SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP Is Investigating Swift Transportation Company for Potential Breaches Of Fiduciary Duty By Its Board of Directors

Webb’s New Brake Drum Addresses Trailer Airflow Issues

Webb Wheel Products has introduced a new brake drum to its wheel end portfolio of products, optimized for use in trailer applications.

The drum is lighter and designed to run cooler with Webb's Cool Running Technology vents. It was engineered specifically for 20,000-pound trailer axles. Data suggests that aerodynamic trailer skirts can increase brake temperatures by reducing airflow beneath a trailer, according to Webb. The increased head reduces braking performance and accelerates brake drum and lining wear.

The Webb 66764F brake drum with CRT vents increases airflow for better heat transfer efficiency and cooler trailer wheel-end operating temperatures, managing heat 10% better than similar weight brake drums.

The 66764F brake drum also provides a high strength to weight ratio, weighing in at 99 pounds, which Webb says is the lowest weight in its class.

“The push to increase trailer aerodynamics has created opportunities for trailer component suppliers to design products that recognize how these new technologies can change overall trailer functions,” said Johnathon Capps, vice president of engineering. “Our experience with designing and producing cooler running brake drums directed us to a solution that mitigates the impact of higher brake temperatures caused by the change in air flow.”

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ConMet Taps Ken Kelly for Top Sales Post

ConMet has named Ken Kelley to its leadership team as vice president of North American sales, the company announced.

In his new role, Kelley will oversee original equipment manufacturer truck sales, aftermarkets sales, trailer sales, and sales operations at ConMet's headquarters in Vancouver, Wash. Kelley has 30 years of commercial vehicle industry experience and spent three years with ConMet early in his career as a product manager.

“We are pleased to welcome Ken back to the ConMet team and we feel confident that his wealth of knowledge and experience will be a great fit for continuing to expand both our current and future sales initiatives in the U.S.,” stated Mike Swiderski, president of ConMet.

Over the course of his career, Kelley spent 18 years with Marmon Highway Technologies with progressive roles at Webb Wheel Products. He most recently held the position of president of Fontaine Connection Group where he oversaw Fontaine Fifth Wheel North America, Fontaine Parts Connection, and Fontaine Europe.

Additionally, in what it said is part of a continued effort to enhance its organizational structure and presence in the commercial vehicle market, ConMet announced these personnel changes:

ConMet is a global supplier of components to the commercial vehicle market and is a division of Amsted Industries.

Related: HDA Truck Pride Partners With ConMet

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USA Truck Names James Reed President and CEO

James D. Reed has been named president and chief executive officer of USA Truck effective immediately, the company announced.

Reed succeeds Randy Rogers, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to the company. He will also take over Rogers' position on the USA Truck board of directors. Prior to the new appointment, Reed was the company's chief financial officer.

Before joining USA Truck, Reed served as CFO of Interstate Distributor, an asset based trucking business and as president of its subsidiary, Interstate Distributor Logistics. He began his career with Intel Corporation in 1997 after graduating from Brigham Young University.

“In his brief tenure at USA Truck, James already has demonstrated his ability to drive operational excellence across the organization, drawing upon his more than two decades of experience in trucking, logistics, finance, and business development,” said Robert Peiser, chairman of the company's board of directors. “He is an action-oriented executive with a strong attention to detail, and has already implemented procedures to improve operational performance.”

Also effective immediately, Jim Craig has been appointed executive vice president and chief commercial officer, a newly created position. Craig will focus on driving the company's topline revenue through increased coordination of USA Truck's internal operations and by improving customer service. Craig had been acting as president of the company's USAT Logistics business and will continue to oversee the logistics business in addition to his new responsibilities.

“Last year was a tough year for our industry in general and specifically for USA Truck,” said Peiser. “With the need for a different approach to the company's strategy to improve its operations, we are extremely pleased to have executives of James' and Jim's caliber assume leadership of the company.”

USA Truck has had three different presidents and CEOs in the past three years, after John Simone stepped down from the position in ...Read the rest of this story

Chao Confirmed as Transportation Chief

Image via Elainelchao.com

As expected, Elaine Chao was easily confirmed on Jan. 31 as Secretary of Transportation by the U.S. Senate.

Secretary Chao has stated that one of her top priorities will be cooperating with Congress to enact the trillion-dollar infrastructure investment plan that has been floated by President-elect Trump since right after the election.

Speaking at her Senate confirmation hearing earlier in January, Chao emphasized the “significant difference between traditional program funding and other innovative financing tools, such as public-private partnerships.” She said getting private capital flowing into infrastructure projects will require “incentivizing” equity firms, pension funds, and endowments to invest in “a bold new vision” for building highways and other infrastructure.

In addition, Chao pledged in that hearing to keep safety a “primary objective” for DOT on her watch. She has also asserted that regulatory decisions should be “based on sound science with solid underlying data.”

Chao is no stranger to the power elite in Washington. She served as secretary of labor throughout both terms of President George W. Bush. Her first major executive appointment was deputy secretary of transportation under President George H.W. Bush.

Related: Chao Pitches Private Infrastructure Investment in Confirmation Hearing

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Kelley named VP at ConMet