The Maine Motor Transport Association has made prudent investments to swell its truck driver ranks by launching the “Go Your Way” campaign in 2021 to attract younger drivers. Alongside the program, people pursuing a CDL can secure a no-interest loan of up to $7,000 that can be used to enroll in truck driver training.
“They’ve seen a 57 percent increase in their training enrollments year over year, which has translated into 200 students, and additional students year over year. We see that as both, the campaign and the loan program, as significant impacts,” Maine Motor Transport Association President Brian Parke reportedly said. “They’re not golden solutions that are going to provide relief tomorrow, but we had to start someplace, and we had to do something.”
Canadian Trucking Outfit Plans Ohio Expansion
Canada’s RoadStar Trucking announced plans to construct a warehouse and trucking operation in Clayton, Ohio, that would serve as its U.S. headquarters. The Ontario-based operation runs the I-70 corridor and incurs regulator restrictions without a U.S. hub.
“It’s the largest freight corridor in the world, from Toronto to Detroit and further down (I-70). We have had very good experience and luck over the years and built some business in the area,” RoadStar operations team leader Avi Dhanoa reportedly said. “There’s a much bigger slice of the pie, and the way to do it is to start a U.S. entity.”
RoadStar possesses nearly 200 trucks and more than 400 trailers. The Ohio warehouse is expected to include six docks and provide opportunities for 10 local truckers.
PGT and Navarro Trucking Join Forces
PGT and Navarro trucking outfits are taking advantage of overlapping flatbed services and plan to expand their combined footprint.
“PGT Trucking attributes its success over the last 40 years due in part to the solid relationships we have built with our professional drivers, staff, customers and vendors,” Chad Marsilio, PGT Trucking Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, reportedly said. “We are proud to have Navarro Trucking as the newest Integrated Fleet, as they share many of our core values and business objectives.”
The relationship is expected to provide PGT with an expansion into New England. Navarro Trucking is headquartered in Bristol, CT, and has a robust client base throughout the Northeast. In return for ushering PGT into the region, Navarro is expected to tap into PGT’s customers.
The entities are reportedly cross-training staff members to integrate services. Both parties seem to believe there is enough diverse freight transportation work to go around.
J.B. Hunts Expands Transload Operation
J.B. Hunt Transport Services recently announced its intention to expand transload operations in Laredo, Texas, and Tacoma, Washington, in an effort to fast-track rail and truck transportation. The Washington expansion would reportedly also be geared toward servicing the Seattle area.
“By growing the reach of our transload service and managing the drayage and loading processes for our customers, we can provide new levels of process oversight and visibility into their freight activity, particularly the critical first-mile segment,” Darren Field, president of intermodal and executive vice president at J.B. Hunt, reportedly said.
J.B. Hunt possesses one the largest privately-owned fleets in North America, with assets that include upwards of 111,000 containers, 20,000 tractors, and 40,000 trailers.
Sources: prnewswire.com, ccjdigital.com, newscentermaine.com, bizjournal.com
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