Semi Trailer Movers Archives - Page 5 of 5

2018 Is the Year of the Capacity Crunch

Is your staff geared-up with semi-trailer movers for this year’s “capacity crunch?” Low truck supply and heightening freight demands are continuing to tighten access to shipping services in the ongoing driver shortage. Don’t let a staff loss due to injury add to the capacity crunch climate…

Disappearing Drivers, Declining Services
As older drivers retire, fewer younger drivers are stepping up and into the cab. With fewer trucks available, rates are rising, and the competition to secure shipping services is fierce. Long work hours, lengthy driving distances, and extended periods of time away from home, friends and family make for a hard position to fill.

Climate Complications
The political and literal global climates have also complicated matters, diverting what resources remain given the rising freight volume of the burgeoning U.S. economy. Combined with the needs of servicing hurricane-ravaged regions, these issues have further added to the difficulty of securing trucks for shipment.

Big Brother
Another mitigating factor: Government mandates requiring electronic logging devices be installed on haulers, for the tracking of drivers’ hours of service. Drivers may now remain on the road for only 11-hours by law, with a continuous rest period of 10-hours mandated, daily.

Aimed at creating safer roads, though most carriers are compliant, many drivers have been turned-off, taking issue with the perceived privacy infringement on their personal space. Trucks are not only their workspace, but also their literal home away from home. It goes without mentioning that carrier concerns over the cost of installing such devices are quite the step-up from the manual logbooks of yesteryear.

Are you armed to protect your workers from the repetitive strain injuries of the capacity crunch? Gear-up with the latest in time and money-saving semi-trailer movers from DJ Products today.

Top Logistics Industry Disrupters End a Business as Usual Mentality

World Marketing Is Changing

DJ Products is your preferred supplier for state-of-the-art electric yard trucks, but are you on board with state-of-the-art logistics technology? The future is no longer “business as usual” as disruptors present structural and competitive challenges.

Impact of Projected Global Market Growth

Industry consulting firm Transport Intelligence (Ti) recently published Total Logistics 2018, an analysis of the long- and short-term state of the logistics sector. According to Ti, adaptability is crucial for international freight-forwarding companies hoping to weather upcoming changes.

While different sectors will experience varying degrees of growth, Ti projects that the total global market will see a compound annual growth rate of 5.1 percent over the next five years. Road freight currently accounts for approximately one-third of the market.

Tighter capacity is expected to cause a rise in sea and air freight rates. This factor, combined with increasing numbers of regional trade blocs, will favor road-based shipping as supply chains grow shorter.

Technology Disruptors Upend the Logistics Industry

Technology puts unprecedented amounts of data at our fingertips. As a result, customers are demanding accurate, real-time information and more transparency. Adding to this disruption are start-ups that can easily build new systems unencumbered by existing ones.

Providers are also able to develop platforms that create a better match between supply and demand. The end result could be lower costs for shippers.

Improve Productivity and Safety with Yard Trucks from DJ Products

Is your company equipped to keep up with the fast pace of today’s logistics industry? Our Electric Yard Dog allows employees to quickly maneuver trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds with reduced risk of human injury and property damage.

Visit our website to learn more about our full line of battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers.

Should You Be Tracking Your Semi Trailers by GPS?

Innovative products and new developments in technology can improve efficiency in your trucking business. GPS tracking of your semi trailers can be a valuable tool for your fleet managers. Motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products maximize manpower while preventing injuries and damage to property. If you don’t currently use GPS on your trailers, consider these benefits of 24/7 asset tracking.

Different trackers for different needs

There are GPS devices available at affordable prices for every size of company and for every type of trailer in use. You have the option of advanced systems that constantly monitor speed, location, and can allow managers to label which trailers are full and which are empty using color codes. You can also opt for lower cost systems that simply help monitor trailer locations.

Very affordable to operate and maintain

GPS tracking units use low-voltage, internal batteries that operate for long periods of time without needing recharges. They can also alert fleet managers when their power is disconnected. This is just one of the many ways GPS trackers help prevent loss due to theft.

Easier to compile driver and cargo data

The electronic logging device (ELD) rule went into effect in December 2017 and applies to logging devices for truck activities. Currently, there are no requirements for cargo and trailers. However, with GPS tracking on trailers, fleet managers can easily monitor driver activity and track deliveries in real time.

At DJ Products, we specialize in providing affordable, energy-efficient, user-friendly solutions that help businesses just like yours operate more profitably and safely. Our motorized trailer dollies make it possible for one person to easily move trailers weighing up to 100,000 lbs; no CDL or health card required. Contact one of our sales engineers for more information.

Tips for Keeping Your Semi Truck Fleet in Top Shape

When trucks aren’t working, your company pays a heavy price in lost productivity and increased expenses. Keep your semi truck fleet in top operating shape by using a semi trailer mover and following these standard maintenance tips.

Semi Truck Fleet Maintenance Checklist

– Check oil levels regularly, especially before the start of long-haul jobs. Lack of oil can trigger extensive damage in the truck’s engine, which is expensive to repair or replace.

– Check the radiator and its overflow bottle. Top off radiator fluid as needed and repair small leaks immediately. It’s no fun getting stopped dead in your tracks thanks to an overheated engine.

– Tires with low pressure can reduce fuel mileage and interfere with steering, while over-inflated tires are vulnerable to punctures and damage from road debris. Check tire pressure weekly, and more often during times of weather changes or extensive highway driving.

– If your trucks have dual fuel tanks, parking sideways on a hill causes fuel to run into the lower tank. Once the engine is started, the fuel uptake system will pull in air instead of fuel. Make it a practice to park front to back rather than side to side on slopes.

– When trucks sit idle for a period of time, insects can build nests that block the fuel vent. Be sure to check the vents on any trucks that haven’t been moved in a few days.

– Have the brakes checked frequently to address problems before they go too far.

Electric Semi Trailer Mover Solutions from DJ Products

Our best-selling Electric Yard Dog lets a single employee safely and easily move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds. Visit our website and learn more about our battery-powered semi trailer mover from our sales engineers.

FedEx Changes Up Its Specialized Logistics and E-commerce Businesses

TrailerCaddy for Semi Trailer Moving

As a leading supplier of semi trailer moving options, DJ Products is always on the lookout for the latest news and trends affecting logistics and supply chain. E-commerce continues to have a major impact on the industry, as delivery and logistics titan FedEx Corp. realigns its specialty units to accommodate this fast-growing segment.

Meeting the Demands of a Changing Industry

In January, FedEx announced that its specialized logistics and e-commerce units are now under the umbrella of FedEx Trade Networks, Inc. As the company’s global freight-forwarding service, FedEx Trade Networks allows for a greater range of resources to serve these robust areas.

FedEx units affected by the restructure include:

– Custom Critical, their rush-delivery service

– Cross-Border, which serves global e-commerce

– Supply Chain, a third-party logistics survivor

– Transport & Brokerage, which offers customs clearance services

The move also marks the launch of a new operation called FedEx Forward Depots, which was created to incorporate on-demand services led by 3D printing.

Leveraging the Power of FedEX

The new unit will be headed up by Richard W. Smith, current CEO of FedEx Trade Networks and son of company creator Fred Smith. At the time of the announcement, FedEx President and CEO David J. Bronczek stated that this move would enable the company to “offer customers the full power” of FedEx’s resources in a more convenient fashion.

Safe and Efficient Semi Trailer Moving Solutions from DJ Products

Don’t sacrifice safety for productivity. With our popular Electric Yard Dog, a single employee can move semi trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds, improving efficiency while reducing injury risk.

Visit our website and chat with our sales engineers to learn more about our full line of battery-powered tugs, movers and pushers.

Self-Driving Trucks – They Are Coming, Are You Ready?

As if Life Wasn’t Already Convenient Enough, Self Driving Cars are Just on the Horizon.

When it comes to moving cargo around for your business, you know how important it is to have dependable terminal tractors and employees who know how to operate them safely. Imagine what it would be like to have this equipment run on its own. This will soon be happening on the road thanks to autonomous trucking technology.

Safety Concerns

While using autonomous trucking technology is expected to make it easier for the trucking industry to handle the driver shortage problem, there are certain safety concerns that can’t be ignored. In order to address these, the Alliance for Driver Safety and Security, or Trucking Alliance, has looked into the development and availability of autonomous technology that makes self-driving trucks safer.

Some of this new technology includes electronic logging devices, speed limiters, brake stroke monitoring systems and forward collision warning. These kinds of safety technologies are expected to help reduce the risk of collisions when self-driving trucks arrive on the road.

Different Levels of Autonomous Technology

It’s important to keep in mind that there are varying levels of autonomous technology for trucks. While some trucks are considered full self-driving vehicles, others use combined-function automation or limited self-driving automation that restrict how much driving these trucks can do on their own.

There’s also function-specific automation that allows drivers to step in at any time to take control of the truck. At this time, drivers will continue to be a crucial part of the trucking industry, even with a rise in autonomous technology.

If you need new terminal tractors that offer high quality and improved safety and convenience, visit DJ Products. We offer equipment that can help you keep your employees as safe as possible on the job.

Trucking Industry 2018: Tight Capacity and Strong Demand

What adjustments have your trucking firm made to prepare for 2018? Based on expert predictions for the transportation industry in the upcoming year, you’ll need sturdy semi trailer movers to help accommodate the demand.

Business Expansion = Higher Demand

According to Don Ake, trucking industry analyst for FTR Transportation Intelligence, confidence and business conditions are “at their highest level since the Great Recession.” Positive indicators are leading experts to anticipate extended business expansion, both at home and abroad.

This optimism is built on a number of factors:

– Tax reform is expected to create more a favorable regulatory environment for the trucking industry.

– There are signs that Congress and the Trump administration are ready to start considering an eagerly anticipated infrastructure funding proposal.

– Growth in real gross domestic product is expected to continue, climbing from 1.5 percent in 2016 to 2.8 percent in 2018.

Economy’s Impact on the Trucking Industry

A surge in business means a greater need for trucking services. Rachal Snider, vice president of Customer Supply Chain at consulting firm AFN, cites reports predicting an increase in demand of 3.6 percent over the coming year.

With the Great Recession prompting carriers to pare fleets and reduce expenses, the boost in demand will lead to tighter capacity. Other contributing causes include a shortage of drivers and implementation of the ELD (electronic logging devices) mandate, which can reduce capacity by as much as 8 percent.

Keep Trailers Moving with the Yard Dog from DJ Products

Get ready for a successful year with our battery-powered semi trailer movers that improve productivity while reducing risk of workplace injuries. Visit our website or call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Truck Terminal Managers – Here’s Why Driver Retention is Problematic

Retaining Semi Truck and Long Haul Drivers is Problematic for Some Distribution Centers

Sometimes having the right tools on hand can make a world of difference to your drivers. If you’re struggling to keep drivers on staff, it might help to take a closer look at your operation. The fact is that having a yard truck to make their job easier might help you retain them.

Problems in Semi Truck Driver and Long Haul Driver Retention

Sometimes drivers leave their jobs for basic reasons, like not making enough money or having enough home time. However, if you are willing to dig a little deeper, you might find that there are more reasons behind their quick exits.

All too often, trucking companies expect their drivers to perform certain tasks, but they lack the tools to do them efficiently. At the very least, this can lead to frustration. At the most, it can result in serious injuries and accidents. When drivers don’t have the essential tools they need, this translates into a lack of appreciation for them as workers. They grow to believe that their employers aren’t concerned about their safety; just their bottom line.

How a Yard Truck Can Improve Employee Relations

As an employer, the safety of your employees should always be your first priority. However, you also want to save money in the process. The DJ Products yard truck can help you reach both of these goals. You’ll find that with this tool, anyone can move a trailer quickly and efficiently, without having a CDL. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive shunt trucks, and you won’t need a specialized class of driver.

The yard truck can move up to 100,000 pounds. It’s the tool every trucking company should have. Do you want to learn more? Contact us at DJ Products to receive more information.

Feds Eye Rule Change to EPA Regulation of Glider Kit Semi Trucks

DJ Products Supplies Equipment for Shunting Trucks to Move Semi Trailers

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt recently stated that glider kit semi trucks provide a more affordable option for independent operators and small business owners. Pruitt added, gliders also provide a crucial economic driver to many rural areas. With advancements in technology and increased focus on more environmentally friendly ways of doing business, the trucking industry is facing new challenges and being forced to adapt to new regulations.

Trucking industry businesses of all sizes can improve safety, operate more efficiently, and reduce damage to docks and trailer equipment with the electric yard trucks from DJ Products.

The debate over glider kit semi trucks

While Pruitt feels the EPA lacks the authority to regulate glider kits under a proposed new interpretation of the Clean Air Act, the American Trucking Association (ATA) opposes repealing the Obama era rule for medium- and heavy-duty truck standards for the glider industry.

Glen Kedzie, energy and environmental affairs counsel for ATA, responded to the proposed rule change by saying the previous standard was based on sound data and science. Kedzie went on to say that it is perplexing that the EPA would support the continued growth of the glider kit industry because it produces the most polluting equipment on America’s highways.

Under the Trump administration, the EPA states that the unique way gliders are manufactured makes them exempt from the regulations of new motor vehicles. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) also takes issue with the proposed rule change, stating that gliders produce 40 times more pollution than modern semis.

We offer a line of low-maintenance, energy-efficient yard trucks for the trucking industry to help your business operate safely and profitably. Contact us to discuss your business operation with one of our knowledgeable and friendly sales engineers.

Gobbled Up by the Conglomerates – Decline of the Owner/Operator Model

Once the Truck Hits the Terminal, Our Semi Trailer Mover Will Make Fast Work Out of Moving Trailers in your Shunting Terminal

For years, independent owner-operators formed the proud backbone of the trucking industry. In the face of growing regulations and shrinking margins, the traditional owner-operator model is on a slow but steady path toward extinction.

Pressure from All Sides

In order to stay competitive, independent truckers are forced to offer increasingly low rates that result in unsustainable margins. Any remaining profit is being eroded by additional expenses for eco-friendly equipment, electronic logging devices and other mandated requirements.

The plight of the independent owner-operator has a trickle-down effect on carriers, whose profitability relies on the model. Hiring drivers as independent contractors lets carriers avoid tax withholding, heath insurance and other expenses attached to direct employees.

What Separates an Owner-Operator from an Employee?

Most owner-operators fiercely value their independent status, but the line is becoming blurred. Over the last year, FedEx has spent nearly $500 million settling lawsuits charging misclassification of company drivers as independent contractors.

Large shippers are not exempt from these questions. Retail giant Macy’s hired drivers as independent contractors through their logistics management company, although the drivers were required to follow a dress code and other company standards. Macy’s ultimately settled a resulting class action suit charging that drivers were deprived of overtime due to misclassification.

Save Time and Money with an Electric Semi Trailer Mover

Time is a valuable commodity in the transportation industry. Maneuver trailers quickly and safely with an electric semi trailer mover from DJ Products. Visit our website and use the convenient online chat feature for immediate assistance from one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Tag: Semi Trailer Movers