June 1, 2012
Industry Newsdesk
European CV Demand Down 11.9% in April
May 31, 2012 1:54 PM
Demand for new commercial vehicles decreased by 11.9% in April in the EU, dropping in most markets, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association ...
Regal launches new chassis pool service
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Using its newly purchased chassis pool, Regal Logistics is ready to meet the demand for right-off/right-on container service at Pacific Northwest piers...
Great Dane Partners with Ice Bear Refrigerated Truck
May 21, 2012 11:39 AM
Henan Bingxiong Refrigerated Truck Co. Ltd (Ice Bear) has raised a new round of financing led by Baird Capital Partners Asia, CCI, and CCI’s portfolio company, Great Dane Trailers, with the capital supporting the expansion of Ice Bear’s manufacturing facilities in Henan and Shanghai, China, as well as the company’s growing domestic customer base...
Markel Ventures Obtains Majority Interest in Havco
May 14, 2012 2:18 PM
Havco Wood Products LLC has announced a new partnership with Markel Ventures, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation, a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets...
Kenworth Rolls Out T680
May 30, 2012 10:57 AM
Kenworth announced that the new T680 tractor has begun production, and it began rolling off the line on May 21...
Utility’s Dealership Offers Loan, Test Drive Program
Feb 23, 2012 9:50 AM
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company announced that Utility’s independent dealership, Allstate Peterbilt Group, has recently launched a loan and test drive program for all new and existing customers...
Deist Industries Expands Production Facilities
Apr 23, 2012 11:29 AM
Deist Industries Inc., maker of the Bucks Fabricating Switch-N-Go and AmeriDeck products, has expanded its production facilities to accommodate new-product demands...
Thermadyne changes its corporate name
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Thermadyne Holdings Corporation has changed its name to Victor Technologies Group Inc and the name of its wholly owned subsidiary Thermadyne Industries...
Utility’s Utah Plant Receives Liberty Mutual Safety Award
May 16, 2012 12:56 PM
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company has received the Liberty Mutual Insurance Safety Commendation Award presented to Utility’s Clearfield, Utah, manufacturing plant...
Scotchman Industries celebrates 45 years of manufacturing hydraulic ironworkers
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
For the past 45 years, Scotchman Industries Inc has manufactured a product that has revolutionized the metal fabrication industry. The product? The hydraulic...
Mack honors 2011 Distributor of the Year
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Mack Trucks has named TransEdge Truck Center of Pittsburgh PA as its 2011 North American Distributor of the Year. The annual award recognizes the top-performing...
European trailers expected to decline
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
The market for new trailers in western Europe will fall slightly in 2012, despite the fact that demand started the year up on 2011 in some countries,...
Eaton improves hybrid power systems for commercial vehicles
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Eaton Corporation has announced enhancements that will increase fuel economy, performance, and payback of its hybrid power system for commercial vehicles....
PSI gives Athena Award to Utility Trailer Mfg Co
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Pressure Systems International, manufacturer of the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI with ThermALERT technology, presented Utility Trailer...
Product Profiles
EZ-Assist clutches designed for heavy loads
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Alliance Truck Parts has added an EZ-Assist clutch designed to meet the demands of work truck applications that require severe torque transfer for extremely...
Meritor adds 14-inch, 15.5-inch clutches
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Meritor Inc has unveiled its line of 14- and 15.5-inch clutches in standard and easy-pedal effort models, designed for medium- and heavy-duty trucks....
The Road Ahead
CALENDAR
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
July 10-13, 2012 Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA), Military Vehicles Exhibition & Conference, Cobo Convention Center, Detroit MI...
People and Positions
Trailer, truck, & body OEMs
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Terry James has been named regional sales manager-Ontario, for Palfinger North America, responsible for all Ontario crane, forklift, and Palfinger American...
Component manufacturers
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Meritor Inc has appointed Barry Eckel director, OEM sales & Canada, as a member of the Meritor DriveForce team. Eckel previously was director, OEM sales...
Dealers/distributors
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Kranz of Kansas City has appointed Gil Squires as president, and Denise Davis as vice-president. Gene Kohler was appointed chairman/chief executive officer....
Obituaries
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
J E Lakin, chairman emeritus of Timpte Inc since his retirement from the firm in 2003, died suddenly at home May 14, 2012. He was 95. Lakin joined Timpte...
Articles
Elpers Truck Equipment finds new avenues to build street cred
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY BRUCE SAUER
CREDIBILITY is crucial for truck equipment distributors. Customers literally place their businesses and their employees inside the trucks that distributors...
NTEA's legal counsel present a rundown on tax-free sales to state and local governments, and other qualifying entities
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
MOST people in the industry understand that a 12% Federal Excise Tax applies to certain truck-trailer and semi-trailer bodies and chassis and certain...
TTMA convention: 25% new faces
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY BRUCE SAUER
THE recent Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association Convention definitely was a time to meet new people. One out of every four people to attend this year's...
It's not sexy, but the modest growth forecast for trailer industry is better than the alternative corporate teeth-gnashing, layoffs
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
SLOW and modest improvement. Ken Kremar, principal of the Industry Practices Group, used that phrase or a variation of it at least a half-dozen times...
TTMA Engineering Committee deals with regulatory concerns
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
THE TTMA Engineering Committee dealt with a variety of issues during this year's convention, including held a successful meeting on Thursday afternoon....
Welcome to the TTMA convention
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
WITH an inordinately high number of first-time attendees at this year's TTMA convention, the association's hospitality committee had to work a little...
President of Chicago Tube and Iron Company says manufacturers should recognize they are the key to economic recovery
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
AS Dr Don McNeeley surveys the American economic landscape, he doesn't like what he sees. Not only is the manufacturing sector not getting credit for...
TTMA rewards the safest plants
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
The safest manufacturing plants in the trailer industry received recognition during the second day of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association convention....
Former deputy commander of Special Operations Command urges TTMA members to hire soldiers returning to society
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
LIEUTENANT General David Fridovich, the former deputy commander of the US Special Operations Command (USSOC), knows the intelligence and leadership of...
Some friendly competition
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
SPORTS are an available activity at the TTMA convention once the business sessions are over including some friendly competition in golf and tennis. Volunteering...
Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro says it's essential to tell your family members that you love them, even if it's hard to do
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
THEY called him because his knuckleball danced and darted and confounded hitters. Former New York Yankees star Bobby Murcer once said facing Niekro was...
Tank Conference writes recommendations
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
THE Tank Conference reviewed a series of technical bulletins and recommended practices during the TTMA convention. The committee also heard a presentation...
A look at new trailer products
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
SIXTEEN TTMA associate members delivered news about their companies' trailer-related products and services during the TTMA convention. This year's convention...
Fras-le launches disc brake pad program
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Fras-le North America Inc has introduced its new Work Truck and Fleet Disc Brake Pad Program to the North American aftermarket. The program includes a...
Chelsea 511 Series provides power density
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Power density is what users will find in the Chelsea 511 Series PTO (power take-off). The new coaxial-designed rear-mount PTO provides a compact housing...
Website focuses on Randall Ramps line
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Randall Manufacturing has launched its new website, www.randallramps.com, to support the introduction of its new line of walkramps: Randall Ramps. The...
Crysteel Mfg launches interactive website
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Dump body and hoist manufacturer Crysteel Manufacturing Inc recently launched a new interactive website designed to maximize interactive experience for...
Western Star updates Body Builder Book
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Western Star Truck Sales Inc announced that the second edition of its online Body Builder Book is available for download. The updated version features...
AEM manuals in French Canadian versions
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) now offers French Canadian versions of its Aerial Platform Safety Manual and Aerial Devices Safety Manual...
Detroit Diesel Corp launches new website
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Detroit Diesel Corporation has launched its new website, www.DemandDetroit.com. Featuring product information, customer support tools, and enhanced navigation,...
Roadranger Marketing updates websites
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Roadranger Marketing has released the next generation of its website, Roadranger.com. The site features sales- and service-related information and functionality...
Hobart introduces new welding wire
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Hobart Brothers has introduced a new metal-cored wire designed to provide users with high-quality welds, improve productivity, and reduce post-weld clean...
ESAB adds nozzles for m3 Plasma system
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products announces the new XR Series of high-speed cutting nozzles for its m3 Plasma system. The new XR Series nozzles provide...
Hypertherm offers new Duramax torches
Jun 1, 2012 12:00 PM
Hypertherm is offering Duramax retrofit torches for five more plasma cutting systems: the Powermax600, Powermax800, Powermax900, MAX42, and MAX43. Patented...
Wabash wins PSI award
Jul 26, 2012 3:12 PM
Representatives of Wabash National were presented with the Customer Excellence Award from Pressure Systems International in a private ceremony held during the TTMA convention April 20...
