Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021:
Roadcheck set for early May with focus on lights, drivers' hours
The annual 72-hour International Roadcheck inspection blitz will be held May 4-6 with an added focus on lighting and hours of service, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Tuesday.
Inspectors will primarily conduct full North American Standard Level I inspections, which cover the entirety of the truck and the driver’s records.
CVSA inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations.
Inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment. A driver will be placed out of service if an inspector discovers driver-related out-of-service conditions.
The two areas CVSA is asking inspectors to focus on this year – lighting for vehicles and hours of service for drivers – are among the top violations each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the “lamps inoperable” lighting violations was the number one vehicle violation in fiscal 2020, accounting for approximately 12.24% of all vehicle violations discovered that year. And during last year’s Roadcheck inspection spree, the top driver out-of-service condition was hours of service, accounting for nearly 35% of all driver OOS violations.
The 2020 International Roadcheck, which was delayed until September due to COVID-19, resulted in more than 15,000 trucks and drivers being placed out-of-service.
TFI announces acquisition Canadian heavy-haul fleet
Following last week's blockbuster acquisition of UPS Freight, TFI International (CCJ Top 250, No. 8) announced this week it will also be acquiring Fleetway Transport. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Fleetway is based in Brantford, Ontario, and provides truckload and heavy-haul services with flatbeds, roll-tites, step decks and more. The company operates more than 80 tractors and 250 vans, flatbeds, drop decks and floats.
Fleetway’s revenue mix is derived from the transportation of forestry equipment, refrigeration equipment and consumer packaged goods for various industries. Fleetway, which generates approximately CAN$25 million in annualized revenue, will operate as a standalone business unit within TFI International’s Specialized Truckload segment and continue to be led by its president, David Rees, and vice president of finance, Scott Walker.
Large liquid bulk fleet acquires Canadian carrier
Henniff Transportation Systems (CCJ Top 250, No. 67) has acquired Premier Bulk Systems, out of Gormley, Ontario, Canada, effective Feb. 1. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Premier will continue to be operated separately as a Canadian entity and led by its founder, Kevin Berry.
Adding in cross-border Canadian operations with Premier gives Heniff an integrated network of more than 100 terminals and tank washes, more than 30 rail transload sites, more than 50 maintenance locations, 15 depot (ISO) for import/export and food grade operations (through Carry Transit).
Premier operates 70 trucks and 120 tank trailers, which will add to Henniff’s operation of more than 1,800 drivers and 5,000 trailers.
