P.M. Executive Briefing - April 20
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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UPS to Buy Back Up to 1.2 Bln USD Worth of Shares After Record Q1 Performance
Coming off record first-quarter diluted earnings per share of 67 cents, United Parcel Service announced a stock buyback program of as much as $1.2 billion.Diluted EPS rose from the year-earlier figure of 44 cents due in part to one-time items, without which net profit per share would have been 56 cents. A 5.8% rise in average daily package volume also helped boost the Q1 numbers for the carrier, which saw international export volume for the quarter increase 23%. AFX European Focus (04/20/00)
Biodiesel Supporters Haven't Given Up
An Energy Department-funded study found that a blend of biodiesel and conventional diesel cut pollutants significantly when used in unmodified diesel engines, the journal Environmental Science & Technology reports.Researcher Mridul Gautam, a West Virginia University engineering professor, said the blend cut particulate emissions 25%, carbon monoxide 12% to 14%, and hydrocarbons 10%. The blend used in the study, which involved National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers in addition to those from WVU, was 65% conventional diesel and 35% biodiesel. TruckingInfo.com (04/20/00)
Oregon's Preclearance Program Continues to Grow
The Green Light preclearance program in Oregon has reached 12,000 transponder deliveries, with 1,500 trucks added last week when the carrier CR England signed up.The state Department of Transportation says one of the reasons participation has climbed is because Oregon dropped the $45 annual fee last month, after it pulled out of the NORPASS program in February. The state's withdrawal from the program was related to an alliance between NORPASS and PrePass.
While federal regulators and trucking interests both support preclearance systems, they worry about a negative effect on benefits and participation if taking part in different programs requires more than one transponder. eTrucker.net (04/20/00)
Great Dane Opens Little Rock Branch
Great Dane Trailers' new factory branch in Little Rock, Ark., is its first in 18 years.Three trucks deliver parts to the southern and central areas of the state, and a local delivery truck also runs from the 26,600-square-foot facility, which has 10 service bays, 2,000 square feet of office space, and 9,873 square feet of parts-warehousing space. The branch was opened because the company sells many trailers in the area, and the Little Rock location makes it the only full-service site from Memphis to Dallas that is freeway accessible.
The factory also has a bridge crane system, floor-anchored tiedowns to enable frame straightening and scaffolding to allow safer roof work.
Great Dane plans to build additional facilities in Fontana, Calif., and Minneapolis, as well as secondary locations in major cities that need multiple facilities. Trailer/Body Builders (03/00) Vol. 41, No. 5; P. 82
Are You Getting Your Share of the Rebushing Business?
Shops that repair severe-service vehicles, such as snowplows and dump bodies, should have technicians look for center-bushing wear in the walking-beam suspension during body or PTO repair.While the center bushing is not high-maintenance, it can wear out eventually due to such factors as movement, stress in use, age, and weathering. Some telltale signs of bushing problems include tires almost rubbing against the frame rails, more than a three-inch movement of the bogie when making tight turns, and a failure of the axles to realign following such turns.
Rubber bushings are the most common type, and need little maintenance, but can be harmed by corrosive chemicals, natural substances, and receiving too much stress when the vehicle is working. Urethane-bushing manufacturers say their products are less likely to be harmed by solvents and are no maintenance.
A high-confinement rubber bushing can absorb some torque due to its rubber interior while handling higher crushing pressure because of its steel sleeve.
Vehicles for severe offroad use or very high-weight carrying uses can use fully bonded or bronze bushings, although these are not the bushings to use for a comfortable ride. Trailer/Body Builders (03/00) Vol. 41, No. 5; P. 76
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