“If you bought it, a truck brought it.”
Throughout the pandemic that has spread across the world, Centurion Trucking has continued moving shipments across and between Canada and the United States. Deemed essential workers responsible for transporting necessary goods such as food and beverages, safety equipment and medical supplies, Centurion’s team of drivers have continued to gear up and serve communities throughout North America.
Of course, it’s a different world for the trucking industry. While Centurion Trucking has always placed a heavy emphasis on health and safety, offering best-in-class training and maintenance programs for their drivers and equipment, we have increased those measures to ensure safety for all.
Office Space
- Reduced “in office” team members, with many team members working from home to support social distancing.
- “In office” team members wearing protective gear, including gloves and face masks.
- Signage reminding people entering the building to avoid touching common services.
- Regular sanitization of common services and work stations.
- Readily available hand sanitizing stations to allow for regular disinfecting.
- Offering additional safety training for any team members who request it.
- Holding team members accountable for following appropriate safety measures.
Truck Drivers
- Providing all truck drivers with the appropriate PPE, including an extensive inventory of gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer.
- Providing cleaning agents and disinfecting wipes for inside the truck and any electronic devices on hand.
Again, Centurion Trucking thanks the many logistics professionals that are continuing to serve our communities throughout COVID-19.
Moments of Gratitude During COVID-19
Moments of Gratitude During COVID-19
As life on all sides of the North American border, along with the rest of the world, has drastically changed over the last couple of months, the trucking industry has kept on truckin’. As an essential service delivering food, medical supplies, PPE (personal protective equipment) and other necessary goods, truck drivers are among those who leave home daily to support communities and the floundering economy.
And the sacrifices these everyday heroes make does not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the Centurion Trucking team.
To show our appreciation, Centurion Trucking team members have been at the scales supporting the Canadian Trucking Association’s “Meals for Drivers” program, offering up hot meals and beverages to drivers who have long days and nights ahead of them.
When asked how it feels to feed a driver, Centurion team members give big thumbs ups! “We love our trucking community,” shares Centurion General Manager, Daman Grewal.
Daman knows first hand how hard drivers work at the best of times. The extra precautions the drivers now take as a result of COVID-19, including social distancing and additional health and safety measures, has added another layer of complexity to an already hard-working profession.
“Thank you for everything you guys do in the trucking industry. I’m really proud of everyone that’s supporting each other out there.”
See here for a comprehensive resource guide for trucking and logistics employers.
The BC Trucking Industry and COVID-19
The BC Trucking Industry and COVID-19
COVID-19 has tremendously shifted the way our society operates. And as we are inundated with updates on a near hourly-basis, it’s no simple task keeping up to date with the latest information. News on what’s going on in the trucking industry is no exception to this. Uncertain as times may be at the moment, logistics remains a service that Canadians trust and rely on.
So what can we expect? As of March 26th, supply chain services (cooling, storing, transportation, distribution, etc.) have been listed by the BC provincial government as an essential service. This means that the continuation of this service is crucial to our societal function. So certain exemptions will be made so that these services can continue as effectively as possible. For example, on March 25th, it was deemed mandatory under the Quarantine Act that any Canadian returning from domestic or international flights would have to self-isolate for 14 days. However this does not apply to transportation of commercial goods.
Additionally, the BC government is taking further precautions to continue the operations of supply chain services under its Emergency Program Act. Under this act, the provincial government can establish a Provincial Supply Chain Coordination Unit that will allow local authorities to direct the flow of essential goods to vulnerable communities with the cooperation of suppliers, distributors, and retailers, as well as the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA). Members of the supply chain in BC are making considerable efforts to deliver goods around the province, and as of yet, these measures are strictly a means to be prepared for the worst. Dave Earle, president and CEO of the BCTA, expressed that he appreciated the legislation for its commitment to preparedness, however he did not see it making any drastic changes to the industry.
Another benefit of the Provincial Supply Chain Coordination Unit is that it would protect consumers from the secondary sale market. Hoarding and price gouging have been an unfortunate response to COVID-19, and as such, the government has plans for quantity restrictions and prevention of goods like medical and cleaning supplies from being sold second-hand through this coordination with the supply chain.
In short, the trucking industry is going to play an important part in keeping BC residents safe and healthy in the coming months.
(source: trucknews.com) (source: cantruck.ca) (source: bccdc.ca)
What’s going on with NAFTA?
What’s going on with NAFTA?
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is being replaced by CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement). After much discussion between the neighbouring nations and many last-minute amendments, CUSMA is nearly on its way to being fully ratified. With Mexico and the US signing off on the agreement already, Canada has yet to decide whether or not to ratify. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hoping for little resistance from the Canadian Parliament, however with a minority government, the Liberals are going to need the compliance of opposing party members, some of which have criticized aspects of the new deal.
One of the most appealing facets of the NAFTA replacement, as no drastic changes are being made to the original deal, is the certainty that it brings to North American trade. NAFTA was originally established in 1994 and hasn’t had any modern updates since then. As the US is our primary trade partner by a large margin, it brings a sense of relief to freight transporters. In fact, the CUSMA is seen to be beneficial by many experts, and has been endorsed by the president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, Stephen Laskowski, and American Trucking Association chief economist, Bob Costello, who stated “in the long-run it will not only add to freight volume in North America, it will help keep freight here.”
(source:cantruck.ca) (source:freightwaves.com)
Visit To The US Embassy
Visit To The US Embassy
Centurion Trucking was invited to the US Embassy in Vancouver yesterday for a tour and a chance to discuss our industry with the officials there. As a part of the discussions, we learned a lot about the US Visa process and in return, the officials at the embassy learned about the processes and procedures we have in place, in the trucking industry.
Some of the key takeaways for those applying for US Visas:
1. Be credible, honest and truthful in your interviews.
Many of your previous dealings with government agencies is tracked along with your biometrics (fingerprinting) which is shared between US Embassies / Consulates, US Border Crossings,and with some of the Canadian Systems. This history goes back over 10 years.
2. Be prepared before you go.
There are many times officials have noticed people don’t know their purpose of going to the US or why they want their US Visa. In order to get your Visa, you must undergo a short interview, in an almost kiosk-type setting, where you will be asked questions.You may be asked to provide proof or evidence to supportany questions you have answered.This happens often when students are going to study in the US and don’t know where they will be staying in the US or which school they will be attending. If you require any help with the interview process, please consult a local immigration consultant or your employer for a better understanding of what to expect at a US Embassy when going in for your US Visa interview.
3. Be able to demonstrate why you will return to your home country.
A major reason for refusals of US Visas is because the applicant hasn’t demonstrated they will return to their home country once their visit has ended. Showing strong ties to your home country is important and it is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate this during the interview. You may want to bring supporting documents that will assist you in showing you will return once your visit to the US has ended.
Following these 3 points are key in obtaining your US Visa. The US Embassy is committed in making this process as quick and as fair as possible.
The typical application consists of an application that is available online and must be submitted online prior to your appointment at the Embassy. The Embassy does not discriminate and provides equal opportunities to all that apply. They assured us that no applicant is denied a US Visa based on their application alone. There is always the opportunity to answer questions during the interview process before any decisions are made. In the case you are not strong with your English, there are many officials within the Embassy that can assist with many languages including Cantonese, Hindi, Spanish and a few others. You may also bring along your own interpreter if you are not confident you will be able to communicate in English.
Some of the major concerns we noticed from the US Embassy were:
- People who come in for repeat interviews back to back in a short amount of time
- Applicants who get US Visas and their understanding of the US laws which prohibit them from illegally working in the US.In particular for truck drivers, cabotage rules. In essence, this means no driver shall pick up and deliver a trailer within the US (thus taking away from US jobs). Drivers are only permitted to pick up in the US and go back into another country or pick up in another country and deliver to the US.
For people who apply repeatedly for a US Visa and have had previous refusals, the message from the Embassy is that you should only apply if there are some major developments that have occurred in your life since the last time you applied. Although, applicants can apply immediately after a refusal for another Visa application, it is not recommended.
The Embassy does try it’s best to give all applicants a fair chance. For example, if someone has come in for an interview with one official before and was denied, the Embassy tries to give the applicant another opportunity to try with another officer.
It should be noted that in more recent applications, social media accounts have been requested as part of the application process.
Welcoming ELD: How to transition from paper to digital
Welcoming ELD: How to transition from paper to digital
On December 17th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforced the ELD compliance ruling for all motor carriers and drivers. What does this mean? Essentially, an electronic device is installed in these transportation vehicles in order to monitor the progression of a driver’s route. Typically, this has been done using paper log books. The switch from paper to digital can be a bit bumpy, so here’s a few tips to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Updating your status immediately
Logging your activities as they happen is a good habit to inherit and negates any risk of violations you can run into.
2. Checking the ELD device
Make sure that everything is in working order before you start your route.
3. Having the proper documentation on board.
The transfer guide, malfunction guide, and ELD manual are all required to be in the cab of your vehicle.
4. Keeping back-up paper logs
In the event of a malfunction, it’s a good idea to have these on hand.
5. Planning your route
Before you start the route, call ahead and make sure that assets are ready to be picked up, that you have ample time for pickups and offloading, and that there is an appropriate place to park.
Following these simple steps will lead to a more efficient and more importantly, safer industry.
(source: getab.com) (source: lenduboistrucking)
Our Top 5 Favourite Supply-Chain Podcasts
Our Top 5 Favourite Supply-Chain Podcasts
Things are constantly evolving in the trucking industry and it’s often challenging to stay on top of it all. From the impact of trade negotiations on supply and demand to new regulations and technologies, there’s always something new to know. Tuning into podcasts are a great way to learn from anywhere, so we’ve compiled our list of our Top 5 Favourite Supply Chain Podcasts.
Supply Chain Now Radio
Host: Beau Groover
Frequency: Daily
Episode length: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Sample topics:
- Why Millennials are Perfect For Supply Chain & How to Successfully Start Your Career
- The State of Logistics Technology Report: Key Takeaways & Insights
- How to Build a Healthy Leadership Culture
Listen here: https://supplychainnowradio.com/
The Freight Project Podcast
Host: Cerasis
Frequency: 1 episode per week
Episode length: 12 – 40 minutes
Sample topics:
- Inbound Freight Pickup: The Role of Technology and Communication
- Why Shippers & 3PLs who Focus On Customer Service Reduce Freight Costs
- Logistics Partnership: Here’s What Shippers Want
Listen here: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-freight-project-podcast
Talking Logistics Podcasts
Host: Adrian Gonzalez
Frequency: 1 – 3 episodes per month
Episode Length: 15 – 50 minutes
Sample topics:
- Blockchain’s Potential Role in Transportation Management
- How to Become a Carrier of the Year
- How to Prepare Your Supply Chain for Transportation Capacity Issues
Listen here: https://talkinglogistics.com/
Let’s Talk Supply Chain
Host: Sarah Barnes-Humphrey
Frequency: 2 – 5 episodes per month
Episode length: 30 – 50 minutes
Sample topics
- Cost Efficiency vs. Customer Experience (Season 2, Episode 83)
- Supply Chain Performance Simplified (Season 2, Episode 69)
- Transforming You Supply Chain for the Digital Economy (Season 2, Episode 51)
- Several in-depth interviews with women in supply chain professionals
Tune in here: https://www.letstalksupplychain.com/
Leaders in Supply Chain and Logistics with Radu Palamariu
Host: Radu Palamariu
Frequency: 1 episode per week
Episode length: 45 – 65 minutes
Sample Topics:
- Interviews with supply chain leaders from companies including:
- Henkel Global Supply Chain
- Avon
- Uber Freight
- Ernst & Young
Tune in here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/radu-palamariu3
Uber Freight – What Is It and What Do We Need To Know
Uber Freight – What Is It and What Do We Need To Know
With the news that Uber Freight is expanding across Canada, we can sense another shift in the trucking industry. But what exactly is Uber Freight and how is it going to affect the trusting industry?
What is Uber Freight?
Uber, the revolutionary ride-sharing company, has changed how people move in many countries, states and provinces. Its advanced platform connects drivers with people needing transportation, while also providing real-time transparency regarding wait-times, costs, and customer service ratings. It was only time before Uber developed a similar platform for the freight industry, connecting shippers with carriers and providing a high level of transparency. Positioned as a win-win for both carriers and shippers, Uber is targeting one-off shipments to regular shippers.
For carriers, Uber boasts “instant booking, free quick pay, facility ratings, and upfront, no-haggle pricing.”. As expected, for shippers they offer “instant quotes, real-time tracking, and 24/7 access to trusted carriers.”
Uber Freight launched in May 2017, starting off regionally in Texas, before expanding into more US States and Europe, and now, as reported in October, will be launching in Canada. They will be starting off in Ontario and Quebec, with shipments in and between the two provinces as well as with cross-border shipments into the Midwestern and Northeastern states. It then plans to expand across Canada.
Since it launched, Uber Freight has “built up a network of 50,000 carriers and more than 500,000 trucks.” (Source: Supply Chain Dive)
Uber-izing the Trucking Industry
While there are certainly many variables carriers and shippers have to consider as they begin considering what their relationship with Uber Freight might look like, it has been noted that freight brokers are among those who are likely to be most impacted. Uber is now becoming a direct competitor of traditional freight brokers and it will be interesting to see how traditional brokers will respond. As for those trucking companies that don’t currently provide their customer base with a lot of transparency or 24/7 service, there will be even more pressure than before to up their game.
Uber Is Not Alone
While Uber Freight can easily use its parent company’s recognizable name, they aren’t without their own competition. Other digital brokers on the scene include Convoy and Transfix. Still, analysts say Uber Freight has the lion’s share of the market to date, and these lesser known players have a lot of work cut out for them if they want to surpass Uber.
Centurion Trucking: Supporting The Surrey Food Bank
Centurion Trucking: Supporting The Surrey Food Bank
Surrey, British Columbia, where Centurion Trucking is headquartered, is a thriving Canadian City. Surrey is Metro Vancouver’s largest city in terms of land pass and has the second largest population at over 500,000 residents. Boasting the tagline “The Future Lives Here”, there’s no doubt that Surrey is a great place to live and work; but it’s not without its challenges.
At Centurion’s recent Appreciation Event, we invited Feezah Jaffer to come and speak about the wonderful work the Surrey Food Bank does for the community, and about the growing need for food and monetary donations. Feezah shared that Surrey is the second largest food bank in British Columbia (BC has 100 food banks in total) and they serve 14,000 people each month. Sadly, 41% of those in need are children. Feezah also shared that many they serve are “the working poor”; people who are employed, but due to the rising cost of living and various other factors, aren’t able to put enough food on the table for themselves and their loved ones.
Centurion is both proud and humbled to be a supporter of the Surrey Food Bank. Hosting our Appreciation Event for our drivers, team members, vendors, partners and community is just one of the ways we express gratitude. Giving back to the community by donating time and resources to the Surrey Food Bank is another way.
Each year, we encourage our community members to donate whatever they can: food, money, time. As we roll into October, Canada’s Thanksgiving month, we ask that you keep The Surrey Food Bank in mind and give what you can.
For more information, check out www.surreyfoodbank.org.
Why You Should Care – Driver Training Programs
Why You Should Care – Driver Training Programs
As with most businesses, not all trucking companies are created equally. Trucking companies that cost significantly less than others often reflect not only on their lower service standards, but also on their inability to provide adequate and ongoing training for their drivers.
So why should you care?
Here is a quick summary as to why you, as the decision maker of which trucking partner to use, should care about whether your partner is providing adequate training for their truck drivers:
- Under-trained drivers are more likely to cause preventable accidents.
- Driving a 40,000+ kilogram vehicle is no easy task, particularly in varying road and weather conditions. As was witnessed with the Humboldt tragedy, without proper training and accountability programs in place, grizzly accidents can take place.
- Under-trained drivers cost your more in the long-run due to:
- Frequent delays at the border or at check points due, resulting in delivery fines and delays. Once a trucking company is identified as having drivers who don’t know requirements, that trucking company is more likely to be flagged at more borders and checkpoints.
- Trucking companies that cut corners with training often fail to attract and retain skilled drivers. Consider whether you want the best drivers transporting your precious cargo.
- Underfunded training programs can damage your reputation. Truck drivers have direct contact and interactions with your customers. If the truck drivers have not been provided with customer service expectations and training, there’s little to no control over how those exchanges might take place.
These are just some of the reasons it is crucial for those making decisions around trucking partners to choose not only cost-effective, but quality trucking companies that invest in their people – and, in turn, their valued customers.
