Action Begins at National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis

American Trucking Associations kicked off the 79th National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Indianapolis.

“State champions from across the country are here in Indianapolis to showcase their safe-driving skills, knowledge of the transportation industry and they are giving the motoring public a chance to see how serious the trucking industry takes safety,” said ATA Chairman Pat Thomas, senior vice president of state government affairs at UPS. “All of the drivers here are strong ambassadors for our industry and we wish them all the best of luck during these championships.”

More than 430 professional truck drivers from all 50 states are competing at this week’s National Truck Driving Championships. With millions of safe-driving miles behind the wheel, the field of drivers compete in one of eight different classes, plus step van, for top honors and the chance to be named the 2016 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

The championships consist of three challenge phases, with each phase designed to test the competitors’ abilities in a different way. The three components of the championships taking place over the next few days are: a pre-trip inspection, a written examination and a driving course where participants navigate obstacles and tight turns.

After the first two days of competition, finalists in each class will then test their skills on a championship course. Competition concludes Aug. 13 with the crowning of the 2016 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion, as well as with awards for drivers in every vehicle class and for the top state delegation.

“All of the truck drivers on America’s highways are tremendously skilled in their work, but the drivers competing this week are the best of the best – dedicated to improving their abilities and knowledge of the industry,” said ATA First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc. “They strive for excellence and push one another to do the same, knowing that by practicing for this competition, they’re making the roads a safer place for the motoring public.”

ACT 1 is a premier sponsor of the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, taking place Aug. 10-13 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Full list of competitors, companies and hometowns represented at the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships

ArcBest Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2016 Results

Second quarter 2016 revenue of $676.6 million and net income of $10.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share

Second quarter ABF Freight® operating results were impacted by lower daily revenue combined with costs associated with the handling of smaller average sized shipments

ArcBest's asset-light logistics revenue equaled 30 percent of total revenue

ArcBest Corporation reported second quarter 2016 net income of $10.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2015 net income of $20.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share.  The inconsistent economic operating environment combined with a surplus of transportation capacity continues to impact available business levels and operating margins at ABF Freight and at each of ArcBest's asset-light logistics companies.  In the midst of this challenging period, ArcBest continues to successfully build on the strategic opportunities it has to gain new business, strengthen shipper relationships and offer additional services to existing customers.  The ArcBest companies are focused on delivering superior service levels while working together to offer comprehensive logistics solutions that meet customer needs at a fair price.

Excluding certain items in both periods, ArcBest's non-GAAP net income was $10.0 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in second quarter 2016 compared to earnings of $20.2 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, last year.

"Despite the current environment, we have a tremendous market opportunity within a customer base that values our differentiated customer experience," said ArcBest Chairman, President and CEO Judy R. McReynolds.  "The ArcBest companies continue to provide more logistics service options to our customers, who in turn value the trusted advice and deep industry knowledge we bring to help solve their logistics challenges."

Full Report Available 

ABF Freight to Send 16 Drivers to National Truck Driving Championships

ABF Freight is sending 16 drivers, each of whom is a state driving champion, to the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis, August 10-13, 2016.

“We are proud to recognize the achievements of our professional drivers who have competed and won their state championships and earned their right to compete at the national level,” said ABF Freight President Tim Thorne. “Championship driving requires a strong commitment to safety and professionalism. We offer our congratulations to all those who will compete in Indianapolis.”

To earn the right to compete in the national competition, drivers must win first place in their class during state competitions. The drivers also must maintain an accident-free driving record for the preceding 12 months.

The state champions representing ABF Freight will be

Tim Anderson, Nebraska, Tank;
Gerald Benavidez, New Mexico, Tank;
Rick Camarda, California, Twins;
Joseph Carrillo, New Mexico, Sleeper;
Michael Contreras, New Mexico, Flatbed;
Ralph Garcia, New Mexico, Four-Axle;
Loren Hatfield, Arkansas, Five-Axle;
A.J. Kelly, Wyoming Highest Written Exam, Twins;
Nate McCarty, Colorado, Straight;
Tim McElwaney, Georgia, Tank;
Allen McNeely, North Carolina, Tank;
Chuck Pearson, Georgia, Flatbed;
Scott Scheuffele, Idaho, Four-Axle;
Tony Spero, Connecticut Grand Champion and Best Pre-Trip, Flatbed;
Brian Wallner, Ohio, Four-Axle;
Ernie Wood, Vermont Grand Champion and Best Pre-Trip, Three-Axle

Drivers competing in Georgia, New Mexico, Idaho and Arkansas also earned their state’s Team Trophy.

At the competition, drivers undergo a written examination, personal interview, pre-trip inspection test and a skills test. Hosted by the American Trucking Associations, the annual event dates to 1937. The National Truck Driving Championships and the affiliated state Truck Driving Championships are considered one of the trucking industry’s largest and most effective safety programs.

Holland Driver Millsaps Retires

Congratulations to Ricky Millsaps on an end to a long and valuable career with Holland!

After nearly 21 years with Holland and a grand total of 40 years as a professional driver, Ricky is hanging up his hat to enjoy family, fishing and farming. Ricky operated as a City Driver out of our Charlotte, NC service center and says it's the people he's appreciated the most.

“The best part about working at Holland has been the relationships I formed with the customers,” said Ricky. “A large percentage of those customers are now my good friends, and they are what made my days so enjoyable. I wish all my Holland co-workers the best and hope they too can enjoy a nice retirement some day soon.”

Charlotte Terminal Manager Craig Bell said “He was a very valuable member of our City Driver Team and will be missed.”

Thank you for your many years of service, Ricky, and we wish you a very happy retirement!

Holland Implements Innovative Mobile Logistics Technology

New Honeywell technology delivers mobile platform and workflow-focused driver solutions

Holland, a transportation industry leader in next-day delivery, in coordination with Honeywell, has made a leap in customer care and driver satisfaction with the rollout of the innovative Honeywell Pickup and Delivery Solution. The Android-based logistics software, running on Honeywell's Dolphin CT50 mobile computer, allows drivers to easily navigate through their workday, communicate with dispatch and update shipment status in real time. Drivers can also scan labels and take pictures of shipments when necessary, all on an app-driven device familiar to anyone who has used a smartphone.

"This investment in the new Honeywell technology has allowed us to proactively address hurdles facing the industry," said Holland President Scott Ware. "Customers will benefit from heightened shipment visibility and driver communication. Best-in-class efficiency based on real-time data will support the old-fashioned quality and hard work customers already expect from Holland drivers."

In the field, drivers are reporting that the Honeywell solution offers significant improvements in the daily management of their work. Drivers say the new system is intuitive and saves time through the automation of their daily workflow. They also call out the increased speed and reliability of communications with the Honeywell software and Dolphin CT50 device.

"By integrating the new Honeywell Pickup and Delivery Solution, Holland gains better operational intelligence providing a more satisfying and consistent experience to their customers," said John Waldron, President and CEO, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions. "With this software guiding drivers through each step of the pickup and delivery process, we can help Holland reduce the time needed to onboard new drivers while speeding communication of the time-sensitive shipment information needed for next-day delivery operations."

Ease of use and an alignment with the newest mobile technology are crucial for Holland driver recruitment efforts. The company has recently launched a campaign to attract millennials, who are drawn to innovative companies.

"We have established a future-state technology foundation and are well ahead of industry electronic logging compliance deadlines," said Ware. "We are set to attract a new generation of young drivers with best-in-class technology that will make their jobs easier."

"The Honeywell solution is a giant leap forward that puts the latest and greatest technology in the hands of our drivers," said Holland Director of Process Development Cheryl Saxton. "We are one of the first carriers to implement this technology. We've had tremendous positive feedback from our drivers, particularly about the Dolphin CT50's familiar smartphone-like experience, the simplicity of the workflow-based application, and the overall speed and reliability of the solution. With more than 3,000 Holland employees using or involved with the application daily, this front-line experience is vitally important."

"It's a whole lot better than the previous system," said Holland City Driver Steve Lausk of Gaylord, Mich. "The size is great because it's so small that I can easily carry it with me in my pocket. It's easy to use and really convenient."

"The docking station keeps it charged all day, and it's touch screen-friendly," said City Driver Russell Simpson of Columbus, Ohio. "It's one of the easiest systems I've ever used in the 23 years I've been in the business. I'm not a technologically savvy person, and it's very easy to operate for someone like me who doesn't know a whole lot about technology."

The Honeywell Pickup and Delivery Solution integrates a mobile application for drivers directly to Holland's dispatch system using robust mobile communications software to manage the high volume of business-critical communications between drivers and dispatchers. The system gives dispatchers real-time visibility to driver and shipment status while optimizing worker productivity by guiding drivers through each step in the pickup and delivery process. The Dolphin CT50 is built for the rugged and dynamic conditions drivers encounter and features connectivity enabled by LTE (4G) quad band wireless, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

This technology has been rolled out to Holland city drivers and a linehaul drivers app will be added within the year. With this innovative technology deployed throughout its fleet, Holland has strengthened its position as the industry leader in next-day transportation and laid the foundation for future enhancements in customer service, driver productivity and operational efficiency.

View our video, "Holland and Honeywell: The Honeywell Pickup & Delivery Solution," for additional details

YRC Worldwide Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results

Results include Operating Income of $57.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $91.4 million

YRC Worldwide Inc. reported consolidated operating revenue for second quarter 2016 of $1.208 billion and consolidated operating income of $57.2 million, which included an $11.1 million gain on property disposals. As a comparison, the Company reported consolidated operating revenue of $1.258 billion for the second quarter 2015 and consolidated operating income of $56.9 million, which included a $0.7 million gain on property disposals.

Financial Highlights

On a non-GAAP basis, the Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $91.4 million in second quarter 2016 for a consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.6% and an $18.0 million decrease compared to the $109.4 million of Adjusted EBITDA reported in the prior year comparable quarter (as detailed in the reconciliation below).

Last twelve month (LTM) Adjusted EBITDA is $319.4 million for a consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.8%, and a decrease of $7.4 million from the $326.8 million of LTM Adjusted EBITDA in second quarter 2015.

The total debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio in second quarter 2016 is 3.32 times compared to 3.33 times in second quarter 2015.

Reinvestment in the business continued during second quarter 2016 with $27.5 million in capital expenditures and new operating leases for revenue equipment with a capital value equivalent of $38.4 million, for a total of $65.9 million which is equal to 5.5% of operating revenue for the quarter. This represents an $18.1 million increase over the $47.8 million of reinvestment in second quarter 2015. The vast majority of the investment was in tractors, trailers and technology.

The $450 million asset based loan (ABL) facility was amended to provide for a 50 basis points reduction in the interest rate and an extension of the maturity, subject to certain conditions, from February 2019 to June 2021.  The amendment also reduces availability requirements allowing additional flexibility to utilize cash that was previously restricted.
Operational Highlights

Full Report here.......