DOC Miscalculation Raises Tariffs on Truck Tires From China

The U.S. Department of Commerce has admitted to a miscalculation in its preliminary anti-dumping tariff rate for truck and bus tires imported from China.

As a result, the rates of every manufacturer and importer are increasing to 30.36% - nearly 10 points higher than the initial calculation, according to a report in our sister website Modern Tire Dealer.

The change stems from two fine details that were used to establish the rate for Prinx Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Co. Ltd. One is related to using a per-kilogram basis instead of a per-piece basis in the calculation; another refers to not using a weight average when reconstructing control numbers.

The result is what the DOC calls a significant ministerial error, which it defines as a mathematical or clerical error that “would result in a change of at least five absolute percentage points, but not less than 25% of the weighted average dumping margin.”

As it relates to this anti-dumping tariff, the recalculated rate for Prinx Chengshan is 30.36%, up from 20.87%.

In every tariff investigation the DOC selects manufacturers to serve as mandatory respondents. Those companies then provide data and answer questions, and those figures and answers serve as the basis and gauge for the whole industry. Other manufacturers also may volunteer to provide their data throughout the investigation as well. Usually there's at least a slight reward in doing so because companies who don't comply can be subject to the highest tariffs.

That was the case in August when the anti-dumping rates were first announced. The DOC set a rate for Prinx Chengshan, and used that same rate for the “non-selected separate rate respondents.” A slightly higher tariff, of 22.57%, was levied against all other manufacturers in China.

As it turns out, the rate for Prinx Chengshan is now higher than the rate originally imposed on all ...Read the rest of this story

ATRI Appoints Congdon, Low to Board of Directors

Image via ATRI

The American Transportation Research Institute has appointed two motor-carrier CEOs to its board of directors.

David S. Congdon, vice chairman and CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line and Robert E. Low, president and CEO of Prime were appointed by ATRI chairman Judy McReynolds, ArcBest Corporation chairman, president and CEO.

Congdon has been in the LTL business for 43 years, serving in positions ranging from dockman and driver to director of safety and CEO. Old Dominion Freight Line was founded by Congdon's grandparents over 80 years ago.

Low in 1970 founded Springfield, Mo.-based Prime, a provider of logistics, refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, floral, and intermodal transportation. He is a past chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Also joining the ATRI board of directors is Chris Spear, the new president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.

At the board meeting, held October 3, ATRI Chairman Judy McReynolds recognized the service of several board members whose terms on the ATRI Board are concluding:

McReynolds also recognized the service of ATRI Research Advisory Committee Chairman Steve Niswander, vice president of safety policy and regulatory relations for Groendyke Transport, whose term as RAC Chairman will conclude at the end of this year.

A complete listing of the ATRI board of directors is available here.

Related: ATRI Still Seeking Carrier and Driver Input for Mayo Clinic Survey

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Brampton driver sought in fellow trucker's shooting death

Opti-Lite Brake Drum Offers Fleets a Lightweight Option

Meritor has expanded its wheel end portfolio to include Opti-Lite brake drums, positioned as a cost-conscious lightweight drum option.

The Opti-Lite drum is designed for linehaul and weight sensitive applications such as tanker/trailer and freight.

Opti-Lite drums were developed on the same platform as the SteeLite X30 brake drums and the Opti-Lite offers similar weight and fuel savings, according to Meritor. The drums are offered most common wheel-end configurations for steer, drive and trailer axle applications.

The Opti-Lite drums do not require welded on weights and offer an optimized balance spec for smoother performance on the road.

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Registration Open for 2017 Work Truck Show

To gain perspective on the work truck industry's evolving dynamics, it's important to understand the big picture, as well as the small details. The Work Truck Show 2017 and Green Truck Summit offer equipment distributors, truck dealers, fleet managers and others in the industry a unique opportunity to do both. In addition to an expansive exhibit hall featuring all the latest work trucks and equipment, the Work Truck Show 2017 includes a full educational conference with sessions covering emerging national and global trends and the new strategies and technologies being developed in response.

North America's largest work truck event is produced annually by NTEA – the Association for the Work Truck Industry. The 2017 Show will be held March 14–17 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Work Truck Show and Green Truck summit educational sessions begin March 14, and the exhibit hall is open March 15–17. Registration is now open at worktruckshow.com.

“This year's Work Truck Show educational conference includes sessions focused on helping attendees with the myriad of regulatory, environmental and competitive challenges they face,” says Steve Carey, NTEA executive director. “At the Show, industry professionals can take courses on satisfying federal safety requirements, optimizing fleet maintenance and recruiting the next generation of technicians. At the same venue, they can talk one-on-one with exhibiting company product engineers, get the latest product developments from leading work truck OEMs, explore fuel-saving technologies and alternative fuels, and ask NTEA staff their individual technical and regulatory questions. It's a can't-miss event.”

New educational sessions at The Work Truck Show 2017:

Diesel technicians: Is the shortage real?

The diesel technician shortage currently being experienced in trucking may be more of a management issue rather than strictly a lack-of-personnel problem, according to a panel discussion held during the annual American Trucking Associations (ATA) conference in Las Vegas last week.

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FMCSA: New Final Rule Eases Way to CDLs for Military Vets

Image: U.S. Department of Transportation

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a final rule on Oct. 12 that simplifies for current and former military personnel the process for obtaining a Commercial Learner's Permit or Commercial Driver's License.

The final rule (Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0051) extends the period of time for applying for a skills test waiver from 90 days to one year after leaving a military position requiring the operation of a CMV.

It also allows a state to accept applications from active-duty military personnel who are stationed in that state and to administer the written and skills tests for a CLP or CDL.

FMCSA said that states choosing to accept such applications must use forms and procedures acceptable to the state of domicile of the military personnel (their state of permanent residence or “home” state), and must transmit the test results electronically to the state of domicile. Then the state of domicile may issue the CLP or CDL on the basis of those results.

When FMCSA released its initial notice of this rulemaking back in March, it noted that it had issued a temporary exemption in 2014 that extended the skills-test waiver to one year, so the final rule makes that change permanent.

“FMCSA believes that this would give former military personnel a better opportunity to obtain a CDL in a way that will not negatively affect safety,” the agency stated in its proposal. The agency also said it is has concluded that lengthening the waiver period permanently “would ease the transition of service members and veterans to civilian life.”

According to the agency, more than 10,000 separated military personnel have taken advantage of the skills-test waiver.

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