When it comes to moving freight across borders, especially between the United States and Mexico, calling it challenging would be an understatement. Forager Logistics CEO and co-founder Matt Silver has made it his mission to bring calm to the chaos involved in cross-border shipping.

Silver explains how he solves shippers’ problems with FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller as part of the FreightWavesTV show “Fuller Speed Ahead.”

“Forager is a cross-border and drayage-focused platform that’s building technology to try to automate as much as possible within the entire supply-chain ecosystem,” Silver said.

Forager is a cross-border freight brokerage based in Chicago. The company is primarily focused on the cross-border trucking market between the U.S., Mexico and Canada. According to Silver, it’s a $20 billion industry.

While the headlines are focused on trade wars between the U.S. and China, Fuller noted, it’s easy to forget that the United States’ largest trading partners are its neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

Although geographically connected to the U.S., carriers can face many barriers when hauling goods north and south of the border, not including the border wall.

“With Mexico specifically, there are anywhere between five and eight different parties involved in a single shipment,” said Silver. “You’ve got the U.S. and Mexico trucking companies, the border transfer guy, a warehouse potentially where you’re going to cross-dock it, a U.S.-Mexico customs broker, plus the shipper and receiver on top of it and two different languages. Putting all that stuff together takes a whole village to move a load across the border.”

Silver wants to automate the entire process to ensure businesses their freight gets from A to B on time with no worries. But on top of the regulatory pressures that come from cross-border shipping, one can’t help but worry about the safety of the cargo. Areas south of the border are notorious for cargo theft, but Silver noted that his company is no stranger to the risk and said Forager provides the proper security requirements for its customers’ loads.

“We have insurance for all the freight in Mexico, which most people don’t have, so we’re adding that separate layer on top of the security piece to ensure it even if there is an issue,” Silver said.

Forager Logistics is the result of Silver’s passion for cross-border freight. His fascination with the industry began while building Mexican sales strategies for Coyote Logistics LLC, the freight brokerage founded by his parents, Jeff and Marianne Silver.

Growing up the son of the industry experts, freight wasn’t an interest to Silver at an early age.

“When I was growing up, people always asked me what my parents did for a living, and I always said it was something with trucks. I had no idea what it was. I know I played with toy trucks as a little kid,” said Silver.

But that quickly changed for Silver as he learned the ins and outs of freight brokering from his parents. After a successful tenure with Coyote, Silver decided to take on a new challenge.

“When I left Coyote, my thought was to go work for a technology company that was kind of in the logistics space but not directly involved in it,” Silver said.

He looked for a company that combined technology with freight logistics but was ultimately persuaded to start his own, which he did this year.

“I like to say that we’re a technology company that happens to be phenomenal at moving freight,” Silver said.

Although Forager’s doors just opened, Silver said the company’s leaders have years of experience. His team has collective backgrounds with Coyote Logistics, Amazon, Uber and Apple, just to name a few.

“At the end of the day, we have the logistics DNA,” Silver said. “We’ve lived it and breathed it, we understand how it works. I try to put myself in my customers’ shoes to understand what they need.”

Silver was born into freight logistics and looks to continue his family’s legacy with his cross-border freight brokerage.

“I’m very proud to be a part of the industry, trying to do something a little bit different, but at the same time, there’s not anyone I learned more from than my parents in terms of how to grow a successful business, how to scale it and how to create the right culture,” Silver said.

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Thunder Bay City Council postponed a vote set this week on new revisions to the proposed truck route bylaw – a move OTA continues to raise serious questions about.

OTA’s Jonathan Blackham was prepared to address Council and the new specific revisions to the by-law, but was denied from doing so by City Staff, which cited information by OTA had already been raised with Council in previous meetings in the summer.  However, the proposed revisions to the bylaw that OTA was to comment  on were drafted September 23, 2019 with no opportunity for consultation provided.

The vote has now been pushed to a future date, but no later than December 2, 2019.

“Being denied the opportunity to address new legitimate issues with Council is absurd since the bylaw is in direct conflict with the Highway Traffic Act and ignores that truck drivers, as a course of business, must follow hours-of service-regulations,” said Jonathan Blackham OTA Director, Public Policy and Affairs.

Specifically, revisions to the bylaw included a provision for the change in definition of ‘driver’, so tickets can also be issued to the owner of the vehicle or the trucking company. This proposed change, runs counter to several sections of the Highway Traffic Act that prohibits tickets being issued to companies for the sole actions of a driver.  Included would be holding a company accountable for a driver disobeying an official sign which is the charge typically applied with respect to truck routes.

In addition, the definition of ‘conduct of business’ was added to allow drivers and trucks to continue deliveries in Thunder Bay without having to revert back to the designated truck route after each delivery, before proceeding to the next stop.  Drivers in the course of conducting business as defined would be exempt from the bylaw. What is missing from the Conduct of Business, however, was an acknowledgement that truck drivers must follow the hours of service regulations and are required to take daily and weekly off-duty periods, which means access to truck parking is critical.

“Consistency between provincial and municipal language with respect to truck routes is important, as is the acknowledgement that municipalities have an obligation to support drivers and the industry from a road safety perspective. The current language in the bylaw ignores these basics,” said Blackham.

OTA will continue to be engaged in this process and will attend the next round of meetings when they are scheduled.

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TORONTO, Ont. – The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is advocating for steps to better protect immigrant truck drivers, following a Globe and Mail investigation into the way immigration consultants and non-compliant fleets are exploiting foreign job seekers.

The report uncovered trucking companies that are cleared to hire newcomers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, even in cases where the carriers have a history of multiple-injury accidents and safety violations.

While the Canadian Trucking Alliance didn’t specifically name the Globe article, it released an extensive statement that separates the broader trucking industry from “non-compliant carriers” – and stresses the importance of immigration programs.

“The answer is not to stop federal/provincial immigration programs. There are too many commercial drivers going through various programs that are employed by legally compliant and ethically responsible carriers who are facing a driver shortage,” the alliance statement reads.

“The reality is that Canadian demographic rates can no longer sustain our economy – 71% of our population growth and over 90% of labor market growth is due to immigration. As the dominant freight mode and the backbone of Canada’s economy, the trucking and logistics sector has, worryingly, one of the highest job vacancy rates at 6.6%. Currently there are more than 20,000 unfilled truck driver positions in Canada – more than double the vacancies just three years ago, in 2016. If the trucks don’t keep moving, the economy will simply grind to a halt.”

The same companies that flout health and safety, environmental, and equipment maintenance rules are the ones that are abusing drivers, CTA says.

“CTA believes we must change the enforcement dialogue to address such carriers. Work is ongoing with various levels of governments to bring about this change – but change cannot come fast enough for the CTA membership and, no doubt, the Canadian public who share the road with these fleets that show a complete disregard for public safety and the human dignity of the hard-working immigrants looking to make a better life in Canada.”

Existing immigration programs should ensure participating companies comply have standards governing training, environmental, equipment, and health and safety issues, it says.

“It’s far too easy to start a trucking company in Canada. And once in the sector, it’s hardly complicated for these unscrupulous carriers to coast under the regulatory radar and avoid enforcement and sanctions.”

The alliance says effective changes across Canada will require “political fortitude” from all levels of government.

The CTA also continued its call for the misclassification of employees as contractors, in a business practice known as Driver Inc.

The first Driven to Lead program this year attracted more than 20 people, with 12 of them graduating in May.

KRTS Transportation Specialists and TransRep will be the main sponsors for a second year, the YLG said Monday.

The program will take participants through hands-on and impactful exercises focusing on topics such as culture, teamwork, accountability and strategy, it said.

The deadline for registration is Feb. 1, 200. For more details, click here.

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RICHMOND, B.C. – Drivers will again be “Shifting into Winter” in B.C. and across Canada in the coming weeks, and for the 11th year, WorkSafeBC wants to remind truckers to be prepared before hitting the road.

Trina Pollard, manager of industry and labor services – transportation and occupational road safety for WorkSafeBC, outlined for Truck News-West three key steps drivers in B.C. and across the country should be doing before driving on winter roads, with preparation being a point of emphasis.

“Heavy trucks are required to carry chains on designated highways in B.C. between Oct. 1 and April 30,” explained Pollard, saying heavy trucks are defined as those 11,794 kg and over. “Commercial vehicle drivers must know when they are required to install chains or other approved traction devices, how to properly install these devices, and where the chain-up/pull-out locations and fuel stops are on their routes.”

Fines for not carrying chains or using them when required by law increase Oct. 1 in B.C. Drivers will face a $196 fine for not carrying chains during mandatory times, and a $598 fine will be imposed for not installing chains during required chain ups. Base-level fines during previous winters were $121 for not carrying chains or failing to install them when they were required.

Pollard also said drivers should be proactive when it comes to checking road and weather conditions along their planned route, advising drivers to check www.drivebc.ca prior to departure.

“If possible, drivers should monitor road and weather conditions and delay travel until conditions improve,” she said.

Finally, it’s important for truckers to drive according to conditions, and slow down when necessary.

WorkSafeBC’s Shift into Winter campaign is a joint provincial effort led by the Winter Driving Safety Alliance, which is made up of approximately 20 organizations all committed to improving safe winter driving behaviors and practices in B.C.

“The Shift into Winter campaign is designed to raise awareness of the changing weather and driving conditions across the province and how motorists and employers need to be prepared,” said Pollard, adding that for those who drive for work, the months of November, December, and January are the most dangerous. “From 2014 to 2018, almost a third of all work-related crashes resulting in injury and time-loss claims occur during these three months.”

WorkSafeBC aims to provide education, resources, consultation, and enforcement to help keep drivers safe on provincial roads.

“Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their employees who drive for work,” said Pollard, “regardless of whether they drive a company-owned or personal vehicle.”

The Shift into Winter campaign provides various resources, such as a winter driving safety online course for employers and supervisors, as well as an employer toolkit that includes a policy and procedures template.

Drivers can access information on how to prepare their vehicle and themselves for winter driving, and take on online quiz to test their knowledge.
Carriers and drivers will see additional resources at www.shiftintowinter.ca to prepare for winter, including Winterizing Your Safety Plan: Information for Commercial Carriers, How to Install Chains, and Winter Driving Tips for Truck Drivers.

PRESCOTT, Ont. – Kriska Transportation Group (KTG) has acquired Trailwood Transport and Nexus Freight, both operating out of Alliston, Ont.

The two fleets will continue to be led by general manager Lorie Thompson and their current management teams. Former Trailwood owner Mark Beckstead will represent the company going forward, with a focus on maintaining key customer relationships and growth, Kriska said in a release.

“Trailwood and Nexus are great strategic fits with the Kriska Transportation Group,” said Kriska CEO, Mark Seymour. “Their culture and results are a welcome addition to the KTG family. Trailwood’s expertise in the automotive industry brings further diversification to our industry mix. The addition of Nexus gives us the local capacity to help supplement our current network needs. We expect to find many synergies and opportunities to help both businesses grow profitably.”

“Becoming part of KTG offers Trailwood and Nexus the opportunity to lower our cost base, bring long-term stability to our business and collaborate with other transportation professionals in the KTG family,” added Beckstead. “We’re excited to be part of a group that values our brand strength and who are like-minded as it relates to trucking.”

Trailwood was founded in 1984 as a family-run transportation company offering domestic and cross-border truckload services, specializing in the automotive industry. It runs 112 power units and 385 dry van trailers.

Nexus Freight is a local cartage carrier, servicing Southern Ontario with both 53-ft. dry vans as well as a small fleet of straight trucks. It operates 20 power units and 12 trailers.

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The reporting raises serious safety concerns about inexperienced drivers and the exploitation of foreign workers. The Globe details how trucking companies, working with immigration consultants, took cash payoffs from foreign recruits, then put those newcomers behind the wheels of big trucks on dangerous Canadian roads, with no experience and no training.

People are dying, but the government keeps handing out temporary foreign worker permits to trucking companies with serious violations on their records including the exploitation of workers.

“This isn’t something that’s new to the industry,” Shelley Uvanile-Hesche, the CEO of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, says of the claims. “Drivers have been aware of that for quite some time.”

She stresses the importance of experience behind the wheel on Canadian roads and says new drivers are too often put on the roads without adequate training and education.

“The fact that we have drivers that can’t read or write English or French — our two main languages — is another area of concern,” Uvanile-Hesche tells NEWS 1130. “I don’t believe that that boils down to racism, that boils down to public safety.”

The Globe and Mail has outlined the risks these trucking companies are subjecting people and drivers to.

“You have to remember, in most cases, a driver is responsible for 80,000 lbs minimum, is the payload usually in the trailer,” Uvanile-Hesche explains. Throw that load in with speed, dangerous curves, bends, and hills, she says anyone without the proper experience won’t be able to safely stay on the road.

In Ontario, there is mandatory entry-level training for truck drivers. While she admits it’s not perfect, Uvanile-Hesche hopes it’ll be the start of improving driver training and requirements.

The federal department in charge of the foreign worker program has said it will look into all allegation of abuse, but it’s the provinces that are responsible for training and safety standards in that industry.

B.C.’s transportation minister, Claire Trevena, says the province is working on mandatory minimum training, which most other provinces already have. She’s also promised to conduct a sweeping review of the industry.

It was just last year that 16 people were killed and 13 others were hurt in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan. In April of 2018, an inexperienced trucker blew through a stop sign, into the path of the junior hockey team’s bus at a rural intersection. The driver was sentenced to eight years in prison for 29 counts of dangerous driving causing death or bodily harm.

Since the crash, there have been a number of calls for safety measures to be enforced in the trucking industry, as well as on buses.

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That is according to Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of the APTA, who said the association has had enough discussions on those issues over the past few years.

“The driver shortage, we beat that one to death. I don’t even want to talk about that,” Picard told Truck News, adding that it is the same with the ELDs.

The two-day conference, instead, will focus on emerging technologies.

Yves Provencher, senior manager for business development at the Lion Electric Co., will present the Future of the Electric Truck.

Another key speaker is Brian DePratto, senior economist at TD commercial banking. He will provide the economic and industry outlook, while the Canadian Trucking Association will offer its take on the federal regulatory affairs.

Senior provincial and city leaders are also expected to attend.

Motivational speaker Nick Bontis will wrap up the conference with the keynote address on changes in the workplace.

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A tanker truck hauling milk tipped on its side while the driver navigated a curve in Quebec City early this morning.

It's not clear exactly how much milk spilled, but it looks like a lot.

Images captured at the scene displayed what appeared to be a river of milk, staining a large swath of pavement white as morning traffic backed up on nearby streets.

The incident happened at around 5:30 a.m on Soumande Street near Hubert Street in front of a Super C grocery store.

The driver was not injured but was transported to hospital as a precautionary measure, police say.

How the truck ended up on its side is still under investigation.

A small crane was used to get the truck back up on its wheels and the tanker has since been removed.

Quebec City police say the public works department was called in to clean the mess.

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