pg 1, 7 tw mar 2/12/09 1:38 PM Page 1

March 2009 Volume 20, Issue 3

Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com

Glenncoe Transport to cease operations KELOWNA, B.C. – Truckload carrier Glenncoe Transport is being shut down, due to the loss of a major customer and slowing demand for trucking services. Glenncoe has been owned by Livestock special: Bison Transport since June 2007. • Cleanout facilities lacking for grain, However, the carrier operated separately, serving B.C., Alberta livestock haulers and the US Pacific Northwest. The closure was confirmed • Comprehensive coverage of the recent by Don Coe, president of Glen- Livestock Care Conference ncoe Transport. “This was a very difficult de- – Photo provided by Meristem cision for us, as approximately 184 people will be affected by this closure,” he said in a state- ment. “The loss of a major piece of business, combined Cleanout conundrums with a lack of demand in the market is further complicated by the larger economic factors Cleanout is an expensive problem for agricultural truckers affecting most businesses in Canada. These challenges have By Jan Westell Wozney has three main concerns Reeve of Strathclair, Man., is par- rendered Glenncoe Transport STRATHCLAIR, Man. – The of- regarding this issue: the expense of ticularly irked that drivers are no longer viable as a business. fice manager of a Manitoba grain utilizing private facilities when asked to keep trailers clean We have orchestrated an or- and fertilizer hauling company is cleanout facilities are not provided between loads, but not all of ganized wind down of the com- greatly frustrated with the lack of after delivering grain or fertilizer; the grain and fertilizer receivers pany, exiting the business with cleanout facilities available in that the extra expense of travelling to are supplying cleanout facilities. the same high degree of profes- province. Yet grain companies are cleanout facilities when receivers When receivers do offer cleanout sionalism and responsibility we demanding cleaner trailers, and re- won’t allow cleanout; and cross- facilities, there is the potential for have become known for.” ceivers don’t necessarily want to contamination, when trucks are time-wasting line-ups, he adds. The closure is slated to take deal with the waste, according to not cleaned out properly. And, despite the challenges of effect May 31. ■ Ken Wozney of RTM Transport. Wozney, who also serves as the Continued on page 7 ■ Used trucks: A good time to buy InsideInside This Issue... Mark Dalton O/O See pg. 11 • Grim outlook: A recent Webinar by analysts suggests US carriers and manufacturers will continue to suffer. Page 9

• Product test: We solicit the help of a flatdecker, to see if the Johny Tie-down load securement device works as advertised. Find out how it performed in the real world. Page 12

• Snowed in?: A look at the various types of trailer top snow removal systems in the market. Page 21

• Focus on livestock: Complete coverage of a recent conference that focused on providing humane transportation for livestock. Page 22 Page 28

To view list of advertisers Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau visit us online at Call Jan Westell at 604-943-1170 or e-mail [email protected] www.trucknews.com

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Name: Address: Town/City: Prov: Postal code: Home phone: Bus. phone: Email: Number of years in trucking/commodity hauled: Primary truck and engine: Number of vehicles: Contracted to (if applicable): How do you maximize fuel efficiency?: My choice is based on: Safe driving record � Industry/community involvement � Heroism � Going "Green" Initiatives � Explain:

(Include additional information on separate paper if insufficient space) Nominated by: Phone: Mail completed forms to “AWARD” Truck News/Truck West, Attn: Kathy Penner 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M3C 4J2 FORM MUST BE FILLED IN COMPLETELY AND NOMINEE MUST HAVE CLEAN DRIVER'S ABSTRACT

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March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 5 traditional tractor-trailer. To down- Sr. drivers face higher hurdles grade the licence of this accident- Unanimity is hard to come by in the free, three million miler is a slap in March 2009, Volume 20, Issue 3 trucking industry. You’ll be hard- Editorial the face. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 pressed to find any one issue on Comment The MTO should be commended “Return Postage Guaranteed” which truckers and other industry for listening to the industry and 12 Concorde Pl., Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Sales: 416-510-6892 / Editorial: 416-510-6896 stakeholders will all be in agree- James making it tougher for new drivers to Fax: 416-510-5143 ment.The exception to this rule, Menzies obtain an A/Z licence without the Truck West, USPS 017-178 is published monthly by however, may be Ontario’s require- proper qualifications. Business Information Group, a division of BIG Magazines L.P., a leading Canadian information ment that senior drivers take an an- However, as is often the case, the company with interests in daily and community nual road test to maintain their A/Z mulated while driving tractor-trail- new requirements have had unin- newspapers and B-2-B information services. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, licence every year beyond the age of ers with manual transmissions. tended consequences and placed an Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage 65. It’s onerous and worse, it’s dis- However, having heard the new au- even greater burden on senior driv- Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US postmaster: Send address changes to Truck West, PO Box 1118, criminatory towards some of the tomated transmissions are safer and ers, who are this industry’s greatest Niagara Falls, NY 14304. finest and most experienced drivers easier to use, he figured he’d done assets. SENIOR PUBLISHER – Rob Wilkins ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Kathy Penner this industry has to offer. enough gear jamming in his day and It’s time the province gets serious EXECUTIVE EDITOR – James Menzies Each year, many of these drivers his two current trucks are both about removing the annual manda- MANAGING EDITOR – Adam Ledlow hang up their keys in frustration equipped with auto gearboxes. tory road test requirement for senior WESTERN EDITOR – Jan Westell CIRCULATION MANAGER – Vesna Moore because it’s not worth the hassle of Now, however, he’s being given A/Z licence-holders. I think that’s CIRCULATION ASSISTANT – Anita Singh going through this procedure year in the rigmarole by DriveTest, the something the entire industry can CREATIVE– Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards and year out. third-party agency that conducts agree on. ■ V.P. PUBLISHING – Alex Papanou PRESIDENT – Bruce Creighton Much has been written on this Ontario road tests. To rent a truck Circulation inquiries: 416-442-5600 ext. 3553 subject and yet still the Ontario with a manual transmission for a – James Menzies can be reached by Change of address: Please include subscription number from mailing label. Ministry of Transportation sticks to day or licence an older truck he still phone at (416) 510-6896 or by Subscription rates: Canada (Includes GST) – its guns. Even the OTA, which so owns, he’s looking at a cost of e-mail at [email protected]. One year $40.60; U.S. – one year $66.95; successfully guided its controversial hundreds or even foreign – one year $66.95 Send subscription orders, address changes (incl. mailing label from speed limiter law through to thousands of dol- latest issue) to above address. On occasion, our subscription list is made available to organizations whose products or services may be fruition, has been unable to get the lars. Business is of interest to readers. If you prefer not to receive such information, please write to us. Please allow 8 weeks for changes or corrections. province to budge on this issue. slow – he says he PAP Registration No. 11065 Amazingly, the situation has re- just may park’em We acknowledge the financial support of the cently gotten even worse for senior both. Government of Canada, through the Canada Magazine Fund, towards our editorial costs. drivers. Earlier this year, Ontario in- Then there are We acknowledge the financial support of the troduced a “restricted” version of a guys like Brian Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program, towards our mailing costs. Class A/Z licence to close the loop- Willoughby, who hole that allowed drivers to acquire owns a dump a commercial driver’s licence using a truck with pup Advertising inquiries pick-up truck and horse trailer. The and pintle hook province brought in new require- connection – no Kathy Penner: 416-510-6892 ments for road tests, which require fifth wheel. He Fax: (416) 510-5143 trucks to have a manual transmis- says he’s been sion and fifth wheel, among other turned away by things. DriveTest, or told While the change was much he’d have to needed to prevent underqualified downgrade to a drivers from obtaining A/Z li- restricted A/Z li- cences, it has had the unintended cence. consequence of placing further I took my own Rob Wilkins Kathy Penner Publisher Associate Publisher strain on senior drivers. road test with this (416) 510-5123 (416) 510-6892 Take for instance the case of very configura- rwilkins@ kpenner@ Harold Johnson, who called me re- tion, and found it trucknews.com trucknews.com cently. He has several million miles more challenging under his belt, most of them accu- to back up than a

In the case of Ontario’s speed lim- Getting it right: It’s all in the details iter legislation, dealers have been left uncertain about whether they’re

Don Besler Brenda Grant Changes to Ontario’s A/Z licensing responsible for limiting the speed of National Sales Mgr. National Account Sales requirements, intended to close em- any truck (new or used) to the legis- (416) 699-6966 (416) 494-3333 Viewpoint [email protected] [email protected] barrassing loopholes that were al- lated 105 km/h when the initial lowing inexperienced drivers to gain delivery is done and what the ramifi- their licence after being tested with Lou Smyrlis cations would be in the event of an a pick-up and horse trailer, are hav- Editorial Director accident. ing the unintended effect of hurting Meanwhile in Ottawa, the our industry’s most experienced Conservative government was blast- drivers. take their road test using a truck ed for pushing through a transit tax Legislation intended to ensure with a manual transmission; a fifth credit back in 2006 they claimed drivers do not tamper with the wheel coupling; a trailer at least would cut emissions by 220,000 Doug Copeland Bill Gallagher Regional Manager Regional Manager speed limiters in their trucks has 45-feet long; and air brakes on the tonnes per year but which will in fact Man., Sask. & Alta. British Columbia left Ontario dealers in a quandary tractor and trailer – or else receive a amount to about 35,000 tonnes of (416) 510-6889 (519) 589-1333 [email protected] Fax: (519) 395-5073 about their responsibilities and downgraded licence. annual emissions cuts at best (see [email protected] the Ontario Trucking Association That makes a great deal of sense my blog on Trucknews.com). TRUCK WEST is a proud member of the following and the Ontario Ministry of when it comes to ensuring new driv- In all these cases, we’re told the trucking associations: Transportation don’t appear to be ers take a test that properly reflects matter is “under consideration.”

ALTA. MOTOR TRANSPORT ASSN. reading the legislation in the same the working environment many will I hope that the politicians and way. be facing. But it is frustrating the bureaucrats involved ensure that And we’ve recently heard from heck out of senior drivers, who in process is a speedy one but also SASK. TRUCKING ASSN. MAN. TRUCKING ASSN. B.C. TRUCKING ASSN. environment auditor Scott Vaughn Ontario must complete a road test pause to consider why legislation The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents that the federal government has no every year after the age of 65 to drafted with the best of intentions of any advertisement and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. The way to track the environmental ben- maintain their commercial licence. so often is having unintended publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprints in advertising not the fault of the publisher and in such an event the limit of the publisher's efits of two programs it claimed These are folks with years of experi- effects. liability shall not exceed the amount of the publisher's charge for such advertising. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in would contribute to significant re- ence under their belts. The people being hurt by these part, without the written permission of the publisher. ductions in greenhouse gas emis- If they’ve moved to an automated measures deserve a quick address- From time to time, we make our subscription list sions. transmission for their rig, it was ing of their concerns, not frustrating available to select companies and organizations whose product or services may interest you. What the heck is going on? Why is because they believed that to be a delays and red tape, and an assur- If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact our privacy officer via our industry being encumbered with smart spec’ing decision for their ap- ance the people we elect to govern one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-668-2374 what I can only assume is sloppy leg- plication; if they’re hauling a trailer us pay a little closer attention to the Fax: 416-442-2200 islative work that is leading to dam- shorter than 45-feet in length it’s consequences of the laws they’re E-mail: [email protected] Mail: Privacy Officer. Business Information Group, aging unintended effects? because the nature of their job enacting. ■ 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 As far as Ontario’s A/Z licensing demands it. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069240 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES requirements are concerned, in a Why force them to have to rent a – Lou Smyrlis can be reached by TO CIRCULATION DEPT. – TRUCK NEWS, nutshell the Ministry of Trans- truck and trailer for the day, every phone at (416) 510-6881 or by e-mail 12 CONCORDE PL., SUITE 800, TORONTO, ON M3C 4J2 portation now requires drivers to year, in order to take the test? at [email protected]. pg 06 tw mar 2/12/09 9:52 AM Page 6

Page 6 TRUCK WEST March 2009 InIn Brief Insurance brokers team up in Alberta B.C. forest cops enforcing logging road speed VANCOUVER, B.C. – Radar- Arcand said radar guns give CALGARY, Alta. – Two insurance providers have teamed up to form equipped forest cops have started forestry staff the tools they need to what they’re calling Alberta’s “largest transportation insurance bro- patrolling the province’s logging enforce speed limits. kerage.” roads in a new push by the provin- The default speed limit on re- Rogers Insurance of Calgary and Stieg and Associates Insurance of cial government to end deaths and source roads is 80 km/h, unless lower Billings, Montana have partnered to form Rogers Stieg Transportation injuries in logging. limits are posted. Insurance, the companies have announced. Forests Minister Pat Bell said re- Rick Publicover, executive direc- The deal was inked Dec. 31, 2008. cently that the province has pur- tor of the Central Interior Logging Existing clients of Stieg and Associate will become clients of the new chased radar guns and is training Association, said radar will aid in group, which will operate from Rogers Insurance’s Calgary office. forest district staff on the use of improving logging road safety, but The companies say the partnership will allow them to offer a wider these instruments, as part of a broad- he noted that it is public users of the selection of providers, including Old Republic. er resource roads safety initiative. roads who are the worst offenders. Walt Stieg said “This deal brings the back office, the sales force man- Some of the guns are in use already. There are 4,000 logging truck drivers agement and the high standards of customer service from Rogers that The province is responsible for in B.C., but there are countless thou- will greatly benefit current and future clients.” ■ regulating traffic on B.C.’s 59,000 sands of pick-up trucks on resource kilometres of resource roads but un- roads either for recreation or work. til now,enforcement has been spotty Last year in B.C., nine people died B.C. backs off threats to ‘jail’ trucks or non-existent. on resource roads, three logging “The free-for-all is over,” trucking truck drivers and six people travel- BCTA supported idea of impounding unsafe trucks safety advocate MaryAnne Arcand, ling to-and-from work. That’s down a director of the B.C. forest safety significantly from 2005, one of the VICTORIA, B.C. – After initially unsafe rigs in “jail.” council, told the Vancouver Sun. worst safety years on record in the coming out in favour of a “jail” for The B.C. Trucking Association, “Rules do apply and they are going forest industry, when 17 people died unsafe trucks, B.C. Minister of which was part of the committee to be enforced. Speed is a huge fac- on logging roads. Transportation Kevin Falcon has that wrote the report, recom- tor in accidents and there’s a whole Arcand said for some logging now nixed the idea, according to a mended impounding repeat of- mythology with the public and with truck drivers, getting nabbed for recent story in the Vancouver fenders’ rigs. industry, that there are no rules in speeding during a pilot project last Province. Association vice-president the bush.” summer came as a shock. ■ Falcon says an upcoming report Louise Yako said a 30-day im- on truck safety won’t recommend poundment “actually means Saskatchewan’s Night Rider winter patrol expanded impounding unsafe vehicles for a something.” REGINA, Sask. – Saskatchewan highways were a little safer for drivers this minimum of 30 days. Falcon said roadside tests in the winter, thanks to the expansion of the provincial government’s Night Rider “Staff said it wasn’t a great idea. past year show the problem is de- program, according to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. They cooled to it,” he told the creasing. This enhanced surveillance program of high-traffic provincial highways is newspaper. Targeted enforcement checks now based out of Moose Jaw, and similar to three other Night Rider pro- The idea for a “jail” came up show declining failure rates in grams based out of Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. last year after a targeted roadside West Vancouver (52% failed in “Our Night Riders this winter have come to the aid of a professional check in Delta failed 41% of com- early 2008, compared to 34% lat- and have provided traffic accommodation to assist police at a mercial vehicles tested. er in the year) and Delta (41% vs. collision. This extra set of eyes on the highway gives motorists an added In January 2008, Falcon said he 35%). Failure rates have held sense of comfort, and helps the Ministry provide better winter maintenance liked the idea of putting flagrantly steady in Surrey at about 26%. ■ service,” said Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard. ■

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March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 7 Agriculture Grain haulers say they need a place to sweep out

■ Continued from page 1 the problem. keeping trailer clean, customers “They’re not doing anything seeking delivery services are ask- ‘Disease is a big issue now. So about it and it’s costing them ing for cleaner trailers. (receivers) would prefer that you money. It’s costing everybody Cleanout is a procedure intend- money. So they’ve really got to get ed to prevent cross-contamination stay right away from cleaning out aggressive and force these guys to of commodities with different install cleanouts, or they have to grades and treatments, all of on their property.’ start building cleanouts them- which shouldn’t be mixed, accord- Ken Wozney, RTM selves,” he says. ing to Wozney. According to Mike Kagan, di- “Disease is a big issue now. So, rector of crops for the Manitoba (receivers) would prefer that you government, the province doesn’t stay right away from cleaning out grain hauling business which can is left in public areas, such as the consider cleanout requirements, on their property because they run as high as $100. side of the road.A light breeze can or cleanout facilities, an issue. don’t really know what you had in “It’s not the grain companies pick up the seeds and spread them “We haven’t seen it as a prob- your trailers before that, or what that are paying these places to out to nearby fields. The negative lem so far,” he says. “No one has your last five loads were,” he says. clean up the mess. It’s us doing consequence of grain residue on contacted us either on the truck- Wozney indicates that RTM that,” says Wozney. public roadways should be appar- ing side, or the operator’s side. keeps its trailers well-cleaned be- With a lack of adequate ent to the provincial government, The people we’ve talked to, look tween loads, but not every grain and cleanout facilities within easy according to Wozney. at it as a cost of doing business fertilizer hauler is quite as diligent. reach of delivery destinations, “There are piles all over the that is borne by the industry.” He believes that some grain Wozney says more and more grain place, and they’re sending their While it is possible that some haulers may have residue left over haulers are cleaning their trailers crews out to clean it up. Also, of people may be dumping grain from the last five or six loads in out in public areas, either beside course, you have grain along the residue on the side of the road their trailers as a result of not rural roads, or around highway highway, and then you’re attract- (which was confirmed by Kagan’s sweeping out their trailers. Fertil- rest areas, where he says scattered ing wildlife,” he adds. “You have industry sources), this practice is izer is a particular concern, he grain residue is a frequent sight. more wildlife claims on your vehi- not considered ethical by the in- adds, when it comes to trailer “It’s just because there are no cles, because they’re right on the dustry, or legal under the Manito- cleanliness. spots designated to clean the trail- edge of the road now, and that ba Environmental Act. RTM has cleanout facilities at ers out,” he says of a practice grain’s attracting them.” And, though there are no its two main sites. It has also made strictly prohibited by the manage- Ultimately,Wozney believes the provincially-designated cleanout arrangements with private wash- ment of RTM Transport. Manitoba government should facilities in Manitoba, to the best out facilities, where truck drivers The potential for crop cross- put pressure on grain/fertilizer of Kagan’s knowledge there are can sweep debris into dumpsters, contamination is another concern, receivers to provide adequate also none in Saskatchewan or but this is an extra cost to the according to Wozney, when grain cleanout facilities and eliminate Alberta. ■ Livestock haulers face similar issues involving cleanout facilities

By Jan Westell CALGARY, Alta. – Cleanout of livestock trucks – especially in the winter time – is a challenge for the trucking industry, according to Peggy Strankman, manager of en- vironmental affairs with the Cana- dian Cattlemen’s Association. “There’s an ongoing challenge with truck cleanout in the winter, because it’s freezing,” she says of a problem that is not unlike the ne- cessity for grain cleanout facilities. For a variety of reasons, Strankman says more auction markets – like grain receivers – are refusing to allow livestock haulers to clean out their trailers at those facilities. “It’s quite a dilemma for the truckers. Cattle producers want to see their cattle loaded on clean trucks. The producers buying the cattle don’t want them travelling in manure from other people’s cattle because of the possibility of dis- ease transfer.We don’t sterilize the trucks, but it’s good to see the cat- SIGN OF THE TIMES: It’s becoming more challenging for livestock haulers to find an acceptable place to unload their tle starting a trip in a clean truck.” unwanted extras. Haulers normally provide bed- ding, such as straw or preferably from the trucks, into an easily to deal with it, but haven’t hit on should deal with the problem. wood shavings, she says, which helps spread soil additive. the ideal solution yet. It’s a com- “There are a lot of plans in place absorb the moisture and improve “The challenge is to figure out plex issue that needs input from where if certain diseases are found footing.That bedding increases the where to locate these collection all parts of the cattle value chain.” in our country, to completely halt volume by-product, which must points, and if there is a way to make It’s an ongoing problem for the movement of livestock,” he says. then be cleaned out of the trucks. the processing economically viable. many Albert livestock haulers, “So it seems to me, they should be “There are a number of chal- We try to think of manure as a by- including Rick Sincennes, who is also somewhat interested in what’s lenges,” says Strankman, who adds product, not as a waste, in order to concerned about unclean trailers, happening in the cleanout.” the byproduct is recognized as hav- utilize it, Strankman says.” the cost of cleanout at private Considering the expense of trav- ing a certain amount of nutrients, The CCA recognizes that facilities, and the expense of the elling to a cleanout facility that spe- which could possibly be utilized in cleanout is a challenge for truck- extra mileage (as high as $150) cializes in manure, and the related supporting another enterprise. ers, and Strankman says that that cleanout often requires. fee, Sincennes is concerned that Strankman notes there has been cleanout is regulated by the Cana- “I’ve talked to basically every- some drivers may consider the lease some discussion within the indus- dian Food Inspection Agency body about it, but nobody wants expensive, and more profitable de- try, about the potential for utiliz- (CIFA) under the Health of Ani- to do anything. Nobody wants to livery solution. “That might just be ing composting as the method to mals Act regulation. take the responsibility,” he says. beside the road, because he has to turn the manure and bedding “We’ve been talking about ways Sincennes believes that the CIFA get his trailer cleaned out.” ■ pg 08 tw mar 2/12/09 9:54 AM Page 8

Page 8 TRUCK WEST March 2009 CanadaCanada Industry welcomes federal budget rich in infrastructure spending Best practices of OTTAWA, Ont. – The feds intro- Bradley hopes will help fleets obtain duced a much-anticipated budget in the credit they need to buy equip- commercial driver late January that was rich in infra- ment. structure spending. “Investment in tractors and trail- training shared Missing, however, was a reduction ers has come to an almost complete OTTAWA, Ont. – A recent of the federal excise tax on diesel, halt,” he said. “This is mainly a re- summit on the training and li- which was promised by Prime flection of the state of the market for censing of commercial truck Minister Stephen Harper during last freight transportation service, but drivers has offered new insight year’s election campaign. also a reflection of tight credit. If this into some of the promising Nearly $12 billion will be spent on budget and the stimulus package be- practices that are being em- roads, bridges and border crossings, ing introduced in the United States CONSTRUCTION COMING: The braced by jurisdictions across which was lauded by the Canadian do provide a boost in economic ac- federal budget will be bad for traffic, the country. Closing the Gap, Trucking Alliance. tivity, carriers will need to begin re- but good for the long-term. a national collaboration that “The trucking industry welcomes equipping their fleets and if the cre- began in 2005 to address the the increased investment in high- ation of the credit facility helps the million for the international bridges industry’s shortage of skilled ways, bridges and border crossings industry to do that, it will be a good at Sarnia, Ont. and Fort Erie, Ont.; truck drivers, included repre- announced in the budget,” says thing.” and $42 million to rehabilitate vari- sentatives from the trucking David Bradley, CEO of the CTA. The credit initiative will feature ous bridges. industry, insurers, Human “We are especially pleased that a $12 billion in funding for the pur- Meanwhile, provincial-federal Resources and Skills Deve- number of the specifically men- chase of vehicles and equipment. partnerships will result in further lopment Canada, educational tioned projects were contained on a Some of the highlights of the road and bridge upgrades in various institutions and government list of infrastructure priorities com- budget for the trucking industry in- regions of Canada. Border services ministries. piled by CTA.” clude: $130 million to twin the Trans- at Prescott, Ont. as well as “Trucking has gained a lot out Also catching the CTA’s eye was Canada through Banff National Huntingdon, Kingsgate and the of ‘Closing the Gap’,” said Roy the establishment of a Canadian Park; $212 million to renew the Pacific Highway crossing will share Craigen, chairman of the TruckNews Guide Ad gm2011.qxd 11/26/08 4:51 PM Page 1 Secured Credit Facility, which Champlain Bridge in Montreal; $15 $80 million in funding. ■ Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC), which coordinates the meetings. Labour market agreements have recognized that provinces and territories are well-posi- tioned to design and deliver labour market training within their jurisdictions, according to CTHRC executive director Linda Gauthier. “Information gathered through the CTHRC and Closing the Gap has helped them to identify the related op- portunities.” The nature of training and testing standards for profes- sional truck drivers is consid- ered to be more vital than ever, given the growing demands of the career. Initiatives in a number of provinces have embraced ap- proaches that reflect this reality. Graduates from the Pro- fessional Driver Certificate Program at Red Deer College in Alberta, for example, will soon receive a new Professional Driver Licence endorsement from Alberta Transportation. This approach was designed to allow the training to be deliv- ered for tuition of $3,200, com- pared to fees in the private sec- tor that would approach $14,000. The B.C. Trucking Asso- ciation is hoping to offer a se- ries of workshops in 2009. When the going gets tough, Meanwhile, Newfoundland’s D.D. Transport has partnered with other truck fleets to deliver the tough get smarter CTHRC’s Earning Your Wheels entry-level driver training pro- If there was ever a time to find ways to run your business more efficiently, now is the time. gram through the College of the North Atlantic. The pilot proj- So, where do you find accurate for shipment volumes, rates, surcharges If you’d like to reserve your copy ect combines uniform training information about industry trends and and capacity concerns based on detailed of the “Inside the Numbers” report, send standards, on-the job experi- future estimates for shipment volumes, research of shippers operating in several an email to [email protected]. ence and candidate screening. rates and surcharges, so that you can plan industries. Manitoba Public Insurance has developed a program that your operation accordingly? • What can your trucking operation expect included an online aptitude as- Where can you find stats that allow you to in 2009? sessment for candidates. compare your trucking operation to others, • What are the business trends that are The students who pass that so that you can identify potential problems changing your industry? screening process receive 244 and opportunities for your business? • What are the strategies shippers will be hours of school-based training, Look no further, Truck News and using to stay the course in 2009? three months of on-the-job Truck West are about to publish a compre- This timely report will provide training and six months of men- hensive guide for trucking and transporta- you with a wealth of knowledge that you toring. tion professionals, called “Inside the can use to guide you through the difficult The related tuition is covered Numbers” – a snapshot of expectations year ahead. Coming Soon! as long as they work in the www.trucknews.com/inside industry for two years. ■ pg 09 tw mar 2/11/09 1:12 PM Page 9

March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 9 BorderBorder Recession to take toll on US carriers, equipment manufacturers: Analysts

By James Menzies US are similar to the last big reces- at surviving. Starks said fleets will have little NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A leading sion in 1982, he pointed out, which “One would expect the large, choice but to park them til freight industry forecaster held a Webinar was followed by a rapid recovery well-capitalized fleets to be the demand returns. recently to discuss the state of the in 1983 and 84. winners,” Perry said. “What’s going to have to hap- US economy and its impact on “If that were to re-occur, we’d In the meantime, he said fleets pen (with excess capacity)? These carriers and equipment manufac- have a pretty good freight year competing in the US should pre- (fleets) are going to have to park turers. next year, but in the meantime pare for major downward pressure these trucks and they’ll have to get FTR Associates held the we’re looking at the worst year on rates. eaten up as freight picks up. There Webinar for its subscribers to of- we’ve had in anybody’s memory,” “In the fourth quarter, a huge really is no place to send these fer insight on the recession and its he said. “Nobody working in the reduction in fuel surcharges gave trucks.”For more info on FTR impact on commercial vehicle industry now has experienced shippers something to declare vic- Associates, visit its Web site at trade cycles and production. Larry these kinds of levels in their life- tory over,” he pointed out. www.ftrassociates.net. ■ Gross, senior consultant, FTR time.” “That’s going to stop. Traffic Consulting Group, said keeping Fleets in the US were able to managers are going to be under up with the economic situation is weather the storm in the fourth more pressure to cut costs than US truck tonnage like “trying to catch a falling quarter better than expected, they were before. I would expect knife.” thanks in large part to dropping the worst recession in any of our gets hammered “Things are changing very rap- fuel prices, Perry pointed out. lives to force the worst price pres- idly,” added economist Bill Witte However, he warns that buffer sure that fleets have felt in our ARLINGTON, Va. – Truck ton- of the Center for Econometric won’t be around for long. lifetime.” nage in the US plunged 11.1% in Model Research. “Over the last “We have not had in the indus- As a result, he said he antici- December, which is the largest three months, it’s hard to find try amongst the fleets, the kind of pates the number of US fleet month-to-month decline since much to be very joyous about.” trauma you’d expect the fourth bankruptcies to “continue and ac- April, 1994 when unionized His comments came just quarter to have produced. While celerate” over the remainder of 09 LTL truckers were on strike. hours after the US Commerce freight was falling off the cliff, so and even into 2010. December also represented the Department announced US GDP were fuel prices…all through the third largest single month drop What about equipment contracted 3.8% in the fourth latter part of 2008, truckers were since the American Trucking manufacturers? quarter of 08, which was the worst getting a nice little boost in cash,” Associations (ATA) began col- since the first quarter of 1982. he explained. However, he said The news was equally grim lecting truck tonnage data in 1973. In 2008 as a whole, the US GDP the decline in diesel prices has for equipment manufacturers. The seasonally-adjusted ton- grew 1.3%, however Witte pointed flatlined, and “fleets will be left to Eric Starks, president of FTR nage index reached its lowest out that when removing a strong deal with the freight downturn Associates, said his company has point since December, 2000. build-up of business inventory without this huge benefit.” lowered its 2009 annualized Class Truck tonnage in the US was from the equation, GDP actually FTR Associates maintains a 8 sales projections from 145,000 14.1% lower than in December, shrunk 5.1%. Trucking Conditions Index which units to 135,000 units. Non-US 2007, the ATA reported. For the measures many variables that im- markets (including Canada and fourth quarter of 08, tonnage was What’s in store for carriers? pact the health of the trucking in- Mexico, where demand for new down 6% compared to the previ- Noel Perry,managing director and dustry. It has fallen to “unprece- trucks was almost non-existent at ous year. The ATA’s chief econo- senior consultant with FTR dented negative numbers,” the end of 08), were largely re- mist, Bob Costello, said the latest Consulting Group, said the US according to Perry. sponsible for the revision, Starks figures prove beyond doubt that trucking industry has actually When asked which types of said. When pressed for his “worst the US is in the midst of a serious been experiencing a freight reces- fleets are best-suited to survive case” scenario for 2009, Starks recession. sion for nearly three years, “when the recession, he said his money’s said Class 8 sales could be as low “Motor carrier freight is a re- the economy slowed down from 3- on fleets that haul personal care as 95,000 units in 2009 and even flection of the tangible goods 4% growth to 0-2%.” items for large discount retailers. 2010. economy, and December’s num- He said that raises concerns “The large dry van guys orient- While some forecasters are pre- bers leave no doubt that the about “cumulative stress” on the ed towards personal care items dicting sales to rebound as tractors United States is in the worst re- industry in addition to the imme- like diapers and such and closely near the end of their traditional cession in decades,” Costello said. diate effects of rapidly-falling aligned with discount retailers are life-cycle, Starks said it’s more im- “It is likely truck tonnage will not freight volumes. doing relatively better than some portant to consider “useful life” improve much before the third “We have two parallel issues: of the bulk haulers,” he said, than “age” and many of the trucks quarter of this year.The economy the freefall right now and also the adding “I wouldn’t want to be a that are currently parked still have is expected to contract through question of cumulative stress on flatbed operator right now.” a lengthy useful life. the first half of 2009 and then only the industry and the question of He also said the fleets that went The export market for excess grow slightly through the end of excess capacity,” he explained. into the recession with the largest trucks has dried up due to the the year.” ■ Today’s freight conditions in the cash reserves have the best chance global economic meltdown, and

THIS MONTH’S CROSSWORD PUZZLE A

Across Down n s 1. Brand on AeroMax and Louisville tractors w

1. Cargo that exceeds local weight limit (3,4) e r

5. Dodge’s capable ’46-’68 ____ Wagon model 2. Rubbernecker in a rental car, often s

o

8. Roads highlighted on map 3. Word on Nova Scotia tags n

p

9. Maker of moulded-fiberglass van bodies 4. A two-trailer combination a g

5. Truck-transaction type, ____ sale e

10. Indicate an intention to turn 2

11. GMC’s defunct Chevy Titan clone 6. It’s pictured on Saskatchewan plates 6 13. Bell's web-based driver-tracking service 7. Accident type 15. Car nicknamed pregnant roller skate 12. Rolls-Royce rides, you might say (3,5) 18. ’60s Esso slogan, “Put a ____ in your tank” 14. Semitrailer-and-pup rigs (1,6) 20. ’99-’06 Mack model 16. State cop patroling the interstate 23. Nationality of Ferrari cars 17. A certain city thoroughfare

24. Trucks reclaimed by lenders 19. Professional ____, GMC slogan ©

21. Send a truck to the junkyard 2

25. Snowmobiles, slangily 0 0

26. Goods trucked to the USA 22. Fixer-upper truck-ad term (2,2) 8

M .

J a c k s o TRY IT ONLINE AT WWW.TRUCKNEWS.COM n pg 10 tw mar 2/11/09 1:13 PM Page 10

Page 10 TRUCK WEST March 2009 SafetySafety fleet’s commitment to occupational Use NAOSH week to highlight safety health and safety. The week can be used as a back- Nothing demonstrates the impor- of repetitive stress injuries, and drop for a safety review that can en- tance of workplace safety better Ask the know their respective roles during sure appropriate protective gear is than a recent report on injuries Expert an emergency. being used in every corner of the in the province of Alberta. This North American Occupational business. Dock employees alone January alone, 146 employees in the Rick Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week should have access to everything trucking industry accounted for Geller – to be held from May 3 to 9 – offers from proper footwear to eye protec- $106,386 in workers’ compensation an ideal opportunity to draw tion and hard hats, depending on the claims. Based on the trends in 2008, attention to the safe practices that material that is being handled. about one in every four of these safety initiatives usually focus on members of your organization Clinics can be offered on the proper workers will be off the job between drivers and the equipment they op- should follow on a daily basis. use of everything from respirators to eight and 30 days. erate. A commitment to fatigue The annual event is devoted to fo- forklifts. And personnel throughout That will have an undeniable management is a logical extension to cusing employers, employees and your business can be reminded impact on productivity – not to men- the rules governing hours-of-service, the general public on the impor- about the emergency preparedness tion the WCB premiums paid by af- and proper circle check procedures tance of preventing injury and ill- plans that have been put in place to fected fleets.A standard premium is will help to ensure that equipment is ness in the workplace.And its histo- help everyone prepare for the worst. worth about $3.50 on every $1,000 of safe to drive. ry is also proudly Canadian. The NAOSH Week also offers an ideal payroll, but adjustments can range But workplace safety affects every week, first established in 1997 during opportunity to celebrate the safety- from a discount of 60% to a sur- employee within the fleet. talks surrounding the North related gains that have been made. charge of 250%. This could equate Warehouse personnel, for exam- American Free Trade Agreement, Safe driving awards can be present- to a difference of as much as $6,000 ple, need to take the steps to protect expanded on the Canadian ed alongside announcements that for every million dollars of payroll. themselves around forklifts and fol- Occupational Health and Safety focus on the number of hours with- It is easy to understand why fleets low the ergonomic practices that will Week that had been observed from out a workplace related injury,while need to remain committed to work- help them avoid injuries. Even office 1986 to 1996. company newsletters can incorpo- place safety. workers need to understand how to It has established an ideal time to rate thank-you letters for the com- The trucking industry’s workplace protect themselves from the dangers focus, reinforce and strengthen your mitment to workplace safety. This type of awareness campaign G can be offered on a limited budget as E T well, simply by leveraging some of P the resources that already exist. For A Y P O example, local health authorities, E U R R workplace compensation boards and hospitals offer an array of out- reach programs to address health- related issues from proper dietary habits to first aid. Provincial trucking Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper and Equipment Buyer’s Guide associations and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (www.csse.org) can offer affordable support of their own. And the sup- pliers of safety equipment are al- ways eager to show how their offer- ings should be used. Fleets can re-visit some of the pro- SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE grams that are already in place, to ensure the activities continue to MOVING? match the commitments that have READING SOMEONE been made. But education-related ELSE’S COPY? REQUALIFY! efforts should reach beyond the Send us your new address fleet’s workforce. Have your own! in writing on this form. Ottawa Hydro even took the NOW!NOW! opportunity to help workers Company ______apply their Workplace Hazardous Name ______Title______Materials Information System (WHMIS) knowledge to identify Address ______hazardous materials in the home. City ______The information obviously does not Province ______Postal Code______need to stop at the end of your driveway. Telephone: ( ) ______Fax: ( )______It would also be an ideal time to E-Mail ______enhance outreach efforts in the com- CHANGE OF ADDRESS ONLY munity, to ensure that your neigh- 1 1 4 bours understand their own roles in Serial # from code line on mailing label highway safety, and how to behave around the trucks that leave your Canada USA Foreign Charge Card Cheque Enclosed yard every day. $ $ $ Visa No Many members of your fleet may 41.28 99.95 99.95 be surprised to learn just how wide- 1 Year Mastercard No (38.95 + 2.33 GST) spread your commitment to safety Amex No has become. These are all steps that 2 Years 65.66 can help to protect members of your (61.95 + 3.71 GST) Expiry Date Signature Date fleet family and the community at NB, NS & NF Add 14% HST to Price / Quebec Residents Add QST (7.5%) To Total large. And that is something worth celebrating. ■ DO YOU WISH PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CLIP and MAIL TO RECEIVE OR 1) How many vehicles are based at or controlled from 5) Indicate your PRIMARY type of business by checking – This month’s expert is Rick Geller. this location? Please indicate quantities by type: ONLY ONE of the following: With a) ■ For Hire/Contract Trucking (hauling for others) (CONTINUE TO — No. of Straight Trucks _____ No. of Trailers Rick is the national manager of safety ■ _____ No. of Buses b) Lease/Rental and training services for Markel RECEIVE) — No. of Truck-Tractors _____ No. of Off-Road Vehicles c) ■ Food Production / Distribution / Beverages Payment to d) ■ Farming 2) Does this location operate, control or administer one Insurance Company of Canada and or more vehicles in any of the following Gross Vehicle e) ■ Government (Fed., Prov., Local) Weight (GVW) categories? Please check YES or NO: f) ■ Public Utility (electric, gas, telephone) has more than 25 years experience 14,969 kg. & over (33,001 lbs. & over)... ■ YES ■ NO g) ■ Construction / Mining / Sand & Gravel providing loss control and risk man- 11,794-14,968 kg. (26.001-33,000 lbs.). ■ YES ■ NO h) ■ Petroleum / Dry Bulk / Chemicals / Tank 8,846-11,793 kg. (19,501-26,000 lbs.)... ■ YES ■ NO i) ■ Manufacturing / Processing 12 Concorde Place, agement services to the trucking in- ■ YES ■ NO ■ ■ 4,536-8,845 kg. (10,000-19,500 lbs.)..... YES NO ji) ■ Retail Under 4,536 kg. (10,000 lbs.)...... ■ YES ■ NO Suite 800, dustry. Send your questions, feedback jii) ■ Wholesale 3) This location operates, controls or administers: k) ■ Logging / Lumber and comments about this column to ■ ■ Toronto, Ontario Diesel powered vehicles...... YES NO b) ■ Bus Transportation Signature Refrigerated vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO [email protected]. Markel Safety and m) ■ Other (Please specify) ______Pickups or Utility Vans...... ■ YES ■ NO M3C 4J2 Training Services offers specialized Propane powered vehicles...... ■ YES ■ NO 6) Are you involved in the purchase of equipment or replacement parts? ...... ■ YES ■ NO 4) Do you operate maintenance facilities courses, seminars and consulting to at this location? ...... ■ YES ■ NO 7) Are you responsible either directly or indirectly fleet owners, safety managers, trainers Date IF YES, do you employ mechanics?...... ■ YES ■ NO for equipment maintenance? . . . . ■ YES ■ NO TODAY! and drivers. pg 11 tw mar 2/11/09 4:23 PM Page 11

March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 11 UsedUsed Trucks By James Menzies Sheehan suggests asking a deal- TORONTO, Ont. – At this time er if it’s registered with the last year, the soaring value of the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Canadian dollar was making the Council (OMVIC). purchase of a new truck an attrac- Deal or no deal? “Sometimes, you get these so- tive proposition. called dealers – curb-siders that Now that the loonie has settled are flipping trucks and they aren’t back at its traditional range, how- Looking for an upgrade? Why the registered,” Sheehan warns. ever, the pendulum seems to have Reputable, OMVIC-registered swung back in favour of used dealers are required to disclose trucks if you’re looking for value time may be right to take a new information about a truck’s histo- in an upgrade. ry, such as whether there’s a lien Many truck dealers were over- look at the used truck market. against the vehicle or whether it’s valuing trade-ins when the dollar been involved in an accident. was peaking last year, leading to Ross Babula, sales manager an abundance of inventory and with Tatro Equipment, adds cus- providing for some good deals to- If there’s a silver lining to the the truck,” he insists. “Being hon- tomers should insist on verifying a day, if you’re in the market. credit crunch, which has made it est is the number one key.” truck’s mileage by checking the “There’s a tremendous amount difficult for many fleets and own- Next, customers should buy a engine control module (ECM) of used inventory on the ground er/operators to fund new equip- truck they can afford. In an uncer- data rather than trusting the everywhere,” says Jeff Watson, ment purchases, it’s that there are tain economic environment, every odometer reading. assistant sales manager with fewer financing companies willing dollar you can shave off a truck “There’s no way you can take Moncton, N.B.-based Valley to bury a customer. payment provides that much mileage out of the ECM,” he says. Equipment. “There’s a lot of in- “The credit (crunch) is prevent- more flexibility for when business Dealers that are members of ventory and a lot of dealers are ing those who shouldn’t be in (the slows down. OMVIC are required to do this, willing to be flexible on selling a industry), from being in,” says “Every dollar you’re financing Sheehan points out. used truck.” Turchet. for five years is going to cost you Turchet says when shopping for Nevio Turchet, used truck man- “It’s a little harder $1.50 – that’s less money in your a used truck, don’t make a buying ager with SelecTrucks of Toronto, to get financing and pocket to get you through decision based solely on price. says used trucks are somewhat in- interest rates are a the lean times,” Watson “Price isn’t always the best part sulated from the wild currency little higher now points out. of a deal,” he says. “You need a swings which have played havoc than they were,” “Sometimes, partner, that one: has what you with new truck prices. Watson adds. guys simply can’t want; and two: stays with you over “You can have a foreign ex- “Interest rates afford what they the life of your truck.” change rate that will affect the (in general) have want.” A good dealer will want to price of a new truck $30,000 either dropped, but the maintain a relationship with you way,” he says. “It’s never a bad percep- after you drive your truck off the time to buy used. You don’t have tion of lot, Watson points out. that volatility; all you have is the risk is “Whether selling a new or used market swing.” higher truck, the main objective of any The used truck market seems to than it reputable dealer is always to have settled after a wave of repos- used to be, match the truck as close as possi- sessions last summer flooded therefore finance ble to what a customer wants. If truck dealers’ lots. companies are looking you do that, you have a happy cus- Many owner/operators were for some extra security in the tomer and you sell him another getting “buried” in debt when fi- form of extra interest and some- Turchet truck down the road,” he says. nancing their rides and were un- times extra down payments.” agrees. Some dealers, such as able to survive when freight be- Now, more than ever, customers “Don’t buy a $150,000 truck if SelecTrucks, will accept a vehicle gan to dry up. should ensure they have a mini- all you can afford is a truck worth back within the first 60 days if it “We had a lot of repossessions mum down payment of 10% and $100,000 given what you’re run- doesn’t drive the way you expect- coming back last year, but not so finance companies may require ning,” he advises. “A $1,500 per ed. Most also offer extended war- much this year,” says Dennis 15% if it’s your first truck. month truck payment is far ranties, although Sheehan admits Sheehan of Volvo dealer Sheehan Turchet warns customers to be greater than a $3,000 payment.” they may be costly. Truck Centre. “I think the weak honest when filling in their credit Once you’ve determined your “Extended warranties aren’t for have fallen and the strong are sur- application. price range and the type of truck everybody,” he says. “Some guys viving.” “If you’re looking for credit, you need for your specific appli- want the thing covered from front Many of last year’s victims had you should not give misinforma- cation, the next step is to deal with to back and don’t care what it financed expensive trucks with lit- tion of any capacity in order to get a reputable dealer. costs, but if they’re going to pay tle or no down payment, Sheehan $3,000-$4,000 for the warranty, in says, adding “I think the credit some cases it’s better to put it in market has straightened that out the bank.” somewhat.” If you are in the used truck mar- Watson says overzealous cus- ket, it may be a good idea to begin tomers, eager finance companies shopping long before you actually and unscrupulous dealers all need to upgrade. played a part in “burying” many Watson says savvy owner/oper- owner/operators. It would happen ators will ask their dealer to be on something like this: an owner/op- the lookout for a certain truck/en- erator with an eight-year-old gine combination months ahead truck wants to trade it for a five- of a planned purchase. year-old truck, however he still “It gets them first dibs on buy- owes $30,000 on his current rig. ing a truck that has a certain en- The truck that caught his eye costs gine they like, that they’re famil- $50,000, but the dealer is only iar with and that they want to willing to give him $15,000 for his buy,” he explains. trade-in. Pulling out of the dealer’s lot in a “An irreputable dealer can add used truck may not be as glam- that $15,000 to the $50,000 truck orous as buying one fresh off the and call it a $65,000 truck and fi- assembly line, but with a good se- nance the guy for $65,000 on a lection available at reasonable truck that’s only worth $50,000,” prices and in an uncertain freight explains Watson. environment, it may be worth tak- “If a guy has $65,000 in a truck ing a look. that’s only worth $50,000, in two Whether you’re an owner/oper- to three years he wants to trade ator or a fleet that’s looking to ex- that, and instead of being $15,000 plore the viability of a new lane, in the hole, he’s $20,000-$25,000 operating used trucks can gener- in the hole. It’s a vicious cycle. ate as much revenue as a new They will only cycle through a truck and leave a little change in couple times before they become FOR SALE: Dealer lots currently have a good selection of used trucks and many your pocket for when the going unfinanceable.” dealers are willing to be flexible to move them. gets rough. ■ pg 12 tw mar 2/11/09 1:11 PM Page 12

Page 12 TRUCK WEST March 2009 ProductProduct Test Johny Tie-down device offers peace of mind for flatdeckers NAPANEE, Ont. – Once in a while a new invention comes along that On-road will save lives. Last April I noticed Editor the Johny Tie-down booth tucked away in the back building at Truck Harry World. Rudolfs I’m no expert or anything but I was impressed by their display of straps and pulleys and electronic Brubacher’s report. scales. “They definitely work,” he told Just the fact that it’s made in me.“I never had a strap come loose, Canada caught my interest – that’s but I can see they work when I rare enough these days. loosen off the tension.” The Johny Tie-down Load Brubacher does a lot of local Tension Alert Device is a system work, sometimes drawing three that allows flatdeck haulers to moni- loads a day. So he was honest and tor load security in real-time while told me he wouldn’t use them on rolling down the road. every load. “But if you’re running A sensor sits on the dash and a red long distance, like California to light comes on and beeps if any Ontario, why not?” he said. “If it straps equipped with Johny’s takes you a half an hour, it’s proba- become slack en-route. bly worth it.” The heart of the device is a plastic The company literature says that cartridge about the size of a pocket- it takes about a minute per Johny book that’s threaded through the per strap. EASY TO USE: Simeon Brubacher volunteered to test the Johny Tie-down sys- cable or strap. Programming is fairly easy with tem for us. He says it works well, but admits he didn’t use it on every local load. After you’ve lashed down your only three keys. Once you’re rolling, skids or whatever, you swipe each the Johny Tie-down system would Tardif made his first prototype in cartridge with a handheld sensor. probably mean fewer stops to check 2002, not long after his son was The sensor then fits into a harness load security. killed driving home for the holidays mounted on the dash. And the system means more the previous Christmas. My deck-hauling days are done, peace of mind at night when it’s A barrel came loose from a truck but I ran into Simeon Brubacher at harder to see if a load is shifting or and struck Johnathan Tardif’s car. the Canadian Tire store in Napanee, coming undone. The company builds the Johnys Ont., where he was loosening the The cartridges fit over all sizes of tough and guarantees them for a straps on a load of top soil. He was straps (2-, 3- or 4-inches) and stan- year. There’s a YouTube video that happy enough to volunteer to try dard issue steel cables. shows a truck running over a car- out the product for me. Most of the product testing was tridge without damaging it. Johny Tie-down is a family busi- done on logging trucks in northern You can also download data from ness from Rouyn-Noranda, Que. Quebec in extreme temperatures. the sensor to a computer which can They shipped me a demonstration But loggers anywhere could feel then be stored and retrieved, docu- put on safety? kit which I dropped off one week- more secure attaching a few Johnys menting any occurences of load Just one catastrophic incident can end at Brubacher’s farm near to a load. And the cable cartridges insecurity. ruin a good carrier. Elmira, Ont., where he runs a would also work well on loads of Tardif recommends you use Johny Johny Tie-downs could also save top-notch deck business with eight scrap cars or the like. Tie-downs on every other strap or you from fines for improperly late model Petes and . So far the originator, Maurice cable, but you can get started with a secured tie-downs, and loss of cargo Marwell Transport pulls 48-foot flat- Tardif, hasn’t yet developed a ver- few units for about $1,000. incidents cost trucking companies decks and B-trains, hauling lumber, sion for chains, but I hear he’s work- Carriers hauling high-value or millions every year. soil and pre-cast concrete, among ing on it. awkward loads might want to The value of life, of course, cannot other things. At the end of the The invention is a labour of love add Johny Tie-downs to their reper- be calculated. To learn more, visit summer I went back and got dedicated to his son’s memory. toire. After all, what price can be www.johny-tiedown.com. ■ GE brings telematics solution to the Canadian fleet market

By James Menzies “We took a different approach data collected through telematics on fuel savings alone. TORONTO, Ont. – GE Capital and started with the customers and can deliver a 2-7X ROI and opti- “If you put the value of telemat- Solutions has expanded its telemat- looked for issues within our cus- mizing the data for improved pro- ics solely on the cost of fuel, then ics services to the Canadian mar- tomers’ operations where telemat- ductivity can deliver an ROI of up you’re at the mercy of the price of ket. The company says its award- ics could provide solutions.” to 15X. fuel to justify the cost,” warned winning telematics solution offers According to “When we get Peters. “The potential for produc- more than just asset tracking, fo- GE, fleet costs ac- to the optimiza- tivity is so much greater just by cusing heavily on how customers count for roughly ‘It can’t just be tion of scheduling gaining visibility of what’s happen- can use the data provided by 12% of its cus- about the vehicle, and routing, you ing in your operation. It’s really the telematics devices to improve pro- tomers’ operating can get as high as productivity component where the ductivity. expenses while it has to be about a 15-times return,” value comes.” “We look at this from a holistic human resources- insisted Peters. In one case, just by re-sequencing approach,” said Stephen Ulanoski, related expenses all the assets and During a re- a fleet’s deliveries, GE was able to senior vice-president and general represent about the related cent Webinar,GE help reduce the customer’s drive manager of telematics solutions 52%. shared several time by 10 hours per day, fuel con- with GE.“It can’t just be about the “We’re trying to functionalities case studies from sumption by 150 litres and mileage vehicle, it has to be about all the as- provide, not a box south of the bor- by 500 km. sets and the related functionalities that’s giving a lot around that asset.’ der, where its Eventually, the customer was around that asset.” of data to the fleet Stephen Ulanoski, GE telematics solu- able to remove one truck from its GE has found the biggest cost- manager, but a so- tion was already fleet while still meeting all its cus- saving opportunities available lution that helps available. tomers’ requirements, Peters ex- through telematics stem from the customers drive growth using real- The case studies showed the ROI plained. human resources side of the equa- time business intelligence,” ex- achieved by customers came from GE is targeting a wide range of tion. plained Peters. a variety of sources, one being fuel applications with its telematics so- “Most of the telematics solutions GE takes a three-pronged ap- savings. lutions, ranging from Class 1-8 ve- on the market today started from proach to helping its customers Based on its experiences, GE hicles. the vehicle and worked back, save money by determining: what is says employing its telematics solu- The most powerful part of its so- pulling data off the vehicle and happening?; why is it happening?; tion is equivalent to knocking fuel lution is the analytical engine that’s providing it to customers and let- and how do I improve it? prices from $1.20/litre to $1.02/litre used to identify opportunities for ting customers do what they would While monitoring vehicle usage – or from 80 cents/litre to 68 improved productivity, the compa- with it,” Doug Peters, vice-presi- alone can deliver a 1-3X return on cents/litre. ny says, adding it can even use ex- dent of telematics marketing strat- investment, GE representatives However, the company warns isting data from other providers “as egy and analytics said. said that properly managing the against placing too much emphasis long as the data is good.” ■ Castrol 2/13/09 12:52 PM Page 1 Michelin MRT 2/11/09 1:19 PM Page 1

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March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 15 NewNew Products burst of pressure. It also cleans FASTER, EASIER bearing and joint surfaces of hard- ened grease so that fresh grease can be applied, the company says. %25'(5 &5266,1* For more details, call 800-668-5458 *HW& &73$773$7F FHUWLÀHGHUWLÀHGZLW ZLWKLQKLQ GD\V Mobile Awareness has introduced or visit www.flocomponents.com.

its TireStat tire pressure monitor- • %HQHILWVRI&HUWLILFDWLRQLQFOXGH GET 3 MONTHS ing system (TPMS) for use on CarriersEdge and KRTS • Expedited clearance times ACE E-MANIFEST SERVICE commercial trucks and trailers. Transportation Specialists have • Automatic access to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program ABSOLUTELY FREE Lightweight TireStat sensors are combined to produce a pre-trip in- WHEN YOU APPLY FOR C-TPAT mounted externally on the valve spection demonstration video.The • Significantly reduced likelihood of random inspection WITH AVAAL stem, allowing air input without companies say the video demon- • Significantly reduced enforcement and compliance inspections sensor removal, the company says. strates proper techniques for all as- • Shipments for inspection directed to front of the line Customers can set their own pects of the daily vehicle inspec- during random inspection AVAAL ALSO OFFERS: warning alert levels by axle posi- tion. CarriersEdge said its C-TPAT SHIPPERS CAN USE ONLY tion to maintain appropriate tire subscribers will automatically re- C-TPAT SHIPPERS CAN USE ONLY •ACEe-Manifest Transmission pressures. The company says its ceive the video as part of their sub- C-TPATC-TPAT TRUCKINGTRUCKING COMPANIESCOMPANIES TPMS is user-friendly for drivers scription package. It will also be 'RQ W ORVH FXVWRPHUV *HW FHUWLÀHG WRGD\ • Customs Clearance while delivering cost-savings for sold separately through • Dispatch and Logistics fleets in the form of extended tire CarriersEdge or KRTS. Training life, fewer roadside assistance • • Authorities and Permits calls and improved fuel mileage. Country star has • Co-PilotTruckGPS& For info, call 866-653-5036 or visit compiled a CD of trucking music. Cyber Trucker www.mobileawareness.com. was released Feb. 3 Contact Dara Nagra 1-877-995-1313 • Corporation Registration • by NIPPIT Records Country Email: [email protected] KU Crossing, and features 13 trucking 2 Automatic Rd. Unit #110, Brampton, ON L6S 6K8 live support classics including: Six Days on the www.avaal.com Road; ; Truck Drivin’ Man; and . Tippin once drove truck himself and says he’s a huge fan of the industry and the music that’s dedicated to it. To order, visit www.aarontippin.com.

RealWheels has introduced some bling for commercial trucks. Its RealMag hub cover provides the look of custom mag wheels for tractor-trailers without the prohibi- Fleets operating in California will tive expense of real mags. The cov- soon require diesel particulate fil- ers are manufactured from ters (DPFs), regardless of their durable, high-impact, chrome-plat- model year. To that end, ed ABS, according to the company. parts dealers are now offering an It provides over-the-lug installation aftermarket passively regenerating on 22.5- and 24.5-inch aluminum or DPF, dubbed the Engine Control steel wheels. They’re available in Systems Purifilter. It can be in- chrome and black colours. For de- stalled on a wide range of Class 8 tails, visit www.realwheels.com. trucks, the company says.The after- market DPF will be available through and dealers in the US and Canada, the company says. By 2011, all trucks operating in California will have to gradually reduce their soot and FLO Components has introduced NOx emissions. a new Lincoln Model 5805 impact • trucknews.com fitting cleaner, which it says is a BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions time-saving alternative to fitting Systems has introduced a S410T replacement and joint disassembly. replacement turbo for Mercedes The impact fitting cleaner is de- MBE4000 engines. It’s covered by signed to eliminate downtime a one-year, 100,000 mile warranty. caused by dried blockages. The The aftermarket turbo is available company says it clears obstructions through BorgWarner’s distribu- MISSING by allowing lightweight oil or sol- tion network, which can be seen vents to enter the clog with a quick online at www.turbodriven.com. ■ TARALYN POORMAN 3198-SR D.O.B.: May 09, 1991 Missing since: December 12, 2008 Missing from: Regina, Saskatchewan Height: 5' 3" Weight: 130 lbs. Eye Colour: Brown Taralyn was last seen by her mother at approximately 11:00 p.m. She was wearing a purple shirt, black leggings, black knee high suede boots, and a black winter jacket with fur around the collar.

Anyone with information please contact: All Calls Confidential – No Name Required CHILD FIND 1-800-387-7962 pg 16 tw mar 2/11/09 3:04 PM Page 1 pg 17 tw mar v2 2/11/09 3:22 PM Page 17

March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 17 TrainingTraining

FOCUS ON FUEL: MTI will teach drivers how to improve fuel economy. MTI, NRCan partner to deliver fuel-efficient driver training CASTLEGAR, B.C. – Mountain develop “gain-sharing bonus pro- Transport Institute (MTI) and grams” involving the participating Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) drivers, MTI said in a release. are teaming up to measure the Under the program, NRCan is effectiveness of training professional helping offset the training costs, so drivers on fuel-efficient driving participating carriers can enroll driv- techniques. ers for just $200 each. (The cost is A new program will result in 100 normally $1,000 per driver). Western Canadian truck drivers be- “We expect that up to five differ- ing trained by MTI on fuel-efficient ent carriers and companies in B.C. driving, using NRCan’s SmartDriver and Alberta will gladly participate for Highway Trucking program. and send up to 20 or so drivers All drivers will receive classroom through the program,” said Andy training and then half will receive Roberts, president of MTI. further training on MTI’s simulator “They recognize that the cost of while the other half will be trained the program will easily be made up on the road. by their fuel savings and that in the The program will collect data on long run, their own customers and the participants’ fuel consumption ultimately the consumer will benefit over the next 12 months and the from lower freight costs and reduced drivers will have access to daily greenhouse gas emissions.” reports on their performance. For more information, contact Participating carriers will be able to MTI’s Roberts at 877-965-3748. ■ )FMQJOH ZPV ¾OE ZPVS XBZ

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Home Sign Half TAB Pg.indd 1 6/12/08 2:12:12 PM pg 18 tw mar v2 2/11/09 3:24 PM Page 18

Page 18 TRUCK WEST March 2009 TaxTax Talk bank accounts, or loan-back Don’t get hooked by fraudulent tax schemes arrangements. To date, CRA has re- assessed over 3,100 taxpayers who Sir: I am an official of the Nigerian inflated receipts for charitable dona- participated in these schemes result- government and I have been assigned Tax tions.The amount is increased by the ing in additional taxable income of the task of securing an overseas part- Talk gifting of supplies purchased with approximately $144 million. Audits ner into whose account we would the actual donation to another or- of another 1,800 taxpayers with $84 transfer the sum of $19,320,000… Scott ganization. Typically these involve million in RRSP and RRIF invest- Taylor computer or medical supplies. ments are currently underway. So begins the Nigerian Scam, where These schemes may seem legiti- If someone says you can withdraw a wealthy foreigner asks for your mate because a CRA Tax Shelter from your RRSP or RRIF tax-free, help to move millions of dollars required before you can receive any Identification Number is on the pa- take big tax deductions, or get imme- from his homeland and promises a “claims.” The letter includes a form perwork. But a tax shelter ID is no diate access to “locked-in” funds, it’s hefty percentage as compensation. specifically requesting personal de- guarantee that you’re entitled to the too good to be true. Worse, you risk You’ve probably received a letter tails like your bank account and proposed tax benefits. losing your savings because the pro- like this in your e-mail box. passport numbers. This problem is so big that CRA moter walks away with everything. In fact, this racket traces its origins intends to audit all tax shelter gifting Identity theft Bad tax preparers to the 1920s and has been used to arrangements. So far, more than bilk people out of hundreds of mil- Both the fake Web site and the letter 65,000 taxpayers who participated in There are bad apples among tax-re- lions of dollars. If a scheme this obvi- are attempts at identity theft, the these schemes have been reassessed turn preparers.They’ll offer false tax ous can be so successful, imagine unauthorized collection and use of or are in the process of being re- deductions such as inflated charita- what thieves can do today,with tech- personal information, usually for assessed. Well over $2.5 billion in ble donations, child-care expense nology at their disposal.Think about criminal purposes. In some cases, claimed donations have been de- claims, or even business expenses or that as you prepare your personal like the phishing site, your informa- nied. If you participated in a tax losses to make themselves look like income tax return. Tax agencies like tion is taken fraudulently. In others, shelter gifting arrangement in 2007 heroes. Others simply have no clue the CRA are perfect foils for scam- an unscrupulous tax preparer simply and claimed your “donation” on what they’re doing (anyone can mers because no-one wants the tax- sells personal information he col- your tax return, the claim may have hang out a shingle and call them- man on his back.You give him what- lected to file your return. been accepted as filed but that does- selves a tax return preparation serv- ever he asks for. CRA says it never uses e-mail or n’t mean the CRA agrees with it or ice). It’s your signature on your re- One ploy is called a “phishing” voice mail to ask for personal infor- has even reviewed it yet. Audits can turn, and you’re responsible for all scheme. Earlier this year, someone mation and will not divulge informa- take a year to process, and the CRA the information on it no matter who created a Web site that looks exactly tion about you to another person generally has three years from the prepares it. Leave yourself time to like the one CRA uses to collect tax unless you provide formal authori- date of assessment to audit and re- review your return, and don’t sign refund applications. It asks for your zation. When in doubt, ask yourself assess taxpayers. So keep your something you don’t understand. If social insurance number, full name, whether you’re being asked for in- books and records. necessary,get a second opinion. ■ address, date of birth, etc. This cam- formation that you wouldn’t include RRSP scams paign is timed to coincide with with your tax return, or for informa- – Scott Taylor is vice-president of CRA’s deadline for online tax return tion you know the CRA already has In January I wrote that an increasing TFS Group, a Waterloo, Ont., com- applications. on file. Call the agency instead of number of RRSP and Registered pany that provides accounting, fuel In another scam, thieves mailed relying on mail or e-mail. Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) tax reporting, and other business letters on CRA letterhead saying products are promising tax-free services for fleets and owner/opera- Tax-shelter gifting there is “insufficient information” withdrawals, typically involving off- tors. For info, visit www.tfsgroup.com on your tax return and an update is Another tax-fraud scheme involves shore debit or credit cards, off-shore or call 800-461-5970.

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March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 21 SnowSnow Removal Canadians know snow, eh? Buyer beware: Some snow removal systems are better than others

TORONTO, Ont. – Canadians are no strangers to snow and ice. And On-road like most drivers in this country, I’ve Editor pulled my share of trailers with piles of snow on the roof. It’s actually Harry quite magical watching the plume Rudolfs streaming onto the fields and high- way.As for ice, it’s often invisible to us. You don’t see it until it comes The driver may have to make sev- crashing onto your cab or catwalk, eral passes to loosen stubborn snow. or you can watch sheets of it lifting A plow or loader is also needed to off the trailer in the sideview. take away the accumulated snow on But the days of driving with un- the ground. cleaned trailer roofs may be coming After a significant snowfall, this to an end. Every year we hear of may have to be done after every tragic accidents involving blocks of three or four trailers, except in the ice smashing automobile wind- case of the high-end Yeti, whose shields. Snow-laden trailers can also blower launches most of the snow put other drivers into a white-out. away from the area. Most of the Ontario has no law against it, but manufacturers have been around CAN OPENER: An improperly-installed snow removal system sliced this trailer provinces like Nova Scotia and five years or so, but new prototypes open from end to end. Quebec are among jurisdictions are arriving on the scene all the time. handing out fines and demerit points Here’s a quick look at what’s on St-Hubert Quebec and has nine of open from stem to stern by an im- for littering snow and ice, as are the market: its machines at locations in that properly-installed device (see pho- some states south of the border. province including at Purolator, to). With increasing public awareness The SRS 200-S Avalanche made by Canada Post and HBC.The machine If you’re in the market for one of and more work cultures adopting Leevin Design of Barrie, Ont. is the invention of Germain these machines, be sure and do your diligent practices, transport compa- Completely static and mechanical, Bouchard and features a plow and homework. nies and distribution centres are the V-shaped plow blade is set at a drum combination which is raised When it comes right down to it, looking seriously at acquiring snow certain height and locked in. This is and lowered by electric winches.The trailer snow is the responsibility of clearing machines. good if your equipment is all the machine costs $36,000 installed in all parties, including the shipper if Just like the Zamboni, leave it to same height including your fifth the Montreal area (more for other the unit is sitting at a dock for a Canadians to be at the forefront of wheels. Price is $12,500 plus installa- cities). weekend. such inventions. Years ago, I recall tion. Representative Kevin Brookes It’s going to cost about $50 to get Ron Martin, a mechanic at Eaton’s says it can be installed in three hours The Yeti Snow Removal Systems one cleaned off unless you want to in Toronto, welding a steel blade if the footings are in. About 20-25 manufactured by Rainville get up there yourself like an acrobat. onto a makeshift forklift attach- are in service, including at customers Industries of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Groupe Robert offers a snow ment. He had the drivers pull their like SLH and Warren Gibson. is the gold standard of snow removal clearing station for drivers at its wagons inside the shop and ran the machines, and the only one that can Boucherville terminal. elevated plow blade along the trail- Reed Screed of New Jersey has an remove ice as well. It’s been on the The trailers first pass under a me- ers. This worked alright for light interesting product that purports to market since 2006 and uses an auger, chanical brush and then park beside stuff, but heavy snow eventually be “portable.” It’s your basic rubber brushes and a powerful blower. It a raised platform constructed on top twisted the blade, not to mention the V-Blade with an adjustable height also has a function which automati- of a van. Cleaners are tethered and piles of melting snow in the garage. function that runs off a truck battery cally raises and lowers the platform harnessed as they push snow off the The simplest device I’ve seen is at or solar trickle charger.The inventor to accommodate trains. Clients in- trailer. the UPS depot in north Toronto. It’s Mike Reed has been in production clude Normandin, Manitoulin and In the case of ice, they’re provided nothing more than a steel bar at- five years and has about 12 ma- Transport Bourassa. It costs $73,000 with six-inch steel plates on the end tached to an upright frame. The bar chines in operation at places like with installation extra. of poles to pound off the tough stuff. can be adjusted with pegs for differ- New England Motor Freight and “There’s no excuse for anyone to ent heights. I watched their A-train Sysco Food Distributors in the Buyer beware, of course. Truck West leave this yard with snow or ice on pups and a container pass under it, northeastern US. None have been couldn’t test any of these systems, the trailer,” says preventionist scraping an inch or two of powder sold in Canada yet, although he’s but we did see one trailer top cut Francois Rochon. ■ snow. It seemed to loosen up the been getting inquiries. It costs crust before the units went on the US$19,500 not including freight or road. There were also big piles of installation snow beside the lane, so it’s doing something. Scraper Systems was invented in the Searching around the Internet, I US but has good representation in found several manufacturers who Canada with two machines that are make trailer snow clearing ma- installed at inspection stations in chines, most located in Canada. Amherst and Enfield, Nova Scotia. Although the prices of the units This is a V-Blade design which can vary a great deal, and the mecha- be raised and lowered electrically. nisms may range from static and me- There are about 200 of these in exis- chanical to electrical and electronic, tence in North America at opera- the designs are mostly similar. tions like SCM (Wal-Mart), Some sort of elevated plow or Cornwall, Ont., and Reimer in scrubber, either stationary or ad- Mississauga. Price including installa- justable, is mounted on an ‘H’ frame tion comes in just under $25,000. which in turn is fastened to concrete blocks, steel rails or footings. J & D Trailer Protection Company Usually,a synthetic rubber blade, of- of Waterford, Ont. makes the ten V-shaped, rides just over the sur- Rooster One system invented in face of the trailer roof. Some prod- Canada by James Quinn. It’s a fully ucts also come with a kind of roller mechanical system with a counter- or drum attachment, acting as a weight and angled blade directing beater bar to loosen the packed the snow into a chute on the side of snow. the frame. Installed it’s about In most cases, the driver stops just $26,000.Customers in Ontario in- before contact and adjusts the clude Frito-Lay and Maple Lodge height of the plow platform. He or Farms. trucknews.com she then pulls through the lane as the snow is scraped to the ground. The Robot 2000 is manufactured in pg 22-23 tw mar v2 2/12/09 11:37 AM Page 22

Page 22 TRUCK WEST March 2009 LivestockLivestock Special to Truck West are the people the public sees.” CALGARY,Alta. – “Are we there On high returns for yet?” was the theme of the Progress and potholes good welfare Livestock Transport Conference in Calgary, Alta., which brought to- Livestock transporters talk the issues Horsburgh: “This is the age of gether over 120 people including diminishing returns. But as far as transporters, livestock producers, animal welfare in livestock trans- researchers and other industry – A Truck West special report, written port, I don’t think we have any- leaders. The goal was straightfor- thing to complain about with what ward: to discuss a North American by Meristem Land & Science (www.meristem.com) we’re asked to do. I think that what focus on achieving humane, safe we’ve heard today has been so pos- and effective livestock care. itive, and we can take this to all of There have been many advances Farm Animal Council’s livestock gram, and the truckers that were in our people to continue to improve in science, handling guidelines and transport specialist, emphasized the top percentage would be recog- our industry. Animal welfare is training programs in recent years, the importance of ongoing trans- nized at a meeting and given a cer- good for the industry and good for both for humane livestock han- porter education. tificate. That was certainly an in- business. It’s builds customer and dling in general and increasingly “Animal care must be foremost centive. Personally, I used to like consumer confidence. One of the for transporting livestock. Among in every transporter’s mind. It when my trucks went to the US and speakers said:‘we need to be trans- the examples are Canada’s takes just as much preparation to buyers would call back and say parent and open in everything we Certified Livestock Transporter move an animal two miles down they really like the way our do’ – I agree with that 100%.” (CLT) program – a comprehensive the road and do it right as it does to Canadian trucks come into their On Canada being training course and support service move it across the country. plants.And that probably meant as on right path for livestock truckers, shippers and Programs such as TQA and CLT much to us as anything.” receivers that offers certification. are excellent. I think the future of O’Rourke: “I’ve never heard so On new research on A similar US-based program is our industry is training, training many good speakers all in one ventilation, temperature Transporter Quality Assurance and more training, to continually place in one day on this issue, and (TQA). As well, North America is get better,” he said. O’Rourke: “A lot of the new ideas it’s nice to know Canada is on the moving toward third-party live- Horsburgh, owner of Alberta- coming out are worth looking at. I right track. When our American stock transport audits as part of based Grace Cattle Carriers, don’t think we need to spend mil- friends come up and tell us that, it’s quality assurance, led by the recent echoed that call. lions of dollars, but trials certainly pretty good to hear. The one thing development of the American “What we’ve heard today from don’t hurt and the bottom line we need to take home with us is Meat Institute’s Animal Welfare all the speakers has been so posi- is common sense should dictate that our industry has to embrace Audit for Transportation. tive, and we need to build on that. what we do.” animal welfare. It’s important. It’s a Where the rubber really hits the As transporters, we are a critical non-issue as far as our rates are On overcoming challenges road on the livestock transport ani- component between the producer concerned. It’s nice to know we’re mal care issue is on the front line: and the consumer and we are prob- Toews: “In the past, as transporters doing our job well, and we have to with the truckers and other tran- ably the most visible component of we have become frustrated at times consider how to do it better.” porters who move cattle, swine and this industry,” he said. “Livestock when we are unacquainted with On cross-sector, other livestock every day. are moved a lot in their lifetime, regulations and we might be ac- multi-expertise teamwork The day-long Livestock Transport and the efficiency of the system is cused of something that we didn’t Conference featured more than one area we can address with our know about. We are always judged Horsburgh: “I also agree to make a dozen speakers covering latest industry peers. Noone likes change, by our worst performance. We can progress, all of us in this room need developments, new science and but sometimes change is a great do a thousand loads perfectly,but if to continually lean on our peers a range of key issues. To take the opportunity to improve things.” we have one poor load that’s the and industry experts. Relationships temperature of the real progress Overall, the three transporters one that everybody sees. equal communication. We need to and challenges in the industry, the recapped key messages they felt Sometimes the problems blamed bring forward all our interests,not conference ended the day with a stood out from the conference and on us go back to the shipper – that’s our individual positions, where we discussion and panel Q&A session provided thoughts on a range of an area where I think the audits have the same focus on humane, with three long-time livestock subjects. Here are some additional shippers face will help.” safe and effective livestock haulers: Daryl Toews, Dave highlights of their comments: handling and transport.” ■ On training and focus O’Rourke and Keith Horsburgh. On benefits of a Their comments provide a snapshot O’Rourke: “In the past, many of – The Livestock Care Conference national approach of the path forward and how trans- the drivers we hired already knew was hosted by Alberta Farm Animal porters are embracing livestock Horsburgh: “There is huge benefit how to handle livestock because Care (AFAC) and the National care as part of good stewardship to having a nationally-recognized they were farm boys.Things are dif- Farm Animal Care Council and good business. system and I think we are on the ferent today. That’s one reason (NFACC). It was sponsored by: Toews, who supervises all load right track with promoting our training is so important. Animal National Cattle Feeders’ Association; coordination and health protocols CLT program.” welfare must be foremost in every- Animal Transportation Association; for Lester Reimer Trucking, cap- O’Rourke added: “To have a one’s mind. No excuses.There is no Alberta Livestock Industry tured a prevailing attitude of the national association (for trans- ‘ignorance is bliss.’ It’s not bliss, it’s Development Fund; and Agriculture day: “We have come a long way. porters) would also be excellent, just stupid.” and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing But if we say ‘we’re there,’ that but it takes a lot of time and coop- Canadian Agriculture and Agri- On embracing the public eye we’ve done all we need to, I think eration to get that together. The Food Program. More information we’re limiting ourselves.We’re nev- benefits to our country would Toews: “In the 27 years I’ve been on the conference including er there.We have great opportunity probably be fantastic.” involved in livestock transport, I’ve additional articles on several to continually improve and do a seen tremendous change and im- of the speaker presentations, is avail- On incentive and better job.” provement. It’s been fantastic from able on the CLT Web site at recognition programs O’Rourke, former owner of that standpoint. And as trans- www.livestocktransport.ca and Ontario-based O’Rourke Trans- O’Rourke: “Ontario Pork used to porters, I do feel we have one of the through the AFAC Web site at port and currently the Ontario have a good handling awards pro- greatest opportunities because we www.afac.ab.ca. Teamwork drives new progress in humane livestock transportation

Special to Truck West “Livestock care is a growing focus Whiting, manager of animal health judges the livestock industry. CALGARY, Alta. – Livestock pro- of industry and consumers world- and welfare, Manitoba Agriculture “As an industry, we are often ducers, transporters and meat wide, and livestock transport is one and Food, Veterinary Services judged by our worst performance. processors each deal with different of the most critical and visible com- Branch. Key risk groups include the We have to do all we can to meet business challenges but all share a ponents,” says Dr. Duane Landals, a young, the old, the very thin, the today’s expectations while still get- critical interest – the welfare of live- veterinarian and a board member of very lame, the very ill and the very ting our work done efficiently and stock under their care. Alberta Farm Animal Care, one of compromised. making it pay.” This priority and the benefits of the conference sponsors. “All transport is an inconvenience Finding the right approaches re- working together to address it was a Landals offered opening remarks for the animal, but we don’t want to quires a strong recognition of the key focus of the recent Livestock to a morning session that kicked off make it a hardship,” says Whiting. practical realities of transporting Transport Conference in Calgary. with presentations on transporting “Vulnerable livestock in particular livestock. “We need to address the Themed “Are we there yet?” the high-risk livestock and managing need to be well looked after.” challenges with ideas that combine conference brought together over transport risk at the meat plant. Addressing the public expecta- both scientific and practical knowl- 120 people including transporters, One of the major priorities for tions around this issue requires not edge. Experience in transporting livestock producers, researchers and progress in livestock transport is to only science-based approaches but livestock has at least as much to other industry leaders from across continually improve the care of vul- acknowledgement of the moral and offer as the science examining live- North America. nerable animals, says Dr. Terry ethical standards upon which society stock transport.” pg 22-23 tw mar v2 2/12/09 11:38 AM Page 23

March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 23

Much of the focus in improving right. It’s also a good way to catch livestock transport is on decreasing things and look for ways to the potential for animal stress.There improve.” are two main avenues to accom- In addition to regular animal han- plishing this, says Whiting.The first is dling audits that include animal un- to improve physical components loading, Maple Leaf has taken steps such as trucks, ramps and facilities. to further support livestock care The other is to improve the system during transport. It requires the of transporting animals. “The effi- drivers it deals with to be certified in ciency of the system is the one that livestock transport training pro- gets less attention, but I think it is at grams such as the Certified least as important as the means of Livestock Training (CLT) program transport. It’s harder to measure and in Canada and the Transport harder to regulate, but it’s something TEAMWORK: Transporters, producers and meat companies must all play a part Quality Assurance (TQA) program that can be addressed by the indus- in ensuring the humane treatment of animals during transport. in the US. It also produces animal try that runs the system.” handling handbooks and provides As a case study of the opportunity prove it. Good livestock care leads pansion were also designed with them to both drivers and livestock for progress at the meat plant level, to good meat quality. That’s what more doors and more alleyways, to producers. Bryan Hay of Maple Leaf Foods in drives everything.” allow longer unloading times. The company is also working in- Brandon, Man., discussed how For the Brandon plant, livestock “If people aren’t stressed to get ternally and with its industry part- Maple Leaf plants conduct regular care was a top priority when the the animals off the trucks, you’d be ners to prepare for the potential for humane handling plant audits, which plant increased production to a dou- surprised what you can do for ani- third-party audits that have a trans- include animal unloading. ble shift. As part of the production mal welfare,” says Hay. portation component. It welcomes “Some see an audit as a curse, but increase, it expanded its main hold- The plant also adopted the use of these as part of meeting public we see it as a blessing,” says Hay, ing barn to ensure animals received cameras in unloading areas, to expectations. “Good animal welfare senior manager of hog logistics and would have adequate rest – at least further support proper livestock is something we strive for all the animal welfare.“It’s not okay now to three hours rest time. The barn and handling. “When people are being time. But it’s also strictly good busi- just say what we do – we have to other facility components of the ex- watched they make sure to do things ness,” says Hay. ■ Building ‘Team North America’ for livestock transport

species,” says Church. “Our core Conference is about – driving things Streamlining approaches is key manual is a living document and we down the road collectively from the are always looking to improve.” standpoint of our programming in next step for Canada, US programs North America.” Moving toward Special to Truck West of livestock transport, to help sup- That feeling is shared by Risa, of universal training CALGARY, Alta. – Canada and port that type of thinking and the National Pork Board.The board the US share the longest undefend- progress, she says. Over 120 people The CLT program is already built to delivers the Transport Quality ed border in the world. As evi- attended the conference including dovetail in many respects with the Assurance (TQA) program, a US- denced at the recent Livestock transporters, livestock producers, re- US-based TQA program, she says. based program that is also recog- Transport Conference in Calgary, searchers and other industry leaders Working together to further stream- nized and conducts training sessions Alta., the livestock and transport in- from across North America. line approaches is a top priority for in Canada. dustries in both countries also share A core part of the program includ- the future. Though focused solely on swine, a strong commitment to progress in ed updates on the livestock trans- “In my view, other than the the TQA program offers certifica- improving the care of livestock port training programs, which in- Canadian laws, the core content of tion and shares the same goals of hauled within and across their bor- cluded presentations by Church on the two programs is parallel. Most helping transporters, producers and ders. Leading examples of this com- the CLT program and by Erik Risa of the TQA trainers in Canada are handlers with proper livestock mitment are training and certifica- of the National Pork Board on the including the Canadian laws. And transport. tion programs for livestock TQA program. the groups involved with both pro- “That’s why we’re participating in transport, developed and imple- grams are now talking about how events like this Livestock Transport Canada’s industry-driven mented in both countries through we can build the training compo- Conference,” says Risa.“We want to progress cross-sector cooperation. nent into one program that every- continue to have a dialogue, These programs include Canada’s The Certified Livestock Transporter body recognizes. whether that’s for North America or Certified Livestock Transporter (CLT) program is a comprehensive “I think in the next year we’re go- across species. Livestock care is a (CLT) program and the US-based training course and support service ing to see more of a melding and col- cross-industry, cross species issue, Transporter Quality Assurance for livestock truckers, shippers and laboration, and that’s a big part of and there are many benefits to (TQA) program. At the same time, receivers. It focuses on the humane what the Livestock Transport working together.” ■ industry North America-wide is and safe relocation of livestock and moving toward third-party livestock the regulatory requirements for transport audits as part of quality as- Canada and the US. surance, lead by the recent develop- CLT was started in Alberta ment of the American Meat based on industry – largely through Institute’s Animal Welfare Audit for AFAC – looking into what was Transportation. All are programs needed to support high quality that not only show industry leader- livestock transport. The key priori- ship but reflect where progress is ty that emerged was training, and a headed around the globe. series of consultations and devel- The next step in the evolution of opments lead to implementation of this trend is to further streamline ap- the program in 2007. It builds on proaches, says Susan Church, man- previous industry progress in de- ager of Alberta Farm Animal Care veloping humane handling guide- (AFAC), a major organizer and lines for unfit livestock. sponsor of the conference. “It was industry that drove the “All of the countries and pro- whole process,” says Church. “And grams have different approaches, that continues today as the CLT pro- but the information on how to prop- gram evolves.” erly load, handle and unload live- The CLT training program com- stock is virtually the same whether ponent offers core content for all you’re in North America, Europe or species and breakout modules for Australia,” says Church. “That gives beef, hogs, horses, sheep and poultry. us a great basis to work together to CLT provides species-specific cus- continually streamline what we’re tomized training on livestock han- doing. Truckers truck all over. dling, loading and biosecurity. It in- Our industries cross borders. Our cludes recognizing and dealing with trucknews.com programs always need to be mindful livestock not fit to be transported of that.” and emergency accident response. The Livestock Transport “The whole concept of CLT is to Conference was designed to bring be multi-species, because many of people together and raise the profile our drivers handle more than one pg 24 tw mar v2 2/11/09 4:47 PM Page 24

Page 24 TRUCK WEST March 2009 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News PacLease adds five Canadian locations closes record year on down note BELLEVUE, Wash. – Paccar leasing, rentals, contract mainte- COLUMBUS, Ind. – Cummins remained profitable through 2008, Leasing Company (PacLease) nance, and support services includ- despite a downturn in the fourth quarter. continues its rapid expansion with ing insurance, fuel programs and The engine maker recorded its fifth consecutive year of record sales the announcement of five new vehicle performance reporting. and profits in 2008. Sales for the year rose 10% to US$14.3 billion and locations in Canada. “We help our customers be- net income was up 8% to US$801 million. “Our location growth has been come more successful by offering However, economic woes caught up with the company in the fourth exceptional,” said PacLease presi- programs that make sense for quarter, which saw sales drop 6% compared to the same quarter of 07 dent Bob Southern. “Paccar deal- their business,” said Southern and net income drop from US$198 million to just US$89 million. ers are looking for more ways to The new Canadian PacLease The biggest declines were in the engine and components segments, the serve their customers and mar- locations are: company reported. kets, and full-service leasing offers Sales in Cummins engine segment were down 10% in the fourth that opportunity.” • Peterbilt of Ontario PacLease, quarter, compared to the same period the year before. According to Southern, cus- 2085 Shanly Road, Cardinal, Ont.; The company reported engine shipments declined in nearly all tomers can custom spec’ medium- on-highway markets, including heavy-duty truck (9%) and medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks – even • Peterbilt of Ontario truck (9%). hybrid units – through PacLease, PacLease, 1311 Hopkins Street, “Given our record-setting performance during the first nine months to match their transportation Whitby, Ont.; of the year, the rapid drop in demand in the fourth quarter as a result requirements. of the global recession was a major disappointment,” said Cummins “We spec’ the trucks with our • Peterbilt of Ontario chairman and CEO Tim Solso.“At the same time, we moved quickly to customers to increase operating PacLease, 36 Rutherford Road lower our costs and tightly manage our capital spending, and already efficiency,” Southern added. South, Brampton, Ont.; have taken further action in early 2009.” “What’s more, we perform all the Cummins said it is expecting 2009 sales to be 20% lower than 2008, and maintenance on the vehicles. It al- • Peterbilt Atlantic PacLease, has taken cost-cutting measures. ■ lows our customers to reduce risk 1528 Harrington Road, Kentville, by eliminating the uncertainty of N.S.; unexpected costs that could im- Telus launches new BlackBerry smartphone pact those in ownership.” • Great West PacLease, 6739 67th PacLease combines full-service Avenue, Red Deer,Alta. ■ TORONTO, Ont. – Telus has launched the new BlackBerry Curve 8350i smartphone, featuring support Turbo 3000D inks Daimler, CAW for the Direct Connect Push To Talk service – a popular feature for truck distribution deal agree on Sterling drivers on the go. EAST AURORA, N.Y. – Turbo The new smartphone, available 3000D has announced a distribu- closure terms only on the Telus Mike Network, is tion deal with TravelCenters of designed for professionals in the America (TA) throughout the US. ST. THOMAS, Ont. – Daimler field who need instant communica- Company president, Andrew Trucks North America (DTNA) tion with their companies along with Matuch, said TA-branded truck re- and the CAW Local 1001 have instant access to their e-mail. The pair and maintenance shops now agreed to terms surrounding the device includes built-in Wi-Fi and and also has Bluetooth-enabled sup- carry the product, which attaches closure of the Sterling truck GPS, and combines BlackBerry port for accessories such as wireless to the fuel line and reportedly im- plant here. communications and multimedia headsets or hands-free kits. For proves fuel mileage while also im- DTNA announced it was dis- capabilities with the push-to-talk truckers looking for ways to fill proving engine performance. It’s continuing the Sterling brand service, all in one. downtime, the device also includes a backed by a money-back guaran- last fall as part of the company’s “The BlackBerry Curve 8350i media player, a 2MP camera with tee, the company says. restructuring. Workers at the combines the convenience of our video recording and the capacity “We are proud to have partnered plant voted 97% in favour of the Mike Direct Connect Push To Talk to store up to 16GB of music, with TravelCenters of America be- closure agreement, the CAW technology and the trusted pictures, video and documents per cause of their company’s mission said yesterday in a release. BlackBerry solution,” said Jim memory card. statement and philosophy of pro- The agreement includes en- Senko, vice-president of mobility “The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is a viding the very best service and hanced severance, extended solutions at Telus. “It’s a fantastic communications powerhouse that amenities while always striving to benefits and funding for a job ac- new addition to our extensive selec- makes it easier than ever to stay con- exceed their customers’ expecta- tion centre. tion of business-ready smartphones nected,” said Mark Guibert, vice- tions,” said Matuch. The plant will close March 27. operating on our Mike or PCS president of corporate marketing at More info on the Turbo 3000D is At its peak, 2,200 people worked networks.” RIM. “We are very pleased to be available at www.turbo3000d.com there. ■ The new smartphone supports working together with Telus to bring or by calling 877-526-7728. ■ GPS tracking and dispatch solutions this innovative and stylish smart- phone to Canadians.” Additional features include: • High-resolution, 320 x 240 colour display • 35 key backlit full-QWERTY keyboard; • Premium phone features including voice-activated dialing, enhanced background noise can- cellation and a low-distortion speakerphone; • Expandable memory via microSD/SDHC memory card slot supporting cards of up to 16GB for additional storage (1GB microSD card included); • USB connectivity for charging BUYING? and data file transfers between the smartphone and PCs; Browse by make, • Removable, rechargeable bat- model and year. SELLING? tery; With the click of a button • And messaging capabilities you’ll have access to For just $99 (plus GST) with support for popular instant some of the best deals we’ll list your truck or messaging, multimedia messaging in the country. (MMS) and text messaging services. trailerE including a full The BlackBerry Curve 8350i E description and picture. smartphone is available from Telus for $249.99 on a three-year contract or $599.99 without a contract. ForFor moremore informationinformation contactcontact RobRob WilkinsWilkins 416-510-5123416-510-5123 For more information on the BlackBerry Curve 8350i, visit www.noordinaryphone.com. ■ BAN70013-SlowLeak-TrkNws_Snipe_MAR-09 2/11/09 5:21 PM Page 1

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Page 26 TRUCK WEST March 2009 OEM/DealerOEM/Dealer News Inland Kenworth closes island branch

BURNABY, B.C. – Inland Kenworth has combined its Port McNeill operations with its Campbell River branch, as B.C.’s ailing forest industry reduces truck demand. The Port McNeill branch was a small operation with six staff. Two employees have been retained at the company’s Campbell River branch and four were laid off, according to Inland Kenworth president Bill Currie, who attributed the closure to the economic climate. “Unfortunately the sales volumes have diminished over time,” he told Truck West. “The company will make every effort to continue to service those customers directly affected from Campbell River and Nanaimo.” Inland Kenworth has indicated that the closure is related to the troubled forestry industry, and the loss of major contractors such as Ted SAFETY PAYS: Volvo will be handing out $50,000 to two fleets. Leroy Trucking and Hayes Forest Services. However, Currie added that Inland Kenworth has no intention of Volvo creates $50K fleet safety award closing either the Campbell River or the Nanaimo branches. Just two years ago, Inland Kenworth opened a new 33,000 sq.-ft. GREENSBORO, N.C. – Volvo grams and records, and to encourage dealership in Nanaimo. Trucks North America is promising others to emulate them.” While the Port McNeill operation was small, Inland Kenworth is a big payday for two fleets with the The Safety Award is sensitive to the impact this closure has had on this small coastal best safety records in 2008: $25,000 open to all US and Canadian fleets community,according to Currie, who also indicates that the closure is not each. Money from the Volvo Trucks operating at least five Class 8 units. a sign of financial weakness. Safety Award is to be used to help Fleets will be ranked by their acci- “We are very stable and focused on the future,” he said. fund additional safety activities at dent frequency rates, using the US Inland Kenworth is a diversified organization which includes dealerships the winning fleets. Department of Transportation defi- for trucks and equipment as well as leasing services. “Safety is Volvo Trucks’ bedrock nition of a “recordable accident.” Inland Kenworth recently announced the expansion of two new value,” said Scott Kress, senior vice- Entrants will also be judged on PacLease locations, one in Prince George and the other in Kamloops. president of sales and marketing. “It their accident prevention activities. In addition, the company has 15 branches in B.C., one in the Yukon, has been our number one priority The deadline for entry is June 30. two in Southern California, two in Arizona, and two in New Mexico. ■ since the very founding of Volvo The winners of the award will be an- more than 80 years ago and it guides nounced in the fall.The two grand virtually all product decisions we prizes will be awarded to the fleets Canadian APU maker shuts down make. Many of our customers share with the best records in two divisions this passion and invest their time based on annual vehicle miles trav- TORONTO, Ont. – Canadian auxiliary power unit (APU) manufacturer and resources to achieve safe opera- elled: less than 10 million miles; and RigMaster Power has shut its doors. tions in their fleets.The Volvo Trucks over 10 million miles. Complete Dealers have confirmed that they recently received a memo notifying Safety Award is a way to recognize rules and entry forms are at them the company will cease operations. fleets with truly superior safety pro- www.volvotruckssafetyaward.com. ■ RigMaster was founded in 1993 and rolled out its first APU in 1994. The company operated as RigMaster Power Corp. in Canada and RigMaster Power Inc. in the US. It had corporate offices in Toronto with administrative Maxim introduces new financing options offices and manufacturing facilities in Toronto and Olathe, Kansas. ■ WINNIPEG, Man. – Maxim Truck mitment,” adds Harvey. and Trailer has introduced two new Both products are intended to products designed to address the give customers the benefit of imme- needs of customers in an uncertain diate possession and a short-term economic climate. commitment, without forcing them The new products include a two- to make a capital purchase unless it year lease and a rent-to-own option makes economic sense for their for heavy-duty trucks and trailers. business, according to the company. Both new products apply to a Maxim’s two-year lease product wide variety of trucks and trailers includes the equipment lease along used by for-hire and private trucking with a maintenance contract in a sin- firms, as well as industries that in- gle monthly payment, over a term clude construction and agriculture, that is two to five years shorter than according to the company. traditional equipment leases. “Goods continue to move by Equipment for two-year leases truck and trailer no matter what the is drawn from late-model trucks economic climate,” says Maxim and trailers in Maxim’s national president Doug Harvey. rental fleet. “What has changed is the Maxim’s rent-to-own product is tremendous amount of uncertainty designed to allow customers to that is now in the marketplace. Our build equity in their rental new products fill a void in the tra- equipment and apply up to 50% of ditional ‘rent, lease or buy’ sales their rental charges towards a model and gives our customers down payment for the purchase of more flexibility to carry less com- the equipment. ■

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March 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 27 OpinionOpinion fixing a broken lamp switch. My worked and I had fixed it. Know your limitations sister-in-law had told me it was a Third on my list was the snow no-brainer and, as it turned out, blower. It would only run with the People who are technically gifted she was right. I had the replace- choke fully extended. amaze me. Publisher’s ment installed in no time. Nothing Thankfully, I noticed a ‘Steve’s I have trouble changing a light Comment to it, maybe I was more talented Small Engine Repair’ sticker on bulb, so I guess I’m easily than I thought. the owner’s manual from a previ- impressed. Rob Up next, was the leaky toilet. I ous tune-up. Most owner/operators, at least Wilkins had noticed it was running-on Spending the balance of the to some degree, maintain their months ago but it wasn’t until my weekend with pieces of snow own vehicles. wife blasted me for the hefty blower on my garage floor wasn’t In today’s business conditions it can do yourself? water bill that I took action. my idea of fun, so I made the just makes sense. Maintenance Around the Wilkins household, The guy at Home Depot gave phone call. and repairs add up over the I tend to bank my jobs. I do admit, me a repair kit and told me if I Steve said he’d be by in an hour course of the year so why pay my ‘job jar’ has been known to followed the directions, I’d have to take a look at it. Wanting someone else to do the work you occasionally overflow. no problem. nothing more than to do my part The way I see it, why do some- Two more trips to Home Depot in stimulating the economy, I People thing now that you can put off and four-and-a-half hours later, agreed. until later? It’s been my motto for I repeatedly flushed my re-built It’s great to save money by With great sadness we report that years. toilet checking for leaks but found doing your own repairs but know John Van Lubeek passed away on At my first house I had none. your limitations. Jan. 29, at Headwaters Hospital in ‘Handyman Sam’ as a neighbour. I emerged from the bathroom Don’t take on something unless Orangeville, Ont. after a brave He’d be happy to lend a helping with blood-caked knuckles and a you are confident you know you fight with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s hand on any project I was forced sense of pride. can fix it. ■ Disease). into. Those days are but a fond I’m sure it was one of those His wife Lisa and daughters memory. jobs that should have taken the – Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Caitlin, Elizabeth and Jessica Last weekend was ‘D-Day’ for average Canadian 45 minutes to Truck West and he can be reached at were by his side. the job jar.The first on the list was complete but what the heck, it 416-510-5123. A.CVL.BUY.206.4C.TN.01.QXD 2/6/09 10:45 AM Page 1 He was affectionately known t 9 1

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And Firmino boasts 27 years of Long live your engine. Account Manager experience in corporate opera- tions, demand/supply chain and Available through Esso branded distributors from coast to coast. ______project and information manage- Find your local distributor at http://map.essolubes.ca/. For ment, according to the company. more information, call 1-800-968-3776 or visit www.delvac.ca Production Manager He has held top-level manage- ______ment positions with billion dollar companies in the logistics, manu- www.essolubes.ca ® McGill facturing and consumer goods ______MZ sectors. ■ pg 28 tw mar v2 2/11/09 4:49 PM Page 28

Mark Dalton

FICTION Part 3

By Edo van Belkom Georges’ face contorted as if he was She bore down and pushed. At the it was over. The story so far... pushing along with his wife. Mark held same time Mark pulled on the baby’s “What's happening now?” asked the Mark is driving a load of roof trusses to a new ski resort in his breath too, his entire body tightening head, gently at first and then when he operator over the din of voices in the car. Northern Quebec when he sees the car in front of him up as he felt an odd sort of connection could feel it start to move, with more and “Is anyone there? Hello?” swerve across the road. Thinking the driver's drunk, or between himself and the woman lying more force until... Mark picked up the phone. he’s having a fight with his passenger, Mark prepares to there in the back seat of the car. The baby slipped right out into his "Everyone’s fine. We'll just wait for…” call the police, but the car suddenly stops on the side of Elise then said something in French. waiting hands. It was more slippery than He noticed something out of the corner the road. The man driving jumps out and flags Mark Mark looked at Georges, who said, Mark thought it would be and he bob- of his eye, then turned to see a Quebec down. His wife in the back seat is about to have a baby. “She says she can't do it.” bled it for a moment, but was eventually Provincial Police cruiser coming down Mark makes a 911 call and learns that emergency Mark didn’t pick up the phone to ask able to grab hold. the highway with its lights flashing. “The personnel won't be on the scene for another half-hour or for instructions. Instead, he said, “She “Ha!” Mark shouted in relief. police are here now,” he said. Another more. In no time at all Mark is assisting with the baby's has to. The baby's here and she has to “Il est bien beau,” Georges said. few seconds passed. “And I see the birth, relaying information from the operator to the push it out.” “He’s a big boy!” ambulance coming.” mother, and back again. Before Mark knows it, the baby “Push,” Georges said. Elise let out a long satisfied moan. “That's it then,” the operator said. is ready to enter the world. Again, all three people in the car Mark, still holding the baby, leaned “You did it.” • seemed to try and inch the baby forward close to his cell phone and said, “I've got Mark thought about that, then looked The woman, Elise, was crying out con- through the birth canal. it. It’s a boy.” at his hands and the phone he was hold- tinuously now, her contractions coming And then, as if by some miracle, the “Congratulations!” the operator said ing in one of them. “I did, didn't I?” But so quickly it wasn’t worth timing them baby's head appeared whole and in tact. in a muted voice. “Now, don't drop the the operator was gone, likely moving anymore. Mark picked up the phone. “The head baby.” onto another call and someone else in Mark had been looking up and down is out!” “No problem.” need of help. the highway for someone, anyone, to “Good, excellent!” the flag down and take over for him, but the operator said. “Now highway was as dead as an industrial check to see if the umbili- road on Sunday. cal cord is wrapped “How much longer until the ambu- around the baby’s neck.” lance arrives?” Mark asked the 911 op- Mark leaned forward erator who had been on the line with for a closer look. At first he him since this whole ordeal started some didn’t know what he was 15 minutes ago. looking at, but after a few “They are on their way,” she said with moments he could clearly just a hint of a French-Canadian accent. see that something was in- “They will be there any minute now, but deed wrapped around the you have to keep going. The baby’s baby’s neck. “The cord is coming and there's nothing you can do there,” Mark said. “What to stop that.” do I do?” For the first time in this entire ordeal “You have to work it Mark reminded himself that he should free.” have known better. Stopping on the side “You mean pull it of the road to help someone in need away?” had never gone well for him. And it “That's right.” seemed like his luck -- all of it bad -- was Mark swallowed, but holding out. his mouth and throat were “Can you see the baby?” the opera- dry. He didn't really want tor said. to do this, but he had no Mark took a look. “No, not yet, but I choice. This woman, these think it's close.” people, needed his help. “Remind her to breathe...” He put down the phone, “Breathe,” he told Elise. then he carefully grabbed Georges breathed deeply, trying to the cord and gently pulled convince his wife to do the same. But she it away from the was having none of it, wanting only to baby’s neck and head. push and get the baby out of her body. Surprisingly, it came free easier than “And wrap it up in whatever you The roadside suddenly became of hub “She keeps wanting to push,” Mark he’d expected and Mark suddenly felt have. Make sure mother and baby of activity with paramedics, police and said. more confident and assured. I can do are warm.” firemen all tending to the woman and “Try to keep her from pushing until the this, he thought. I can do this. Mark bundled the baby up in the old her newborn son. baby’s head appears.” “Okay, what's next?” he asked over clothes Georges had given him, then he The firemen helped Mark clean up Mark was about to relay the instruc- the phone. said, “I have blankets in the sleeper of and every one of them made a point of tion to Georges and Elise when he “Clear the baby’s mouth of any my truck. Get them for your wife.” giving him a pat on the back. noticed something different. He could obstructions.” Georges nodded, then ran to Mother “Good job,” they'd say or, “Way to see the top of the baby’s head now. “I “Done.” Load. He was back a minute later with go!” think I see the baby!” he shouted. “Now, take firm hold of the baby’s the blanket Mark slept under. They cov- But eventually things quieted down. “Okay, great,” said the operator. head and on the next contraction pull so ered Elise with the blanket, then placed Elise and her son were taken away in “When the next contraction comes, tell that one shoulder comes free at a time.” the baby on its mother’s chest. the ambulance while Georges followed her she has to push.” Mark didn't feel comfortable grab- It was an awesome moment, one them in his /mobile delivery Mark set down the phone for the first bing the baby’s head, but the operator Mark wouldn’t have missed for the room. time since he placed the 911 call. He had been right so far so there was no world. He felt strong, alive and a witness Eventually, Mark ended up alone on was about to tell Elise when to push need to doubt her now. He took the to something that seemed a miracle. the side of the highway. Somehow the when she let out a loud cry. Obviously, baby’s head in his hands. He looked over at the new mother and road never seemed so lonely. ■ the next contraction had come. Elise’s cries grew sharper. father, both crying tears of joy over the “Push!” he said. “Push now!” Mark knew it was time. birth of their son. – Mark Dalton returns next month in the Elise pushed. “Push!” he urged her. Mark was happy too, mostly because conclusion of Special Delivery.

The continuing adventures of Mark Dalton: Owner/Operator brought to you by MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA (CANADA) INC. pg 29 tw mar 2/12/09 10:07 AM Page 1

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Page 30 TRUCK WEST March 2009 TSQTSQ BOWMANVILLE, Ont. – If need a reefer, they need a flat- trends continue on their current Are you worried deck, whatever the case may be, I path, stimulus plan or not, 2009 Question can run it so I’m still getting the may prove to be one of the scariest hours.” times for the trucking industry in about losing your • recent memory. Already trucking Adam Ledlow companies have been scaling back Managing Editor job due to the operations, parking trucks and cut- ting – sometimes slashing – their recession? workforces. Larger companies stand a better chance of survival, but many of about the year ahead. “I don’t Canada’s 6,000-plus small fleets think (there’s a risk I may lose my may not last long enough to see the job); not at the moment. I think Tim supposed greener pastures on the the company laid 20 drivers off Moyer horizon. just before Christmas, but the rest Truckers from across the coun- of us seem to be doing pretty try are bracing for the months well,” said the driver of 31 years. ahead, but is there such a thing as “I think most companies have laid Tim Moyer, a driver for Schneider Darryl job security these days? Truck drivers off until things pick up. I Baker National based out of Guelph, West stopped by the Fifth Wheel think that things will pick up to- Ont., says the sheer size of the Truck Stop in Bowmanville, Ont. wards the middle of this year.” company is enough to make him to see if drivers fear they may lose • feel secure. their jobs because of the economy. Darryl Baker, a driver with of the freight he hauls. “With Schneider being one of • Canada Cartage in Toronto, says “For example I’m running steel the larger companies out there, Stewart Carlton, a driver for he feels “totally secure” that he today, Friday I was running lum- they aren’t really hurting too Vandermarel Trucking in Fergus, will keep his position with the ber,” Baker said.“I’ll go on differ- much,” he says. “They’ve got a lot Ont., is cautiously optimistic company, owing to the versatility ent contracts for them so if they of contracts, so I’m not too worried right now. We’ve got a lot of freight still.” Moyer also noted that not only has Schneider not parked any trucks so far, they’re actually hiring more drivers. Now is the time to • come home to

David Kilburn TRI-LINE IS HIRING David Kilburn, a US driver for Experienced U.S. capable long haul Prime based out of Missouri, had only been driving for three days Flat Deck Owner Operators when he spoke to Truck West. He says he chose to work for Prime as a strategic move since We offer one of the Prime moves reefers and people are always going to need groceries best pay packages – recession or not. “Retail businesses are closing in our market! but people need food, frozen food, so (I’m) probably going to be there for a while.” •

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Owner Art Operators Merrill

Art Merrill, an owner/operator with Can-Truck out of Oshawa, Ont., says he doesn’t feel secure because he hauls automotive – one Call Today & Be A of the hardest hit industries in re- cent months. Part Of One Of The For More Information “I don’t feel secure. I know au- tomotive and it’s up and down Largest, Most Successful Contact right now. It’s like a hit and miss and I’m an owner/operator so I Trucking Organizations Dave or Rick @ 800-661-9191 just take it as it comes,” he says. “I went from five days a week In Canada [email protected] down to two or three days a week getting out with the automotive, www.triline.ca but I like the industry and I’d like to stay in it, you know?” ■ pg 31 tw mar 2/11/09 3:38 PM Page 1

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