Kalmar invests in parts facilities upgrades

Kalmar announced it has completed projects to enhance operational capabilities, efficiencies and safety at two of its parts facilities in the U.S.

The first project was at the parts operation in Ottawa, KS, expanding the primary warehouse to 9,500 sq. ft., resulting in 40% more capacity for pallet storage and five additional packaging stations. The expansion also allows for inbound and outbound shipping operations to be separated which improves traffic patterns and safety throughout the warehouse, the company noted.

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Bridgestone launches new tire for on-, off-highway use

Bridgestone Americas announced the launch of the new Firestone FS818 wide base radial truck tire for on-and-off-highway applications.

Featuring a wide base design for higher payloads and flotation, the Firestone FS818 utilizes special tread compounds to help resist cuts, chips, tearing and irregular wear. According to Bridgestone, the tire is designed with a deep, self-cleaning tread pattern for aggressive traction and long original mileage. In addition, stone rejector platforms in every groove offer strong durability, the company added.

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AscendTMS now free for DAT carrier customers

DAT Solutions announced it has completed integrating its carrier features into the AscendTMS for carriers, and it will be offered at no cost to current and future DAT carrier customers.

DAT TruckersEdge, Express, and Power carrier customers can log into the AscendTMS and search the database of loads and post their trucks as they would inside their DAT load board app or desktop product.

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Doft partners with VHI Transport

Silicon Valley startup Doft announced its formal partnership with U.S. trucking company, VHI. Doft, an IT company, noted it is developing what it calls a “disruptive on-demand technology for the U.S. trucking industry which instantly matches freight shippers and truck drivers with the help of a mobile app.” VHI Transport is a professional freight brokerage and logistics company that was founded 40 years ago.

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State of Logistics: Buffeted by Crosswinds

Photo: Penske Logistics

The latest annual State of Logistics Report paints the industry not quite as storm-tossed, but as “buffeted by crosswinds as the pace of change accelerates,” according to the study's five authors, who are consultants with A.T. Kearney. Reflecting that reality, the report is titled “Accelerating into Uncertainty.”

Released this week by the Council of Supply Chain Management and again presented by Penske Logistics, the 46-page report “contains the statistics and industry insights that will not only help our members do their jobs better, but also better prepare them for the business demands ahead, in a very dynamic marketplace," according to Rick Blasgen, president and CEO of CSCMP.

The report features a “focused narrative” on the economic environment impacting logistics; insights from interviews with industry leaders, including shippers, carriers, and analysts; a spotlight on relevant trends; and a strategic “point of view” on the state of the industry.

"We believe readers will be interested in this year's report for the retrospective view on 2016 market dynamics," said Sean Monahan, A.T Kearney partner and report co-author. He added that the study also lays out a “forward-looking view on considerations for the coming 18 months and beyond."

This year's report shows the first decline in United States Business Logistics Costs (USBLC) since 2009—with that coming even as the surge in e-commerce sector drove up demand for parcel delivery services.

"Even in this current uneven economy, we are seeing upticks in demand for outsourced logistics services," pointed out Althen, president of Penske Logistics president.

Key findings of the report include:

Cruise Control on Steriods

Tesla's autonomous vehicle control system warned Joshua Brown 7 times to take over control of the car before his fatal crash last year. Photo: NTSB/Florida Highway Patrol

Believe it or not, I've never seen the Harry Potter movies. But they must be pretty good, considering that Joshua Brown, the victim of last year's famed “Tesla Crash” was allegedly watching one of the films right up to the point when his car rear-ended a tractor trailer last year, killing him.

As you've surely heard by now, new details about that crash have emerged, including the well-publicized fact that Tesla's autonomous system warned Brown seven different times that he needed to assume control of the car, and that he manually bumped his speed up just two minutes before the crash occurred.

I'm not familiar with the Tesla autonomous driving system, although I have spent a limited amount of time behind the wheel of Freightliner's Inspiration truck while it was in self-driving mode. And I can attest that programming the truck to slow down and eventually pull off the road in the event road conditions aren't absolutely perfect for autonomous vehicle control is one of the system's core attributes. In fact, the Daimler Highway Pilot system is so safety-conscious, it will pull the truck off the highway if any number of critical information inputs aren't being met; anything from faded lane markings to a spotty GPS signal is enough to make Highway Pilot punt and hand control back over to one of us human beings or simply pull off the road if – I dunno – the wizard is about to zap a dragon with his magic wand, or something.

If you're lucky as a writer, you might get to invent a bunch of new words (like that show-off, Shakespeare) or, more likely ...Read the rest of this story

Seven Truck Fleets Sign on for Run on Less MPG Roadshow

Image via RunOnLess.com

Seven U.S. truck fleets— together accounting for nearly 11,000 tractors and 26,000 trailers-- have signed on to have one of their trucks and drivers participate in Run on Less, a new cross-country “roadshow” aimed at showcasing advancements in fuel efficiency.

Run on Less is a three-week event that will kick off from multiple points across the U.S. and wrap up during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show, which will run from September 25 to 28 in Atlanta.

Results, including fuel economy, freight efficiency, and dollars and carbon saved, will be tracked and reported during Run on Less via www.runonless.com.

At the close of the run in Atlanta, final MPG results will be announced, and drivers will showcase their equipment and share fuel economy learnings and best practices with show attendees.

The event is being organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room's Trucking Efficiency Operation. Shell and PepsiCo have stepped up as the title sponsors. Geotab is the event sponsor and will install its devices in the competing trucks participating in Run on Less to measure fuel usage, idle time, cruise control usage, and more. Pilot Flying J is donating $1,000 in fuel to each participating fleet. In addition, nearly two dozen other companies, including Heavy Duty Trucking, are serving as supporting sponsors.

These seven fleets have signed on so far to take part in Run on Less:

“The fleets represent myriad companies hauling goods across North America,” said Mike Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. “They include a private fleet, Frito-Lay, running dedicated routes, some running only for-hire irregular routes and others with a combination of both.”

He said fleet size among the seven ranges from US Xpress with 7,000 ...Read the rest of this story