ISSUE 3 2023 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION MOVES TO BLOCK ACT Charging Infrastructure Challenges Critical Industry Issues Councils Corner: Women in Trucking Councils Conference Coverage NCTA
LEASING & RENTAL | FINANCE | REFRIGERATION TRUCK SALES | PARTS | SERVICE | BODY SHOP 125+ LOCATIONS IN 19 STATES TO VIEW OUR FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS & SERVICES, VISIT MHC.COM 70 80 70 25 70 95 25 40 35 35 35 20 65 20 55 75 40 40 44 Dealership 10 Leasing & Rental Refrigeration RoadReady TRP Asheville MHC Kenworth (855) 665-3485 Charlotte MHC Kenworth (855) 665-3491 MHC Truck Leasing (855) 844-0440 Clinton MHC Kenworth (855) 337-7164 Concord MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing (855) 337-7314 Durham MHC Kenworth (855) 296-2431 Greensboro MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing (855) 296-2436 Hickory MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing (855) 528-6557 Raleigh MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing (855) 528-6562 Rocky Mount MHC Kenworth (855) 343-5939 Wilmington MHC Kenworth MHC Truck Leasing (855) 343-5944
From America’s quality brands to comprehensive maintenance programs and 24/7 roadside assistance, we deliver the very best in tires and services to keep you rolling. Visit any of our 200+ locations throughout the USA.
Trucking honors the incredible Americans who serve our country. We Salute our Military Veterans ✪ ✪ ✪ TruckingMovesAmerica.com /TruckingFWD
ISSUE 3 2023 ISSUE 3 2023 5 Æ NORTH CAROLINA MOVES TO BLOCK ACT BY STEVE BRAWNER 9 N.C.’s Most Critical Trucking Issue? North Carolina Says Economy BY STEVE BRAWNER 14 Councils Corner - NCTA Women in Trucking Red Classic's Britta Miano shares vision for NCTA WIT Council's Future BY LACKEY C. THACKER 22 Cost of Congestion to the Trucking Industry BY AMERICAN TRUCKING RESEARCH INSTITUTE 23 Congratulations 2023 NCTA Councils Conference Winners 24 NCTA's 2023 Annual Councils Conference - Myrtle Beach, SC Unifi Sweeps Awards DEPARTMENTS FEATURES TABLE OF CONTENTS ISSUE 3 2023 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION 16 6 Thank you, NCTA Sponsors! 6 NCTA's Board of Directors 7 Chairman's Message – by Lora Dedmon 8 From the President – by Ben Greenberg 8 Advertising Resource Index 28 An Inside Look by Tarheel Wheels Advertisers 29 Calendar of Events 29 Welcome New Members 30 By the Numbers – by Engine Technology Forum
6 TARHEEL WHEELS 2023 Premium Partners NCTA THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS $25,500 ELITE Alliance Interstate Risk Service Excel Truck Group MHC Kenworth The Larson Group Velocity Truck Centers For more details on how to become a sponsor, please contact NCTA's vice president of membership, Petrina Lawrence, at (919) 616-8049 or [email protected] $8,500 SILVER C.R.T.S. Trailer Sales Nationwide Testing Association, Inc. Red Classic Transit, LLC Transure Services, A Relation Company Trimble Transportation Twin State Trailers Walmart Transportation $13,500 GOLD Gallagher Benefits Services Old Dominion Freight Snider Fleet Solutions Tenstreet OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Marina Ivanov Apex Transit, LLC Keith Barnes Barnes Transportation Services, Inc. Etienne Hightower Believers Trucking LLC Roy Cox Best Logistics Group, Inc. Kristene Turner Brown Trucking Company Jerry Sigmon, Jr. Cargo Transporters, Inc. Dennis Dellinger Cargo Transporters, Inc. Jim Norwood Carolina Tank Lines, Inc. Ryan Chambers Chambers Transportation Services, Inc. Scott Lassiter City Transfer and Storage Company Lance Collette Eagle Transport Corporation Herb Evans Eagle Transport Corporation Melissa Nishan Epes Transport System, LLC Amy Medlin Epes Transport System, LLC Ken Tyree Excel Truck Group Grover Ezzell Ezzell Trucking, Inc. Catherine Ezzell-Joyner Ezzell Trucking, Inc. Rick Starnes FedEx Ground Greg Horner Goldberg Segalla Chris Hill Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. Kevin Sherritze Joe Morten & Son, Inc. Alyson Gray Kerns Trucking, Inc. Ronald Rogers L.J. Rogers Trucking Co. Tommy Lewis Mangum’s, Inc. David Locke McMahon Truck Centers Robert Moseley Moseley Marcinak Law Group Wes Herek Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Steven Garrish Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Elizabeth Overmann Ragsdale Liggett, PLLC Jason Wing Red Classic Transit, LLC Britta Miano Red Classic Transit, LLC Stephen Davis SE Davis & Associates Andy Marchiano Southeast Utility Trailer LLC Scott Sensing Statewide Trailer Alignment Frame Donnie Wilson Swing Transport, Inc. Archie Wood SWTO LLC/Speedway Transport Operations Scott Farwell Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, LLP Jack McNairy Tidewater Transit Co., Inc. Steve Ennis Trinity Transport, Inc. Badger Underwood Underwood & Weld Co., Inc. Mark Berry Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. Jeff Wafford UPS Gerald Myers Velocity Truck Center - Asheville Melissa Anderson Walmart Transportation Jeff Wilson Wilson Brothers Milling & Trucking Co. David Yarbrough Yarbrough Transfer Company Benjamin Phillips Yarbrough Transfer Company MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Lora Dedmon A.V. Dedmon Trucking, Inc. Chairman Jason Smith Southland Transportation Company Immediate Past Chair Mark Patterson V3 Transportation 1st Vice Chair Richard Hepler Best Logistics Group, Inc. ATA State Vice President Howell Clark Waccamaw Transport, Inc. Vice Chair Bree Bryant Eagle Transport Corporation Vice Chair Spencer Webster Red Classic Transit, LLC Treasurer/Secretary Luke Mangum Mangum’s, Inc. Past Chair Sean Kelly Pilot Risk Management Consulting Allied Chair
ISSUE 3 2023 7 As your Board Chair, I am thrilled to share the exciting developments and initiatives that are shaping the trajectory of our Association in the next year. Our programming for 2024 represents our steadfast mission of providing real, measurable value to our members. Up first in January is the launch of the NCTA mini-MBA. Designed to empower our motor carrier members with the essentials in finance, safety, HR, maintenance, insurance, and company culture, this program equips industry professionals both new and seasoned with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate a complex and everchanging industry. In February we will travel to Wilmington for the third annual NCTA Women in Trucking Summit. Our Association is leading the way at the state level with our NCTA WIT Council programming. This Summit aims to celebrate the achievements of women in the trucking industry, foster networking opportunities, and inspire a new generation of female leaders. It is a testament to our belief in the power of a diverse workforce and the invaluable contributions women make to our industry. In our efforts to cultivate the next generation of leaders, we are relaunching the Emerging Leaders Program. This program will identify, develop, and mentor talent within the North Carolina trucking community, providing a launching ground for the next generation of leaders at your companies and for the NCTA. We will begin taking applications in January and launch the program at our Annual Management Conference in July. We will also continue our successful prospect events across the state that have already proven instrumental in welcoming new members into the North Carolina Trucking Association family. These events not only showcase the benefits of Association membership but also serve as a platform for networking, collaboration, and learning. The increasing number of members is a testament to the value we bring to the table and the thriving community we are building. In conclusion, I am immensely proud of the direction the North Carolina Trucking Association is heading in 2024. The mini-MBA Program, NCTA Women in Trucking Summit, relaunched Emerging Leaders Program, and our prospect events all contribute to a vibrant and growing community. Together, we are driving excellence and shaping the future of the trucking industry in North Carolina. As your Board Chair, I am confident that these initiatives will not only leave a lasting impact on our members but will also cement our Association as a driving force of positive change for the trucking industry. Lora Dedmon, A.V. Dedmon Trucking & NCTA Board Chair THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION Tarheel Wheels is owned by the North Carolina Trucking Association and is published three times a year by Matthews Publishing Group. For additional copies, to order reprints of individual articles or to become a subscriber to Tarheel Wheels, and for information about advertising please contact Jennifer Matthews-Drake at [email protected]. Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake [email protected] Executive Editor Ben Greenberg Managing Editor Petrina Lawrence Production Managers Mandy Hemsworth, Lindsey Harris Creative Director Fran Sherman [email protected] Graphic Designer Cristian Iancu Ad Production Douglas J. Benjamin Photographers Chris Fain Daniel Gray David Sinclair Tracy Stilwell Contributing Writers Steve Brawner Dan Calabrese David Lee Cullen Andrew Dunn Eric J. Francis Johnny Kampis Renee Miller David Monteith Jack Roberts John Schulz Lacey C. Thacker www.NCTrucking.com North Carolina Trucking Association STAFF President Ben Greenberg [email protected] Vice President Membership Petrina Lawrence [email protected] Director of Operations Lindsey Harris [email protected] Regulatory Specialist Steve Massey [email protected] Events and Marketing Manager Mandy Hemsworth [email protected] Grant Administrator Michelle Cruz [email protected] An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations Since 1929, the North Carolina Trucking Association (NCTA) has represented the interests of the trucking industry. NCTA works to protect the interests of North Carolina’s trucking industry by working with state and federal regulatory and enforcement agencies. We are also dedicated to providing excellence in Education, Training, and Information. And promoting a safe, dependable and costeffective motor transportation infrastructure to the betterment of the trucking industry in North Carolina. For more information, contact NCTA at: North Carolina Trucking Association 407 N Person Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Telephone: 919-834-0387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nctrucking.com CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE LORA DEDMON NCTA Board Chair
8 TARHEEL WHEELS Dear NCTA Members: As we gear up for 2024, I’m reaching out with excitement and encouragement for the year ahead. Now is the perfect time to plan for success for your NCTA membership in 2024. I invite each member, Allied and Motor Carrier alike, to set clear goals for the value you intend to get out of your Association membership – whether it’s as simple as wanting to support from afar or whether you’re looking to effect positive change on the regulatory environment in NC and across the country. As you know, success doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of intentional planning and collective effort. So, take a moment to consider what you aim to achieve with the NCTA in 2024. Your team at the Association and our fleet of volunteers have planned for an amazing schedule of events that are full of value for your company. I encourage each of you to decide where and how to best collect it. And if you’re not sure, give us a call or shoot us an email. We will make it easy on you. The NCTA is here to be your collaborative partner in turning your goals into reality. We’re more than just a network; we’re a community dedicated to the growth and prosperity of our industry in the state. Think of us as a valuable resource, ready to support you as you craft your success plan. We recognize that each member has unique aspirations and challenges, so our doors are wide open for collaboration. Whether you need guidance on compliance, want to explore training opportunities, or seek to leverage our network for business development, we’re here to help. Your success is our success, and together, we can make a meaningful impact on our state’s economic landscape. Collaboration is the key to progress, and as your President, I’m enthusiastic about working alongside each member to bring your visions to life. Reach out to us, share your objectives, and let’s create a collaborative plan that aligns with your goals for the year. By combining our expertise and resources, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and forge a path toward success that benefits us all. In conclusion, let’s make 2024 a year where we collectively elevate the North Carolina trucking industry. Plan for success with purpose, and remember, the North Carolina Trucking Association is here to collaborate, guide, and champion your journey. Here’s to a year of shared accomplishments and prosperity. Ben Greenberg NCTA President ADVERTISING RESOURCE INDEX Alliance Interstate Risk 13 Barnes Safety & Consulting, LLC 15 Barnes Transportation 15 Carolina Axle Surgeons 12 Drivers Legal Plan 18 Excel Truck Group BACK COVER Fred’s Towing 20 Great West Casualty Corp. INSIDE BACK COVER M & T Equipment Finance 10 Mangum’s Inc. 13 MHC Kenworth INSIDE FRONT COVER PrePass Safety Alliance 11 Southern Tire Mart 3 Thermo King of the Carolinas 21 Trucking Moves America Forward 4 This publication was made possible with the support of these corporate advertisers. They support the trucking industry by enabling NCTA to provide this publication to its members, prospective members, elected officials and the business community at large. They deserve your consideration and patronage when making your corporate purchasing decisions. Please visit www.nctrucking.com to see the digital version of Tarheel Wheels with live links to advertisers’ websites. ISSUE 3 2023 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
ISSUE 3 2023 9 North Carolina motor carriers ranked the economy as their top industry concern in this year’s “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2023” study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute. The issue also ranked first among all national respondents. Nationally, the economy rose four spots from the previous year’s survey from fifth to first after not appearing in the top 10 in 2021. The economy was the top choice of 9.3% of the survey’s respondents, while 6.7% ranked it as their second choice and 7% ranked it third. It was number one among motor carrier personnel and number seven among drivers. Rebecca Brewster, ATRI’s president and chief operating officer, said she was not surprised the economy ranked so high. “From high inflation, cost of capital, cost of fuel, reduced freight demand – the combination of all those forces really created a situation where collectively the industry is really worried about the state of the economy,” she said in an The 46 responding motor carrier executives and personnel ranked their top 10 as follows: 1. Economy 2. Driver shortage 3. Driver retention 4. Lawsuit abuse reform 5. Driver training standards 6. Transportation infrastructure/congestion/funding 7. Zero-emission vehicles 8. Truck parking 9. Diesel technician shortage 10. Broker issues The national rankings were as follows: 1. Economy 2. Truck parking 3. Fuel prices 4. Driver shortage 5. Driver compensation 6. Lawsuit abuse reform 7. Driver distraction 8. Driver retention 9. Detention/delay at customer facilities 10. Zero-emission vehicles CRITICAL ISSUES MOST CRITICAL TRUCKING ISSUE? NORTH CAROLINA SAYS ECONOMY BY STEVE BRAWNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
10 TARHEEL WHEELS CRITICAL ISSUES interview. “So that one did not surprise me at all to see it move up as quickly as it did.” Truck parking, meanwhile, rose one spot from the previous year and reached its highest ranking ever. “It’s number two overall,” she said. “It’s number eight among motor carrier respondents. It’s number two among drivers. Everyone is collectively saying, ‘This is a problem, and we’ve got to address it.’” The issue ranked eighth in North Carolina. Among the rest of the national top 10, last year’s number one, fuel prices, was number three this year but did not appear on North Carolina’s list. The driver shortage dropped two places to fourth nationally and was sixth in North Carolina. Driver compensation was fifth nationally but also did not appear on North Carolina’s list. Lawsuit abuse reform, North Carolina’s fourth choice, was sixth nationally. It moved up from 10th nationally last year after placing fourth in 2021. Lawsuit abuse reform, fuel costs and the driver shortage appeared on ATRI’s inaugural top 10 list in 2005 and also appeared on this list. Driver distraction was seventh nationally – the first time that issue was ranked in the top 10 since 2018. It was not in North Carolina’s top 10. The number eight choice nationally, driver retention, was third in North Carolina. It was seventh nationally last year and second in 2021. Number nine, detention/ delay at customer facilities, dropped from sixth last year and was not on North Carolina’s list. Zero-emission vehicles made its first appearance in the national top 10 at number 10 and was seventh in North Carolina. The issue’s arrival did not surprise Brewster. She noted that there is significant concern throughout the industry about mandates coming from California and states copying California’s rules. Those mandates are coming despite the high cost of zeroemission vehicles, the lack of charging infrastructure across the country, and a lack of grid capacity. The issue moved to the forefront in North Carolina in October 2022. That’s when Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order requiring the Department of Environmental Quality to initiate a rulemaking process to adopt its version of California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule. That rule creates mandates for manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks. This year, lawmakers in the state’s budget bill prohibited DEQ from adopting state or regional emissions standards for new motor vehicles, including sales requirements such as the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. NCTA lobbied for that prohibition. This was the 19th year for the survey. This year’s launched Aug. 29 and closed Sept. 29. More than 4,000 North American For all your transportation needs CONTACT: Steve Kezman, Vice President CO Steve K ice P M&T Equipment Finance Corporation (704) 756-9440 or [email protected]
ISSUE 3 2023 11 Weigh station bypass Toll payment services Roadway safety alerts More truck drivers trust PrePass to help them save time, fuel, and money by keeping their wheels turning and earning. And now professional truck drivers get 25% more bypasses on the road using the PrePass mobile app. Looking for more info? Get a free trial offer to see for yourself. PrePass.com/NC DRIVERS CHOOSE PREPASS TO SAVE TIME, FUEL, AND MONEY 866.228.1424 industry stakeholders responded. Respondents were asked to rank their top three issues from a list of 26. Issues ranked first by respondents were assigned three points, those ranked second received two points, and those ranked third received one point. Write-in responses were allowed. Motor carrier executives and other personnel comprised 47.8% of respondents, while truck drivers were 29% and other industry stakeholders were 23.2%. Those included suppliers, driver trainers and law enforcement personnel. The differences between commercial drivers and motor carriers reflected their diverging experiences, priorities and perceptions. In fact, only three issues were in both top 10s. The economy was ranked first by motor carriers and seventh by drivers. Truck parking was second among drivers and eighth among motor carriers. Fuel prices was third among drivers and fifth among carriers. Company drivers and owner-operators/independent contractors likewise differed from each other in their responses. Among company drivers, driver compensation was number one, followed by truck parking and speed limiters. Among owneroperators and independent contractors, fuel prices was number one, followed by speed limiters and then truck parking. Among motor carrier personnel respondents nationally, the top 10 were as follows: 1. Economy 2. Driver shortage 3. Lawsuit abuse reform 4. Driver retention 5. Fuel prices 6. Insurance cost/availability 7. Zero-emission vehicles 8. Truck parking 9. Diesel technician shortage 10. Driver distraction Commercial drivers listed the following as their top 10: 1. Driver compensation 2. Truck parking 3. Fuel prices 4. Speed limiters 5. Detention/delay at customer facilities 6. Driver training standards 7. Economy 8. Broker issues 9. ELD mandates 10. Autonomous trucks CRITICAL ISSUES
12 TARHEEL WHEELS ATRI produces state reports in states where at least 40 motor carrier personnel answered the survey. It does not include drivers because they are not as closely associated with a particular state. North Carolina’s lists differed from the national lists in several ways. Four of the state’s top 10 did not appear on the overall national rankings: driver training standards; transportation infrastructure/congestion/funding; diesel technician shortage; and broker issues. Likewise, three of the North Carolina motor carrier personnel’s top 10 did not appear on their fellow motor carrier personnel list nationally. Those were driver training standards; transportation infrastructure/congestion/funding; and broker issues. The issues selected by motor carrier personnel nationally but not by North Carolina’s were fuel prices; insurance cost availability; and driver distraction. In other ways, the rankings by North Carolina motor carrier personnel and their national counterparts were similar. The top four were the same except North Carolina had driver retention at three and lawsuit abuse reform at four, while those issues were reversed on the national list. The seventh, eighth and ninth selections – zero-emission vehicles, truck parking, and diesel technician shortage – where the same on both lists. This was the first year since 2010 that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability measurement system did not rank in the top 10. CSA first appeared in 2010 as the number two issue, was number four in 2011, and was number one in 2012. Last year it was number eight. Respondents also were asked to rank three preferred strategies for addressing each of their choices. ATRI ranked the results according to the percentage of respondents choosing each strategy as their top one. For the economy, North Carolinians’ most often preferred strategy was “Quantify the impact of increasing trucking operational costs on the supply chain and nation’s economy.” That was the second choice nationally. Second in North Carolina and first nationally was “Identify and promote reforming/repealing ineffective and burdensome regulations that increase industry costs without providing benefits.” Third was “Advocate for reshoring and near-shoring of equipment and parts manufacturing to reduce the reliance on international supply chains.” For the driver shortage, North Carolinians listed as their top strategy “Advocate for expanding interstate CDL eligibility to 18-20-year-old drivers.” Second was “Research the primary factors behind drivers leaving trucking careers.” Third was “Support an industry-funded outreach program to improve the trucking industry’s image.” North Carolinians ranked driver retention as their third most critical issue. Their most preferred strategy for addressing it was “Research and promote the retention strategies that Mobile Spindle Replacement Specialists Gary Sensing Scott Sensing Steve Sensing Greg Marvin P.O. Box 235 Thomasville, NC 27361 FAX (336) 475-4868 [email protected] (800) 259-6622 CRITICAL ISSUES
ISSUE 3 2023 13 continuously experience low driver turnover.” Second was “Evaluate the impact of truck driver benefits, including health insurance and retirement benefits, on driver retention.” Third was “Conduct market research on truck driver experiences and perspectives mapped to truck driver tenure data.” North Carolina respondents said their most preferred strategy for addressing the lawsuit abuse reform issue at number four was “Promote state-level reform to cap damages paid to plaintiffs in truck-involved crashes.” Nationally, that was the most preferred strategy by 64.8% of respondents. Second was “Advocate for elimination of ‘phantom’ medical damages.” Third was “Quantify the impact of third-party litigation funding on trial outcomes.” As for North Carolinians’ fifth choice, driver training standards, their most preferred strategy was “Work with driver training schools to develop and/or update ‘best practices’ and model curricula.” Second was “Research the impact of entry-level driver training regulations on highway safety.” Third was “Evaluate the role of FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry in improving driver training.” North Carolina respondents chose as their sixth choice transportation infrastructure/congestion/funding, which did not appear on the national list. The state is home to three of ATRI’s worst 100 freight bottlenecks, all in Charlotte. All of North Carolina’s bordering states have at least one top bottleneck, with Georgia having nine (all in the Atlanta area) and Tennessee having seven. North Carolina respondents listed as their most preferred strategy “Advocate for a new funding program to focus federal resources on truck bottlenecks along major freight corridors.” Second was “Support a dedicated federal funding program to increase truck parking capacity at freight-critical locations.” Third was “Develop national guidance for a potential mileagebased user fee system to ensure that collection costs are minimized, policies are consistent between states, and rates do not discriminate against trucking operations.” In addition to its top 10, ATRI lists three “emerging issues” placing 11th, 12th and 13th that could rise into the top 10. Driver training standards, which ranked 11th, made the emerging issues list for the second year in a row and was number six among drivers. Write-in comments indicate that drivers believe new drivers aren’t being adequately trained. At number 12 was insurance cost/availability. The diesel technician shortage was number 13. It was 10th two years ago. With law enforcement personnel representing nearly 5% of respondents, this was the first year that ATRI included a separate analysis of their top three concerns. Driver distraction placed first, followed by hours-of-service at number two and driver training standards at number three. BY TRUCKERS. FOR TRUCKERS. www.AllianceInterstateRisk.org Providing cost-effective, proactive solutions for the transportation & allied industries since 1993. The road to a better workers' compensation program begins now. (205) 990-5785 | [email protected] “From high inflation, cost of capital, cost of fuel, reduced freight demand – the combination of all those forces really created a situation where collectively the industry is really worried about the state of the economy. So that one did not surprise me at all to see it move up as quickly as it did.” —Rebecca Brewster, COO, American Transportation Research Institute CRITICAL ISSUES • ROADSIDE SERVICE, TIRES • TOWING & RECOVERY • TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR • FABRICATION, DRIVESHAFTS • TRANSPORT & STORAGE 800-869-8973 24/7
14 TARHEEL WHEELS COUNCILS CORNER In 2020, North Carolina Trucking Association launched its Women in Trucking Council. It began operating as an unofficial council with a group of passionate NCTA members planning the first annual NCTA Women in Trucking Summit. During this time, the early council’s vision was created along with developing the Summit’s programming, procuring of sponsors, and speaker selection. The first Summit was held in 2021 and was a tremendous success. Its mission? To advocate, educate and empower women in the trucking industry by promoting a culture of professional growth, acknowledging accomplishments, minimizing obstacles, and creating awareness of diverse opportunities. NCTA’s Women in Trucking Council’s current chair is Britta Miano, director of customer excellence with Red Classic. Initially tasked with recruiting owner-operators, Miano witnessed the transformation of Red Classic, a Coca-Cola wholly owned subsidiary, into a fully commercialized logistics company and maintenance service provider. As the company expanded, so did Miano’s role, and she eventually led the recruiting team, overseeing recruitment of owner-operators, drivers, and mechanics. After a one-year stint at Coke Consolidated, recruiting for various field teams, Miano returned to Red Classic. After six months in sales, Miano pivoted to leading the customer service team, managing, and growing the external business for Red Classic. Today, she is poised to step further into a leadership role, inheriting the legacy of her retiring colleague and friend, Chuck Everett. Formation of the NCTA Women in Trucking Council: A Collective Vision Though it’s been unofficially serving NCTA for three years, the NCTA Women in Trucking Council became an official NCTA Council this past April. Miano is currently in her second year as chair. When asked how long her term is, she laughs, and says, “Well, at least two years.” Initially a gathering of women with a shared passion for the industry, the now-official council is still in its early stage of establishing their mission, goals, and term limits. However, Miano’s leadership has already brought clarity and purpose. Three main pillars have emerged: Advocacy, Education, and Engagement. Goals and Vision for the Future: Advocacy, Education, and Engagement Advocacy: The council actively engages with the general assembly, educating state representatives about the challenges faced by women in the trucking industry. By providing a lens through which to view the industry’s legislative landscape, the council seeks to create a safer and more supportive environment for women on the road. Education: Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of its members, many from small trucking companies passed down through generations, the council aims to bridge the knowledge gap. Drawing on Miano’s experience with Coca-Cola’s learning and development team, the council offers seminars and workshops, covering topics such as effective communication and relationship building. These initiatives empower women with the skills needed to thrive in the industry. Engagement: The Women in Trucking Council fosters a sense of community through networking initiatives. A mentorship program has been initiated, with plans to collaborate with the COUNCILS CORNER: NCTA WOMEN IN TRUCKING COUNCIL BY LACEY C. THACKER / CONTRIBUTING WRITER NCTA Women in Trucking Council Advisory Board Chair: Britta Miano Red Classic Transit, LLC Vice Co-Chair: Catherine Ezzell-Joyner Ezzell Trucking, Inc. Vice Co-Chair: Lora Dedmon A.V. Dedmon Trucking, Inc. Immediate Past Chair: Amy Medlin Epes Transport System, LLC Allied Chair: Marilyn Stauber Tenstreet Marina Ivanov Apex Transit, LLC Bree Bryant Eagle Transport Corporation Melissa Nishan Epes Transport System, LLC Beth Tattershall ISAAC Instruments, LLC Elizabeth Overmann Ragsdale Liggett, PLLC Kelly Taylor Southland Transportation Company
ISSUE 3 2023 15 BARNES SAFETY & CONSULTING, LLC is a truck transportation motor carrier safety compliance company with an extensive background dedicated to promoting highway safety & public safety. We specialize in: • compliance review & new entrant audit assistance • motor carrier safety compliance improvement plans • on-site mock audits • post-crash inspection investigations • driver training For more details and a FREE consultation, contact [email protected] or Call 919.369.0311. www.BarnesSafety.com COUNCILS CORNER Four generations. Eighty years in operation. A LOAD ON OUR TRUCK IS A LOAD OFF YOUR MIND. Along with providing a diversity of programs and types of freight one of the most important things we do as a business is treat you as a person and not a number. We have an open door policy where you can speak to a driver manager, planner, director of operations, and even the owners at any time. We are all family and we understand that the only way Barnes is successful is if you are successful! We are here to provide guidance in whatever program you choose and provide the tools to take you where you want to go. 2309 Whitley Road | Wilson, NC 27895 252-291-8282 | 800-898-5897 | barnestransport.com American Trucking Association’s Women in Motion program. This initiative not only connects experienced professionals with newcomers but also emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging men to participate and gain insights from a different perspective. Driving Change and Building Bridges As Miano prepares to lead the NCTA Women in Trucking Council into the future, the council stands as a beacon of change in a traditionally male-dominated industry. And Miano acknowledges that, saying, “I always say, this is led by women, but it’s for everyone. I encourage men to join us and learn from a woman’s perspective.” The three pillars— advocacy, education, and engagement—form the foundation of a collective vision to empower women and enhance the industry’s overall dynamics. Miano’s journey from a CocaCola intern to a leader in the trucking industry exemplifies the possibilities within the sector, and her commitment to the NCTA Women in Trucking Council reflects a dedication to creating a more inclusive and supportive industry for all. Get Involved If you're ready to get involved in the Council, please register for the third NCTA Annual Women in Trucking Summit on February 21-23, 2024 in Wilmington, North Carolina. From the opening dinner and reception on Wednesday through Friday morning’s keynote speaker Paralympian Noelle Lambert, attendees will enjoy valuable networking opportunities and glean valuable insights into how they can support–and gain support from–-women in the transportation and trucking industry.
16 TARHEEL WHEELS NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTS TO BLOCK ACT NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTS TO BLOCK ACT BY STEVE BRAWNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER COVER STORY Charlotte-based Apex Transit was committed to operating zero-emission trucks. It even placed a $250,000 deposit with Tesla to buy 10 of them two years ago. It just couldn’t make the business case work when the equipment isn’t yet available, the technology isn’t yet affordable and the grid isn’t yet capable. So, it cancelled its order. Thanks to the efforts of North Carolina Trucking Association this year, truck manufacturers won’t be forced to try to sell Apex Transit one of those trucks until it makes more sense for both of them. NCTA and its members successfully lobbied legislators to add language to the budget that prevented further alignment with ACT, effectively repealing Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 271, issued on Oct. 25, 2022, which would have led to sales mandates for zero-emission trucks. Lawmakers included the repeal in the budget bill passed at the end of this year’s legislative session. Cooper’s executive order directed the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to propose to the Environmental Management Commission an Advanced Clean Trucks program like California’s.
ISSUE 3 2023 17 Under the federal Clean Air Act, California can adopt more stringent air quality standards than the Environmental Protection Agency’s if the EPA grants a waiver. Other states then can adopt California’s standards rather than the EPA’s. California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which received a waiver March 31, created the nation’s first zero-emission truck sales requirement for manufacturers. In 2024, 5% of Class 2b-3 trucks, 9% of Class 4-8 vocational trucks, and 5% of Class 7-8 tractors sold in that state must be zero-emission trucks. Those numbers increase over time. In 2030, 30% of Class 2b-3 trucks, 50% of Class 4-8 trucks, and 30% of Class 7-8 tractors must produce zero tailpipe emissions. By 2035, the numbers are 55%, 75% and 40%. In response, 19 states led by Iowa sued the Environmental Protection Agency for granting the waiver. But Cooper’s executive order would have brought the ACT’s sales mandate percentages to North Carolina. The trucking industry, however, pushed back by educating lawmakers about the rule’s problems. When the budget bill initially was introduced early in the summer, it included language prohibiting enactment of the executive order, and all seemed well. However, as the end of the session approached and the bill’s passage grew near, the language was removed, forcing the trucking industry to scramble to have it reinserted. It was. Jeff Wafford, director of public affairs for UPS whose responsibilities include North Carolina, said the industry learned that the prohibition language had been removed a week or two before the budget was passed. “The trucking association and its leadership did a great job of bringing this to the attention of members, and members were very quick to get engaged and provide feedback to the Legislature, which ultimately helped in defeating it. We had association members and leadership from various trucking companies reaching out, making contact with the Speaker of the House’s office, with other North Carolina House leadership. It was a very good collaborative effort that happened very late in the game,” he said. Wafford emphasized that UPS supports the move to zeroemission vehicles, but it must be done in an attainable way. At the moment, there aren’t enough trucks and they’re too expensive, the charging infrastructure is virtually nonexistent whether it’s California or the Southeast, and the grid cannot handle the charging requirements. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, full electrification of the U.S. vehicle fleet would require 40.3% of current electricity generation, with all freight trucks requiring 13%. In North Carolina, powering all vehicles electrically would require 38.5% of all electric power generation. One trucking company
18 TARHEEL WHEELS was thwarted in its efforts to operate 30 electric trucks by the city of Joliet, Illinois, because it would have required as much electricity as the whole city used. Issues continue to exist with the supply chain. The size, weight and gradual degradation of batteries remain a challenge. “UPS has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, so we want to purchase these vehicles,” he said. “We are actively out there purchasing them, testing them, using them in different environments, but for a variety of reasons, whether it’s cost, availability, power infrastructure, we haven’t been able to move as quickly as we would like, and that’s a sentiment that I think most of the industry shares.” Wafford pointed out that if large companies like UPS are struggling to adopt zero-emission trucks, smaller companies face even bigger challenges. “I think industry wide, if you talk to UPS and other carriers, we’re committed to sustainability,” he said. “We certainly all have sustainability goals, and we understand the importance of that to the industry, to our people, to our customers, to the planet. The key, though, is there’s a dual challenge, and most companies face that dual challenge of ensuring your existing business remains profitable even as you look at the investment-heavy challenges of developing and purchasing electric powertrains, which is what we’re talking about in North Carolina, and what would be required based on the ACT regulations.” One of those smaller companies is Apex Transit, a 65-truck auto parts hauler based in Charlotte with routes to Laredo, Texas, and to the Midwest. Co-owner Marina Ivanov said the company two years ago placed $25,000 deposits on each of 10 Tesla trucks. The plan was to locate five in Texas and five in the Carolinas, with chargers at stations on both sides. It seemed like the perfect setup at first, but it became obvious it didn’t COVER STORY Freightliner EM2 Electric Truck (800) 580-8789 driverslegalplan.com CDL TICKET DEFENSE | CSA VIOLATIONS | CDL TICKET DEFENSE | CSA VIOLATIONS | CDL TICKET DEFENSE | CSA VIOLATIONS | PROVEN RECORD OF SUCCESS | 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE PROVEN RECORD OF SUCCESS | 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE PROVEN RECORD OF SUCCESS | 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
ISSUE 3 2023 19 make financial sense and wasn’t even feasible when neither the equipment nor the power grid were ready. Apex Transit recently cancelled its order. “That was a difficult thing for us to do because we really believe in it,” Ivanov said. “We wanted it to work. It’s just not there yet, and it can’t be pushed when it’s not ready.” Those aren’t just idle words. Ivanov drives a Tesla electric car. Her fleet focuses on fuel efficiency and specs trucks at 8-10 miles per gallon. She really cares about the environment. “I have two girls,” she said. “I want them to grow up in a world that has clean air, that doesn’t have the pollution, that’s not hurting them, and allows them to live happy and healthy lives.” Ivanov sent emails to legislators and participated in the NCTA Women in Trucking Call on Raleigh event, where truckers explained to lawmakers the challenges associated with zero-emission trucks. Ivanov said they told them, “We are not ready for this. We want to and are eager to adopt this new technology, but infrastructure is not there. It would not make sense for our business, would bury our business, if we were to add this right now.” Earlier this year, the state of California and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association announced the creation of the Clean Truck Partnership. Truck manufacturers agreed to comply with a list of emission standards and warranty requirements adopted by the powerful California Air Resources Board, regardless of whether or not CARB is taken to court by another entity or its ability to enforce standards via an EPA waiver process is overturned. The manufacturers agreed they would not themselves legally challenge the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation or certain other regulations. CARB made its own concessions, including aligning its nitrous oxide emissions regulations with the EPA’s 2027 regulations. It also committed to providing at least four years lead time and three years of regulatory stability before adding new emissions requirements. While the Advanced Clean Trucks rule’s ambitious timeline seems almost impossible to achieve, another rule, the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, would be completely so. The manufacturers did not agree to abide by it. The rule, which has not received an EPA waiver, would ban the sale of non-zero-emission trucks in 2036. At the same time, it would create a zero-emission truck adoption schedule for fleets that operate in California and have 50 or more trucks Classes 2B to 8 operating anywhere in the country. It also would create a schedule for fleets with greater than $50 million in revenue and operating at least one truck above Class 2B. All newly registered drayage trucks, which typically service intermodal ports and railyards, would have to be zero-emission trucks starting in 2024. Ten percent of a fleet’s box trucks, vans, buses with two axles, yard tractors and light-duty package delivery vehicles would be required to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025, with that number increasing over time. For larger work trucks, day cab tractors, and three-axle buses, the requirements would start at 10% in 2027 and increase over time to 100% by 2039. For sleeper cabs and certain specialty vehicles, the numbers would start at 10% in 2030 and ratchet up to 100% in 2042. The California Trucking Association (CTA) sued CARB in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Disctric of California Oct. 16 over the Advanced Clean Fleets rule. It called it “a vast overreach that threatens the security and predictability of the nation’s goods movement industry.” American Trucking Associations supports the CTA’s lawsuit, said Jacqueline Gelb, ATA vice president of energy and environmental affairs, and it will continue to evaluate other litigation that would affect the trucking industry’s ability to deliver cargo. “California’s policies and regulations are designed to mandate the sale and purchase of electric trucks as soon as possible with disregard for the infrastructure and vehicle performance metrics required to move freight,” she said. “California’s process of writing regulations despite industry input has set it on a path to arrive at regulations that are unachievable and unlawful.” Ironically, California is nowhere near being ready to make the transition itself. Chris Shimodo, CTA’s senior vice president NFI EV Volvo
20 TARHEEL WHEELS COVER STORY FRED'S TOWING & TRANSPORT, INC. 400 Industry Drive Henderson, NC 27537 252-430-0082 Office 252-438-3943 Fax [email protected] www.fredstowing.com LOCATIONS IN HENDERSON, OXFORD, WISE, YOUNGSVILLE, NC AND SOUTH HILL, VA 24-HOUR HEAVY DUTY TOWING & RECOVERY & ROAD SIDE MECHANIC SERVICES, NATIONAL TIRE ACCOUNTS, ALONG WITH NEW AND USED TIRES Central Dispatch 252-430-0082 of government affairs, said in October that both the state of California and motor carriers face daunting challenges in creating the charging infrastructure necessary to operate electric trucks. California uses 40,000 megawatts of power at any one time. About 400,000 Class 8 tractors operate within the state. If only 10% were plugged into the grid at the same time, the power demand would double. Many fleet infrastructure projects will require the transmission of 10-30 megawatts, but utilities don’t have that kind of spare capacity at a given address. For some fleets, a new substation will be needed. Those can take 10-13 years to build, one utility representative told legislators in a hearing. “When you start talking about that size of project, it is a huge power demand that you are requesting from the utility,” he said. “It is on par with a major industrial site, like a large factory, or in excess of a large factory-type power demand.” Those problems are echoed in other parts of the country where fleets are trying to add zero-emission trucks to their stock. Gelb said fleets are experiencing delays of 18-24 months to install charging infrastructure on site. Much of the public electrification dollars available in the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 have been focused on building lightduty charging stations. Gelb said states following California’s lead should support the buildout of heavy-duty charging stations. Unfortunately, she said, “For some states, they are late to the party on ensuring there is a place to charge a truck.” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said in May that the trucking industry helped write rules that have led to the reduction of 98.5% of tailpipe emissions. He said 60 new trucks today emit the same amount as a single truck did in 1988. CARB, however, has been aggressive and unrealistic with its targets. He called its efforts a “mad dash to zero” that doesn’t give enough “I HAVE TWO GIRLS. I WANT THEM TO GROW UP IN A WORLD THAT HAS CLEAN AIR, THAT DOESN’T HAVE THE POLLUTION, THAT’S NOT HURTING THEM, AND ALLOWS THEM TO LIVE HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIVES.” MARINA IVONOV, CO-OWNER, APEX TRANSIT, LLC
ISSUE 3 2023 21 New and pre-owned temperature control units for trucks, trailers, rail cars, buses, ocean-going containers. Innovative products such as the TriPac APU. Plus cold-storage trailer rentals. PRODUCTS • Truck & Trailer units • Solar panels • TriPac APUs • TK Heaters • Truck A/C SERVICES • Open extended hours • 24/7 coverage • Mobile service • Factory-trained technicians • We work on ALL TYPES of reefer units AMENITIES • Comfortable waiting lounges • FREE WIFI • Clean shops www.tkcentralcarolinas.com • Close to eateries Charlotte, NC www.tkcentralcarolinas.com 800-532-0085 3 mobile UpTime trucks (Hickory, NC; Gaffney, SC; Monroe, NC). All locations are close to major interstate highways with easy access. Charleston, WV www.mountaineertk.com 800-361-2003 Roanoke, VA www.tkroanoke.com 800-476-2893 Greensboro, NC www.triadtk.com 866-317-1467 SOLAR SOLUTIONS FOUR LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU Better, faster, more proactive service weight to challenges such as a lack of trucks and insufficient charging capabilities. “They don’t have the infrastructure,” Spear said. “They don’t have the power. We don’t have the equipment that’s going to be needed to comply with this, and it’s just going to result in an avalanche of waivers that are going to confuse everybody. And then if you throw litigation into the mix, which is happening, that’s where we’re going to be, and it doesn’t need to be that way. We want this to be successful, but it’s going to require CARB being realistic, looking at this and doing it in a very logical, achievable way. Right now, you don’t have that.” If the market, the equipment and the grid are not yet ready for battery electric trucks – and certainly aren’t ready for them to be mandated in North Carolina – what can be done to reduce emissions affordably? Ivanov said one short-term solution is the federal Modern, Clean and Safe Trucks Act. It would repeal the 12% excise tax on new trucks, which was enacted more than a century ago to pay for America’s involvement in World War I. Ivanov and others made that case in this year’s NCTA Call on Washington, when truckers met with members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. According to the American Trucking Associations, the tax adds roughly $20,400 to the cost of a new $170,000 diesel tractor and $51,000 to the cost of a $425,000 batteryelectric tractor. It’s the highest excise tax on any good sold in America today, and it serves as a huge disincentive for motor carriers to buy newer, cleaner trucks. A 2006 truck model emits 10 times the nitrous oxide and particulate matter as a new truck. Almost half the trucks across the country are pre-2010 models, which is the year when clean truck engine technology made a leap forward with standardized selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters. Repealing the tax could put many much cleaner trucks on the road now. It could start as soon as the president signs the repeal into law. It would not require completely remaking the nation’s transportation energy infrastructure. In the meantime, other technologies, including zero-emission trucks, could continue to develop. As for North Carolina, UPS’s Wafford said the trucking industry wants to continue to engage on the issue. “We hope what this leads to is ongoing conversations with the governor’s office, the Department of Environmental Quality, the industry, the power companies,” he said. “We hope it’s an ongoing conversation where we can reach something that’s beneficial to all of us.”
22 TARHEEL WHEELS New research from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that annual truck congestion costs in 2021 hit a peak of $94.6 billion, resulting from the dramatic post-COVID economic recovery. These costs generated from 1.27 billion hours of delay – the equivalent of more than 460,000 truck drivers sitting idle for one year. Additionally, this delay resulted in an estimated 6.793 billion gallons of wasted fuel. Cost of Congestion to the Trucking Industry 2023 Update NATIONAL FINDINGS ATRI’s research utilized its extensive database of truck GPS data representing hundreds of thousands of freight trucks, its industry-derived Operational Costs of Trucking data, and several federal sources to update earlier research quantifying the costs of congestion. ATRI found that from 2016 to 2021 the annual cost of congestion for the trucking industry increased from $74.5 to $94.6 billion – a 27.0 percent increase across six years of analysis. During this same time period the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation, increased only 12.9 percent. Thus, trucking’s congestion costs rose at more than twice the rate of the CPI as a result of increased industry costs, congested roadways and a record-high truck vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021. WHY STUDY CONGESTION? Traffic congestion increases directly impact industry costs such as driver compensation, fuel, and repair and maintenance. It also generates indirect and/or societal costs such as supply chain disruptions, inefficient use of fuel and diminished air quality. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 includes $350 billion for highway investments that could alleviate congestion; this research provides a blueprint for how and where those dollars can be invested. $100 $70 $75 $80 $85 $90 $95 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 $94.6B $77.3B $79.4B $87.6B $74.5B $80.1B Annual Cost of Congestion (Billions of $) HIGH GDP GROWTH 2021 saw the highest growth (5.7%) since 1984. RETURN TO OFFICE Congestion worsened as commuters returned to work. FREIGHT DEMAND Consumer spending increases have increased trucking volumes. POST-PANDEMIC CONGESTION INCREASED DUE TO:
ISSUE 3 2023 23 NCTA'S 2023 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC CONGRATULATIONS 2023 NCTA COUNCILS CONFERENCE WINNERS 2023 FLEET SAFETY AWARDS Grand Champion | Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. WINNERS – ALL MILES 5-10 million miles | Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. 10-25 million miles | Swing Transport, Inc. 25+ million miles | Walmart Transportation WINNERS – LOCAL MILES 0-5 million miles | TCW, Inc. 5-10 million miles | Edwards Wood Products, Inc. Transportation 10-25 million miles | Eagle Transport Corporation RUNNER UPS – ALL MILES 5-10 million miles | Waccamaw Transport, Inc. 10-25 million miles | Barnes Transportation Service, Inc. RUNNER UPS – LOCAL MILES 5-10 million miles | SWTO LLC / Speedway Transport Operations MOST IMPROVED Edwards Wood Products, Inc. Transportation 2023 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AWARDS 1-100 Employees | Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. 101-300 Employees | Barnes Transportation Service, Inc. 300+ Employees | TCW, Inc. COMPANIES WITH ZERO ACCIDENTS TCW, Inc. Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. Kristy Hedrick Tommy Lewis Brad Brindle 2023 HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Kristy Hedrick - VP of Human Resources Cargo Transporters, Inc. 2023 MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Tommy Lewis - Assistant Manager Contract Maintenance Division - Mangum’s, Inc. 2023 SAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR Brad Brindle - VP of Safety & Compliance Southland Transportation Company
24 TARHEEL WHEELS NCTA'S 2023 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC Since 1971, Greensboro-based Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. has powered innovation as a global textile solutions provider and one of the world’s leading innovators in synthetic and recycled performance fibers. Unifi is the maker of REPREVE®, the world’s leading branded recycled fiber. REPREVE® is made from post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste that is transformed into fibers and yarns for some of the most recognized apparel, automotive, and home furnishing brands. To date, REPREVE® has transformed more than more than 35 billion bottles and is on track to recycle more than 50 billion bottles by 2025. Unifi delivers its unmatched products and services around the world. On the East Coast, the company operates a private fleet of 54 trucks to reach customers all over the region, even providing them and others with for-hire fleet services. Much like its proprietary REPREVE® product, Unifi runs this fleet with sustainability and safety at the forefront. The trucks and trailers have the technology and equipment to help the company continue to reduce greenhouse emissions and diesel fuel needs through conscious equipment specification. Beyond being environmentally conscious, the Unifi fleet also has a proven track record of safety as evidenced by numerous awards including the North Carolina Grand Champion 2023 Safety Award and NCTA Driver of the Year. UNIFI SWEEPS AWARDS UNIFI WAS AWARDED THIS YEAR’S SAFETY AWARD, 2023 GRAND CHAMPION & DRIVER OF THE YEAR
ISSUE 3 2023 25 NCTA'S 2023 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC
26 TARHEEL WHEELS NCTA'S 2023 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC
ISSUE 3 2023 27 NCTA'S 2023 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC
28 TARHEEL WHEELS AN INSIDE LOOK DRIVERS LEGAL PLAN Drivers Legal Plan is a National Law Firm dedicated to protecting the rights of professional truck drivers and the companies for which they drive in the continental United States. Affordable:Drivers pays a small $2.98 a week legal retainer via payroll or settlement deduction. Legal Fees: $100 legal fee for the defense of any moving or nomoving violation. $250.00 for a simple accident that does not involve loss of life or limb. No exclusions on types of tickets or limitations on hours. Major violations like drugs, alcohol, smuggling etc. will be quoted at 1/3 off our normal rate. Data-Q Challenge:Drivers Legal Plan handles Data-Q challenges free for any ticket that is accompanied with an inspection for the cost of the ticket defense. We can even do standalone inspection challenges. Experience: Drivers Legal Plan has handled over 375,000 cases in 32 years with a 95% success rate and has an extensive database of every court and case handled over those 32 years, so that they can give drivers a realistic expectation on what may happen with their case. Learn more at Driverslegalplan.com or call (405) 948-6576 to sign up for service. MHC KENWORTH New Dealership in South Carolina MHC Kenworth has expanded with the opening of its newest $26 million dealership in Fort Mill, S.C., now serving the greater Charlotte area. Located at 3361 Highway 21, MHC Kenworth - Charlotte extends MHC’s footprint to 19 states and is the only dealership in the area offering award-winning, 7/24 truck service and parts. The state-of-the-art facility includes the only temperaturecontrolled service shop in the region, featuring 33 service bays, compressed natural gas (CNG) service capabilities, DPF cleaning, alignment, mobile truck maintenance and certified support for PACCAR, Cummins and CAT engines, Eaton drivetrain and Allison transmission. The facility’s amenities include a driver’s lounge with a washer/dryer and dedicated restrooms and showers, as well as modernized break rooms, locker rooms and a large training room for employees. The dealership is one of four new MHC locations opened in 2023 as part of a more than $100 million investment toward enhancements for customers and staff. It adds to MHC’s ten other dealerships and six truck leasing locations serving North and South Carolina. An open house is planned for the first quarter of 2024 for customers to learn more about MHC’s all-makes capabilities. CAROLINA AXLE SURGEONS New Location to Better Serve You Carolina Axle Surgeons, Inc. is pleased to announce another business acquisition to compliment Statewide Trailer Alignment Frame.Newly acquired Carolina Trailer & Equipment specializes in LIFT GATES, LIFT AXLES, PTO WET LINE KITS, BED LINERS AND TARPS.We service all makes and models of lift gates, lift axles, tarp systems, PTO wet lines, and keep an abundant parts inventory. We look forward to meeting our industry’s parts and service needs in our area of expertise. Please contact us at [email protected] or 336.292.0722. We are located at 4519 S Holden Rd, Greensboro NC 27406.Thank you. ALLIANCE INTERSTATE RISK We have been providing workers’ compensation coverage, combined with industry-leading Risk Management and Claim Management services, to the transportation industry since 1993. Now, the Alliance Interstate Risk program is available in 46 nonmonopolistic states. Our behavior-based, data-driven Risk Management services help develop and manage a safer work environment. In addition, effective and responsive Claim Management through our Third-Party Administrator, CCMSI, focuses on driving down the severity, duration, and total cost of claims. These value-added benefits are provided at no extra cost. As an additional financial benefit, policies written through Alliance Interstate Risk will be eligible to participate in our dividend program. Since inception, over $270 million in retrospective dividends have been accrued and distributed, with a 32% 10-year average annual return rate. It is our mission to provide affordable, customized programs – combined with a focus on safety – to help participating companies operate at the safest, most profitable level in the industry. North Carolina trucking companies can contact their independent insurance agent or our Marketing Team to learn more about our industry-leading workers’ compensation program.
ISSUE 3 2023 29 January 10 SHRC Meeting: Best Practices Roundtable Discussion 11:00am – 1:00pm In-Person Meeting 23 NCTA Mini-MBA 11:00am – 2:30pm Greensboro, NC February 1 NCTA Webinar: TSA Presents Intelligence Briefing for Highway Motor Carriers 10:00 – 11:00am Virtual Webinar 7 SHRC Meeting: FMCSA Update 10:00 – 11:00am Virtual Meeting 21-23 NCTA Women in Trucking Summit 2024 Wilmington, NC For additional information on these events including how to register, please visit www.members.nctrucking.com/events Calendar of Events BRENNTAG CFS MOTOR EXPRESS, LLC COASTAL CARRIERS, INC. ELEOS TECHNOLOGIES JET, INC. LATHONS, INC. OAKBRIDGE INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC PARKS TRUCKING CO. INC. TRIPLE D EXPRESS, INC. TRIPLE J TRUCKING, INC. XCEL BULK LOGISTICS, LLC NCTA Welcomes New Members
30 TARHEEL WHEELS BY THE NUMBERS
Values Drive Performance 800.228.8602 gwccnet.com Shared Values Can Lead to Organizational Excellence We understand you are in business to make a profit. Our Value-Driven® Company modules can help you reduce losses and increase profits by focusing on influencing employee behavior, changing culture, improving communication, and managing risk successfully. We believe it is everyone’s job to do what they can to prevent losses. We have developed a variety of training tools to help get all employees involved in safety. From seminars and webinars to Self-Service e-Tools and FAQs, we have solutions to fit your operations. We see “Critical Crashes” as a risk to your company. Our Value-Driven® Driving program focuses on helping drivers do what they can to prevent these types of accidents: rear-end, loss of control, lane change, and run under. All of our driver training programs are FREE to our insureds and can be accessed 24/7 on Great West’s Online Learning Library. GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service®.
Albemarle, NC 1483 Highway 52 North (800) 438-2260 Charlotte, NC 4633 Equipment Drive (704) 597-1110 Statesville, NC 2221 International Drive (704) 252-5400 PARTS. SERVICE. SALES. Dedicated to An Exceptional Customer Experience Chesapeake, VA 821 Curtis Saunders Ct (757) 424-3000 Lexington, SC 1828 Two Notch Rd (803) 359-0950 Chester, VA 901 W. Hundred Rd (804) 768-4600 Roanoke, VA 267 Lee HWY (540) 777-7700 Columbia, SC 2790 Shop Rd (803) 376-4455 Fredericksburg, VA 3400 Lee Hill Dr (888) 230-1514 Weyers Cave, VA 3243 Lee HWY (540) 234-0999 Glen Allen, VA 11102 Washington HWY (804) 798-2906 Visit our website! www.ExcelTruckGroup.com