Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Oct. 27, 2025:
Elder Logistics closing its doors
Elder Logistics, a 52-truck LTL carrier based in Puyallup, Washington, has closed. The company's last day of operation was Oct. 17.
Calling the weak market conditions that have plagued the last three and a half years "simply unprecedented," President and CEO Scott Elder said the carrier "took every thoughtful step we could to cut back, adjust, pivot and look for green grass wherever we could. In the end, the lift was five pounds more than we could handle.
"If there's a bright side to this, there are many talented team members who will be available for employment that come from a place of unmatched grit and tenacity," he added. "These are people who had pivotal roles in shaping process, KPIs, understanding upscaling and downscaling, and above all, their unwavering care for the business. They will undoubtedly be great assets in their next roles, and we wish them a speedy transition to hopefully more prosperous pastures."
Pride Transport adds CNG-powered trucks to fleet
Pride Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 154) has announced a major step forward in its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable operations with the addition of new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to its fleet. The company also said it has achieved ISO 14001 environmental management certification, solidifying its position as a leader in green transportation.
Pride Transport’s new CNG-powered trucks significantly reduce emissions compared to traditional diesel engines, cutting both greenhouse gases and particulate matter. This investment supports the company’s long-term strategy to adopt cleaner, more efficient technologies that protect the environment while maintaining the reliability and performance customers expect.
“Our drivers, customers, and community all benefit when we reduce our environmental footprint,” said Patrick Cook, vice president of sales. “The introduction of CNG trucks, along with our ISO 14001 certification, shows that sustainability isn’t just a goal – it’s part of who we are.”
In addition to CNG technology, Pride Transport’s fleet utilizes SmartWay-certified equipment, helping improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across every mile driven. All trucks are Certified Clean Idle, minimizing unnecessary idling emissions, and are equipped with auxiliary power units (APUs) to further reduce idle time and conserve fuel.
“Trucking keeps America moving – and at Pride Transport, we believe it can be done responsibly,” Cook added. “We’re proud to lead by example.”
New English proficiency legislation would require test to obtain, renew CDLs
Yet another piece of legislation has been introduced in Congress that looks to ensure truck drivers are proficient in English.
It’s the latest in what’s becoming a long line of bills that are all looking to accomplish the same goal -- English language proficiency for truck drivers -- with slightly different approaches to reach that goal.
This latest bill, the Standardized Assessment for Fluency in English for Drivers Act (SAFE Drivers Act), was introduced by Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-North Carolina) with original cosponsors Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Rep. Bob Onder (R-Missouri).
The legislation would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop a uniform English proficiency test to be administered during CDL issuance and renewal in every state. The test would assess a driver’s ability to read road signs, understand spoken instructions, and complete written reports. Under a provision of the bill, the Secretary of Transportation would be allowed to withhold federal highway funds from states that fail to comply.
"If you can't read 'Bridge Out Ahead' or communicate with a state trooper at a crash scene, you have no business driving an 80,000-pound truck on American highways," Harrigan said. "We have federal rules that require English proficiency, but no standardized test to enforce them, so states like California hand out commercial licenses to drivers who can't understand basic safety instructions. The SAFE Drivers Act fixes that by requiring one uniform English test nationwide before any CDL is issued. No more guesswork, no more state-by-state loopholes, just one standard that keeps Americans safe."
The American Trucking Associations has offered its support of the bill, while the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has raised concern over requiring the proficiency test for CDL renewals.
The SAFE Drivers Act has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
[Related: DOT docks California $40 million for ELP compliance failure]
United Transportation names industry veteran as chief commercial officer
United Transportation, a leading provider of TSA-compliant cargo screening, asset-based trucking, warehousing, and air cargo logistics solutions, has appointed John Mugnaini as its chief commercial officer.
John Mugnaini
"United Transportation has built a strong reputation at O'Hare over the past 15 years, and we're now poised to scale that success nationwide," said Grau, CEO of United Transportation. "John's global freight expertise, strategic vision, and track record of driving commercial growth make him the right leader to help us expand into new airports and markets over the next 24 months. His addition strengthens our commitment to operational excellence and positions us for the next phase of growth."
Mugnaini joins United following an extensive career in global freight and logistics. As president of DHL Freight, he oversaw international commercial operations, drove multimillion-dollar revenue growth, and established worldwide partnerships that advanced the company's presence across key markets. Earlier in his career, Mugnaini led strategic initiatives across supply chain and logistics networks in North America and Europe.
"Joining United Transportation at this stage is a unique opportunity to build on its proven foundation and accelerate strategic growth," Mugnaini said. "Under new ownership, the company has a clear vision for national expansion rooted in operational excellence and innovation."
In his new role, Mugnaini will lead strategic partnerships, sales expansion, and commercial operations, working closely with Tom Keenan, senior vice president of sales, and Grau to execute the company's growth roadmap. Keenan, with more than three decades of leadership experience spanning transportation, logistics, and warehousing, joined United Transportation earlier this year.
