P.M. Executive Briefing - Nov. 4
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Motor Carrier Administration Bill Shelved By Senate? Ain't Necessarily So...
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Senate Commerce Committee said the Senate might still act on a bill to establish the National Motor Carrier Safety Administration along with other safety provisions.While there is little time left before the Senate's adjournment, the committee has been requested by Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater to act fast on the bill. The bill could be hurried into law if everyone accepts the draft legislation, but it is reported that certain senators are reluctant to scuttle the Single State Registration system, as a measure in the bill would do. Land Line Magazine Online (11/04/99); Soendker, Sandi
Professional Transportation Group Ltd., Inc. Refinances Trailers With Transamerica Equipment Financial Services Corporation
Professional Transportation Group, whose subsidiaries are Timely Transportation and Truck-Net, says it has refinanced trailer purchase agreements with numerous lenders via a $4.35 million term loan from Transamerica Equipment Financial Services. The transportation company is in discussions about a possible line of credit extension from SouthTrust Bank, as well as other financing possibilities with other companies. PR Newswire (11/04/99)Canada Needs 50,000 New Truckers
The Canadian Trucking Association announced on Wednesday that the business created by a good economy and U.S. trade has created an opening for 50,000 truckers. Facing an aging workforce and few potential truckers among Canada's youth, Trucking Alliance representatives have requested that the government increase recruitment of truckers from outside Canada.Foreign truckers who have no job offer in Canada have a hard time being approved under the current federal system for immigration of skilled workers. But the country's Immigration Act is being revamped, and alterations to the skilled workers' program will likely be revealed in 2000 by Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan.
With a 7.5% jobless rate in Canada, overseas recruitment can seem controversial. But trucking companies must contend with the problem of truck driving schools that only teach students to get through a license exam rather than teaching them the real skills truckers need, says Canadian Trucking Alliance Chairman David Bradley. Ottawa Citizen Online (11/04/99) ; Duffy, Andrew
Arthur Thomas Named Manager of Trade and Regulatory Affairs
Arthur O. Thomas has been named manager of trade and regulatory affairs, a new post, by the logistics and container transportation company APL. Vice President of Customer Support Chris Corrado says the post Thomas fills was established as the industry tries to fill customer desire for "simplification of processes and ... increasing standardization of protocols among service providers."Thomas will also ensure regulatory compliance on APL's part. Last year, the Denver World Trade Center gave Thomas the yearly Strategic Partner Award. PR Newswire (11/04/99)
Transit Group Completes Acquisition of Container and Brokerage Operations of Land Transportation, LLC
Land Transportation's container and intermodal marketing business and ROCOR International's related RFS brokerage business have both been purchased by Transit Group.This deal gives Transit Group "a platform for launching the company's growth in the important Atlanta market, where our corporate headquarters are located," says President and CEO Philip A. Belyew. He says it will allow the company to grow in the container segment and raise "the proportion of owner/operators in our fleets." This brings the number of Transit Group's acquisitions this year to eight, Belyew says. Business Wire (11/04/99)
GATX Logistics Offers One-Stop e-Commerce Fulfillment Solution
GATX Logistics says it has established partnerships with companies providing other services necessary to e-commerce in order to give shippers a complete service for all areas of e-commerce."The complex process of getting an e-commerce Web site up and running, designing the site, managing inventory, staffing a 7x24 call center, and delivering the parcel to a business or residence can be overwhelming," says President and CEO Joseph A. Nicosia. The company intends to have the service up and running by February. PR Newswire (11/03/99)
Truckload of Trouble Missing
Despite a month-long search, police have not found the two trailers loaded with 22 metric tons of Noval that were taken from a truck stop in Saint-Nicolas, Quebec, early last month. Noval is used in the manufacture of steel and could give off hazardous ammonia fumes. Most likely, the person who stole it wanted the trailers and not the load, says Alcan Aluminum spokesman Margot Tapp. The company did not inform the public of the loss at first because it figured the Noval would be found quickly. Montreal Gazette (11/03/99) P. A5; Davenport, Jane© copyright 1999 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
