021521_TT_AllPages

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4 • February 15-28, 2021 Nation THETRUCKER.COM UPS puts $800 million price tag on trucking divisions in sales agreement with TFI International USPS 972 Volume 34, Number 4 February 15-28, 2021 THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES ATLANTA and MONTREAL — UPS and TFI International Inc. on Jan. 25 announced a definitive agreement to sell UPS Freight (UPSF) to TFI International for $800 million, subject to working capital and other adjustments. UPS Freight includes the company’s less-than-truckload (LTL) and truckload (TL) divisions. The agreement between UPS and TFI International allows UPS Freight to use UPS’ domestic package network to fulfill shipments for five years. Approximately 90% of the acquired business will operate independently within TFI International’s LTL business segment under its new name, “TForce Freight,” while acquired dedicated TL assets will join TFI’s TL business segment. The transaction is subject to usual and customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. “We’re excited about the future and the opportunities this creates for both UPS and UPS Freight as part of TFI International Inc. The agreement allows UPS to be even more laserfocused on the core parts of our business that drive the greatest value for our customers,” said UPS CEO Carol Tomé. “We are pleased to announce this highly strategic transaction that will strengthen our service offerings to customers as well as our ongoing relationship with UPS. Our strategy of operating independent business units with a high degree of accountability is well-suited for building on UPS Freight’s strengths and improving margins over time,” said Alain Bédard, chairman, president and CEO of iStock Photo Montreal-based TFI International Inc. has signed an agreement to buy UPS Freight, which includes the company’s truckload and less-than-truckload divisions. TFI International. “TForce Freight will continue to serve UPS’ ongoing LTL distribution needs, and UPS will continue to provide freight volumes and other services to TForce Freight after the transaction for a base term of five years. We also look forward to offering expanded strategic network opportunities to UPS in Canada. This transaction is a ‘win-win’, allowing TFI to continue our strategic expansion across the US and aligning with UPS’ ‘Better not Bigger’ strategic positioning.” The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to close during the second quarter of 2021. UPS expects to recognize a noncash, pretax impairment charge of approximately $500 million on its statement of consolidated income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020. With an operating history of more than 85 years, UPS Freight is one of the largest LTL carriers in the U.S., offering a full range of regional and long-haul solutions and an on-time delivery guarantee for all LTL shipments. Under the agreement, UPS will retain responsibility for all pre-closing pension obligations, taxes, and accident and workers’ compensation liability claims and costs. TFI intends to make targeted investments in the LTL fleet in the first 12 months following the transaction, lowering maintenance costs, improving both efficiency and safety, and enhancing customer service and driver satisfaction, according to a company statement. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor, and King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal advisor to UPS. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and RBC Capital Markets are serving as financial advisors to TFI. Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O. is serving as legal advisor to TFI. 8 The Trucker is a semi-monthly, national newspaper for the trucking industry, published by The Trucker Media Group at 1123 S. University, Suite 325 Little Rock, AR 72204-1610 Chief Executive Officer Bobby Ralston bobbyr@thetruckermedia.com General Manager Megan Hicks meganh@thetruckermedia.com Managing Editor Wendy Miller wendym@thetruckermedia.com Staff Writer/Designer Linda Garner-Bunch lindag@thetruckermedia.com Production Manager Rob Nelson robn@thetruckermedia.com Graphic Artist Christie McCluer christie.mccluer@thetruckermedia.com Special Correspondents Cliff Abbott cliffa@thetruckermedia.com Lyndon Finney lyndonf@thetruckermedia.com Columnist Kris Rutherford krisr@thetruckermedia.com Minnesota tests ‘snowplow alert’ signs to boost safety on I-35 THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES OWATONNA, Minn. — Drivers on Interstate 35 in southern Minnesota might have noticed new “snowplow alert” messages on digital highway signs recently, warning of slow-moving maintenance vehicles ahead. It’s all part of a test of the technology that activates the signs that’s being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). “Alerting motorists that they’re approaching a slow-moving snowplow can improve safety for our operators and motorists,” said Ron Heim, MnDOT’s maintenance supervisor in Owatonna. “MnDOT is focused on safety and we think this use of technology will help everyone on the road.” The department has equipped 10 MnDOT snowplows that operate along I-35 between Iowa and Northfield with technology that activates the digital message signs as they pass. During snow events, signs notify drivers: “Snowplow ahead, use caution.” During nonsnow conditions, the message alerts: “Maintenance vehicle ahead, use caution.” The message stays activated for several minutes after the MnDOT vehicles pass. Courtesy: Minnesota Department of Transportation The Minnesota Department of Transportation is testing technology that activates digital message signs alerting motorists to slow-moving snowplows along a stretch of Interstate 35 in the southern part of the state. Snowplows can create “snow clouds” when clearing roads at slower speeds. Warning signs can also be used at other times of year for uses such as maintenance work when crews are repairing high-tension cable median guard or striping roads. Data from the past few years shows that many crashes involving snowplows were rear-end collisions when motorists strike the back of the snowplow. MnDOT hopes using this technology and warning system could reduce and prevent these types of crashes in the future. MnDOT snowplows and maintenance vehicles use existing automatic location technology and the signs are equipped to receive the signal See Snowplow on p5 m Contributing Writers Sarah DeClerk Dwain Hebda Sam Pierce For advertising opportunities, please contact Meg Larcinese at megl@thetruckermedia.com. Telephone: (501) 666-0500 Fax: (501) 666-0700 E-mail: info@thetruckermedia.com Web: www.thetrucker.com Single-copy mail subscription available at $59.95 per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Little Rock, AR 72202-9651 and additional entry offices. Publishers Rights: All advertising, including artwork and photographs, becomes the property of the publisher once published and may be reproduced in any media only by publisher. Publisher reserves the right to refuse or edit any ad without notice and does not screen or endorse advertisers. Publisher is not liable for any damages resulting from publication or failure to publish all or any part of any ad or any errors in ads. Adjustments are limited to the cost of space for the ad, or at Publisher’s option, republication for one insertion with notice received within three days of first publication. Copyright 2021 of Wilshire Classifieds, LLC. Subject also to Ad and Privacy Policy at www.recycler.com. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Trucker 1123 S. University, Suite 325 Little Rock, AR 72204
THETRUCKER.COM Nation February 15-28, 2021 • 5 Report from Office of Inspector General shows that FMCSA falls short in oversight of national registry of medical-certification examiners THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES WASHINGTON — A report released last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General revealed that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has fallen short in meeting oversight requirements while rebuilding the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. As part of its mission, the FMCSA oversees its medical-certification program and promotes safety through regulations, policies and monitoring of certified medical examiners and driver examinations. The purpose of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, initiated in 2014, is to verify that medical examiners can effectively determine if interstate commercial drivers meet FMCSA’s physical qualification standards. In 2019, as fatalities in crashes involving large trucks or buses increased by 10.6% over a five-year period, an audit of FMCSA’s oversight was initiated due to the significant safety risk posed by drivers who do not meet physical qualification requirements. The audit analyzed FMCSA’s procedures in validating and maintaining data quality in the registry and monitoring medical examiner Indiana traffic stop leads to DUI, multiple felony drug charges for Nevada trucker THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES VIGO COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana State Police on Jan. 29 arrested and filed charges against a Nevada truck driver after a traffic stop led to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. At about 8:20 p.m., near the 9-mile marker of Interstate 70 in Vigo County, a state trooper stopped a tractor-trailer driven by Chad H. Bowman, 44, of Amargosa Valley, Nevada, for unsafe lane movement. According to a report by the Indiana State Police, Bowman “displayed signs of impairment,” and a search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Bowman agreed to submit to a drug test, b Snowplow from page 4 b that triggers the message when they travel near the sign. This pilot project is part of MnDOT’s connected and automated vehicle research to understand how advancing technology can improve safety. Minnesota is preparing for connected and automated vehicles by observing emerging technology trends and testing those solutions to see how they eligibility and performance and reviewing driver examinations. “FMCSA’s ability to oversee whether drivers meet physical qualification standards to safely operate a commercial vehicle is limited because of a lengthy outage of the National Registry and a resulting backlog of driver examination reports that were not entered into the Registry,” the Office of Inspector General noted in a Jan. 13 statement. The report also notes that the effectiveness of FMCSA’s oversight is hampered by data that is not fully accurate or complete. “FMCSA has not fully implemented requirements for random periodic monitoring of medical examiners’ eligibility and performance,” the statement continues. Initial certification reviews have been conducted to verify medical examiners’ eligibility, but FMCSA has not implemented annual audits. These periodic audits could result in the FMCSA missing fraud indicators or other risks. FMCSA has been advised of the following recommendations following the audit: 1. Implement Agency plans for eliminating the backlog of driver examination results held by medical examiners. 2. Develop a plan to allocate resources to which he failed. Bowman was arrested and taken to the Vigo County Jail. County records show he was released on recognizance Monday, Feb. 1, pending trial. Bowman is charged with: • Possession of methamphetamine, Felony 6; • Possession of paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor; • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Class A Misdemeanor; and • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Class C misdemeanor. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 8 solve Minnesota transportation challenges. MnDOT’s Connected and Automated Vehicle Office (CAV-X) is the state’s lead office for connected and automated vehicle technology engagement, policy, testing and partnerships. “Our trucks are already providing data, so we’re able to build off of that and test this concept,” said Jed Falgren, MnDOT’s state director for transportation system management and operations. “We can improve safety and this an important test that should show us what can come next.” 8 the Medical Programs Division to fully implement requirements for medical examiner eligibility audits and random selection performance monitoring. 3. Update Agency processes for conducting periodic medical examiner eligibility audits and random selection performance monitoring as needed to incorporate upgraded National Registry tools. 4. Reinstate the conduct of eligibility audits and random selection performance monitoring of medical examiners. According to the Jan. 13 statement, FMCSA concurs with these recommendations to improve oversight of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. 8 Class A CDL Company TEAMS Earn $185,000+/year TOGETHER we will accomplish something great! Your obligations and aspirations aren’t measured in cents per mile, but most companies don’t see it any other way. Quest is focused on providing you a high quality of life, a rewarding career, and a great compensation package with the means to reach your goals. Pay & Benefits ● TEAMS earn $185,000+ ● Paid Home Time ● Monthly Bonuses ● Weekly Pay Guarantee ● 401k with match ● 100% no touch freight - mostly drop and hook ● Consistent year-round freight - dedicated options available ● Benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability iStock Photo An audit of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s oversight has fallen short during the rebuilding of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Committed to Expedited Coast to Coast Service Qualifications ● Current CDL-A ● At least 25 years of age ● 2 years of driving experience ● HAZMAT preferred (not required) 844-954-0001 www.thetrucker.com/truck-driving-jobs/hiring/quest
Page 1 and 2: Vol. 34, No. 4 | February 15-28, 20
Page 3: THETRUCKER.COM Mississippi lawmaker
Page 7 and 8: TruckIns_Oct_2020_FullPg 9/11/20 2:
Page 9 and 10: THETRUCKER.COM Nation February 15-2
Page 11 and 12: THETRUCKER.COM Nation February 15-2
Page 13 and 14: THETRUCKER.COM Brad Klepper exclusi
Page 15 and 16: CATTheTrucker111220 fullpage.qxp_La
Page 17 and 18: Business February 15-28, 2021 • 1
Page 19 and 20: THETRUCKER.COM b Liability from pag
Page 21 and 22: Equipment February 15-28, 2021 •
Page 23 and 24: Features February 15-28, 2021 • 2
Page 25 and 26: THETRUCKER.COM b Values from page 2
Page 27 and 28: THETRUCKER.COM February 15-28, 2021

021521_TT_AllPages

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?