Truckstop Chiropractics
Dr. Bruce Landsman, an 18-year veteran as chiropractor, opened Convoy Chiropractics inside the All-American Truck Plaza in Doswell, Va., in November. The truckstop is located at Exit 98 along I-95. The practice is open Monday through Thursday from 2-10 p.m. and Sunday from 5-10 p.m. The office number is (804) 876-3300. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome.
Petro Aquires Alamo Travel Center
Petro Stopping Centers has taken over operations of the Alamo Travel Center on I-80, east of Reno, Nev., and plans upgrades. Petro will manage the facility under a lease with Cashell Enterprises. The new operation will not affect the motel and casino on the property.
Ravens Quits Steel Trailer Line
Fontaine Trailer Co. said its Ravens division has stop making steel trailers and will focus its production on aluminum trailers. In December, Ravens closed its steel dump trailer plant in Knox, Ind., which affected Materializer, Eliminator and Terminator models. Ravens will continue building its all-aluminum flatbed product line, which includes the Eclipse and the heavy-duty Magnum flatbed trailer models, in Kent, Ohio, and its aluminum dump trailer product lines in Jacksonville, N.C.
ATS Sold
Arnold Transportation Services President and CEO Michael S. Walters will purchase the company that he has directed for the past four and a half years from Roadway Corp. Walters will pay approximately $55 million in the transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2003.
Cummins Honored
Diesel Progress magazine named Cummins Inc. as its Newsmaker of the Year. The engine maker was recognized for its leadership in framing the emissions debate for on-highway trucks, launching its new A Series engines and for its technology leadership in meeting the future Tier III off-highway standards. Cummins, along with its competitors, launched new diesel engines in October that met strict new Environmental Protection Agency standards.
International Incentives
International Truck & Engine Corp. introduced a limited zero-interest financing and an aggressive warranty program. The “Catch It While You Can” financing promotion applies to truck purchases in the first three months of 2003. The no-interest payments apply for the first 12 months of a new truck loan through International’s finance arm. The new warranty offer applies to Class 8 trucks sold before March 31. As part of the program, International guarantees to get a customer’s truck running within 24 hours of a breakdown or to provide a replacement truck. That is in addition to the two-year, 200,000-mile warranty.
Volvo Offers Cash, Warranty
Customers who buy Volvo VNs and VHDs delivered by April 30 will receive a $2,000 cash incentive and three-year/300,000-mile extended engine warranty. Both deals are limited to retail customers buying one to five new Volvo trucks. Buyers have the option of receiving the cash incentive as a $2,000 check, to be used against the purchase, or to decrease the interest rate on a new truck loan financed through Volvo Commercial Finance. The free extended engine protection for the new Volvo VED12 and Cummins ISX low-emissions engines covers parts and labor for engine emissions control systems, other components and towing.
Burlington’s Closes Trucking Division
Burlington Industries will phase out its trucking operations and transportation division at its Greensboro, N.C., national headquarters and instead have UPS Supply Chain Solutions manage its logistics needs. About 130 Burlington employees were notified Dec. 9 that they would lose their jobs in early February, when the division is expected to close.
Weigh Stations to Rest Areas
Two former Missouri weigh stations recently re-opened as trucker rest areas. The state transportation department had planned on closing the stations after it completed two new stations on Interstate 70 east of Odessa last year.
The Missouri-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association suggested the two stations be converted to rest areas. State officials agreed, and the two new rest areas opened just before Thanksgiving, offering 14 spots on the eastbound lane and 14 spaces westbound.
Diesel Prices Rise
The national average price of a gallon of diesel rose to $1.50 for the week ending Jan. 6. The last time the average broached $1.50 was on June 4, 2001. The main culprit for the increase is a labor strike in Venezuela.
