C.H. Robinson recognizes Carriers of the Year

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Trucking news and briefs for Friday, May 20, 2022:

CH Robinson names 2022 Carriers of the Year

C.H. Robinson this week named the winners of its 2022 Carrier of the Year Awards.

Selected from the company’s network of over 85,000 contract carriers, the program recognizes 17 outstanding companies for their exceptional quality of service and operational excellence, including timeliness, reliability and adoption of technology to increase efficiencies for their business and customers.

The fifth annual celebration includes an event that will bring together both 2021 and 2022 winners for an in-person ceremony at C.H. Robinson’s Eden Prairie, Minnesota, headquarters on May 22-24. Honorees will be awarded prizes and further recognized through C.H. Robinson’s ongoing carrier appreciation initiatives.

The full list of the C.H. Robinson 2022 Carrier of the Year Winners includes:

  • Libra Line -- Downers Grove, Illinois
  • CJ Transportation -- Hiawatha, Kansas
  • Land Horse -- Chicago, Illinois
  • Southern Arizona Transport -- Rio Rico, Arizona
  • Dieselgrid -- Griffin, Georgia
  • BR Transport -- Eagle Pass, Texas
  • Solid Transportation Services -- Waterford, Michigan
  • Timmons Transit -- Jonesboro, Arkansas
  • JIT -- Memphis, Tennessee
  • CR England -- Salt Lake City, Utah
  • TTR Transportation -- Owasso, Oklahoma
  • CR Smith Transport -- King George, Virginia
  • East Mountain Transport -- Cocoa, Florida
  • Colonial Freight Systems -- Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Seneca Foods Corporation -- Janesville, WI
  • Old Dominion Freight Lines -- Thomasville, North Carolina
  • Southeastern Freight Lines -- Lexington, South Carolina

New Kenworth T680 up for grabs with Transition Trucking award

Transition Trucking Kenworth T680The winner of the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award will receive the keys to a next-gen Kenworth T680.Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative again are teaming to find America’s top rookie military veteran truck driver who made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.

Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the top award for the seventh consecutive year. For the first time, that award is a Kenworth T680 Next Generation. The T680 Next Gen is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.

“We urge fleets in America to nominate their best drivers who have served our country and encourage those transitioning from military service to consider the trucking industry as their future career,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing. “We look forward to presenting the Kenworth T680 Next Gen keys to a well-deserving veteran as America’s top rookie military veteran in our industry.”

The top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers must meet three eligibility requirements:

  • Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve.
  • Graduated from a Professional Truck Driver Institute-certified, National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools or Commercial Vehicle Training Association member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
  • First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

The nomination period begins June 10, and the final deadline is July 31. Full criteria and online nomination forms will be available in June.

Fox Logistics acquires freight automation platform

Asset-based third-party logistics provider Fox Logistics announced this week the acquisition of freight automation platform Boxton.

The acquisition of the platform marks Fox Logistics’ global expansion into air and ocean freight services. Fox Logistics will acquire more than 150 global customers and will expand freight offerings for small and medium-sized businesses, as a result.

Boxton automates the freight quoting process, so customers can work directly with carriers to obtain immediate access to freight rates. Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances the robust API connectivity to offer customers complete visibility into the shipping process with fast quotes and pricing.

“Boxton’s freight automation platform increases associate capacity by fivefold and elevates our customers’ user experience by meeting them where they already work, whether that’s Slack, Microsoft Teams, or email. The result is faster, smarter, reliable shipping that’s better for our planet,” said Matt Lawrence, CEO of Fox Logistics. “We’re excited about the relationships Boxton has with ocean and air freight carriers, and we’re going to continue to expand those relationships. This is the future of freight.”

Due to Fox Logistics' direct relationships with carriers, Boxton’s customers will benefit from competitive freight rates in all modes of transportation. Fox Logistics’ commitment to building strong relationships with the industry’s top carriers will help protect Boxton’s customers from the volatile swings in pricing and lack of capacity in difficult markets. 

Wabash launches new parts distribution network

Wabash this week announced the creation of a new tech-enabled Wabash Parts distribution network that will unify and expand Wabash’s parts distribution capabilities across all product lines and provides immediate scale to grow.

This single channel distribution network will, over time, include the entire Wabash aftermarket portfolio as well as a wide range of transportation parts with increased inventory and faster shipping, the company said.

“As an end-to-end solutions and service provider, we’re able to offer customers the convenience of working with a one-stop-shop through the entire product lifecycle,” said Nick Adler, vice president of Wabash Parts and Services. “We’re excited to bring our customers best-in-class parts and services including a simplified experience, an extensive selection of well-stocked parts, and faster deliveries -- all through Wabash.”

Wabash Parts distribution will leverage the company’s extensive network of equipment dealers’ service capabilities, as well as the infrastructure of industry-leading partners of national wholesale distribution for aftermarket heavy-duty truck and trailers parts, utilizing multiple distribution centers across the country.