Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, March 13, 2024:
Navistar readies autonomous pilot program
Navistar is preparing to launch an autonomous commercial pilot program with customers, the company announced Tuesday – part of a partnership with Plus to integrate its Level 4 autonomous SuperDrive technology stack into International vehicles.
The company will deploy the technology in hub-to-hub operations. International trucks equipped with SuperDrive by Plus are being validated with a safety driver on routes in Texas. Customer pilots are expected within the year, with commercial deployments expanding incrementally along strategic U.S. corridors.
"There is a strong business case for autonomous technology in the hub-to-hub distribution model, specifically in long-haul transportation where there's a compelling opportunity to increase operational efficiencies," said Tobias Glitterstam, Navistar's chief strategy and transformation officer, Navistar.
The Plus Level 4 autonomous driving system SuperDrive is integrated into International trucks, providing solutions for maintenance, telematics, safety, and reliability.
"We are excited to partner with Navistar to build the next generation of transportation solutions enabled by our industry-leading autonomy technology," added Shawn Kerrigan, COO and Co-founder of Plus. "By leveraging our experience deploying our highly modular and flexible autonomous driving software across the U.S., we can help accelerate the commercialization of autonomous trucks that can easily be integrated into customer operations."
FedEx EVP/CIO retiring
Robert B. Carter, executive vice president of FedEx Information Services & chief information office of FedEx Corporation and co-president & co-CEO of FedEx Services, will retire effective June 30. He will remain with the company as a senior advisor until Dec. 31.
Carter has been with the company for 31 years and spearheaded cutting-edge technology that differentiated FedEx in the industry such as real-time tracking and transactions. With the dawn of the internet, he recognized the power behind these transactions and played an instrumental role in launching tools to provide customers visibility into that data. Throughout his career, Carter has been awarded many industry accolades. He is a 25-time recipient of the CIO 100 Award, was named three times as the Information Week Chief of the Year, and was included on both the Fast Company Most Creative List and Most Creative People List.
Effective July 1, Sriram Krishnasamy, currently the EVP and chief transformation officer for FedEx Corporation (CCJ Top 250, No. 1) and the president & CEO of FedEx Dataworks, will serve as chief digital and information officer. In this role, Krishnasamy will lead the FedEx IT and FedEx Dataworks teams to unleash the power of FedEx intelligence to further serve FedEx global operations and customers. Given the critical role of technology, systems, and data insights in supporting key DRIVE efforts, he will also retain his role as EVP and chief transformation officer.
Penske opens new facility in Grand Rapids
Exterior Image of new Penske Truck Leasing facility in southwest Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Penske Truck Leasing (No. 11) has recently opened a new 22,898-square-feet facility in the southwest region of Grand Rapids, Michigan. At this location, which sits on 41.1 acres, Penske offers consumer and commercial truck rental, full-service truck leasing and contract truck fleet maintenance. It is also outfitted with the company's proprietary fully digital and voice-directed preventive maintenance process and Penske digital experience solutions, which help customers leverage Penske technology as well as options related to onboard technology systems (ELDs, telematics, onboard cameras, etc.).
"This new, state-of-the-art facility will allow us to support a growing customer base and expand the district's footprint," said Mike Pritchard, senior vice president of the North Central region at Penske Truck Leasing.
It also features five drive-thru bays with 10 service areas, an automated wash bay, and a full-service fuel island.
Evans Logistics names new transport manager
Third-party logistics and supply chain solutions provider Evans Distribution Systems has named Micca Myers its Manager of Transportation and International Operations where she will oversee the operations for Evans' non-asset-based transportation operation, Evans Logistics Inc., (ELI). She manages the dispatch staff and daily operations. In addition, Myers is charged with bringing in new business, customer retention, and growing Evans’ international business.
Prior to Evans, Myers was a Terminal Manager at Universal Intermodal, XPO, and Bridge Terminal Transport for 27 years. She was responsible for managing daily activities of large intermodal container drayage operations including billing, customer service, recruitment, safety, and compliance.
FMCSA extends leasing agreement comment period
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in a Federal Register notice set to publish Wednesday, March 13, announced it is extended the comment period for truck drivers to submit leasing agreements for review by the Truck Leasing Task Force.
The agency opened the comment period on Feb. 16, asking for driver input about leasing arrangements they have personally experienced or of which they have knowledge.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association last week petitioned FMCSA for an extension of the comment period to give drivers more time to collect and submit leasing information.
The comment period was set to expire March 18. It is now extended until April 2. Comments can be filed here. The questions FMCSA is asking lessees and lessors to answer can be found in the original Federal Register notice here.
Maverick names drivers of the year
Maverick Transportation (No. 74) has announced their 2023 Drivers of the Year. Sam Landrum was named the 2023 Over-the-Road (OTR) Driver of the Year and Thomas Sholar the Dedicated Driver of the Year.
This prestigious honor is awarded each year to Maverick drivers who not only demonstrate a strong dedication to safety, but also exemplify exceptional integrity and professionalism in every facet of their responsibilities. These drivers will also serve as ambassadors for all professional Maverick drivers going forward.
“I had so many people come up to me and tell me how much they appreciated me last week and it meant so much,” said Landrum, a 31-year veteran of Maverick. “The fact that people thought that much of me, you know? I would tell these up-and-coming drivers to continue with this career. Everything won’t always go your way but take the bad with the good and it’s always worth it in the end.”
"I am just so proud and honored that you all thought I was worthy to be a Dedicated Driver of the Year at Maverick,” Sholar said. “To all the younger drivers, don’t take any shortcuts. Do everything right and complete. When you love what you do, it shows.”
