Overdrive » Industry Briefs

Ryder introduces smartphone app for easy location

Overdrive Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:03:07 +0000

Ryder System Inc. now markets a free smartphone application to aid customers in finding the nearest Ryder rental, maintenance, fueling location in the United States and Canada. Customers search for the closest location and get a list of services offered at that specific location. The app is available on all iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices.

KW of South Carolina joins network, wins dealer award

Overdrive Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:49 +0000

Worldwide Kenworth of South Carolina is now a part of the Kenworth dealer network across the U.S. and Canada.

Worldwide Kenworth’s parent company, Worldwide Equipment, based in Prestonsburg, Ky., also celebrates its chairman and CEO, Terry Dotson, being named the 2012 Truck Dealer of the Year by the American Truck Dealers.

Worldwide Equipment recently purchased assets of Cherokee Kenworth, and has locations in West Columbia and Greenville, S.C., operating under Worldwide Kenworth of South Carolina’s banner.

Trucker wins Lucas motorcycle

Overdrive Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:16:01 +0000

Enright Ranch & Supply driver Randy Brundige, of Irwin, Mo., won a Lucas RSD 250 Pro-Street motorcycle, America’s Best Truck Stops said of the grand prize in the 2011 AMBUCK$ contest.

Brundige’s winning transaction with the truck stop’s loyalty card on July 24 at Huck’s Travel Center in Kuttawa, Ken., was one of nearly two million qualifying entries made. In addition to the grand prize, other prizes are awarded throughout the year for registered card users.

Lucas Oil Products, the winning motorcycle maker, co-sponsored the contest.

IdleAir opens Minnesota service

Overdrive Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:34:27 +0000

Service has started at the Travel Centers of America stop off Interstate 35 at exit 11 in Albert Lea, Minn., electrification provider IdleAir announced.

As part of its grand opening, the station will offer free, limited service through Feb. 15 and full premium service for $1.25, plus tax, through Feb. 29.

The shore service provider is operating 25 sites in Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and Utah, including the Albert Lea service. New sites are planned in Texas and Arizona.

Services at the stations include 120-volt electricity, more than 60 DirectTV channels including an ESPN package and basic Internet service on a touchscreen display.

Visit IdleAir for details.

Pilot to remodel Minnesota stop

Overdrive Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:43:19 +0000

An Inver Grove Heights, Minn.-based truck stop will soon be remodeled, Pilot Flying J said of its recent truck stop purchase. Located at 11650 Courthouse Blvd., the travel center will remain open during the remodeling, which is expected to be finished in May.

The 7,500-square-foot stop will feature four fuel islands and five diesel islands along with diesel exhaust fluid at the pump. A CAT scale, 43 parking spaces for truckers and five showers will be available after the remodeling.

The Subway restaurant at the stop will reopen after the remodeling is complete.

For other services at the truck stop, visit Pilot Flying J.

Maverick raises driver pay

Overdrive Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:27:06 +0000

Drivers’ tarp pay has been increased to $25, which is double the previous amount, Maverick Transportation announced. Starting pay for flatbed drivers was also raised to a range of 42 cents to 43 cents per mile.

A longevity incentive each year for up to five years is effective for all drivers, and student and driver instructors will receive increases in training pay and mileage incentives, the Little Rock, Ark.-based carrier said.

For details, visit Maverick Transportation.

Bruckner Truck Sales opens Mack Truck, Volvo dealership

Overdrive Staff — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:17:34 +0000

A new full-service Mack Truck and Volvo dealership is now open at 35680 LBJ Freeway on Interstate 20 in Dallas, Bruckner Truck Sales announced. The Amarillo, Texas-based company has 17 dealerships in Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

“We are excited to be opening a new location on I-20 and our team looks forward to being able to serve customers who travel the I-20 corridor through Dallas,” says Bruckner Truck Sales President Brian Bruckner of his company’s second dealership in that city. “Our location is right between I-35 and I-45 and will allow easy access to customers who need parts and service or who are looking to purchase or lease a Volvo or Mack Truck.”

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. A 24-hour call-out service is available. The new location phone number is (877) 999-8078.

For details, visit Bruckner Truck Sales.

Alliance Truck Parts 2012 NASCAR schedule set

Overdrive Staff — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:01:41 +0000

Alliance Truck Parts Racing Team’s NASCAR racing starts Feb. 25 in Daytona, Fla., and includes 22 weekends. Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr. is the driver for the Alliance Truck Parts No. 12 Dodge Challenger in the races.

“We’re especially proud to continue our relationship with Penske Racing and the entire Alliance Truck Parts Racing Team,” said Daniel Haggerty, director of parts and service marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “The alignment we’ve found with our customers through Penske Racing and Sam Hornish Jr. has helped reinforce the values our brand stands for: quality, reliability and performance.”

Alliance Parts racing team had two Nationwide series top-5 finishes and four Nationwide series top-10 finishes last year, including a Phoenix International Raceway win, in just nine starts in the Challenger.

“Everything we accomplished has made Alliance Truck Parts a team to contend with,” Hornish said. “It should be an exciting season.”

A special highlight will be the Alliance Truck Parts 250 June 16 at Michigan International Speedway.

Scheduled races for the Alliance Truck Parts Racing Team include:

Daytona, Feb. 25
Phoenix, March 3
Las Vegas, March 10
Bristol, March 17
Fontana, March 24
Talladega, May 5
Darlington, May 11
Charlotte, May 26
Michigan, June 16
Road America, June 23
Loudon, July 14
Chicago, July 22
Indianapolis, July 28
Montreal, Aug. 18
Atlanta, Sept. 1
Richmond, Sept.7
Kentucky, Sept. 22
Dover, Sept. 29
Kansas, Oct. 20
Texas, Nov. 3
Phoenix, Nov. 10
Homestead, Nov. 17

For details visit Alliance Truck Parts.

DMS Moving Systems wins award

Overdrive Staff — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:16 +0000

DMS Moving Systems, based in Canton, Mich., was recently chosen for the 2011 Moving and Storage Agent of the Year Service Excellence Award from the American Moving and Storage Association. DMS was nominated by Atlas Van Lines for its excellence in customer service, leadership, community involvement and innovation. Besides lowering its impact on the environment through recycling and sustainability programs, DMS also conducts background checks for all van operators and crew members in order to safeguard service.

DMS Moving Systems, moving.org

Michelin continues aid for Back on the Road program

Overdrive Staff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:50:28 +0000

Michelin Americas Truck Tires will continue to support Arrow Truck Sales’ Back on the Road Program through 2012, the tire maker announced.

The program provides one deserving driver with a truck and a job to get him or her back on the road, and encourages employment with other incentives, such as the donation of sets of Michelin XZA3, Evertread steer tires and X One XDA Energy drive tires. Drivers also have access to Michelin OnCall emergency road service.

Nominations for Back on the Road drivers require a 250-word essay explaining why the nominee deserves the award. Essays can be submitted to Arrow Trucks’ website.

For details, visit Michelin, michelintruck.com, arrowtruck.com/backontheroad