Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, March 19, 2026:
TEL adds Volvo VNL to truck leasing lineup
Commercial truck leasing company TEL is adding the Volvo VNL 860 to its lineup of Class 8 trucks available for lease by owner-operators and fleets.
The Volvo VNL 860 will complement TEL’s existing sleeper offerings, which include the Freightliner Cascadia and Peterbilt 579, the company said, giving customers an even broader selection of premium, driver‑focused equipment options.
TEL will debut the all-new Volvo VNL 860 trucks at this year’s Mid‑America Trucking Show, March 26-28, marking an important expansion of the company’s product portfolio and its ongoing commitment to offering industry‑leading equipment solutions.
By adding Volvo to its lineup, TEL said it strengthens its ability to serve a wide range of fleet and owner‑operator preferences – whether the priority is fuel economy, driver comfort, safety technology or long‑haul performance.
“TEL has been a trusted provider to the transportation industry for over 20 years. We are committed to investing in equipment that supports our owner-operator and fleet partners in a way that gives them the lowest total cost to operate. Adding Volvo to our leasing lineup is a natural next step for TEL,” said Aaron Thompson, Vice President of Asset Management for TEL. “The Volvo VNL 860 brings a distinct combination of innovation, safety and efficiency that complements the rest of our fleet extremely well. This gives our customers more choice and flexibility while maintaining the high standards they expect from TEL equipment.”
MATS attendees will have the opportunity to see TEL’s VNL trucks firsthand and speak with TEL representatives about leasing options, specifications and availability.
Averitt adds new instant rate quoting system to website
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) has introduced a new feature on its website that allows shippers to receive instant truckload rate quotes and book shipments directly through the website.
The new functionality enables customers with an Averitt.com profile to quickly generate truckload quotes for van, flatbed or refrigerated shipments moving anywhere in the continental United States.
Once a shipment is booked, verified, and confirmed, Averitt’s North America Truckload team secures a driver and communicates pickup confirmation details directly with the shipper. Shipment tracking is available through the website once the load has been picked up.
“This new feature gives customers the ability to quickly access competitive truckload rates and book shipments whenever it’s most convenient for them,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “At the same time, our North America Truckload team remains closely involved behind the scenes to secure capacity and provide the service and communication our customers expect. It’s another step forward in combining digital convenience with the support of experienced logistics professionals.”
Averitt’s North America Truckload services provide flexible capacity for full truckload shipments across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the company said. Backed by a network that combines Averitt’s asset-based truckload fleet with a trusted network of carrier partners, the service offers dependable transportation solutions for dry van, flatbed, refrigerated and other specialized equipment needs.
Saia names new VP of marketing
Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 18) announced this week that Lisa Silverboard has joined the company as vice president of marketing.
In this role, she will lead Saia’s marketing, communications and community affairs functions, helping drive strategic initiatives that strengthen the company’s brand and support continued growth.
“Lisa brings deep experience in brand development, digital marketing and integrated campaign strategy,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Ray Ramu. “Her leadership will help further elevate Saia’s brand and strengthen how we connect with customers across all channels.”
Silverboard brings more than 20 years of marketing leadership experience across logistics and consumer brands. Most recently, she led the marketing organization at Americold, a global provider of temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics. Earlier in her career, she spent nearly 15 years in brand management roles at Georgia-Pacific and Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Silverboard holds bachelor’s degrees in public relations and marketing from the University of Florida and an MBA from Georgetown University. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children.
