TRUCKING INDUSTRY * USA & Canada

* Missouri / USA - Con-way Truckload now has 71% of fleet using e-logs

Joplin,MO,USA -Fleet Owner -Apr 5, 2011:  --  Con-way Truckload has announced that 71% of its fleets is now using electronic logs (e-logs) with full integration fleet-wide expected to be completed by June. The truckload carrier began testing e-logs in February 2010...  The company began a fleet-wide rollout in November and currently 2,145 of its drivers are using the devices with 75 more transitioning to the system each week...  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to mandate the use of e-logs by 2014, Con-way Truckload noted...(Photo from cms.ukintpress: Con-way trucks)

* Texas / USA  -  Hub Group Buys Exel Transportation - Acquisition extends Hubs reach into trucking brokerage business

Dallas,TX,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by William B. Cassidy -Apr 4, 2011: -- Intermodal transportation giant Hub Group acquired Exel Transportation Services, a $717 million third-party logistics company, from Deutsche Post subsidiary Exel... The $83 million acquisition extends Hub Group's reach across transportation modes and deeper into truckload, less-than-truckload and refrigerated transportation... The acquisition boosts Hub Group's annual revenue above $2.5 billion... The former Exel subsidiary will operate as Mode Transportation, a wholly owned subsidiary of $1.83 billion Hub Group, with headquarters in Dallas... Hub's purchase is the latest in a series of logistics acquisitions that herald an improving economy. It's one of the largest deals since the $512.6 million acquisition of ATC by Genco Supply Chain Solutions last year...

*Washington / USA -  Saltchuk Resources Inc. to acquire Interstate Distributor Co.

Seattle, WA,USA -Land Line Magazine,by Clarissa Kell-Holland -4 April 2011: -- Drivers for Interstate Distributor Co., based in Tacoma, WA, say they have been hearing rumors about the company’s future for a while now. But a Qualcomm message sent out to them on Thursday, March 31, has now put those rumors to rest... On Thursday, approximately 2,000 IDC drivers received a message and also a letter from IDC, announcing that the 78-year-old trucking company owned by the McLean family has “agreed to be acquired by Saltchuk Resources Inc., based in Seattle, WA” ... According to Saltchuk’s website, they have more than 5,000 employees in 20 different operating companies in the transportation, real estate and energy industries...

* Florida / USA  -  Ryder has acquired the lease, rental and maintenance portfolio of B.I.T. Leasing

Miami,FL,USA -Transport Intelligence (UK) _6 Apr 2011: -- Ryder System, Inc. has announced it has completed the acquisition of the lease, rental and maintenance portfolio of B.I.T. Leasing Inc., a privately owned, full service truck leasing and fleet services company headquartered in Hayward, California...  The acquisition is expected to add approximately $9m in annualised operating revenue to Ryder's Fleet Management Solutions business segment and be accretive to earnings in 2011...  Ryder acquired BIT's fleet of approximately 364 full service lease, 121 rental, and 72 contract maintenance units serving 131 contract customers from BIT's service locations in Rohnert Park, Hayward, San Jose, and Watsonville...  BIT's existing dealership business will continue to operate as Bayshore International Trucks, Inc... (Photo from refrigeratedtrans: Ryder, Gator  Leasing merger)

* Ontario / Canada - Bison meet Britton: Canadian carrier expands to US

Winnipeg,ONT,CAN -Todays Trucking -6 April 2011: -- Bison Transport looked to the other side of the Canada-U.S. border and liked what it saw in Britton Transport...  The Winnipeg-based truckload powerhouse acquired Britton Transport of Grand Forks, N.D., a provider of van, flatbed, step deck and bulk hopper truckload services... The transaction will provide Bison with a US base of operations in close proximity to the border...  (Photo from fleetsmart.nrcan.gc)

* Wiscosin / USA - Marten Transport increases contractor rates

Mondovi,WIS,USA -Truck Net, by dgehman -4 April 2011: -- Marten Transport, continues to lead the trucking industry as a premium partner for contractors by offering rate increases as high as four cents per mile. These new rates are effective May 1...  These new rate increases, along with many other advantages Marten offers, allow contractors to boost their earnings significantly...  In addition to maintaining rates during the economic downturn, Marten never reduced the purchasing power the company offers to contractors. Programs for lower fuel costs, paid plates and permits and tolls paid continue to support contractor partners...   (Photo from farm4.static.flickr: A Marten transport truck, on I-70 Eagle Canyon Bridge,Utah)

* Mississippi / USA - JUST ARRIVING! 2012 Volvo & International trucks

Gulfport,MS,USA -Truck Net, by dgehman -6 April 2011:Photo from hankstruckpictures: Knight Transportation Volvo truck) -- Knight Transportation is excited about the 1,400 (2012) tractors that are being delivered to their service centers now! Drivers are raving about the bright and shiny Volvo VN670s and International ProStars, equipped with best-of-breed technology and systems...  These beauties have the whole package! Awesome features include increased cab space, electronic roll stability systems, high tech features to improve driving sight-lines, high fuel efficient engines and chassis, diesel-fired cab heaters, integrated Qualcomm communications systems and one heck of a ride for the driver! ...  With an average tractor age of just 2 years, Knight Transportation continues to heavily invest in their fleet of tractors to keep it fresh... (

* Tenneesee / USA - Western Express increases driver pay

Nashville,TENN,USA -Truck Net, by dgehman –6 April 2011: -- Western Express, Inc., a leading flatbed and dry van carrier, just increased its starting pay for both flatbed and dry van fleets by an additional two cents per mile. In addition to this increase, Western Express continues to set itself apart from other companies in the trucking industry with its state-of-the-art equipment, the latest in technology and a substantial array of driver benefits...  The company recently finished replacing 1,500 of its 2,400 tractors with 2011 Internationals, Volvos and Freightliners and also switched to electronic logs for its drivers, allowing for more efficient drive and down time. Additionally, Western Express offers drivers a 3-cent-per-mile performance bonus each quarter, based on certain mileage numbers, on-time delivery percentage and other factors, as well as a $500 sign-on bonus for flatbed drivers. Western Express also provides a daily class to educate its drivers about CSA 2010 and gives them the tools they need to be safe on the road..  (Image from trucktrend: Western Truck's Freightliner Cascadia truck front view)

* Florida / USA - Integrated Freight Buys Cross Creek Trucking

Sarasota, FL,USA -The Journal of Commerce Online, by William B. Cassidy -Apr 6, 2011: -- Long-haul and regional trucking operator Integrated Freight acquired Cross Creek Trucking of Medford, Ore., extending its reach to the Pacific Northwest... Cross Creek is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Integrated Freight, a holding company that is building a national network of regional truckload carriers... Integrated Freight owns Morris Transportation, Hamburg, Ark.; Smith Systems Transport, Scott's Bluff, Neb.; and Triple C Transport, Doniphan, Neb... Cross Creek, founded in 1986, is a 115-tractor refrigerated and dry van carrier that specializes in less-than-truckload produce and general freight...