P.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 23
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FedEx Wins NFL Deal Over UPS
It may still be the professional football preseason, but FedEx Corp. won the sponsorship bowl edging out United Parcel Service Inc. to become the National Football League's exclusive shipper, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.The three-year deal allows FedEx to use NFL team logos in marketing, and the overnight delivery firm will serve as an official sponsor for the league's 32 teams, the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl.
The victory by the Memphis, Tenn.-based company ended a seven-year reign where UPS held the sponsorship contract with the NFL. Transport Topics
More Companies Using TruckerB2B Fuel Network
TruckersB2B, a subsidiary of the Celadon Group, saw a 40% increase in the number of companies using its discount fuel network in July, the company announced Wednesday.Last month, 1,840 companies representing about 60,000 trucks used the network, where they can earn rebates. The number of users has steadily climbed since the network's debut in March, when 37 companies representing about 2,200 trucks used the system.
The Internet-based, business-to-business membership program now has more than 5,200 company members. Through its web site, www.truckersb2b.com, the company offers discounted fuel, tires and equipment for small and medium-sized trucking companies and private fleets. Transport Topics
Chancellor Appoints New Leader Of Truck Centers Network
Chancellor Corp. Wednesday announced that William Dees will head its truck centers operation.As senior vice president of retail operations for Chancellor's Truck Centers, Dees will be charged with strengthening and revamping the company's truck centers network.
Dees has previously worked as president of GE/Gelco's Truck Rental and Leasing Division, president of Idealease Inc. and president of Central International, a manufacturer of medium and heavy trucks. Transport Topics
Office Depot Adding 10 More Superstores
Trucks hauling office supplies will have some new destinations next month, when retailer Office Depot opens 10 new superstores.The new store locations will be in seven states: California, Kentucky, Arizona, Mississippi, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
This wave of openings will bring the number of Office Depot company-owned stores up to 902. Each of the new stores will be 21,000 or more square feet. Transport Topics
Trucking Firms Join Efforts To Expand I-55 In Illinois
The I-55 Corridor Planning Council, a grassroots effort to expand a heavily congested portion of the highway between Joliet and Chicago, planned to meet Wednesday night to map strategy in lobbying for state and federal transportation funds.The Chicago Tribune reported the council recently convinced area trucking companies to join the effort. The council hopes that displaying such wide support will secure funds to add new lanes and interchanges on the interstate.
The Chicago Area Transportation Study said the now two-lane highway should be expanded to three lanes from Interstate 80 to the Will County line, the Tribune reported. So far, the Illinois Department of Transportation plans to add one lane over a 1-mile stretch in 2002. Transport Topics
New Oshkosh Military Truck Offers Special Tire, Collision, Load Features
Oshkosh Truck Corp. introduced the latest model of its heavy expanded mobility tactical truck, with features including a central tire inflation system, collision warning system and a load-handling system.Although these are military trucks, commercial truck makers and users are also exploring similar technologies for freight trucking. Transport Topics
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