Allied pulls bid on PTS

Private Equity HUB - Allied Systems Pulls Bid: "Allied Systems Holdings Inc., facing a slew of objections from creditors, has withdrawn its $67 million bid for fellow auto hauler Performance Transportation Services Inc."

Boydstun and Cottrell reach settlement.

Received this press release from Boydstun:

Portland, Oregon December 13, 2007 – Boydstun Metal Works announced today they have reached a mutually acceptable settlement with Cottrell Trailers regarding certain intellectual properties belonging to Boydstun Metal Works. The patents in question, one for Boydstun Screw Actuator Technology and the other for the Boydstun Soft Tie System, have contributed significantly to improving safety, quality, training and productivity related to the auto transport industry.

Despite differences of opinion between Boydstun and Cottrell on the direction of the industry, both organizations have invested heavily in new technology designed to improve auto transport. The agreement announced today allows both companies to offer the innovations that were the subject of the dispute to the auto transport industry going forward, an outcome desired and endorsed by Boydstun.

The Boydstun Metal Works brand is known for innovative engineering and production processes; assets that the company must protect but also employ for the industry wide benefit of auto transport. In keeping with its heritage, Boydstun will continue to evaluate and employ new technology to benefit the fleets that serve the automotive industry in what is unquestionably a very challenging marketplace.

Do you haul new pickups?

Market Spotlight: Auto Suppliers: "General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC have all announced first-quarter production cuts, citing slower demand as consumers continue to be rattled by high fuel prices and trouble in the housing market. A significant portion of the production cuts will be in the large pickup truck segment, which will particularly hurt suppliers with the most exposure to that part of the market such as..."

Make no mistake... competition is going to increase for loads, because there will be a half mill. less new vehicles to haul, and less freight at the auctions.

Auto Transport Drug Smuggling

Two sentenced on federal drug charges: "Gonzales drove Felix to San Antonio on July 13, 2005. Gonzales drove a Ford pickup pulling an auto transport trailer containing a Mercury. Gonzales followed Felix in another vehicle. A secret compartment in the Mercury’s trunk was used to hide the cocaine, according to federal investigators."

I've heard rumors of auto transport being used as a front for drug trafficking, but this is the first time I've seen any proof. I wonder if this marks a change in drug enforcement strategy?

Maybe he was just trying to figure out a way to compensate for lousy load prices and high fuel costs?

Driver database and bulletin board started for auto haulers.

Companies looking for experienced auto transport drivers will soon be able to search a database for a nominal subscription fee. Drivers wishing to post articles or share information are encouraged to try the new bulletin board (free: http://forums.autohaulershopper.com/

More on the PTS bankruptcy filing.

Tribune-Chronicle: "Car hauler files bankruptcy By LARRY RINGLER / Tribune Chronicle LORDSTOWN — Performance Transportation Services Inc. will continue to haul vehicles, including those made at the General Motors Corp. Lordstown Complex, after a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing designed to help the sale of the company. The parent of Leaseway Auto Transport said Monday’s voluntary bankruptcy was required to sell the company to Allied Systems Holdings Inc. for $67 million."

'Performance' Seeks Ch 11 Asset Sale

'Performance' Seeks Ch 11 Asset Sale: "'Performance' Seeks Ch 11 Asset Sale"

Well, from what I've heard, Allied was in desperate need of some equipment.

Adjustable rollback strap

Watch a short video of this new type of adjustable auto tie-down strap for rollback trucks.

The proper cinch method for side mount auto tie-down strap system.

For more info, go here.

New video shows side mount wheel strap system

Autohauler Supply - AA Autohauler WHEEL STRAPS » Side Mount Wheel Strap Systems Short video shows new wheel strap system for wedge trailers.

Wicked Strap Deal (auto tie-down)

Autohauler Supply has ratchet wheel straps on sale for $15.95 including ratchet!

Watch a video about the new improved auto transport wheel strap!

Ratchet Wheel Strap Deal

$15.95 each, including ratchet
Check it out

Madison County Record | Cottrell cleared in federal court trial

Madison County Record | Cottrell cleared in federal court trial: "9/20/2007 6:24 PM"

It's about time.

EZ Dispatch: web application for car haulers

I guess I've known Dave from EZ Dispatch for at least a couple years now, so when I got a call last weekend from him letting me know he was going to be in the area, I jumped at the chance to check out his new bar code scanner.

What the heck is EZ Dispatch, and why you should you care? Just possibly the best thing you've never heard of before that could make your job easier!

I drove out to meet Dave at his hotel in my son's 1992 Toyota Tercel, and he started his demonstration by scanning the VIN on the door frame with the Barracoda scanner. When we got back to his room to check out the results on his laptop (the scanner connects wirelessly via Bluetooth), he told me how much my kid's car weighs-- 1950 pounds!

Using this system, a driver can scan in a load and print bills of lading in minutes! Not only that, but the dispatcher can see what cars have been picked up or dropped off in real time, which means better customer service and faster billing (always a good thing).

But the time savings only starts with the driver-- back at the office, the system can download invoices straight into Quickbooks, so you don't have to re-type all that vehicle information in!

Currently, Dave has two different bar code scanners that work great with laptops, and his system will also work with cell phones that have data capabilities (web enabled phones, or "WEP" for short)

Having seen this system, I don't know why anyone with a car hauler business wouldn't subscribe to this service... unless they enjoy filling out paperwork. Dave hauled cars for years, so you can be sure he'll give you a straight answer and not a bunch of "Technical-ese" that you won't understand. To find out more, go to http://ezdispatch.com/

Madison County Record | Appellate Court issues mixed ruling in Cottrell claim

Madison County Record | Appellate Court issues mixed ruling in Cottrell claim

For those of you who missed the ruling on the Cottrell law suit.

Madison County Record | Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee

Madison County Record | Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee: "Stack to Wendler: Take it and leave it in Tennessee"

Basically, the last dying gasps of the lawsuit against Cottrell, Cassens, et. al.

Slide N Glide Graphite Video

Autos hauled out of Tacoma

According to an email I just received from Sharon Glassy, auto transport is up at the Port of Tacoma, WA:

Automobiles (units) 81,379 up 9.1 percent

That might go way up if the Chinese start exporting cars to the US market!

TEC moves, expands auto transport equipment business

In a few days, TEC equipment will be moving to a new location in Portland, OR. According to Dave Fleischman, they will be moving to NE Vancouver Way up near the Jubitz truck stop and Portland Freightliner. Additionally, TEC is gearing up to do more business within the car hauling niche in their Fontana, CA location.

Old Car Hauler Pics

New and Old on Autohauler Shopper

A bunch of old car hauler photos just posted!

The "S" Word!

Finally!

What's the real "S" word? Why, it's SALES of course!

This is for all of you who are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
If you're tired of getting the run-around from dishonest brokers... if you're tired of your costs going up while your load price goes down... if you're tired of working hard and still not succeeding... the answer might be marketing. That's right, good old-fashioned selling.

(GASP!) Yes, salesmanship. I know that salesman are perhaps the least respected among humanity's citizenry, but let's stop and think what sales is all about.

Sales is about getting business. I don't care whether you sell used cars or you transport them. Sales is about representing yourself to the market in such a way that you gain your unfair share of customers.

Let me repeat that last bit: Getting your UNFAIR share.

Here's the thing-- if you continue to do the same thing, is it reasonable to expect different results? The hard fact of life is that you can do everything you're "supposed to do"-- drive safely, give good customer service, maintain proper insurance, etc... and still not succeed.

You have to be a salesman... sort of. I'm not advocating you run out and buy a pair of white vinyl shoes and matching belt. You probably won't need a plaid suit or a Rolex wristwatch. You won't even have to get your hair "permed" or wear a gold chain.

If the idea of being a salesman makes you nervous, then think of it as just "telling a story"-- (and I haven't met a trucker yet who couldn't tell a story or two!)

You need to get comfortable telling the story of your business-- how you got to be a carhauler... who your first customer was... who your best customer is... why people like to use you. This will help you get in the mindset of finding more good customers... and then more... and then a few more. It's got to become a habit-- just like (maybe) NOT being a salesman is a habit.

I strongly urge you to go to this section of the Orange Fractal website and read each chapter in Marketing 101. (They're even in a handy PDF file format, so you can save them right to your computer or print them out on your printer!)

Each one of the sub-sections deals with the nuts and bolts of building your business through basic salesmanship. Go HERE.

And don't forget to pass this on to a friend, OK?

Chinese Car Manufacturer

Play video to see future.

Free shipping deal on auto tie down straps

Free Shipping Deal: "June 14, 2007
'Holy Wheel Strap, Batman! Are they really offering FREE SHIPPING on 40 PACKS of the best ratchet wheel strap ever?'
You betcha! Go here to learn more: FREE SHIPPING DEAL ON RATCHET STRAPS You can also order a great new toolbox with a 5 year warranty!"

Car hauler tie down strap video

Autohauler Shopper - Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain!

Autohauler Shopper - Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain!: "Mid-Michigan Trucking company for sale My loss is your gain! $250,000.00 MI
Thanks for taking a minute to look at this once in a lifetime business oppertunity! Health reasons force this sale, I am going back into the Hospital for a week June 11th"

CDL DRIVER - Windows Live Expo - Free Online Classifieds

From the looks of how many Help-Wanted ads, Cottrell is keeping pretty busy these days!

CDL DRIVER - Windows Live Expo - Free Online Classifieds: "CDL DRIVER
View map Get driving directions
Location: Gainesville , GA
ZIP/Postal Code: 30501
Listed: Monday, May 28, 2007 5:00 AM
Expires: Monday, June 25, 2007 12:00 AM
Category: Skilled Trade/Craft

Description:
CDL-A Driver needed. Home 3-4 nights per week. Apply in person at Cottrell, Inc. 2125 Candler Road, Gainesville, GA.

Source - Athens Banner-Herald

Requirements:
Please refer to the Job Description to view the requirements for this job"

Trucker's Height Stick: Video

Allied auto transport; buying trailers!

Word is, Allied bought up just about every trailer available at the auction of Blue Thunder trucks the other day in Maryland. From what I hear, they definitely needed some newer equipment. Still, it's amazing how much money a company in reorganization can come up with to make a purchase of this size.

Cottrell Screw Trailers

Well, we've talked to quite a few folks here and there about the Boydstun screw trailers and reported our findings here; now it's time to take a look at Cottrell car haulers.

Recently, I was chatting with a large mid-western car hauler who is currently building up his fleet of Cottrell screw units. He said that his drivers complained at first about the speed of the screw actuators. Looking at actual load times, however, none of the top brass could see much of a difference. The consensus is (much like with Boydstun) that even if the deck goes up a bit slower, the fact that you don't have to pin the decks saves that extra time.

The folks at Boydstun have done test loads of the same type of cars using the same driver and found that THEIR screw trailer loads faster than THEIR chain truck. I think they said the screws loaded in 20 minutes less time than the chain truck plus or minus.

There are several things I'd like to see with respect to Cottrell screw trailers and Boydstun screw trailers.

1. Base model comparison within each brand chain vs. strap truck: purchase price, maintenance schedule and costs, insurance costs, fuel costs and avg load times. Warranty period and coverages. Available options.

2. Comparison of Boydstun screw vs Cottrell screw along those same lines.

I asked the gentleman I spoke with earlier if they had any data as far as reduced worker's comp claims, and he said it was really too soon to tell, plus the percentage of his fleet that were strap trucks was still pretty small.

A sign of the times-- his strap truck fleet will go from thirty or so to over a hundred this year!

Post Script:

The biggest negative we've heard about screw trailers has to do with making load height. Seems like the automotive engineers in charge of vehicle design don't stop and consider the effect of their decisions on roof-height. This, more than anything has led a lot of drivers to use their chain ratchet systems do double duty as an auto tie-down tool AND a load-height adjustment device. The strap trucks take away that ability. In a perfect world, vehicle manufacturers wouldn't keep adding inches to their vehicles and expect lower delivery costs. Overpass heights would actually BE what the sign said. Until that day comes, we strongly urge the use of a height stick, lest that Sierra on your head rack turn into a convertible.

Blue Thunder Auto Tranport Equipment Auction Results

Model # of Units Price
2000 Sterling Boydstun 9178 2 $46,000
2000 Sterling Boydstun 9178 1 $56,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 8 $96,000
2000 Sterling Boydstun 9178 1 $54,000 $54,000
2001 FTL Boydstun 9101 5 $63,000 $315,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 3 $60,000 $180,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 4 $62,500 $250,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 9 $66,000 $594,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 11 $69,000 $759,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 12 $70,000 $840,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 12 $72,000 $864,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 3 $73,000 $219,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 4 $86,000 $344,000
2002 Sterling Boydstun 9178 10 $89,000 $890,000
2003 Sterling Boydstun 9178 4 $89,000 $356,000
2003 Sterling Boydstun 9178 9 $90,000 $810,000
2004 Sterling Boydstun 9178 1 $81,000 $81,000
2004 Sterling Boydstun 9178 9 $82,000 $738,000
2004 Sterling Boydstun 9178 3 $82,500 $247,500
2004 Sterling Boydstun 9178 8 $89,000 $712,000
2001 FTL 2004 Boydstun 9178 1 $44,000
2000 Sterling Boydstun 9178 4 $54,000
2004 Boydstun Enclosed 2 $52,000
2001 FTL Boydstun 9101 2 $44,000

What's going on with loads at UShip?

Can this be right? Over 49,000 Service Providers and 5,645 Active Listings?
That's a lot of guys with trucks chasing a much smaller amount of loads. I suppose the "New Bids" and "New Listings" stats are more indicative of who is doing what, and with whom.

Today's Marketplace Stats [from Uship website]

* Today's New Listings:351
* Today's New Bids:637
* Total Active Listings:5,645
* Total Service Providers:49,253
* Current Users Online:1,442

I think it would be interesting to quantify load price by mile and compare it with other dispatch boards. Could give consumers and providers an index to how efficiently priced their quotes are relative to the general market.

Chain prices going UP.

Just a word to the wise: if you anticipate buying auto tie-down chains in the next six months, better buy it before April.

Canadian auto transport company endorses Boydstun screw technology

This is an excerpt of a press-release I got from Boydstun today:


“Our record using the screw actuator/soft-tie strap system has been tremendous,” said Jeff Odway, National Fleet Manager for L. Hansen’s Forwarding Ltd. “We were fortunate in reducing damages significantly in the first year of a new contract. Damage reductions were attributed to the screw system running 99.77% damage free while moving approximately 22,000 vehicles in the first year.”

I actually talked to this gentleman a month or so ago, and he said that the strap trucks are actually extending the careers of some car haulers by five years or more. He said that there have been guys actually coming out of retirement to run these trucks.

He really put it in perspective, explaining that the physical demands of loading and unloading cars on a chain truck are pretty significant. You've got the weight of the chain itself, the force that it takes to crank the ratchets, plus the fact of having to climb up on the top deck to hook and unhook vehicles. It beats up on your body!

I wonder how long it's going to take the worker's comp insurance actuaries to figure out that this new technology decreases risk? Seems like decreased insurance expense would be an added benefit of going with the new technology.

Walter Frobos, who runs the shop for Southeast Auto Transport, has had similar luck hauling Toyotas with the new Boydstun screw trailers. Southeast Auto Transport is a division of JM Family Enterprises, 16th biggest privately held firm in the US. Last time I talked with him he was buying a bunch of the new trucks!

How strong are your ratchet wheel straps, really?

The AA Extra Long

The other night a fellow who was comparison shopping called me up to ask about ratchet wheel straps. He said that the other ones he was thinking about buying were made out of 12,000 strap material.

"Ask the salesman if they come with tags showing a 4000 LB working load limit," I said.

The industry standard is for these auto tie-down straps to be tagged with the safe working load limit, calculated at a ration of 1:3 of ultimate (breaking strength) of the assembly.

Most of the straps I see on the market are built with a 5000 breaking strength hook, but few of the vendors will point that out to car haulers; they just talk about their 12,000 lb straps.

I've seen a major truck sales company selling basket tie-downs that had absolutely no working load limit tags at all. NADA!

I've seen other companies with phony working load limit tags. (Don't worry, we're putting some of those through a destructive pull-test and will publish the results.)

I've seen other companies selling ratchet straps with huge ratchets-- the kind better suited for tying down loads on a flatbed trailer, where clearance is never an issue.

When you do something day in and day out, you learn all the "tricks of the trades" and you also see people using lame sales tricks like talking about their "12,000" straps, and not mentioning the working load limit of the assembly. This industry needs to start putting safety ahead of profits and explaining to buyers EXACTLY what they're getting, and how long the warranty is on the product. (Not to mention, how long the strap is!)

Kentucky Trailer Technologies to Relocate

Kentucky Trailer Technologies to Relocate: "Kentucky Trailer Technologies to Relocate"

Seems like almost every aspect of the auto industry is making the transition to the cotton belt from the rust belt. I wonder how much of this has to do with the business environment; i.e., taxes, level of education, and how much has to do with the emergence of the south as a new hub of the business. I think economists call this the "clustering" phenomenon.

Allied, Yucaipa Reach Ch. 11 Deal - MSN Money

Associated Press Business News: Allied, Yucaipa Reach Ch. 11 Deal - MSN Money

I wonder if the guys at Yucaipa have ever looked at Allied's fleet of trucks. I think they look different in the yard than they do on the balance sheet. No offense, Allied, but a little Slip Plate goes a long way, especially when you're hauling cars in the northern states with all that salt and sand on the road.

Boydstun has a new website and phone number.

Boydstun announced recently that they have a new toll-free phone number and a new website, including parts catalogs in PDF format (you can download them and store them on your computer or print them out). Sounds like they have a new phone system that can transfer you to whatever department or even location (Portland vs. Jacksonville) that you need.

Toll-Free Customer Service Phone Number


For the first time, customers requiring assistance or general company information can now call Boydstun directly and for free. The new toll-free number connects callers to a central dispatch officer who will route them to the appropriate department. Callers can use this number to speak to the Sales, Warranty or Finance Departments, schedule a repair or order parts, among other requests.

The following is an excerpt of a press-release sent to Car Hauler News:

The number (1-877-437-8952) is answered from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Customers can be connected to either the Portland, Oregon or the Jacksonville, Florida locations. Callers using this toll-free service after hours can leave a message and will be contacted during normal business hours.

What the auto transport industry really needs is one phone number that will take you to the parts department for all trailer manufacturers. Wait a minute-- they already have that... It's called C.F. Bender!

Madison County Record | Cottrell suit settles after blame reassigned

Madison County Record | Cottrell suit settles after blame reassigned: "Wednesday, February 28, 2007"

Will this be the last of these cases? Probably not.

Another bankruptcy in the car hauling industry.

Blue Thunder Auto Transport has filed for bankruptcy. For a list of creditors, you can go to: http://bluethunderlogistics.com/Reorg/Case_docs/51.pdf

Called over here the other day to see how Leonard was doing, and was told he no longer was employed there.

BBC NEWS | Business | DaimlerChrysler cuts 13,000 jobs

BBC NEWS | Business | DaimlerChrysler cuts 13,000 jobs: "DaimlerChrysler is to cut 13,000 jobs at its loss-making US unit Chrysler."

I wonder if anyone has compared the job loss with job creation over time. Seems like there must have been numerous studies on this, since the auto industry supports so many other jobs in the economy.

Performance Transportation Services, Inc. :: Performance Transportation Services, Inc. Emerges from Chapter 11

Thomas Becker, who helps PTS with their publicity directed me to the latest article which should clarify where PTS is at with respect to the reorganization:
Performance Transportation Services, Inc. :: Performance Transportation Services, Inc. Emerges from Chapter 11: "Performance Transportation Services, Inc. Emerges from Chapter 11
Reorganization Plan Becomes Effective

DETROIT, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Transportation Services Inc., ('PTS') the second largest transporter of new automobiles, sport-utility vehicles and light trucks in North America, announced that its Plan of Reorganization became effective today, marking the Company's emergence from its voluntary Chapter 11 proceeding. The Company's Plan of Reorganization was confirmed on December 21, 2006 less than a year after PTS and its U.S. subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York.

PTS has met all requirements to emerge from bankruptcy and the implementation of the court approved Plan of Reorganization brings to a conclusion the company's financial restructuring process. 'Since commencing our voluntary reorganization, we have successfully restructured our financial position,' said Jeffrey L. Cornish, chief executive officer and president of PTS. 'Through this restructuring we have effectively put many challenges of our past behind us, permitting the company to emerge from Chapter 11 with a significantly less leveraged balance sheet, cash to fund operations and a financial structure that will allow us"

Allied Transport Bankruptcy Updeate

Guess while we're updating all of our favorite stories, we should post the latest happenings at Allied!
Allied Bankruptcy Report

Performance Transportation Services, Inc. Receives Court Approval on First-Day Motions in its Voluntary Chapter 11 Filing

This company is also known as PTS group. They own E&L Transport, Hadley, just to name a few. The following link goes to an article related to their Chapter 11 filing.
Performance Transportation Services, Inc. Receives Court Approval on First-Day Motions in its Voluntary Chapter 11 Filing

Received a call last week from someone from US Business Review on this very subject. Supposedly, PTS is emerging from bankruptcy. It looks like they have gotten to the point where they can control their destiny, so to speak, but I didn't see anything in this particular news story that says they are "definitively" out, and that the BK has been discharged. But perhaps I am missing something.

According to Wikipedia, this is the definition of "Debtor in Possession":

debtor in possession

A debtor in possession, in United States bankruptcy law, is a person who has filed a bankruptcy petition, but remains in possession of property upon which a creditor has a lien or similar security interest. Under certain circumstances, the debtor in possession may be able to keep the property by paying the creditor the fair market value, as opposed to the contract price. This is often the case where the property is a personal vehicle which has depreciated in value since the time of the purpose, and which the debtor needs in order to be able to find or continue employment to pay off his debts.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Cottrell Lawsuit Update

Madison County Record | Attorneys want records in unrelated case to keep class action moving


Too bad there wasn't a button on your computer: "No lawyers today, please." They're like a force of nature!

Autohauler Supply - Product » 5 Pack of 6 foot cluster chain- includes...

Autohauler Supply - Product » 5 Pack of 6 foot cluster chain- includes...

Depressing, sort of.

This is depressing. This week I was planning a trip, and the only Ford available at the particular airport I was flying into was a Taurus through Hertz rental. Since it cost about double what it should have been, I rented a Chrysler Something-or-other. I'd hoped to find someone with the new Mustang GT, because I wanted to try it out. I couldn't even find a Taurus or one of the new 500 (which is actually a pretty sweet ride).

Today, I got this in my email inbox from Light and Medium Truckmagazine:
GM, Ford Sales Drop; Toyota up 9.5%

General Motors Corp. said last Thursday its January U.S. auto sales dropped 16.6%, and Ford Motor Co. saw its sales drop 19%, with both citing lower sales to rental-car companies, The Associated Press reported.

But Toyota Motor Corp.'s sales rose 9.5% to again surpass Ford's monthly sales, while DaimlerChrysler AG's sales rose 3.2% compared with January 2006, also topping Ford's sales for the month, AP said. American Honda Motor Co.'s sales rose 2.5%.

GM's light truck sales were down 11.5% to 140,458, AP said. Toyota's truck sales rose 5% and Ford sold 110,035 light trucks, down 9.8%, AP said. L&MT

The real irony in all this? The purpose of my trip was to visit a new Toyota distribution facility.

Another sermon on safety!

After I got the press release from Boydstun, I decided to check out their new website. The thing that really caught my eye was the safety bulletin, which had some information on it that folks really need to pay attention to, especially if they're new to the auto transport business. The following are a few excerpts (plus my comments):

*WARNING* Exceeding 50 lbs. of force can result in significant property damage and serious injury. Under no circumstances should any driver ever apply more than 50 lbs of force to a tie down bar in order to secure a vehicle, nor should it ever be necessary to do so in order to properly secure a vehicle.

And here is another important warning:

*WARNING* Never push on the tie down bar—always pull. Pushing on the bar may cause you to fall or otherwise incur serious injury if you slip or if the chain or some other part of the tie down system breaks or comes unhooked while you are pushing.

To see Boydstun's complete safety bulletin on this issue, go here.

Here is something you really need to consider if you're a young guy getting started in your business-- carhauling is no path to "easy money". Auto transport has a pretty long learning curve, and it can be just as steep as the incline of one of those decks in a stack trailer. If you've chosen this industry as a career, learn everything you can, and respect the boundaries of the possible. Part of your work is to know when something can't be done safely. Sometimes, you just WON'T be able to make a load work, and you'll have to leave a car. I'm all for keeping customers happy, but if you injury yourself trying to crank down a car to make load height, or (God forbid) slip off the upper deck on a wet, rainy night, it's just not worth it. You've got to take this stuff seriously, because there could be really serious consequences if you don't. I'm glad that manufacturers like Cottrell and Boydstun are doing their part to design safer trailers, but safety is a shared responsibility. The dispatcher needs to be able to flex and adapt if a driver can't load a car safely. The driver needs to become an expert on his or her trailer. The maintenance department needs to do their part to anticipate a problem that might potentially cause an unsafe situation down the road. Ownership needs to be fully committed to safety and driver training. If you're an owner-operator all of these different aspects of the job yourself, you've still got to do them. (Ah, the joy of being in business for yourself!)
Well, that's the end of my sermon. You might want to check with your car hauler's manufacturer and see if there are any safety bulletins like this on the chain ratchets. And always remember: "Safety is no accident."

Boydstun Metal Works Names Bob McTernan Vice President

Portland, Or. – January 5, 2007 – Boydstun Metal Works recently announced that Bob McTernan has been named Vice President of the company. McTernan is responsible for all sales and marketing functions as well as operations at the company’s North American facilities. He reports to Rob Boydstun, President and CEO of Boydstun Metal Works.

“We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Bob McTernan to our executive staff at Boydstun,” said Rob Boydstun, President and CEO of Boydstun Metal Works. “Bob brings with him a very broad range of industry knowledge and will prove to be a great asset as we continue to grow our business in North America and provide our customers with the best auto hauling solutions available.”

McTernan is a 32-year trucking industry veteran, holding management positions in the heavy truck industry. Most recently McTernan held several management positions at Freightliner LLC including Director of Unimog North America. McTernan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

“Auto hauling is a unique niche of the transportation industry and Boydstun has had great success over the years in bringing safer, more versatile and more productive vehicles to the auto transport business,” said McTernan. “I’m proud to be a part of the Boydstun team and look forward to working with our employees and customers while maintaining the hallmarks of our company: innovation, quality and customer service.”

Boydstun Metal Works is a privately-held company headquartered in Portland, Oregon with additional offices in Jacksonville, Florida. Boydstun is a leading manufacturer of auto transport equipment in the United States. In operation since 1987, Boydstun produces and markets high-quality, technically innovative auto transport equipment and services to fleet carriers as well as owner-operators across the United States.

Integrity in Business

in·teg·ri·ty /ɪnˈtɛgrɪti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-teg-ri-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME integrite < L integritās. See integer, -ity]

—Synonyms 1. rectitude, probity, virtue. See honor.
—Antonyms 1. dishonesty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.