News Briefs - Feb. 24
The Latest Headlines:
- Mullen's Profits Rise on Stronger Demand
- NHTSA Says Volvo, Mack Recalls Trucks
- Volvo to Add Second Work Shift at Virginia Plant
- USF Logistics Expands Deal With Kroger
- NHTSA Says Volvo, Mack Recalls Trucks
Mullen's Profits Rise on Stronger Demand
Mullen Transportation Inc. said late Monday its net income for the fourth quarter was $6.3 million or 43 cents per share, compared with $3.4 million or 20 cents a year earlier."In the trucking segment our business units benefited from the increase in demand for trucking services in western Canada and the closing of our non-profitable U.S. based trucking operations," said Chairman and President Murray Mullen.
For the full year, net income was $25 million or $1.69 per share, up from $13.9 million or $95 cents a year eariler.
NHTSA Says Volvo, Mack Recalls Trucks
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that Volvo Trucks North America Inc. and Mack Trucks have recalled some heavy-duty trucks.NHTSA said on its Web site up to 6,939 Volvo VNL trucks from 2002-2003 have been recalled because when the bunk is raised into the stored position, an object left on the bunk may inadvertently turn on a bunk lamp, possibly resulting in a fire.
The agency said Volvo began notifying customers in December and its dealers will install a bunk lamp with a push button on/off switch.
NHTSA also said Mack was recalling up to 1,478 CN and CH models manufactured between August and September 2003 because the steering arm could crack on on some chassis equipped with Dana steering axle assemblies. Mack dealers will inspect the integral knuckle and steering arm and replace the parts if needed. Transport Topics
Volvo to Add Second Work Shift at Virginia Plant
Volvo Trucks North America will add a second shift this May at its New River Valley plant in Dublin, Va., for the first time since early 2000, the Associated Press reported.The plant currently employs 2,200 people who produce 79 Volvo trucks and 36 Mack trucks a day. The additional shift will affect only the Volvo assembly line, AP said.
Officials with United Auto Workers Local 2069 said each shift might produce up to 56 trucks a day, but company spokesman Jim McNamara said the figures have not been set, according to AP. Transport Topics
USF Logistics Expands Deal With Kroger
Transportation firm USF Corp. said Monday its USF Logistics Services unit has signed a deal with the Kroger Co. to manage grocery unsaleables in the Cincinnati area.USF said in a release it now serves 19 regions for the retail grocer. It said it provides Kroger with end-to-end unsaleables management and data and policy management.
USF is ranked No. 10 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies. Transport Topics
