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.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
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!
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.
Will this be the last of these cases? Probably not.
Monday, February 26, 2007
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.
Called over here the other day to see how Leonard was doing, and was told he no longer was employed there.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, February 12, 2007
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"
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
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)
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!
Too bad there wasn't a button on your computer: "No lawyers today, please." They're like a force of nature!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
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."
*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."
Friday, January 05, 2007
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.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
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.
–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.
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