Leadership changes for Zonar

Following a majority investment stake by Continental AG back in October, a leadership change is being made at fleet management technology firm Zonar Systems.

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Truck tire care matters; even in the military

It's a well-worn cliché in the trucking business, yet it still holds true: tires really are “where the rubber meets the road” in terms of productivity, uptime, and efficiency in the freight world. Tires are also one of trucking's major expenses, representing about 2% of overall costs. That's why you can never put too high a price on tire care, even in military operations. (Photos courtesy of the Department of Defense)

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Denso Names Director of Sales, Marketing, Strategic Planning for Americas

Denso Products and Services Americas has promoted David Williams to director of original equipment sales, marketing, and strategic planning, the Denso Corp., affiliate announced.

Williams is tasked with overseeing all aspects of Denso's original equipment service sales, product development, and original equipment service parts while continuing to manage the company's Marketing and Strategic Planning departments.

“David Williams is a dynamic executive who has been instrumental in driving the sales growth of Denso's automotive aftermarket and commercial products,” said Joseph Mejaly, senior vice president of operations, sales, strategic planning and marketing for Denso Products and Services Americas. “His keen sense of the market and thorough knowledge of our products and the automotive industry have strengthened our company, and we look forward to his leadership in promoting our original equipment service product lines.”

Williams joined Denso in 2013 as the manager of the strategic planning department. He was hired shortly after Denso Corp., completed the reorganization that formed the affiliate Denso Products and Services Americas.

He was promoted in 2015 to senior manager of marketing and strategic planning, with oversight of the marketing department for the company's independent aftermarket and non-automotive groups added to his duties. His recent promotion to director took effect on Oct. 24.

Williams came to Denso with 15 years of management experience in the automotive industry. Previously, he served as global business unit manager at Barksdale Controls, Inc., a subsidiary of Crane Co. Prior to working at Crane, Williams served as the truck product marketing manager at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.

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Analysis: The Uncertainty of a New President

Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics

After an uncertain first half of the year in which economic growth and trucking slowed, leaving many wondering where things were headed, we finally got the economic news that we had been hoping for with third-quarter GDP. But no sooner were we breathing sighs of relief, everything becomes uncertain…again.

Government numbers released in October show the U.S. economy put on its best show so far in 2016, with the gross domestic product expanding at an annual pace of 2.9% during the third quarter. This is far better than the rate of barely more than 1% in the first half of the year and was even better than many analysts were expecting. Then November happened…

Specifically, the election of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Amid reactions ranging from great joy to deep anger, there was also a return to uneasiness about what his administration means to the economy.

For starters, don't expect an immediate, significant effect, either positive or negative, when Trump takes office in January, according to analysis from FTR. Part of the reason is he “has little experience in quickly moving legislation through a skeptical (Republican) and hostile (Democratic) Congress.”

FTR analysts believe a Trump presidency will have little effect for much of next year, with the federal budget already in place and policies set until late in 2017. However, after that things could get interesting.

During this time, Trump, his advisors, and the Republican-controlled Congress will be looking at changing policies and regulations and passing new laws that could have a big long-term economic effect. Two of the areas most likely to affect trucking are infrastructure and trade.

Trump has said he wants to make infrastructure improvement a priority in his first 100 days in office. There's little argument that our country's infrastructure needs ...Read the rest of this story

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