ATR 3 2019 digital

 ATA’s new chairman Dan Cushman
(PAM Transport)
 The Rodney Block Band set the
mood at the Chairman’s Celebration





 ATA-SIF Chair
Rochelle Bartholomew
(CalArk International)
delivers the workers  Corporal Charlie Tolliver and Sergeant Scott Todd
compensation report (Arkansas Highway Police) with Mike Brust (ATA) and
Anthony Evans (Great West Casualty Company)








 Governmental
Affairs Panel: Roby
Brock (Talk Business &
Politics), Scott Bennett
(Arkansas Department
of Transportation), John
Burris (Capitol Advisors
Group) and Michael John
Gray (Democratic Party of
Arkansas)







 Debbie Mitchell, Eric Grant
(Maverick Transportation) Brad
Delco (Stephens) and John Culp
 Shannon Everett (Rich Logistics) (Maverick Transportation)






ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 3 2019 51

GOLF SPONSORS  SECOND PLACE James Corey,
Corey Miller and Kerry Lott
(Shipley Motor Equipment Co.)
and Darrin Deflice (Mack Trucks,
Aon
Inc.)
CorVel
Cummins Sales and Service

Distribution Solutions, Inc.
Doggett Freightliner of Arkansas
DriverReach
FedEx Freight, Inc.
Loggins Logistics, Inc.

McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc.
Morris Transportation Services, LLC
Peterbilt Truck Centers of Little Rock

Pilot Flying J
PrePass Safety Alliance  FIRST PLACE Jason Herring, David Choate,
Taylor Mitcham, Blair James (Aon)
Rich Logistics
Shipley Motor Equipment Company

Stallion Transportation Group
 Doggett Freightliner of AR
Summit Truck Group
SygnifiCARE

The Larson Group  Justin Kissinger, Steve Hancock,
Aaron Jensen, Russell Hoerman, all of
Transport Refrigeration of Northwest AR, Inc. Doggett Freightliner of AR
TravelCenters of America
Trimble Transportation

Utiltiy Tri-State, Inc.
York.





















 John Hammer (Triumph Commercial Finance), Wayne Krupicka
(York.), Danny Burnett (Cottingham & Butler), Jeff Loggins
 Mathew Bale (Summit Truck Group), Rodney Allen (Loggins Logistics, Inc.)
(Diamond State Trucking), Craig Gassman (Summit Truck
Group), Gabe Stephens (C.C. Jones Trucking)

52 Issue 3 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

 Brian Cash, Wayne  John Paul Hart, Tyler Yazza and Andrew Coy
Bailey, Andy Due, Steve from Utility Tri-State, Inc.
Phillips (FedEx Freight)

 Butch
Rice (Stallion
Transportation
 Andrew Fleming, Group), Amanda
Frank Dyer, Lance Pierce, Lamb (ATA)
Eric Cox (FedEx Freight)



ATR






Manage


Driver

Compliance









ANYWHERE — ANYTIME









 Vernon Nance (CalArk International),
Clayton Harbour, Stephen Leaver 833.255.5046
(Peterbilt Truck Center of LR), Jim Moore
(CalArk International)
infostreamonline.com





ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 3 2019 ATR-third-page-ad-June.indd 1 5/29/2019 10:00:39 AM 53

Insider Trucking




A look at the latest products, services and news from ATR advertisers
















TLG INSPIRING DISEASE
AWARENESS, HELPS RAISE
$9,000
The Larson Group’s Fort Smith
store has joined forces with nonprofit
organization Cure SMA – dedicated to
the treatment and cure of spinal mus-
cular atrophy, the number one cause of
death in infants. The Peterbilt dealer-
ship recently helped sponsor the 2nd
annual Arkansas Walk-N-Roll in Little
Rock to raise money for a solution in
curing the disease and providing sup-
port to families, raising more than
$9,000.
“We’re always looking for opportu-
nities to be involved with our commu-
nities,” General Manager Rick Sanders
explained. “And when a hardworking
employee shares his story of his family’s
SUMMER TIRE TIPS manufacturer’s recommended psi. struggle with something that cannot
You’re pumped for summer, but are Improper tire inflation can also be conquered, your heart goes out to
your tires? As the temperature outside result in uneven tread wear, due to how them.”
increases, so does the importance of tire it displaces the footprint of the tire When
maintenance. The key to staying on the from the pavement. Proper tread depth Sanders dis-
road this summer is to stay on top of provides traction between tires and the covered a TLG
regular tire inspections. road’s surface, and too little tread can employee’s
The hotter a tire gets, the more create unsafe driving conditions, espe- six-year-old
likely a failure is to occur. Extreme cially during summer when rain is com- daughter
heat not only causes tire rubber to mon. When you check the pressure in Maggie devel-
deteriorate quicker, it also increases your tires, also check to make sure the oped this incurable disease, action was
the air pressure in tires. This combina- tread depth is at least 4/32” for steer inspired to help. TLG’s Jason Alexander
tion on a hot summer highway can be tires and 2/32” for trailer tires. and his wife Kelly are actively involved
deadly, as it causes the tire sidewalls to Catching and correcting issues in bringing awareness of SMA to
expand and contract, breaking down early on is the key to long tire life. Arkansas, serve as mentors to families
the steel belts, increasing your chance Whether you’re in-bay, roadside or on affected by the disease, and recently met
of a blowout and, ultimately, decreasing your own lot, TA Truck Service techni- with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to
the lifespan of the tire. Check your tire cians can service all major tire brands sign into law that every newborn in the
pressure frequently while they’re cold to and get you back on the road quickly Natural State will be screened for SMA
make sure the air pressure is within the and safely. at birth.

54 Issue 3 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

DRIVER QUALIFICATION FILE
MANAGEMENT: GOING DIGITAL
IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
Maintaining driver qualification
files digitally is a good transition from
managing traditional paper files. Digital
DQ files eliminate the burden of paper-
work, but the management of those files
still relies heavily on manual processes
such as notifying drivers of expirations,
tracking the return of the documents,
and managing the document retention
rules.
as well as give tours of the new facility, cians to Navistar International’s service
which opened last fall. network.
The event featured MHC’s expan- The exclusive service partnership
sive medium duty truck inventory, will be fully enacted in the second half
including Kenworth, Isuzu, Hino and of 2019, authorizing most Love’s and
Ford trucks with vans, service bodies Speedco service locations to handle
and landscaping trucks, as well as oil, a wide array of work covered by a
propane and refined fuel. The dealership Navistar-issued new-product warranty,
A better approach to managing DQ staffs medium duty-specific personnel as well as the company’s extended war-
files is a workflow-based system — an to service trucks, offering a one-stop ranties and used truck warranties.
automated solution that tracks, man- shop for customers in the medium duty
ages and monitors compliance docu- market.
ments. As documents are entered into MHC’s new Springdale facility
the system, they are indexed with values offers increased parts and service, and
such as expiration dates, doc types a wide range of driver’s lounge ameni-
and driver data that are used to trig- ties including a flat screen TV, shower,
ger workflow events. Integrated mobile washing machine and dryer to increase
solutions allow drivers to capture, index comforts for resting drivers. Cutting- Photo courtesy Navistar
and immediately submit photos of their edge technology is featured throughout
expired documents. the facility, including a geothermal
With a workflow-based system, HVAC system, all LED lighting and All applicable Love’s and Speedco
drivers and managers get real-time translucent wash bay doors. service locations will be authorized to
notifications and reminders of those “Our new location is much easier perform warranty work with service
documents with pending expirations. for customers to access right off the repair times of three hours or less for
Integration with the dispatch system highway,” MHC Regional Vice President all International Class 6 through 8
allows for the suspension of a non- and General Manager Charlie Anderson trucks. Navistar says the deal will create
compliant driver until the documents said. “With more bays and state-of-the- the industry’s largest service network
are received. art equipment, our team is equipped to at more than 1,000 locations in North
With digital storage of files, and offer better turnaround on repairs and America.
with workflow managing the process, increase customer uptime.” “It will expand customers’ access
your staff will spend less time chasing to same-day service for a wide array of
down paperwork. To learn more about NEW DEAL BETWEEN NAVISTAR light mechanical repairs, adding more
InfoStream’s DQ File Management AND LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS than 315 service locations, more than
solutions and services, visit www.infos- A new deal between Navistar and 1,000 technicians and more exten-
treamonline.com or call 833.255.5046. Love’s Travel Stops will allow Love’s and sive operating hours,” said Michael
Speedco service locations to handle an Cancelliere, president, truck and parts.
MHC RAMPS UP MEDIUM DUTY array of work covered by Navistar-issued “It will also provide our customers with
SEGMENT AT OPEN HOUSE warranties. increased repair velocity, enabling more
MHC Kenworth/Volvo - Springdale The deal will add more than 315 customers to get their trucks repaired
held an open house this spring to show- Love’s Truck Tire Care and Speedco the same day.” ATR
case its medium duty truck offerings locations and more than 1,000 techni-

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 3 2019 55

S TAT VIE W











Is the Federal Excise Tax on Truck Sales Outdated?



Is the Federal Excise Tax on truck sales outdated?
The Highway Trust Fund is supported by multiple revenue sources. Taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel accounts for
87 percent of the total. While many trucking groups, including the Arkansas Trucking Association and American
Trucking Associations, support increasing these fuel taxes, another source of the Highway Trust Fund budget,
excise taxes on tractors and trucks, have been attacked as outdated, overly burdensome and inconsistent.

Federal Excise Taxes began at 3 percent in 1917 to fund World War I. Today, truck and trailer sales carry the
largest percentage excise tax (12 percent) over every other industry. The average cost of a new truck is $117,426,
and the tax could add between $12,000 and $22,000. Opponents of the tax argue that the additional expense could
slow down and discourage the adoption of newer, safer, more environmentally-friendly and efficient vehicles.



+Tax

$20,000


avg retail price
of new truck

$117,426

Source: American Truck Dealers 2018 Annual Report


The truck and trailers sales tax has been an inconsistent revenue source for the Highway Trust Fund over the last
20 years because it is dependent on market demand and interest changes.

Heavy Weight Truck Sales, by millions of units, annual
seasonally adjusted annual rate
.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

.1

0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
ATR


56 Issue 3 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT

“Spot On!”














“I want to let everyone know that the articles in the Arkansas Trucking Report
are spot on! The photos and in-depth coverage are excellent. You get it and it

shows! Keep up the good work that you do for our industry!”
Kevin Burch



Kevin Burch
President, Jet Express, Inc.
Past Chairman, ATA
Past Chairman, TCA


















































For advertising information, contact Amanda Lamb at

(501) 372-3462 or [email protected]

THE LAST WORD








In the Water







By Dan Cushman would be part of that answer. When we gather at council meet-

Guest Writer I joined the Arkansas Trucking ings to share best practices and learn
Association’s board of directors in 2010. from each other, we make friends in
Twenty years ago, I was working Listening to the concerns and learn- this industry. When we hit the golf
for Werner Enterprises when a meeting ing from the insights of other leaders course or grab a drink with another
with Walmart brought me to Northwest in Arkansas trucking has helped me to member, we make friends in this indus-
Arkansas for the first time. A memory understand why this industry thrives here. try. When we answer a call-to-action
of a map hanging in a fast food restau- When I stepped into the role of to write or phone our elected represen-
rant somewhere near Bentonville stays chairman of the board in May, I took tatives about the issues of the day, we
with me. the podium for a few minutes to share support our own businesses and our
There were six big rivers. Two my heart with the members who had friends’ in this industry.
mountain ranges, seven caverns, over gathered for the annual conference. And The recently passed $300 million
2300 lakes, and 102,616 miles of public I wanted to impart my eagerness for the highway bill is a product of that power
roads connected 75 counties. From my position and tell a couple of stories about of association and friends in this indus-
vinyl booth at McDonald’s or Hardee’s how I had benefitted and my company try, competitors in trucking, collabo-
or wherever served hot biscuits and had benefitted from the work of ATA rating and using one voice to tell our
bad coffee, I could see flags on the president Shannon Newton and her lawmakers how we will all succeed as a
map of some of the state’s big busi- team. result of this effort.
nesses—American Freightways (now I recounted a story about being If you are still wondering what’s
FedEx Freight) in Harrison, J.B. Hunt asked to speak on a panel that I felt in the water in Arkansas, it’s this. The
Transport in Lowell, USA Truck in unprepared for, but Shannon and her trucking community here knows that
Van Buren, CalArk International in colleagues gave me a crash course in collaboration and competition can
Little Rock, ABF Freight in Fort Smith, infrastructure and how to articulate its coexist.
Walmart in Bentonville, Maverick value to my business. On the confer- Don’t keep it a secret though.
Transportation in North Little Rock, ence stage, I also told the audience I Share it with every friend you have
and P.A.M. Transport (where I would had called on the trucking association in the industry. Tell all fellow truck-
end up ten years later) in Tontitown. when my company wanted to prepare ers and suppliers in the state so that
I remember sitting there with my for a legal confrontation. When I asked they all have the opportunity to join
friends and saying “What the hell is in to meet with the Attorney General, the Arkansas Trucking Association and
the water here that all these trucking Shannon arranged it so my company know the power of the association.
companies ended up in Arkansas?” was well-equipped and educated to As the new chairman of ATA, my
Of course, I picture red flags mark- address the situation with confidence goal is to be a good friend to my indus-
ing some of the biggest household we were doing the right thing. try partners and to grow our member-
names in trucking, but Arkansas is The truth is that until I had a ship and power as an association. I
actually home to 4,850 trucking com- problem, I never realized the power of challenge you to let the secret out, too.
panies. Most of which are primarily, association, the power of staying in
small, locally owned businesses. When I communication and proximity to other Dan Cushman is the president and CEO
of Arkansas-based trucking company
asked in jest, ‘why is this state particu- professionals who are going through P.A.M. Transport. Cushman also serves
larly fertile ground for 18 wheeled busi- this business with you. This association as the chairman of the Arkansas Trucking
nesses,’ I didn’t know that I would one is powerful, but you only get out of it, Association board of directors.
day learn the answer, much less that I what you put into it.

Opinions expressed on this page may not reflect official policies or opinions of the Arkansas Trucking Association or the American Trucking Associations.

58 Issue 3 2019 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT