Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, June 4, 2026:
NPTC recognizes safest fleets
The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) during its annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition last month in Orlando, Florida, recognized a dozen fleets that “have demonstrated continued improvement and dedication in elevating their safety performance year over year.”
The NPTC Fleet Safety Awards, sponsored by International Motors and Centerline Drivers, were awarded to three fleets in each of four divisions: Local, Regional, Mixed Small, and Mixed Large.
”The Fleet Safety Awards recognize NPTC member companies that work to make safety a priority in their private fleet operations,” said Kate Mirise, CTP, Chair of the NPTC Safety Committee and Central Ohio Logistics Manager for The Royal Group. “These annual fleet safety awards in particular recognize companies with the lowest ratio of accidents per million miles for the past year.”
This year’s winners (based on safety performance achieved in 2025) are:
Local (fleets whose vehicles deliver in a local market regardless of size)
- Target
- Composites One LLC
- Cohen Transport / Recycling
Regional (all other fleets, including long-haul)
- Clinton’s Ditch Coop Co., Inc.
- America’s Service Line, LLC
- SWTO, LLC / SEI Fuels
Mixed Small (fewer than 100 vehicles)
- RedGuard
- Chobani LLC
- Johnsonville Trucking LLC
Mixed Large (more than 100 vehicles)
- Contract Transportation Systems/Sherwin-Williams Co.
- ADM Trucking, Inc.
- Vantive Healthcare
FMCSA grants lighting company’s request allowing brake-activated pulsating lamps
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a waiver request to Truck-Lite Co. LLC to allow motor carriers to install Truck-Lite and/or sister company ECCO auxiliary amber brake-activated pulsating lamps on the rear of commercial motor vehicles.
The auxiliary lights will be allowed to be installed in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Existing FMCSRs require that all exterior lamps (both required lamps and any additional lamps) are steady-burning, with the exception of turn signals, hazard warning lamps, school bus warning lamps, amber or flashing warning lamps on tow trucks and oversize haulers, and warning lamps on emergency and service vehicles.
In granting the waiver, FMCSA highlighted research conducted by both FMCSA and NHTSA, which showed Enhanced Rear Signaling (ERS) systems “performed well at detecting and signaling rear-end crash threats and drawing the gaze of following-vehicle drivers to the forward roadway which, if implemented, could potentially reduce the number and frequency of rear-end crashes into the rear of CMVs.”
The agency added that it “is not aware of any evidence indicating that the use of auxiliary brake-activated pulsating lamps -- when operated under previously granted exemptions and in compliance with the applicable terms and conditions of those exemptions -- has resulted in adverse safety impacts.”
The waiver is effective for five years through June 3, 2031. Specific terms and conditions regarding auxiliary lamp placement allowed under the waiver can be found in FMCSA’s Federal Register notice here.
[Related: Truck-Lite sheds light on backup maneuvers with new reverse lighting system]
Hub Group announces leadership team changes
Hub Group, Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 33) has announced several changes to its leadership team.
Todd Heeter has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on an interim basis, effective immediately. Heeter brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and accounting. He founded The Heeter Group, which provides CFO, Chief Accounting Officer, and strategic advisory services to public and private companies. He has served as CFO and in other finance roles on a permanent and consulting basis across a variety of industries including distribution, financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, SaaS, and other industries.
Concurrent with Heeter’s appointment, Kevin Beth has departed from his position as Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of the company. Additionally, Brian Meents has left his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. Both Beth and Meents will be available to the company on a consulting basis for a transition period.
Heeter’s appointment as CFO is for an initial term of six months and may be extended at the company’s election. Hub Group has initiated a search for a permanent CFO with the assistance of a national search firm. At this time, the Chief Operating Officer responsibilities will be absorbed by other senior leaders.
