Kottke Trucking expands operations based on analytics, sound equipment choices
After nearly 80 years in business, you might think that Kottke Trucking Inc. is content with the status quo. That, however, is hardly the case for the third-generation interstate refrigerated, dry van and dedicated freight hauler, which recently acquired the over-the-road operations of Walbon & Company Inc. “That acquisition included 60 tractors and 85 trailers,
A conversation with new Zonar CEO Ian McKerlich
Last year was a big one for Zonar. In October, Continental purchased a majority stake in the fleet management technology provider. Then in December, the company announced Ian McKerlich as the new chief executive officer as a part of a planned leadership transition. Fleet Equipment Editor Jason Morgan caught up with McKerlich to find out
Fleet Equipment’s 2016 Truck Equipment Trend of the Year
This past year saw the introduction of new trucks, new proprietary integrated powertrain equipment—including the introduction of 2017 engines—and a huge leap forward in terms of truck technology and telematics. Yet the biggest equipment talking point this year was the piece of the equipment productivity puzzle that has the largest direct impact on the truck’s
August’s five truck trend takeaways
We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from August focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Tire costs are down, but not my tire CPM?
In a recent meeting I was a part of, a fleet owner began by saying that the cost of rubber is down, oil is down, and his profits are down; so why aren’t tire costs down? He has a point—some fair non-bidding negotiations brought adjusted tire costs down. So why are tire costs-per-mile not coming down?
Isuzu’s 2018 FTR charts a new course to deliver efficiency
At this year’s NTEA Work Truck Show, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America pulled the curtain back on the latest evolution of its F-Series Class 6 medium-duty truck. The new 2018 Isuzu FTR, notably, is the first truck in the Class 6 segment to offer a 5.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine. It’s a move that Isuzu
Redefining reward: Western Star’s 5700XE puts an edge on efficiency
The driver shortage continues to plague fleets. The latest numbers from American Trucking Associations showed that annualized turnover rate for large truckload fleets rose two percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2015 to 102%, the second straight quarter in which it was at least 100%. The turnover rate for small truckload carriers—fleets with less
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index remains at a low level
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for April at a 6.2 reading, while up month-over-month, reflects soft market conditions affecting the trucking sector. The market is mired in a slowdown with truck freight growth slowing and a modest amount of excessive equipment. FTR is currently forecasting a transition to moderate growth toward the end of the
Fleet Sentiment survey reports positive fleet environment
The results of the quarterly Fleet Sentiment survey are in, and they report a good fleet environment entering 2016. All measures of the fleet environment as reported by the 48 fleets participating in the survey show that most are continuing to see good demand levels for their services along with high equipment utilization rates, as seen in
The used truck conundrum
How long are you keeping your trucks? Are you looking for used trucks and having a hard time finding them? If so, you’re not alone. Fleet Advantage recently conducted a survey designed to take the pulse of truck fleet managers on topics that included equipment acquisition and disposition. The survey produced puzzling outcomes. While 70%
