FTR Associates released preliminary data showing Class 8 net orders for all major North American OEMs totaled 21,792 units in October, a 104-percent increase over September and a 117-percent increase year over year. FTR President Eric Starks attributed the increase to the filling up of remaining 2009 production slots for trucks with older 2007 emissions technology to avoid more expensive 2010 trucks.
Haney Truck Line, a Pacific Northwest truckload hauler, purchased the operating assets of and assumed properties leased by Washington-based Puget Sound Truck Lines Inc. and Oregon-based Nickel Plate Express Inc.; terms were not announced. Haney says the combined entities will operate under its brand and create one of the largest West Coast truckload fleets; the acquisitions add 165 tractors, 466 trailers and 65 contractors to Haney’s 500 employees, 400 tractors and 1,000 trailers. Haney will begin offering intermodal services as a result of the transaction.
Dependable Global Express acquired certain operations of C&H Freight, including C&H’s weekly and biweekly consolidations from the U.S. West Coast to Central and South America, as well as a network of agents in Latin America; terms were not disclosed. C&H Freight, based in Torrance, Calif., was founded by Mat Silver, a 30-year veteran in ocean and air cargo. Silver and the majority of his staff will join DGX at its headquarters in Rancho Dominguez, Calif., and will report to DGX President Brad Dechter.
ArvinMeritor Inc. completed the sale of its 57-percent stake in the Meritor Suspension Systems Co. joint venture to Mitsubishi Steel Manufacturing for about $13 million.
