles operating at their maximum weight reduce hauling costs per tonne. This also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and wear and tear on roadways because fewer trips are required. Forest Nova Scotia, the largest organization of forestry interests in the province, has identified these opportunities as a means to increase performance and productivity in the trucking industries. The industries’ cost savings from these initiatives so far have totaled $2.3 million. “We continue to support ideas that reduce the regulatory burden on business and help spur economic growth,” said Lloyd Hines, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. “These are changes that make a big impact to the trucking industries while reducing the impact on our roads.” This initiative supports government’s target of cutting red tape by $25 million by the end of 2018.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Road, bridge projects help Island communities succeed Investing in infrastructure More than $6.65 million in new bridge and road improvements will help ensure Islanders and Island products get safely where they need to go. The province’s second round of construction tenders was announced March 8 and closed March 28; details can be found at www.princeedwardisland.ca/tenders. These projects are in addition to the $8 million first round of tenders announced in January. In total, the Prince Edward Island government has budgeted $42 million in capital improvements to roads and bridges for the 2018-19 construction season. “Our highway system is the province’s most important piece of economic infrastructure so we need to ensure its longevity,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar. “Prince Edward Island is mighty because we are small and nimble enough to focus on what matters most, such as improving safety, creating jobs, and making it easier to transport our goods to markets locally, nationally, and internationally.” The provincial government has invested more than $120 million in capital road and bridge improvements since 2015 including the construction of nine roundabouts and construction or rehabilitation of 16 bridge structures.
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HARVEY WHITE WITH BUMPER TO BUMPER LEWISPORTE, NL CONGRATULATES HIS WINNING CUSTOMER CHRISTOPHER DWYER! 34
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Atlantic Racing News
FILLING IN THE STOCK CAR CALENDAR TEN OF TIM’S FAVOURITE ATLANTIC EVENTS TO CHECK OUT IN 2018 By Tim Terry
I
ule. My immediate response to that question is “the next one.” I’m honoured to work within a region of the word that has a small but passionate stock car oval scene. Just think, over 100 events will be run within 23 weekends from the May long weekend to the weekend following the October Thanksgiving holiday. Within those, over 700 drivers will take to the track looking for the glory of winning a checkered flag in front of grandstands full of fans and besting the others on track to get that opportunity. From getting to take in racing events at the 11 active ovals in the region, meeting with promoters, drivers, crews and fans, you cannot go wrong with visiting any of those facilities in Atlantic Canada. We all have our favourite events though. You know, those type of events you have no problem waking up early on a weekend to go to after you worked after a
T’S ALMOST TIME TO VENTURE OUT THE DOOR AND HEAD TO YOUR FAVOURITE STOCK CAR OVAL TO CHECK OUT SOME MOTORSPORTS ACTION. Sure, it might still be a bit chilly out when you pick up this issue. Rest assured though, the sun of the season will warm the air sooner rather than later and the heat of the summer will be surrounding us in this neck of the woods. I always get asked from fans and those that want to get out to the track about my favourite race events on the local sched-
long week. Now, my list is going to vary from everyone else who is planning their schedule, which is what makes this sport and the folks within it so unique but here are ten events I believe you should check out in 2018.
“THE BIG THREE” You can’t go anywhere in Atlantic Canada without discussion of the Big Three or the Triple Crown events. If you are a race fan, you need to put these on your schedule for 2018 without question. IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis Super Weekend • When: Thursday, July 12th to Saturday, July 14th • Where: Riverside International Speedway in James River, NS • Who: Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, NAPA Sportsman Series and Mari-
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Cassius Clark, Travis Benjamin, Lonnie Sommerville, Craig Slaunwhite, Dylan Blenkhorn and Cole Butcher - talk about star power! The Maritime League of Legends Tour will also make a stop on the Saturday evening with the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. With a busy month of August, this is sure to be a critical stop on their series. The CARSTAR Weekly Racing Series will take to the track on Friday night with an extended distance Affordable Fuels Sportsman race as the big show. Russell Smith Jr has owned this event, winning the last five consecutive events, though the field has been getting closer to taking it away from the Lakeside, Nova Scotia driver. The Strictly Hydraulics Legends and the Toursec Thunder and Lightning four cylinder classes will also play support for the Sportsman race. Visibly absent from the card is the Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros but are an integral part of the Weekly Racing Series. The track typically holds pre-weekend events on the Wednesday and Thursday nights leading up to the racing action, but those announcements come closer to the August event. The 18th Annual SpeedWeekend Pro Stock 250 • When: Friday, August 31st to Sunday, September 2nd • Where: Speedway 660 in Geary, NB • Who: Pro Stocks, Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman, Street Stock, Four Cylinders, Maritime League of Legends Tour, East Coast Mini Stock Tour, Bandoleros • Why?: This event has so much racing with high stakes, how could you miss this? The Pro Stock 250 is the highest pay-
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ing race in Atlantic Canada with $15,000 to win plus lap money and contingency awards. Three years ago, Cassius Clark and the King Racing team opened the cash register for over $30,000 following their victory. The event draws top teams from the Maritimes and New England to compete for the big money and prestige of the final 250-lap feature scheduled for the season in the region. The Pro Stock division isn’t the only one competing for big money in the Labour Day Weekend classic. In 2017, Dave O’Blenis won a cool $5,000 in the Sportsman 150 presented by Martin’s Home Heating on SpeedWeekend Saturday night. Richard and Ann Martin love their Sportsman racing and who knows what they will come up with for 2018! While points are off the line for the Pro Stock, Sportsman, Sharp Shooter and Street Stock divisions that compete at the track on a weekly basis, the MJS Holdings and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock and Maritime League of Legends Tour compete on the Saturday night for pivotal late season points. Both Series contest their penultimate event for the season at Speedway 660. The Bandolero division also showcases their racing talents on the weekend in their only visit to “the Geary Woods.” Friday night usually opens the weekend with a pre-event concert, corn boil and huge bonfire that gets the weekend kicked off in style. The event draws big car counts, lots of fans and typically over 700 campers that jam the field, making it an atmosphere like no other in the province. There are the three big races of the year, so let’s add in two more that will bookend the season. •
Season Opening Weekend When: Friday, May 18th and Satur-
• •
•
day, May 19th Where: Petty International Raceway in River Glade, NB Who: Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, MJS Holdings and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour, Atlantic Modified Tour, Late Models, Westwood Estates Street Stocks, Mister Transmission Mini Stocks, Leisure Days RV Bandolero and Beginner 4 Cylinder. Why?: Everyone loves to get out to the track after a long winter and Petty International Raceway will officially be the first to crank motors locally in 2018.
The season opens on Friday night with Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Beginner Four Cylinders and Bandoleros. All house divisions will run on the opening weekend for double points so while the features will be regular laps, the points will be twice as valuable on the Victoria Day long weekend. Saturday will see the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock, MJS Holdings and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock and Atlantic Modified Tours open their seasons along with the house Late Model Sportsman division. It’s a weekend full of clean sheets of paper to kick off a new season. With over 400 laps on the weekend between the seven classes, it is a great way to roar back into action if you are a race fan with something for everyone. Chi City Showdown When: Saturday, October 13th Where: Speedway Miramichi in Miramichi, NB • Who: Street Stocks, Atlantic Modified Tour, Four Cylinders, Demolition • Why?: Okay, a brief disclaimer. There are a lot of big late season events, the Mike Stevens Memorial at Petty International Raceway in late September
• •
•
time League of Legends Tour Why?: Simply put, this is one of Canada’s biggest stock car weekends featuring, arguably, the top three divisions of race cars in Eastern Canada.
The IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis is the marquee event on the weekend at Riverside Speedway on July 14th. The event typically features a guest driver that has made their mark on the upper echelon of the sport. Just prior to deadline time for this article, Kenny Wallace announced via his social media that he will be racing in the event. A common face on the dirt scene in the US, Wallace is a veteran of over 900 plus starts in the top three NASCAR touring series in over 25 years of competition. In the past, the likes of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, his current Cup teammate and former Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano, Southern 500 winner and current NASCAR on FOX pit reporter Regan Smith and multi-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Matt Crafton have ran the event. Most recently, NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin came out of retirement to pack the stands in 2017. It also usually draws more cars than there are starting spots in the 250-lap, $10,000 to win main event, so qualifying will see the highest of highs for some and plain heartbreak for those who are not lucky enough to crack the field. Truro, Nova Scotia’s Dylan Blenkhorn is the defending champion. Friday night kicks the competition off with a NAPA Sportsman Series event and a 50-lap feature for the Maritime League of Legends Tour. In 2017, 32 Legend cars showed up to compete in one of the biggest fields seen in recent history at any Maritime track for the division. While laps for 2018 were not announced as of press time, the 2017 edition of the NAPA Sportsman Series race on IWK 250 weekend was a thrilling 150-lap race that left fans wanting more. Cory Hall (Legend) and Colby Smith (Sportsman) celebrated wins in 2017. For those arriving early, practice sessions are usually held for racers on Wednesday and Thursday evenings heading into the weekend. The track has plans to hold their third annual Tailgate Party on the Thursday evening and has featured Signal Hill in the past as their entertainment. While the band for 2018 has yet to be announced, they are sure to cram hundreds into the infield to party prior to getting down to business of racing. It’s a full weekend of racing and one you have to experience for yourself this July!
The 19th Annual Pro Stock 250 When: Friday, August 10th and Saturday, August 11th • Where: Scotia Speedworld, Enfield, NS • Who: Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, Maritime League of Legends Tour, Affordable Fuels Sportsman, Strictly Hydraulics Legends, Toursec Thunder and Lightning. • Why?: Scotia Speedworld’s biggest weekend of the year is one highlight•
ed by a 250-lap Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour event. Known in previous years as the Atlantic Cat 250 (who went through an ownership change at the end of 2017), the race has featured a storied past and a Who’s Who of short track stars whom have visited victory lane. The past champions list includes John Flemming, Louie Mechalides, Ben and Mike Rowe, Johnny Clark,
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and the two-weekend Atlantic Championships at the Shediac CENTRE For Speed in October. This one though has this vibe that is unlike any other event. Miramichi itself is a beautiful place. I love heading down to Ritchie Wharf, taking in the cool Autumn breeze on the Miramichi River and just reflecting. We have some cool racing destinations (more on that in a bit) but this place is pretty great. Not to mention, the Riverside just minutes from the track serves up some of the most delicious and well priced offerings I’ve had on the circuit in years. Okay, back to the event. The folks at Speedway Miramichi put on a Street Stock 100 during the Chi City Showdown last year that drew one of the biggest car counts for any Street Stock race in Atlantic Canada. Considering they may have a half dozen local cars and they drew 20 more goes to show that putting the right puzzle pieces in place can make an event. The track feels like home too. Unlike most events on this list, there are no Late Models and no big money teams fighting for five digit paydays. These are the guys and gals of true grassroots racing fighting it out for the final race wins of the year. It just feels like the right way to end the year. Not to mention, if you’ve never seen a
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Miramichi Demolition, this needs to be on your bucket list. How do you only pick five events to fill out a ten event “favourites” schedule? It is difficult but here are a few events to ponder over as you fill your calendar!
• • • •
24th Annual Shriners Classic for Sportsman When: Friday, June 29th Where: Scotia Speedworld in Enfield, NS Who: Affordable Fuels Sportsman, Toursec Thunder, Strictly Hydraulics Legends, Hydraulics Plus Bandolero Why?: It might not be the longest or highest paying race in Atlantic Canada for the Sportsman division, but the Shriners Classic might carry as much prestige as any event for the class in the region.
In 2017, Travis Roma scored an emotional victory in the event his late father Terry won thrice in his career. Roma, who is competing part time in 2018, will be one of the favorites heading into the event but will have to fend off the likes of division champion Matt Vaughan, Pete Miller, Jordan Veinotte, Aaron Boutilier, Alex Johnson and more. With the division slated to get an injection of new and familiar faces entering the Sportsman class in 2018, this one will be an event you won’t want to miss!
• • •
Celebrating 24 consecutive years in 2018, the Shriners Classic is a 50-lap point race for those at Scotia Speedworld. Beginning as a Street Stock division race before transitioning to the Sportsman division, the race features a number of familiar names as past champions including Roma, Tibert, Ryan, Slaunwhite and Dillman. Not only does the event bring in some visiting cars to compete for the snowglobe trophy, it raises money and awareness for the programs the Dartmouth and District Shrine Club support throughout the year.
•
Newfoundland Short Track Double Header When: Saturday, July 28th and Sunday, July 29th Where: Eastbound Park in Avondale, NL and Thunder Valley Speedway in Bishops Falls, NL Who: Sportsman, Hobby Stock, Legends (Eastbound), Bandoleros, Bombers (Thunder Valley) Why?: If you want to witness racing action at both of Newfoundland’s paved ovals in one weekend, this weekend is for you.
Granted, the drive between both ovals is around four hours and a Saturday evening race at Avondale combined with a Sunday afternoon matinee just shy of Grand Falls-Windsor will leave you with minimal sleep, it is a double header worth trying.
Atlantic Racing News
Eastbound Park is Atlantic Canada’s only NASCAR Whelen All American Series track and hosts some great racing in the Late Model Sportsman, Hobby Stock (four cylinders to those on the mainland), Legend and Bandolero divisions. Car counts have been stout at the oval that is about 40 minutes outside of St. John’s and trust me when I say that every driver leaves everything out on the table when the green lights come up. Thunder Valley is a tight, unique bullring that requires a driver to get up on the wheel every lap. The track offers Sports-
knock to the Outlaw class on the undercard of that race - but the Street Stock division at Oyster Bed is one of the best single division of racing in Atlantic Canada. Why? Put many different drivers with unique driving styles in cars that can take a bit of the typical grassroots “beatin’ and bangin’” short track racing provides and you get a top to bottom close race from 20+ drivers that won’t settle for anything less than a win in front of a packed crowd. Oh, and by the way, those Legend and Pro Stock guys and gals are pretty competitive themselves and like to one up
oval is located in the back yard (literally) of owner Gaston Comeau’s house, is different on both ends and is uphill into Turns One and Two and downhill into the narrower Turns Three and Four. Not to mention, the folks on the southern tip of Nova Scotia are best kind and the seafood just tastes better down there. It is a long weekend for most, so if you want to get away and enjoy Nova Scotia’s coastline along with some great racing and the most unique oval in Atlantic Canada, put this race on your schedule! Any race at Valley Raceway When: Every second Sunday from May 20th on. • Where: Valley Raceway in Melvern Square, NS • Who: Modified, V8, Four Cylinder, Trucks • Why?: It is hard to pick one Valley Raceway date - so just make sure you check out at least one in 2018. •
man, Hobby Stock and Bombers on a regular basis with a handful of Bandolero races a year. Brad Melendy oversees the program in Central and heads into his fourth year of leading the Thunder Valley track. When it comes to “racing destinations,” Newfoundland is absolutely the definition of it. Take a day in St. John’s and explore the rugged coast, take in Signal Hill and get screeched in if it is your first trip to the province. If you want to discover new tracks while venturing out to new places a trip to Newfoundland is for you!
each other to see who can put the best show on for their fans. It’s also Prince Edward Island. Outside of the race track there is so much to see and do. For a big guy like me, there are lots of great places to eat as well. If you go to a race at Oyster Bed Speedway, be sure to take in the sights prior to or the day after the race, it is well worth it!
Lucas Oil 150 When: Saturday, August 4th Where: Oyster Bed Speedway in Oyster Bed Bridge, PE • Who: Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, Maritime League of Legends Tour, Street Stock • Why?: One of the dates a lot of folks circle on the calendar is the August long weekend appearance of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour at Oyster Bed Speedway.
East Coast Mini Stock Tour 75 When: Sunday, August 5th Where: Lake Doucette Motor Speedway in Hectanooga (Digby County), NS • Who: MJS Holdings and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour, Four Cylinder Womens and Mens, V8, Sportsman • Why?: Lake Doucette Motor Speedway runs a regular stock car program every second Sunday afternoon at 1pm beginning June 10th. August 5th will be special though as the track will open its doors to a regional touring series for the first time in over five years.
Like the IWK 250 puts three of the top racing division on their card for a two day show, Oyster Bed Speedway brings the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour, Maritime League of Legends Tour and their local Street Stock division together for a one night only barnburner of a race card. I know, I know. Both Tours will also visit Oyster Bed on June 30th as well. No
The MJS Holdings and Prime Lift East Coast Mini Stock Tour will run their first ever race at the track. In fact, it is the first time Hondas have competed at the track in an organized race since the early 2010s. It will be an extended distance race as well with 75 laps on the card. If you’ve never been to “LDMS,” it is a unique place. The high banked half mile
• •
• •
Valley Raceway is snuggled in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and provides organized stock car racing on dirt. If you are an asphalt fan, check every expectation at the exit of the 104 and get ready to enjoy some great motorsports action on a Sunday afternoon. While the action is thrilling on track, it is so much more than that. The local fans love their racing and the food is some of the best of any track in Atlantic Canada. The “Valley Raceway Burger” is one of a kind and folks even pay gate admission just to come eat the burger and leave - regardless of what entertainment is on track! Attention to detail goes a long way and thanks to Chef Will no detail is missed at the Valley Raceway concession area. In five short years, Greg Banks and Peggy Gould have come a long way with their dirt track and Valley Raceway is quickly becoming a household name in the region. If you want to take a Sunday drive this summer, slot in Melvern Square and Valley Raceway as a destination! So, there you have it. It is hard to put the essence of all race tracks in this region and events into one article, but you have a brief snippet here. Wherever you may be, be sure to get out to a track in your area this summer. Make a trip out of it even, take in some attractions, enjoy some great East Coast grub and have some fun with your friends and family. If you are looking for some more race date ideas, check out the “Master Schedule” at TimsCorner.ca! We’ll see you at the track this summer!
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Bob’s Business Development
“EDUCATION” HAS EVOLVED TO A NEW DEFINITION FOR “ROI”
I
By Bob Greenwood
T IS TIME TO RECOGNIZE, AND ESSENTIALLY UNDERSTAND, THE EVOLVED AND EXPANDED CONCEPT THAT “EDUCATION” OF SHOP TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, FRONT COUNTER AND OFFICE PERSONNEL ALONG WITH ITS OWNERS/MANAGERS, IN TODAY’S WORLD HAS MATURED TO NEW ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR “ROI.” The standard meaning of “Return on Investment” now elevates to two subsequent important definitions to include “Return on Intelligence” and “Return on Information.” To retain valuable employees, and enhance management growth, shops should be willing to invest in on-going education that supports the professional growth of individual staff and management, as well as their general well-being. Comprehensive, on-going education has become a necessary requirement for this new era. Shops that fail to realize this will not be successful.
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It is critical for shop management to have a professional relationship with employees. Owners/managers must revolutionize the traditional view of only being worried about maximizing the output of employees into a much broader form that now involves participation with every level of management and staff. The interaction between the shop management and staff on effective education, and its evaluation, is the key to success for high shop morale. High staff and management morale in today’s business leads to quality customer/client service. Employers should prove to their employees their worth to the shop. In other words, always operate with the philosophy of “train to retain.” I was once asked, “What happens if I train him and he leaves?” I responded, “What if you don’t and he stays?” The right education should give employees the tools to develop technical skills and soft skills necessary to perform well technically as well as socially. When you enrich your employees through professional knowledge in many areas, it increases the company’s loyalty. Competent education should be carried out regularly to keep all minds fresh and the morale high. Shop owners/managers should be aware of the fact that many competent employees are lost through lateral movements to other shops. This is scary be-
cause management didn’t understand the real reason for the employee leaving and didn’t have an interest to find out why. Don’t be one of those shop owners who cancels a course because of a busy schedule. There is nothing worse than an employee being psychologically ready to participate with the owner and then management pulls the rug out from under him/her because of personal reasons. It’s a morale and credibility killer. Providing education opportunities for skills and interests outside of work life is a way to increase staff loyalty and reduce turnover. Before launching such programs, a popularity survey via discussion should take place that gives the employees options to choose from and asks for suggestions. This increases communications, employee participation and shop loyalty. These additional educational experiences can be brought in-house to strengthen team spirit or held at some place or institution to encourage a meet-
ing of minds with outside experts. Consider education courses that offer phasedin education to the employees and management. This is much easier than learning the whole process at once. The educational courses can be broken down into a session of technical skills and then
a session of soft skills or management skills and continued on in this manner. Consider offering incentives as a retention strategy, as there is nothing wrong with recognizing and rewarding a good effort. When shop education is broken down by skills, it is easier for the shop owner to seek out the right modules and set up the course date and agenda’s. Also consider
that certification and standardized professional accreditation can increase you and your staff’s professional knowledge as well as retention rates. Educational courses should not stop after any initial step is started. Employees and management need to be enriched with continuous, updated knowledge to remain at the top of their career. One of the biggest mistakes from any educational program involvement is to sit back and say, “Oh, I took that stuff three years ago. I don’t need that”— as if the world hasn’t changed in three years!! Staff and management education in our industry today is a real and very serious issue. To overcome the shortage of competent staff by ensuring you hire and retain the best there is, management must understand their new role in the shop and consider new methods and alternatives to ensure the business you own receives the best “ROI” it can possibly obtain during your tenure.
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Around the Atlantic
NAPA MONCTON NB EXPO 2018
H
ELD AT THE MOLSON CANADIAN CENTRE IN MONCTON, NB, THE 2018 NAPA AUTO PARTS EXPO WAS HELD OVER THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 23 & 24TH.
In attendance were many NAPA personnel from Across Canada including representatives from NAPA Autotech, Chris Thorne & Dexter Draper, Senior Vice President, Riley Pratt, Regional Vice President Dan McKim, General Operations Manager Brent MacDonald, Regional Sales Manager, Phil Masse and Autopro Regional Director Martyn Johns. The show attracted a large audience of AUTOPRO members on Friday for the Autopro Business Development Group Meeting. Our Autopro partners meet twice a year to discuss any changes to the Autopro Program, the future of the Industry, opportunities for today and tomorrow as well as network with their peers. A Nasty Nor’ Easter didn’t prevent the 70 + suppliers from getting to a show that proved to be a major success with suppli-
ers arriving from all over North America and being kept busy with new product inquiries and demonstrations. On Saturday, TACT speaker Murray Voth hosted multiple 60 minute sessions to discuss Automotive Service and Garage Management Strategies to help the Independent Shop Owner be more profitable. There are numerous opportunities within the Automotive Service Facility to help each owner improve their productivity and efficiency, from part margins, labour efficiencies and overall shop workflow. To help those who might have more interest there will be a 3 day Garage Management Training Program in Moncton June 5th-7th, check with your local NAPA store for more information. At the end of the day on Saturday, we gave away a $10,000 shopping spree at Toys for Big Boys to Speedy Auto in Moncton! A show made great by our excellent suppliers and our valued customers. We are already looking forward to next year’s show so save the date! April 12 & 13th, 2019! TERRY CONRAD OF MITCHELL1
THE NAPA CREW WELCOMING PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS
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Around the Atlantic
GARY WALSH OF NGK | NTK
THE JOHN BEAN CREW
LARRY COOK (RIGHT) OF DOMINION SURE SEAL
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JOHN D. COYLE
KELLY THOMPSON AND MIKE LOS OF VALVOLINE may 2018
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NLS PRODUCTS BOOTH 50
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ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY ADVERTISER
PHONE
INTERNET
PAGE
Adams Car Wash
1-902-497-7260
adams.carwash@ns.sympatico.ca
19
Atlantic Autowash
1-506-459-8878
19
Atlantic Chemex
1-800-565-5144
atlanticchemex.ca
21
Auto & Trucking
1-902-423-6788
autoatlantic.com
9
Cabot Shipping
1-800-565-0606
CARQUEST Atlantic
1-506-631-3807
aautowash@nb.aibn.com
cabotss.com
17
carquest.ca
29
Dominion Sure Seal 1-905-670-5411
dominionsureseal.com
51
Dunphy’s Mobile Wash 1-902-210-7279
halifaxpressurewashing.ca
37
Food Banks Atlantic 1-902-457-1900
feednovascotia.ca
47
Hose & Fittings
1-902-481-9502
hoseandfittingscanada.net
26
Ideal Equipment Ltd
1-506-458-9322
idealequipmentltd.com
37
Hose & Fittings
1-902-481-9502
hoseandfittingscanada.net
27
Ingersoll Petroleum
1-416-618-6266
ingersollpetroleum.ca
29
Jiffy Lube ® Canada
1-519-886-0561
jiffylube.ca
30
Krown / Line-X
1-888-545-7878
krownhalifax.com
5
Krown Rust HQ
1-800-267-5744
krown.com
23
Prime Lift / MJS
1-866-461-1045
mjsholdings@ns.aliantzinc.ca
56
Maritime Auto Parts 1-800-565-7278
maritimeauto.com
4
maritimecarwash.ca
39
Maritime Pro Stock Tour 1-902-873-2277
maritimeprostocktour.com
41
Multiserve
1-877-771-7575
multiserve.ca
McNeill’s Shell
1-902-883-9968
donshell.ca
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
11
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
15
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
24
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
36
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
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NGK Spark Plugs
1-877-2-SPARKY ngksparkplugs.ca
NLS
1-800-465-0500
Maritime Car Wash
1-902-861-4747
31
27
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NLS
1-800-465-0500
nlsproducts.ca
49
NLS
1-800-465-0500
nlsproducts.ca
50
Parts For Trucks
1-800-565-4700
partsfortrucks.com
Uni-Select (BtoB)
1-506-857-8150
uni-selectcanada.com
35
Rotary Lifts
1-866-461-1045
56
Ronnoco
1-800-268-5082
ronnocosales.com
28
rotarylift.com
9
Rust Check
1-888-RUSTIES
rustcheck.ca
13
SB Tirecraft
1-902-883-8928
tirecraft.com
32
Shay Tire
1-902-538-1155
shaytire.ca
18
Shell
1-800-661-1600
shell.ca
45
SpillKleen
1-877-455-5336
spilkleen.com
26
Superline Fuels
1-902-405-8865
superlinefuels.ca
32
TCS Meters
1-260-480-8317
tcsmeters.com
26
The Tank Shop
1-506-727-0955
thetankshop.ca
26
Traction Truck Parts
1-506-857-8840
traction.com
20
The Tractor Dome
1-866-640-5296
thetractordome.com
32
Worldpac Inc. 1-800-888-9982
worldpac.com
55
WCB of NS 1-800-870-3331
wcb.ns.ca
21
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FIX WELCOMES 2 STEELE LOCATIONS TO NETWORK
S
TEELE AUTO GROUP JOINS THE FIX AUTO FAMILY WITH TWO COLLISION REPAIR LOCATIONS; ONE IN HALIFAX AND ONE IN DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA.
HALIFAX (Nova Scotia), Mark Weeks, General Manager for Fix Auto Atlantic Region, is pleased announce that two new locations have joined the Fix Auto network in Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The Steele Auto Group owns multiple dealerships with integrated collision repair centres in and around Halifax and has been in the automotive industry since 1990. Fix Auto Halifax and Fix Auto Dartmouth are both stand-alone facilities that are not integrated into a dealership but rather provide services to the broader markets and customer bases. The Steele Auto Group has grown its network of dealerships and collision centres through multiple acquisitions over the past 28 years. “As the company grew, numerous dealerships were added to the group, many of which had integrated body shops,” said Graham Owen, General Manager – Fix Auto Halifax and Dartmouth. “Having our own collision repair facilities means we are able to provide complete vehicle service and repairs for our customers and ensure that the repairs are made to factory specifications by our accredited, highly skilled technicians.” For the team at Steele Auto Group, joining the Fix Auto network was based on shared values. Much like Fix Auto, they pride themselves on superior customer service, high quality repairs and facilities, and ongoing training. “We are pleased to offer our customers state-of-the-art facilities, modern and comfortable waiting areas, and highly trained staff who consistently strive for perfection,” noted Owen. Fix Auto provides ongoing support and a comprehensive selection of operational and management tools as well as strong relationships with insurance partners across Canada; all of which is designed to complement a thriving collision repair business. Getting customers back on the road safely is a priority for the teams at Fix Auto Halifax and Dartmouth. Their technicians are constantly undergoing training as part of the I-CAR requirements for Gold Class certifications with some of their technicians achieving the Platinum level. In the last year, the shops have become Ford Motor Company Aluminum certified, Honda certified, Audi certified and Volkswagen certified. The team continues to work toward achieving more accreditations from other auto manufacturers. “As vehicles continue to become more complex, it is increasingly important that our staff receive the most current training and have access to the required equipment to keep pace with the industry,” said Owen. Mark Weeks concludes, “We are very pleased to partner with the Steele Auto Group team. Their experience, knowledge and passion for the industry over the past 28 years is inspiring. Their ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction and industry-leading collision repair work is echoed within the Fix Auto network and we are looking forward to supporting the team as they continue to grow their business under the Fix Auto banner.”
Crossword Contest
CROSSWORD (ANSWERS IN THE NEXT AUTO & TRUCKING ATLANTIC)
MARCH 2018 WINNER!
Dennis Francis, of Marystown NL, is our latest Crossword Puzzle winner! Congratulations on winning your new Rust Check package of goodies. Deadline for entry is May 15th, 2018
IT’S SO EASY TO WIN!
CROSSWORD BY MURRAY JACKSON - THECROSSWORDGUY.COM
YOU COULD WIN THIS SWAG BAG OF GOODIES FROM RUST CHECK THAT INCLUDES A JACKET, BALL CAP, TOUQUE AND TWO RUST CHECK PROTECTION PRODUCTS. ENTER WITH YOUR CORRECT PUZZLE ENTRY, AND IT COULD BE ALL YOURS!
Fill out info below and fax your crossword to us in Halifax, NS at: 902-423-3354, or mail us: 51 Bethany Way, Halifax, NS B3S 1H6, or Email us at: rob@autoatlantic.com NAME: ADDRESS:
PHONE:
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Kids’ big yellow ride (6,3) 6. Truck driver’s workplace 8. Old car noises, often 9. Oils and greases, briefly 10. Red, streetside London icon (5,3) 11. ‘03-’06 Subaru car/pickup hybrid 13. Windshield wiper adjunct 14. Dealers’ documents 17. ‘60s car-crash song “____ Kiss” 19. Big rig wheel count, often 22. Road bend 23. Pontiac Sunfire predecessor 24. Dodge Viper cylinder count 25. B & W ride, perhaps (6,3)
1. Car’s ultimate fate, usually 2. Deuce coupes and t-buckets (3,4) 3. Dipstick info (3,5) 4. City truckers call Bean Town 5. Showroom transaction 6. Carroll Shelby’s muscle car 7. Commuter’s ticket to ride (3,4) 12. Car repair pro 13. ‘60s luxury sport Buick 15. NB home of World’s Largest Lobster 16. Big rig fuel 18. Clear the road sound 20. ‘60s anti-Corvair crusader Ralph 21. Bountiful seashore substance
IT’S FUN! IT’S EASY! LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD
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NAPA Guess & Win contest
NAPA GUESS & WIN!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
N
Congratulations to Lisa Sillito of Halifax, NS who correctly answered that the vehicle in the photo is indeed the sMonkeemobile from the Monkees TV show. Built in 1966 and based on the Pontiac GTO convertible, two cars were built, one for the show and one for promotion purposes.
Send in your answer at autoatlantic.com/Contest.htm or Fax us at: 902-423-3354, and make sure to include your name, town and province and telephone number. Maybe this time it’ll be you! Deadline for entry is May 15th, 2018.
Thank you to all who entered our contest, you could be next!
ASCAR fans, we think you’ll like this photo of this well known NASCAR raceing team! Maybe you can name what it is, or anything more about it. Details please, and a FREE Stanley 1/4” and 3/8” Drive SAE 123pc Socket Set from NAPA is all yours! The more the better!
YOUR NAME: DAYTIME PHONE: CITY / TOWN / VILLAGE: PROVINCE: EMAIL: YOUR ANSWER:
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