The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/236631
hotline Trucking's Most Respected Business Report Departed: HDT's Pat Smith Trucking journalist/communications specialist Patricia McCullough Smith, who served the trucking industry for nearly three decades, passed away Dec. 10 at the McMinnville, Ore., home she shared with her husband Doug. Most of her career was with Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, which she joined in 1985. As senior editor, her assignments included writing the HDT Hotline newsletter and business features, website news, and covering regulatory issues, the aftermarket and truck dealers. Highly respected for her reporting accuracy and depth, and for her journalistic integrity, Smith earned numerous awards. By the numbers... $3.50 On Move the Paccar Inc. named Ronald Armstrong CEO and Mark Pigott executive chairman of the board of directors, effective April 27. Armstrong, current Paccar president, succeeds Pigott, CEO and chairman since 1997. Robert Christensen, currently executive VP and CFO, will become president and CFO. Bob Perkins is retiring from his role as VP of marketing and business development at Jacobs Vehicle Systems after nearly 29 years. Steve Ernest is his replacement. John Corey, president and CEO, Stoneridge Inc., is chairman of the board of direct tors of the Motor t & Equipment Manufacturers Association for 2014. The end-use price of diesel fuel in the transportation sector is forecast to drop to $3.50 per gallon in 2017, then rise to $4.73 per gallon by 2040, says the Department of Energy. That's a lower forecast than last year's $5.03 prediction. $2 billion One of the world's largest private investment firms may sell its $2 billion stake in the truckstop chain Pilot Flying J. London-based CVC Capital Partners reportedly told investors it plans to sell its 20% share to the Haslam family in two stages in 2015 and 2016. 9,800 Ford Motor Co. tapped John Ruppert, its top fleet executive, to head up its commercial truck division. Fritz Ahadi replaces him as general manager of commercial and government operations. Fontaine Commercial Platform Trailer promoted Karl Owens to president from VP & GM. Noted The number of freight brokers that closed in December after a new federal broker bond provision went into effect requiring a $75,000 bond, according to the Association of Independent Property Brokers & Agents. $8.2 billion The deal reached for Sysco to buy U.S. Foods, creating one of the nation's largest private fleets with more than 1,500 trucks and tractors and more than 18,000 trailers. 22 HDT • JANUARY 2014 yWabash National produced its 500,000th DuraPlate van trailer, which went to Crete Carrier Corp. yBergstrom Inc. announced the acquisition of Innovative Product Development Corp., an engineering firm based in Troy, Mich., in the vehicle HVAC industry. yCarrier Transicold commemorated the 25th anniversary of its U.S. manufacturing facility in Athens, Ga., where it makes truck and trailer refrigeration units. www.truckinginfo.com