Trucking news and briefs for Friday, May 8, 2020:
Masks, hand sanitizer available from International, Triumph
International Truck, Triumph Business Capital and TriumphPay have purchased more than $75,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be distributed to truck drivers. Each company purchased $25,000 of PPE supplies that will be distributed at select International Truck dealerships.
“Thanks to International Truck, we are not only able to get these goods into the hands of drivers who need it most but are also able to add to the total amount of PPE supplied,” said Jordan Graft, President of TriumphPay.
More than 6,500 masks and 6,000 eight-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer will be handed out to truckers at dealerships, while supplies last, along with a thank-you note from International Truck employees.
“Masks and disinfectants are still sparse at stores, making it difficult for drivers to protect themselves,” said Michael Cancelliere, president of Truck for Navistar. “On the heels of our joint initiative with our dealer network to supply more than 10,000 meals for truckers, we’re fortunate to partner with Triumph Business Capital and TriumphPay to make it easier for drivers to obtain necessary PPE in a location that’s safe for them, their vehicle and load.”
Partial loads in Flock Freight’s platform hit milestone
The Flock Freight partial-load aggregation platform, combining multiple loads onto one truck, announced it had pooled more than 12,000 total shipments since launching. Additionally, the company’s FlockDirect solution has attracted new customers in 2020, including mid-market and enterprise companies such as Berlin Packaging, Blue Diamond Almonds, Mueller Industries, Nature’s Bounty, and Tuft & Needle.
Circle Logistics’ operation devoted 100% to COVID response
Circle Logistics’ new bulk division is moving ethanol nationwide for hand sanitizer production. Circle plans to increase its ethanol distribution to 1.5 million gallons by the end of May 2020, as part of the COVID-19 response. Circle is currently arranging loads for the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and providing the agency and its partners with real-time visibility of critical medical supply and grocery shipments, following its shift to COVID-19 response for its entire business in this time.
Established in Fort Wayne in 2011, Circle serviced more than $200 million in freight spend in 2018. Circle’s large, privately-owned fleet fuels the delivery of a full lineup of trucking services, including dry van, temperature-controlled, flatbed, auto hauling, specialized or oversized, and expedited freight.
Truck warranty company offering oil change discount for customers
Truck warranty provider National Truck Protection Company is rewarding some of its customers with an oil change discount to help offset costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company’s National Truck Protection and Premium 2000+ customers who are also members of TA’s UltraOne loyalty program will receive $25 off any oil change at TA Truck Service locations.
“An oil change is one of the most important preventive maintenance tasks to keep a truck running smoothly,” said National Truck Protection Company CEO Wade Bontrager. “This offer not only saves our customers money, but it’s our way to thank them for all they do, every day, to keep America moving.”
I-95 weekend closures in Rhode Island begin Friday
The Rhode Island DOT will begin a series of period highway lane closures and local street closures on Friday, May 8, for work on the I-95 bridges over Roosevelt Avenue and East Street in Pawtucket. RIDOT expects delays during extended-weekend highway lane closures and recommends travelers use I-295 and Route 146 as alternate routes.
During the work, one of the three I-95 South through lanes in the area of exit 30 will be closed and reopen prior to the morning rush hour on Tuesday, May 12. Travel lanes on I-95 North will not be affected. When the lane reopens, drivers will encounter a lane split for I-95 South in this area with one lane to the right and two lanes to the left of the split.
