December 2015 Volume 26, Issue 12
A candid conversation: Professional driver Al Goodhall addresses a tough subject that affects drivers.
Page 27
Report from the Summit: A comprehensive report from the Surface Transportation Summit.
Page 25
Investing in Alberta: Tremcar demonstrated it believes in Alberta, by moving into a larger facility.
Page 14
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Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1989
Optimistic about 2016: Daimler CEO Martin Daum projects demand for new trucks will stay strong in ’16.
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The view from Sask.
Flatdeck carrier Searcy Trucking of Winnipeg was named one of North America’s safest fleets at the ATA MC&E.
Winnipeg fleet wins top safety award
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau
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Contact Derek Clouthier at: Derek@ Newcom.ca or call 403-969-1506
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Searcy Trucking recognized by Volvo as one of North America’s safest carriers WINNIPEG, Man. – A Canadian fleet has once again been recognized by Volvo Trucks as one of the safest in North America. Searcy Trucking was named a winner of the 2015 Volvo Trucks Safety Awards at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition. It receives $25,000 to put towards its safety programs, courtesy Volvo and co-sponsor Michelin Americas Truck Tires. Searcy, a Bison Transport subsidiary based in Winnipeg, Man., won the division for fleets travelling less than 20 million miles per year. Winner of the 20 million mile-plus category was Ruan Transportation of Des Moines, Iowa. Companies are selected based on their safety records and training programs. Qualifying carriers must have at least one Volvo truck in their fleets. “By making safety a priority every day, Ruan Transportation and Searcy Trucking were able to deliver an outstanding safety performance during the past year,” said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “Their investments in industry-leading safety programs and training show a dedication to
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driver safety, and we congratulate them on this achievement.” This is the seventh year for the Volvo Trucks Safety Award program and Canadian fleets have traditionally fared well. Searcy is an 88-truck flatbed trucking company that says it manages its safety programs with the same attention to detail as its finances. Drivers are provided with simulator training that reflects real-life experiences. It employs a “Right to decide” policy, which allows drivers to deem when it’s not safe to carry on, allowing them to discontinue a trip until conditions improve. Its drivers racked up more than 6.8 million miles last year and had an accident frequency rate of 0.58. “Safety has been a core value at Searcy Trucking for as long as we’ve been in the trucking business and that was a key factor in Bison’s interest in acquiring Searcy back in 2013,” said Norm Blagden, president of Searcy Trucking, who accepted the award. “Searcy drivers are some of the best in the business. That, combined with a leading safety program, ensures our drivers return home safely at the end of each and every trip.”
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Rider Nation healthy, with few Calgary stampeders, Rosseker says By Jim Bray REGINA, Sask. – Speculation that the election of an NDP government in Alberta could lead to a flood of companies hightailing it to greener pastures a province to the east appears to be unfounded, at least so far. That’s according to Al Rosseker, executive director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), who sat down with Truck West to outline the current state of the province’s trucking industry. “We haven’t had a lot of inquiries from Alberta trucking companies saying they want to (relocate)… maybe one or two,” he said, “but I think it’s not that they’re running away from a government, it’s more just straight business.” That said, Rosseker noted that “NDP governments have a reputation for tax and spend and we’ll see what happens in Alberta.” Unlike the vaunted “Alberta Advantage” that’s based mostly on one sector of the economy – the resource sector – Saskatchewan’s economy is more diversified. “We have fallbacks,” Rosseker said. “We have wheat, we have potash, we have uranium. We certainly have oil and natural gas.” And, it appears, a premier willing to go to bat for the province. “We’ve got a premier here who’s at least pitching our oil and, by way of extension, Alberta’s,” Rosseker said. “Alberta’s new premier is not as proactive, but I can also see that she’s new to the whole deal…so let’s give her some time and see what she does.” Continued on page 10
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