Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022:
Ascend acquiring a new Atlanta metro terminal
Ascend's McDonough terminal features parking for 100 units, 30 personal vehicles, and several maintenance bays that will operate around the clock to support all Ascend-owned equipment.
Atlanta-based truckload carrier Ascend (CCJ Top 250, No. 143) has acquired a new terminal in McDonough, Georgia. The secure, nearly 7-acre gated facility will provide additional tractor-trailer parking, driver support, dispatch and maintenance capacity for the company. The newly constructed McDonough facility is close to Interstate 75 and major distribution hubs, enabling Ascend to more effectively serve customers in the Atlanta metro area as well as the rest of Georgia.
"The new facility will serve as an additional terminal for our operations and allow us to more rapidly respond to our local customer’s needs," said Brad Heisterkamp, President of Asset Operations at Ascend. “It will also provide greater convenience and flexibility for our Georgia-domiciled drivers.”
The terminal features parking for 100 units, 30 personal vehicles, and several maintenance bays that will operate around the clock to support all Ascend-owned equipment. Additional planning, dispatching, safety, and driver support staff will also be based at this location.
Peterbilt recalls refuse trucks for suspension fix
Paccar is recalling 15,658 2015-2023 Peterbilt 320 and 520 refuse trucks equipped with Haulmaax/EX suspensions. The suspension tracking rod brackets may fail and detach from the forward drive axle, causing the axle to become unstable. An unstable axle can decrease vehicle stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the welds and add an additional bracket between the tracking rod bracket and axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 14, 2023. Owners may contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's number for this recall is 22PBL.
CRST opens new divisional HQ in Alabama
With more than 40 employees, CRST's new 23,000 square foot facility combines several current locations on a 9.5 acres campus to create a southeastern, divisional headquarters for the growing national carrier.CRST
CRST (CCJ Top 250, No. 22) recently opened a new facility in Birmingham, Alabama. With more than 40 employees, the new 23,000 square foot facility combines several of CRST’s current locations on a 9.5 acres campus to create a southeastern divisional headquarters.
“Combining safety, maintenance and operations in one campus is a huge win for our professional drivers, contractors and for our customers,” said Chris Deschaine, CRST Flatbed & Integrated Solutions Division President. “We can now provide a safe and efficient stop for freight traveling through the southeast region while offering a home away from home for drivers.”
In addition to a new fitness center and amenities for current drivers and contractors, the campus includes a best-in-class indoor, climate-controlled flatbed driver and contractor onboarding facility – one of only a handful of these sites in the region – as well as modern maintenance facilities and terminal accommodations for drivers to access easily from the I-20/22/59/65 Corridor.
CRST’s Flatbed Division, formerly Malone Freight Lines, is on track to haul more than 150,000 loads in 2022 with a team of more than 1100 contractors traveling nearly 85 million miles.
