Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Truck Fleets and Social Media...

Opinion: Why Trucking Should Adopt Social Media



Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...Image via CrunchBaseBy Dick Hyatt
President
Decisiv Inc.
June 2011


Social media are transforming the way America does business, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t include trucking. When it comes to traditional trucking products such as vehicles, systems and components, the development life cycle can be fairly long. The time span required from initial concept through design, research and development and testing before production can begin can be measured in years. Information-management technology, on the other hand, often has a much shorter development life.

US truck - California 2007Image via WikipediaWhat that means for those of us who supply the advanced technologies used to manage trucking companies today is that our objective has to be communicating more effectively with our customers and partners.
Traditionally, we have employed such practices as focus groups to accomplish this task, and while they yielded results, these groups were expensive, time-consuming and static.

Fixed in time, they simply could not address technology issues and customer and partner challenges in an effective and beneficial time frame.

But today, many trucking companies and industry suppliers of all types of technologies are successfully using social media communication channels such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to meet almost immediately the challenges and needs of customers and partners.

To read the full article CLICK HERE



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Thursday, June 30, 2011

NAFTA: Mexican truckers to drive cargo into US interior

By Chris Roberts / El Paso Times, Texas
Sunday, May 29, 2011

As the Obama administration prepares to honor a 17-year-old treaty with Mexico allowing that country’s long-haul trucks into the U.S. heartland, emotions are again at fever pitch as businesses on both sides of the border predict job losses and industry upheaval.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, included a provision that the United States and Mexico would allow each other’s trucks to haul cargo across the border for delivery anywhere inside the other country.

To comply with NAFTA, the Obama administration in April proposed a three-year pilot program with requirements for Mexican truckers that include a preliminary safety audit, purchase of U.S. insurance, English proficiency for drivers, truck inspections for every border crossing for at least the first three months, an 18-month probation period and a three-month renewal period for safety inspections after permanent authority is granted.

"Participating Mexican carriers and drivers would be required to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including those concerned with motor carrier safety, customs, immigration, vehicle registration and taxation, and fuel taxation," according to the program’s legal description.

When the pilot program concludes, the Mexican haulers would receive the same authority granted U.S.-based truckers. Public comment on the proposed program ended last week, and the final version is expected later this year.

But the devil has been in the details in the United States as objections have arisen over safety, fair competition, reciprocity and other issues. Some Mexican carriers are concerned that opening the borders will encourage U.S. haulers to locate in Mexico and dominate their industry.

"I wasn’t in Congress when they voted for NAFTA," said U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas. "But I think we signed the treaty and we should follow the treaty and respect its conditions."


to read the full article click HERE

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Fuel price challenges for carhaulers and truckers...

More money to fill your carhauler…more money to fill your rig.

I am waiting and watching as fuel continues upward against the backdrop of 9.1% inflation. The price of goods is increasing everyday and no one is viewing the fuel situation for what it really is, a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is that the price of fuel will get so expensive that the average American will struggle to purchase even the most basic of commodities from the grocery store. The opportunity is that it will galvanize the entire American public to pursue a mission of alternate energy programs everywhere to get us out of this boom-bust oil nightmare forever


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Fuel imports in 2005Image via Wikipedia
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Free Trucker Website

FREEBIE WEBSITE for Truckers

this side actually made the news section of Google which in not an easy thing to do for self promotion but who cares. FREE=FREE

FREE trucker stuff website
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Friday, May 6, 2011

Are bigger trucks the answer?

Business pushes Congress to clear bigger trucks




WASHINGTON | Tue May 3, 2011 2:24pm EDT
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.Image via Wikipedia 
(Reuters) - Manufacturers, retailers, and other businesses are quietly working with truckers in renewing a push for government permission to operate bigger and heavier rigs, to the dismay of unions and safety advocates.
Lobbying coalitions for hundreds of companies hope an improving economy will underscore the case that inefficiency associated with trucking capacity shortages and higher fuel expenses adds costs for shippers and consumers.

They are behind proposals taking shape in Congress to lift size restrictions. They also want to restore the flexibility of states to decide which trucks can operate on their roads.

Union and safety groups vocally oppose any change, saying bigger trucks would erode hard-won regulations and pose new hazards for truck drivers and other motorists just as U.S. traffic deaths are falling noticeably.
Also, smaller independent truckers say new size allowances would hurt their businesses by adding costs for equipment necessary to win business and compete with bigger rivals.

Randy Mullett, government relations vice president for trucking company Con-Way Inc, said business interests are working together on a range of changes in law that would affect regions and businesses differently.

"We don't want to run triples (trailers) through Washington, D.C., but we might want to in the cornfields of the Midwest," said Mullett, whose company is based in Michigan.

Mullett added the larger goal is to "find a way to make this part of the supply chain more efficient," especially with diesel fuel prices above $4 per gallon and other costs going up.

Shipping costs rose by almost 35 percent from 2004 through 2006, which translated into a 2 percent price increase for retail goods. A decrease during the subsequent economic downturn has been followed by an 8 percent shipping cost rise since 2009 due to capacity shortages, higher fuel prices and other factors, according to FTR Associates.

to read the full article click HERE
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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Diesel prices are on the rise...



Commentary Update (basically a rant)


I spend $40 to fill a hyundai elantra today. Yes you heard that right..small car, small tank, HUGE gas bill. I cant even imagine what truckers are doing. For any economic gains to take root in the economy the price of fuel has to be addressed or the cost to deliver goods will spiral out of control..

From Truckinginfo.com
NANJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 20:  A petrol attend...Image by Getty Images via @daylife4/5/2011

National on-highway diesel prices climbed for the second week in a row, rising 4.4 cents to $3.976. The national average is up almost 96 cents from last year.

New England experienced the smallest cost increase at 1.4 cents; California prices rose the most, 6.7 cents, to $4.323, up $1.17 from last year.


Trucking part: Clearance light, Pete Light
 


2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star
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