Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, March 14, 2024:
Former DB Schenker exec to lead Alabama flatbedder
Birmingham, Alabama-based flatbed carrier Montgomery Transportation has appointed Joe Jaska Chief Executive Officer effective March 7. Jaska comes to Montgomery Transportation from DB Schenker, where he most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Land Transport, Americas Region. In that role, he had full P&L management responsibilities as well as the strategic direction and leadership for all land operations in North, Central, and South America.
“We are incredibly pleased to have Joe join and lead our company into its next phase of growth,” said Rollins Montgomery, Founder of Montgomery Transportation Group. “Joe has a driver-first approach, placing the well-being and professional development of our drivers at the core of our success. He offers a wealth of experience in establishing and enhancing operations at transportation companies that handle a diverse range of specialized freight. Joe has strong industry relationships and extensive knowledge of logistics and trucking, combined with a genuine commitment to prioritizing the needs of our drivers, customers and safety.”
Prior to joining DB Schenker, Jaska served as President and Chief Operating Officer for Ann Arbor Distribution, Inc (previously Dicom US LLC). In this role, he oversaw operations in Final Mile, Retail Distribution, Medical Vertical Delivery, and 3PL, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of various facets of the industry. He's also held roles as Vice President of Operations for Frozen Food Express, the nation’s largest temperature controlled, asset-based LTL carrier and Vice President and General Manager of American Eagle Lines, a subsidiary of FFE Transportation Services providing full truckload dry van services. He also sits on the Board of Directors of trucking industry trade organization American Trucking Associations.
CARB pushes 'Smog Check' testing deadline to 2025
California Air Resources Board on Wednesday said it would delay the first periodic testing deadline for its Clean Truck Check Program to Jan. 1, 2025. This does not delay requirements to register and pay fees for 2023.California Trucking Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Shimoda said his group has been made aware that the rollout of DMV registration holds for non-compliance will ramp up starting now. Fleets must also still plan to pay fees for 2024, which will be due in the latter half of this year.
As previously reported, CARB’s Clean Truck Check program replaces the state's current Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP).
It requires non-gasoline (diesel, alternative fuel, and hybrid) trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles (such as California-registered motorhomes) with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds to undergo emissions testing if they operate in California, regardless of the state in which they are registered.
[Related: California puts teeth in emission regs with new 'smog check' system]
The Clean Truck Check Program is comprised of three phases, the first of which kicked off in January with the use of with remote emissions monitoring technologies. The second phase, in effect since Feb. 1, required all eligible vehicle owners to register with CARB’s Clean Truck Check database and pay an annual $30 compliance fee per vehicle. The third phase, the one that is currently delayed to 2025 but was originally planned to take effect this summer, requires owner of heavy trucks to undergo periodic emissions testing similar to California’s passenger car Smog Check program.
Peterbilt adds TX-12 PRO AMT to work truck models
Peterbilt is making available the Paccar TX-12 PRO automated transmission on Models 567 and 579. The TX-12 Pro is engineered to operate with engines that have up to 1,700 lbs.-ft. of torque and a maximum Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 70,000 lbs., and features dual PTO functionality to power multiple hydraulic devices simultaneously; a new extreme duty clutch for improved low-speed maneuvering with higher loads; Rock Free Mode to help break the truck free from mud, sand or snow; and Off-Highway Calibration that enables shift points that are tuned for changing off-highway conditions with a bias toward shifting less often; and a Secondary Configuration for a tailored driving experience that accounts for toggling between two calibrations for the load or terrain.
NFI appoints new Canadian group president
Glenn Nicodemus, who joined NFI with its April 2023 acquisition of SDR, is assuming responsibility for all Canadian warehouse facilities at NFI. Nicodemus has 30 years of logistics experience.
“Glenn’s appointment as President of our Canadian group speaks to his strong leadership and commitment to excellence for our customers and employees,” said Kevin Patterson, President of NFI Distribution. “Under Glenn’s guidance, NFI is poised for continued success and growth in Canada."
