The choice any fleet makes to go green involves many variables. There are fuel and environmental benefits, plus the positive public profile it projects. Regardless of the reason, though, going green requires the support of management, and having an in-house expert can be a benefit, too.
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As a fleet manager you may wonder where to focus your fuel-economy improvement efforts. Buying technology solutions or using your resources trying to change driver behavior? The answer is both.
You can have all the technology solutions you want but if your drivers don't use them properly or at all or if their other driving behavior is so aggressive it negates the fuel economy gains you've achieved through your technology investments your ROI on those investments may not be as attractive as you originally calculated.
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Here are five things worth knowing today:
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Minimizer, which manufactures Poly Fenders, Custom Molded Floor Mats and Fast Flaps, is adding to its product line with its Heavy Duty (HD) Truck Seats.
“And trust us. These aren't your father's seats,” the company said.
“This isn't our core area, so we partnered with a global leader - Isringhausen – to produce a truck seat drivers will love,” Minimizer CEO Craig Kruckeberg said. “Nobody manufactures better truck seats than ISRI, and these stand up to the Minimizer Tested & Tortured reputation.”
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Online shipping and freight automation provider uShip has partnered with Germany-based global logistics company DB Schenker to power an online trucking platform launching later this year in Europe.
The move helps uShip stand out in an increasingly crowded competitive arena, as high-visibility investors have helped launch so-called “uber of trucking” startups in the past year.
In the five-year deal, DB Schenker will use uShip Pro — uShip's enterprise technology backbone — to automate and optimize the management of 25,000 approved carriers and execution of up to 10,000 loads per day through Europe's largest over-the-road trucking business.
UShip Pro lets any business with freight (enterprise shippers, brokers, third-party logistics companies (3PLs), e-commerce merchants, retailers, parts distributors, vehicle manufacturers, etc.) create their own private network of vetted carriers that compete to win the shipper's business.
The private network feature provides carrier reviews, uses shipment-level offer price, along with mobile shipment acceptance and tracking. Pro lets 3PLs and direct shippers access more carriers, real-time tracking, lower freight expenditures and more truck capacity, according to uShip.
“UShip Pro works like a TMS for covering loads, but is far more efficient because it's automated, transparent and mobile,” explains Matt Chasen, CEO and founder of uShip. “Studies show less than a third of shippers use a TMS today, which means a majority of shippers book freight through horribly inefficient means like phone calls, emails and fax machines.”
The Wall Street Journal notes that “Logistics companies worldwide have been racing to develop technology to make it easier for shippers to book freight transportation.” Some companies, such as XPO Logistics, are spending millions to develop in-house platforms. In Europe, “Deutsche Post AG took a €345 million ($383 million) write-off on a failed effort to create its own global freight forwarding technology platform.” And other companies are making acquisitions in order to gain the needed technology, as in the case of UPS buying Coyote Logistics last year.
Based in Austin, Texas, and Amsterdam, uShip operates globally with localized sites in 19 countries and regions on six continents. Chasen said, "DB Schenker has a clear vision of how technology and innovation can create a more efficient, higher-quality digital freight network.”
Headquartered in Essen, Germany, DB Schenker global operations comprise land, air, ocean freight, contract logistics and supply chain management.
"To keep innovating faster, we partner with companies that use promising digital business models," said Markus Sontheimer, Board Member for IT and Digitalization at DB Schenker.
Related: Uber, Amazon, and What the Sharing Economy Means for Freight Hauling
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Bob Wyatt Photo: CVSA
" >Bob Wyatt Photo: CVSA
" width="250" height="250">The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has named Bob Wyatt of Schneider, its 2016 International Driver Excellence Award winner.
Wyatt has been a driver for 51 years, logging nearly 5 million miles without a crash. The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the performance of their duties as a commercial motor vehicle driver, distinguishing themselves conspicuously and beyond the normal call of duty through the achievement of safe operation and compliance carried out with evident distinction for an extended period of time.
Schneider noted that Wyatt is a willing ambassador for the company and the industry, the carrier noted when it nominated him for the award. It also noted that Wyatt is willing to share his expertise and tips o help other drivers be safe and successful.
“When I first started driving, I was nervous and didn't want to mess up. Each year that went by, though, I banked the things I learned and I kept going – and I kept learning,” said Wyatt. “After this many years on the road, I just know what I have to do and I do it. God blessed me with a natural talent and love for driving, and for that I am thankful.”
Wyatt is Schneider's most decorated driver and is the only driver in the company's history to receive the 40-year Consecutive Safe Year Driving Award and the 4 Million Safe Miles Award. He is also the Schneider Haul of Fame's inaugural inductee.
Wyatt will be presented with the award at the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition on Sept. 19, 2016 in Little Rock, Ark.
“We, at CVSA, cannot be more proud to announce Bob Wyatt as this year's winner of the International Driver Excellence Award,” said CVSA President Maj. Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. “We are so impressed by his spotless record of 51 years of safe driving, his unwavering, long-term commitment to public safety, his proactive approach to growth and learning, and his willingness to engage with leadership to be a catalyst for industry improvement. We are truly honored to select Bob Wyatt to receive the 2016 International Driver Excellence Award.”
Related: CVSA Names 2015 International Driver Excellence Award Winner
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