Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024:
FMCSA proposes to remove certain medical examiners from registry
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to remove medical examiners (MEs) from its National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners who have failed to access their National Registry account using login.gov and update the profile information in their account as required.
Since June 2018, by using the email, physical address and telephone number these MEs provided to FMCSA in their National Registry account, the agency has attempted to notify them of the requirement to access their account using login.gov.
There are approximately 15,727 MEs who have not accessed their National Registry account using login.gov and as a result, are not able to fulfill regulatory requirements such as reporting results of DOT physicals performed on commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, receiving FMCSA communications, and completing required training.
MEs who are removed from the National Registry will no longer be certified to perform DOT physicals of truckers. To avoid being removed from the National Registry, MEs to whom this notice applies must complete certain corrective actions.
Within 30 days of the notice being published on Wednesday, Jan. 24, MEs who are subject to the notice must create a login.gov account and correct all outdated contact information in their profiles. MEs who do not complete this process within 30 days will be removed from the National Registry.
The agency said MEs not using login.gov must be removed from the National Registry before June 23, 2025, when FMCSA will begin electronically transmitting medical certification information for CMV drivers from the National Registry to the state driver’s licensing agencies. If an ME does not access their National Registry account using login.gov and report results of physicals performed, FMCSA will not be able to electronically transmit those results for posting to the drivers’ records.
Medical certificates issued by MEs who are removed from the Registry before they are removed will not be invalidated. MEs removed from the Registry will continue to appear on the public website for three years following the date of their removal with an indication that they are no longer certified as an ME and have been removed from the National Registry with a removal date.
[Related: FMCSA making security changes to Portal account system]
Atlas Van Lines brings Suddath subsidiary back on as agent
Atlas Van Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 67) and the Suddath Companies (No. 116) announced that Suddath Moving & Storage LLC is re-joining the Atlas Agent family. Suddath was a key Atlas Agent and stockholder partner from 1950 to 1981.
“Suddath coming home to Atlas brings two highly regarded brands back together in the moving industry and further positions Atlas as an industry-leading van line,” said Jack Griffin, Chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group. “Atlas offers Suddath flexibility and stability, while Suddath brings vast capabilities that directly align with Atlas’ daily operations and long-term vision. We are pleased to welcome Suddath back home and into our Agent family and remain committed to the highest level of success for our Agents, Professional Van Operators, customers, and employees.”
By welcoming Suddath Moving & Storage, a subsidiary of The Suddath Companies, to its expansive Agent network, Atlas Van Lines will grow its footprint while sharing a common goal of providing the highest level of service and care for customers, the company said.
Atlas Van Lines is owned by its Agents, who are industry experts helping customers by providing household relocation moving services and specialized transportation of high-value items. Suddath, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, offers relocation services serving corporate, military and B2C customers domestically and internationally.
Joining the Atlas Agent family provides an opportunity for Suddath to partner with a van line that is aligned with its vision and strategy and shares a passion for growth in the core household goods moving business, the companies said. With 15 locations and an extensive domestic and global partner network, Suddath Moving & Storage provides national and global reach.
Through the partnership, Suddath will build on its current customer base while being supported by one of the world’s most trusted moving companies.
“Household goods continues to be a critical part of Suddath’s core business, and partnering with Atlas will help us accelerate our growth strategy, especially in the corporate, B2C, and military relocation segments,” said Mike Brannigan, President and CEO of The Suddath Companies. “We are excited to pair Suddath with a van line that brings capability, quality and flexibility to its Agent-centric business model. We have long admired that Atlas actively seeks Agent engagement and input, from processes to technology, to ensure there is alignment across the enterprise supporting and maintaining its core vision and culture. We look forward to a very successful, long-term partnership with Atlas.”
[Related: CCJ Innovator: Suddath’s tech moves the conversation beyond labor, truck rates]
Georgia-based dry-, liquid-bulk fleet acquired
Macon, Georgia-based American Material Services (AMS), a dry- and liquid-bulk fleet, was acquired late in 2023 by AGI International. The deal was announced by mergers and acquisitions advisor Generational Equity.
AMS provides transportation services for dry bulk and liquid bulk customers located throughout the eastern and southeastern U.S. In 2000, AMS expanded its operation through the purchase of the assets of Site Services Corp, strengthening its position in the dry bulk market and diversifying operations into the liquid bulk transportation market.
AGI International, headquartered in Indianapolis, was founded in 2003, by E. Jerome Agnew. AGI provides domestic sourcing, global sourcing, contract manufacturing & assembly, warehousing and distribution, supply chain risk mitigation, material cost improvement, and product development for U.S. based companies and key automotive and industrial customers. AGI is continuing to strengthen its commercial division, providing services in supply chain management, and transportation and logistics.
"AMS has significant expertise and experience in large- and small-scale regional projects,” said Barry DeWitt, Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Generational Equity. “The company has built a solid reputation for competitive pricing and on-time delivery for its projects, which is in line with AGl's core values. This acquisition gives AGI a strong presence in the Georgia and North Florida market.”
