Archive For The “News” Category
by Maglio & Company
GLENDALE, WI – Maglio & Company announces today the expansion of their 
transportation fleet to include 13 new trucks that will be managed by a dedicated team of logistics experts at Blackhawk Transport.
“Being the best fresh produce solutions provider in our distribution area is our commitment, and partnering with the right companies is key to success,” said Sam Maglio, President of Maglio & Company. “Blackhawk reinforces our ability to provide full-service transportation services with prompt deliveries to customers throughout our distribution area. They are not only like-minded in our efforts to maintain the integrity of our perishable cold chain, but they are an established carrier with unbeatable logistic services that will enhance our operation.”
In partnership with Blackhawk, Maglio will ensure that the expanded fleet maintains products at the high standards directed by the Global Food Safety Initiative guidelines (GFSI) and demanded by customers. Each truck will be equipped with technology approved by the Department of Transportation that allows Maglio to obtain route updates and communicate with drivers. The partnership between Maglio and Blackhawk began in the spring of 2012 and trucks being managed by Blackhawk will be traveling in late June.
About Maglio & Company
Headquartered in Glendale, Wisconsin, Maglio & Company is a produce processor, repacker, distributor, and logistics provider. Since 1902, the company has been offering the freshest and best produce with old-fashioned, conscientious quality and service.
Kevin Bowling has been trucking since 1986, but his truck is now sitting at his 
home in Tampa, FL and he is driving for a large fleet.
The 44-year-old former owner operator says he parked his truck because of poor economic conditions and excessive government regulations.
The driver for MK Express of East Butler, PA was fueling at a Petro Truck Stop at Vienna, GA. He hauls primarily produce out of the Southeast and dry freight on the return haul.
Bowling says a main complaint with hauling produce are the delays associated with getting loaded. Although this is not as serious a problem working with his current carrier, he notes too often product is still in the fields when arriving at the loading docks. Maintaining proper load temperatures also is cited as being very important.
While Bowling loves the independence associated with trucking, he says U.S. Department of Transportation regulations are excessive and challenging.
“The DOT is always wanting to put more regulations on you and it just makes it harder,” he states. More specifically, he cites most recent hours of service regulation changes. Bowling says the changes, involving the 14-hour rule may be better for some drivers, but worse for others.
He is referring to the 34-hour restart once a week with two sleep times from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., plus there is the 30-minute rest break following eight hours of driving.
“For some guys it would be too much time off, but for others it might help keep them from driving when they are tired,” he says.
On Tuesday, May 22nd, Tifton County vegetables were clobbered by a major hail 
storm, which apparently will wipe out most loading opportunities there for truckers. The county’s 2,525 acres of watermelons, some of which were within 10 days of harvest, also were devasted. Tifton County ships about 10 percent of the state’s watermelons. Veggies receiving severe damage ranged from cantaloupe to sweet corn, peas, squash, peppers and cucumbers.
After a more than four-day journey on its cross-country haul, the California 
fresh strawberry load was just being backed into Andover, MA Market Basket warehouse dock as the sun was rising.
Waiting with a clip board grasped in one hand and a coffee mug in the other was Allen Moczygemba, team leader with TransFresh Corporation’s Tectrol Service Network and the designated rep responsible for
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Allen Moczygemba, Tectrol Service Network rep, inspects strawberry load and takes atmosphere readings using sensor probe.
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conducting the final Tectrol® quality check before its Tectrol-sealed pallets could be opened and clamshells distributed to the New England chain of supermarkets and superstores in time for the Mother’s Day rush.
Behind the scenes, Mike Maguire, Market Basket’s vice president for perishables, awaited the TransFresh quality assurance report, well aware of the time and the dozens of equally important tasks facing him that day.
This scene is one that is repeated hundreds of times across the country throughout the long strawberry season as members of the Tectrol Service Network seamlessly and vigilantly troubleshoot the proper application and performance of the proprietary Tectrol Atmosphere freshness solution for strawberries. Carefully monitoring and measuring everything from the proper sealing of the Tectrol® pallet bags to the levels of CO2 and O2 inside, Tectrol Service Network inspectors also observe truck temperature settings, 
strawberry pulp temperatures and even truck loading patterns (away from truck walls is preferred for more even pulp temperatures due to optimal refrigeration air flows). In short, the Tectrolservice reps are “on the case” to help make certain that the Tectrol Atmosphere systems are properly in place and performing at desired levels to help assure strawberry quality throughout the growing seasons.
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Mike Maguire (left), Vice President of Perishables for Market Basket, reviews Tectrol data with Allen Moczygemba, Tectrol Service Network rep.
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According to Moczygemba, the early morning hours at receiving warehouses are tough but worth it. “Because the Tectrol Service Network may ensure the recommended 10% or higher CO2 levels that are proven to limit strawberry decay, we’re more than willing to monitor every step of the process if it means better berries and more benefits for our growers-shippers, the retail customer and their consumers.”
Tectrol Service Network Quality Checklist At-A-Glance
Shipping Point Audits
- Routine spot inspections of all Tectrol® application processes
- Routine confirmation of Tectrol® atmosphere pre shipment levels
- Routine equipment inspections operational efficiency
- Continuous monitoring and on-site training ofservicepersonnel
- 24/7 certified technical support
Distribution Service Audits
- Routine spot inspections at receiving points to ensure Tectrol® performance
- Verification of Tectrol® application and pallet bag seal integrity
- Measurement of atmospheric readings to ensure accuracy
- Network-wide updates within 12 hours
- Process improvements that are immediate and ongoing
Online Reporting
- Convenient online customer access to detailed reporting
Vince King has been trucking since 1978 hauling dairy products, frozen 
chickens and fresh produce. He loves hauling refrigerated freight, but dislikes trucking in California and the attitudes of many drivers.
A resident of Cuba, NY, located near Buffalo, HaulProduce caught up recently with Vince at the Pilot Truck Stop at Warner Robins, GA. “I haul dairy, chickens and produce — it really doesn’t matter to me which one. The only difference is setting the temperature (on the reefer unit) right for the different loads. I’ve grown to love that reefer unit over the years that’s behind my truck,” he relates.
Vince drives a 2009 blue Freightliner housing a 470 h.p. Detroit, equipped with a 13-speed transmission. He pulls a 53-foot Utililty trailer with a Thermo King unit.
“I love this truck. My boss asked me what I wanted and what color. My previous truck was a 2004 black Freight, says, Vince, who drives for Sargent Transportation Lines Inc. of Cuba, a small fleet with 20 over-the-road trucks. “The money is good and they keep me hopping or I wouldn’t still be here.”
Vince, who has been with Sargent 16 years, had just delivered dairy product in Florida the previous day, which had three drops. He was on his way to pick up frozen chicken in Doraville, GA for delivery to U.S. Foodservice near Albany, NY. He also hauls potatoes and onions off of the West Coast.
“I don’t like California. I used to run it every week, but now there is just too 
much ‘crap’ out there.” Vince cites all of the excessive regulations on truckers in California, adding, “You can’t sneeze there without getting a ticket. I just took my son out there on a trip. I’ve decided I just don’t need the hassles.”
Since becoming a trucker 34 years ago, Vince has considered buying a truck, but has always decided to remain a company driver. “I thought about becoming an owner operator years ago, but right now I wouldn’t even consider it because of the economy. It’s really hard to find a good company where you can make it with a lease. Over the years I’ve seen what these companies can do, especially with these lease-purchase plans.”
One of the best aspects of trucking is simply being out on the road, Vince says. He typically leaves the house on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning to pick up a load. He is usually home by Friday at the latest. If he’s doing an East Coast run, he’s usually gone only a couple of nights.
His least favorite part of trucking, which he dislikes even more than the excessive regulations, are the attitudes of a lot of drivers.
“I don’t even mean just the new breed, but some of the older drivers as well. Sometimes it is just sickening,” he states.
What is his biggest challenge in trucking? “Trying to figure out what the other drivers are going to do before they do it. A majority of this is with the older drivers, the four wheelers and the campers,” he says. “To a certain extent there is a lack of professionalism in trucking. I”m not just talking about the baby boomers, because you have the ‘me’ generation. It’s me, me, me. That is not the way things should be done.”
Equipment Modifications Announced by TransFRESH Now Make Tectrol Available to Strawberry Shippers Who Employ Reusable Plastic Containers
SALINAS, CA May 16, 2012 ‒ TransFRESH Corporation has announced that 
palletized Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) used by a select number of growers and shippers in the berry industry now work seamlessly with the company’s proprietary Tectrol® Modified Atmosphere system due to innovative equipment modifications made by the TransFRESH team.
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TransFresh squeeze completes the cycle of inserting the bottom seal on a pallet that is now ready for the Tectrol bag and seal.
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“We’ve implemented certain adjustments that make our equipment ‘RPC Capable’ for shippers who use RPCs as part of their box or carton mix,” according to Rich Macleod, vice president, TransFRESH Pallet Division North America. “This makes it possible for berry growers, shippers and retailers to take advantage of the benefits of Tectrol® regardless of the package method.”
Previously, growers and shippers using RPCs experienced a more complicated process that involved placing the bottom seal on the pallet in the field. However, with the new modifications, it’s now possible to run RPC pallet units on the company’s automated equipment provided at the coolers, ensuring the ease and integrity of the sealing process.
“The goal of our Tectrol Service Network is to remain ahead of the curve in terms of marketplace and customer demands,” said Macleod. “We realized that with some adjustments and retooling, we would be able to ensure a viable seal on all sides of the RPCs, making it possible for shippers who provide Tectrol® to readily apply our technologies with RPC palletization.”
Studies have shown that Tectrol’s high CO2 (carbon dioxide) modified atmosphere may reduce decay and thereby protect the quality of fresh strawberries throughout the distribution process. Berries shipped using the Tectrol Modified Atmosphere Packaging System are shown in university, USDA and private studies to deliver strawberries with less decay.
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About TransFRESH® TransFRESH Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB), is a pioneering and established global company, with nearly 50 years of experience in perishables transport. Tectrol ® is the trademarked brand name for the TransFRESH® family of proprietary modified and controlled atmosphere systems and processes developed and owned by TransFRESH®. The Tectrol® Service Network™ services, markets and supports the Tectrol Pallet Systems operations and technologies. Since inception, TransFRESH’s innovations in packaging, equipment and sealing processes have established Tectrol® as the industry standard.
Better treatment of truckers was a primary theme at a session titled, Transportation Best Practices for the Produce Industry, 
held during the annual show of the United Fresh Produce Association, May 1, at the Dallas (TX) Convention Center.
The theme of the meeting is based around a set of transportation guidelines released earlier this year by The North American Produce Transportation Working Group (NAPTWG). The group has released a document combining various transportation guidelines for the produce industry to use, with the end result being better treatment of truckers leading to more refrigerated equipment and drivers being available to haul fresh fruits and vegetables.
A member of the audience tells the panel there is a shortage of 200,000 drivers and “we’ve got some problems coming up” with an improving economy.
Panel member Ken Lund, vice president, support services, Allen Lund Co., said the average age for truckers is over 55, and not that many drivers are entering the industry. There are 2.7 million Class 8 trucks and 98 percent of those are companies with 10 trucks or less. Most refrigerated produce haulers have a one truck operation, he says.
“We want drivers to be treated well,” Lund states. He adds that today more retail receivers are treating drivers better.”
Lund notes the USA is looking at an eight and one-half to nine percent unemployment rate, yet there are “tens of thousands of openings” in transportation. “But there are not a lot of people entering the industry and we want to make it better for them.”
He points out the Allen Lund Co. has a transportation education program for drivers providing them various kinds of information such as how to take the pulp temperature of produce to ensure product being loaded has been pre-cooled.
Panel member Frank Swanson, category manager, U.S. Foods said, food safety is a concern for his company. “We look at how to get transportation companies that take care of the product and maintain the correct temperature.”
Panelist Ken Nabel, president, Kingston and Associates Marketing, LLC points out a lot of military personnel are coming home, receiving discharges and should provide a lot of potential for jobs as drivers.
Another member of the audience asks the panel what is the leading cause of produce loads being rejected?
Bret Smith, director of commodities procurement, Safeway Inc., responds the majority of kicked loads results from temperature problems with fruits and vegetables, as well as issues relating to quality.
“We need to know if a problem exists in route, not when the load arrives,” Smith says. He adds having a driver check list, plus ensuring the driver has been trained to “check all components” associated with the load helps to avoid problems with claims.
Lund points out that there are seperate points on the NAPTWG website for shippers, truckers and receivers. Those points can be found at: www.naptwg.org
What is the number one issue for produce transportation in 2012?
Nabel believes it is the cost of diesel fuel.
Smith cites “having good companies (carriers) with a good driver base.” He also says the high cost of goods Safeway must purchase for its stores is a concern. On the plus side, Smith believes docks used to consolidate loads are becoming more efficient, which is making consolidated loads more attractive to drivers.
Lund, obviously looking weeks ahead to the peak spring and summer shipping season for produce states, “When rates get high, a lot of people jump into the market (especially) when rates hit $10,000 from California to New York….Prices (rates) have gone up. Ten years ago it was $3,000 from California to Atlanta; now it’s $10,000. If we had those prices 10 years ago….” he notes
The transportation broker then adds, “Thre are a lot of shady brokers out there and a lot of double brokering going on.” Lund relates a lot of times a shipper will list the Allen Lund Co. on the document as a shipper. “We are not a shipper, we’re a broker. This is where a lot of theft occurs, as well as double brokering.”
On another topic, the panel discusses railroads and its role in hauling fresh produce.
Smith of Safeway says the retail chain has not been very successful using rail, although the company continues to consider it.
Swanson of U.S. Food cites the service of RailEx, a company working with major railroads, providing coast-to-coast unit trains. He likes the RailEx “door-to-door” service, but says over all the service is very limited.
Lund points out that only one to two percent of the nation’s fresh produce is shipped by rail.
“Some people on Capitol Hill think 50 percent of produce should be on the rails. But the infrastructure changes would be monumental,” Lund says.
Ending the session was an audience member asking the panel about 18 wheelers being powered by natural gas.
Lund says there has been a lot of testing in this area, however the infrastructure for cross country trucking is not available. Most trucks using natural gas are doing local hauls.
(For more information on the NAPTWG, see press release published on HaulProduce, titled, Transportation Group Releases Best Practices. It ran on Jan. 17, 2012)
For owner operator Ruben Velez, nothing has been given to him. He has worked hard all his life.
“I didn’t finish high school because I grew up working to help my mother pay the bills,” Ruben says.
HaulProduce caught up with the resident of Orlando, FL several weeks ago at The Polish Shop, located at exit 2 along I-75 at Lake Park in far southern Georgia. Ruben has his 2012 386 model Peterbilt polished here about three times a year. This blue beauty, with only 90,000 miles, houses a 455 h.p. Paacar diesel, featuring a 13-speed tranny, and a 242-inch wheelbase. He pulls a 53-foot Utility trailer mounted with a Carrier reefer unit.
Ruben primarily hauls tomatoes out of Southern and Central Florida. He had recently delivered a load of Florida tomatoes to New Jersey. He was returning to Florida with a load of dry freight. It had six drops. He’d already unloaded some of the freight in Atlanta, with further drops set for Lakeland and Deerfield, FL. Then he planned to pick up more Florida tomatoes to haul back north.
Ruben, 43, started trucking as a company drive at age 18. He’s been an owner operator for the past 18 years, owning nothing but Petes. Although he hauls a lot of tomatoes, his favorite loads are with frozen foods. He cites no particular reason, except, “I’ve always hauled it.”
Among his concerns as a small business owner, is the high cost of diesel fuel. “The high price of diesel is hurting me and everyone,” he notes. As for fuel surcharges, the trucker says he receives them, primarily on dry freight, but it is often too little and lags behind the increasing cost of fuel.
Ruben states trucking is becoming more difficult, not only for new entries into the profession, but the veteran drivers as well.
“This (trucking) industry has ate up a lot of guys,” he says. “If you’re entering this industry, go to work for a carrier where you have the benefits. The fuel, tolls, insurance, etc.; all of these costs are very high.”
Asked about his biggest challenge as a trucker, Ruben cites dealing with the inexperienced drivers on the road, both four wheelers and operators of the big rigs. “A lot of them are out there driving while texting, talking on their cell phones; not paying attention.”
His favorite aspect of trucking is a very common answer among long haul drivers — being on the road, enjoying the scenery and just seeing a lot of different things.
As for keys to surviving and making a living in trucking, Ruben cites not only being willing to work hard, but to deal with good, honest shippers, brokers and receivers. He uses his own operating authority to get most of his dry freight hauls, while using reliable, honest truck brokers to obtain his produce hauls.
Postmedia News is reporting a catastrophic freeze has wiped out about 80 per
cent of Ontario’s apple crop and has the province’s fruit industry looking at losses already estimated at more than $100 million.
“This is the worst disaster fruit growers have ever, ever experienced,” orchard owner Keith Wright said May 4.
“We’ve been here for generations and I’ve never heard of this happening before across the province. This is unheard of where all fruit growing areas in basically the Great Lakes area, in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York State, Ontario, are all basically wiped out. It’s unheard of,” the Harrow, Ont.-area grower said.
If apple shipments from the Great Lakes region falls by 80 percent there is bound to be more demand and brisk loadings of Washington state apples once the new season kicks off in July and August.
About 125 truckloads of Michigan apples are being shipped a week from storages and are grossing about $3200 to Dallas.
The hours of service rule changes are not major, but they are confusing. A 
greater focus is needed on prevention of stolen produce loads, and there are discussions of alternatives to using trucks to haul produce, but the alternatives are not that impressive in most cases. These are just a few of the topics addressed at the United Fresh Produce Convention, held May 1-3 at the Dallas (Texas) Conventi0n Center. The session was titled Examining Today’s Transportation Challenges and Alternatives. (To read more about this session see the report published on May 3rd)
Dan Vache’, vice president of the United Fresh Produce Association describes hours of service as a top concern of the produce indutry.
Gary E. York, general manager, C.H. Robinson Co. Worldwide Inc. describes the hours of service rules as “complicated”, specifically noting that twice a week driver’s are not allowed to drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
“If more drivers were able to operate 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. it would mean less drivers on the road during high traffic hours,” York adds.
A member of the audience points out the hours of service regulations were altered for safety reasons, “but in some cases the changes make it less safe.”
Another audience member asks the panel about compliance of rules and regulations for truckers. York replies that technology is helping to improve compliance and will do more so in the future.
On the topic of stolen loads, Vache’ relates there are no good answers, “but we have to police ourselves.” For example, if a truck shows up with a load of nuts, the receiver or buyer needs to know from where it came.
There also is a lot of contraband crossing the U.S. border from the Southern hemisphere and being distributed throughout the USA and Canada. Vache’ notes the U.S. and Canadian governments are working together to reduce this problem.
With the seasonally high volume of produce, less available refrigeration equipment and rising rates, the topic of alternatives to truck transportation are addressed. Panel members indicate there are certain commodities and routes for transporting produce other than truck, but it is limited.
Alex Crow, national trucking manager, Hellman Perishable Logistics, says, “I don’t think we can replace trucks on certain routes, but we can do some things like with Washington state to Chicago on certain items (like apples, onions and potatoes).
York indicates railroad service has improved, pointing out a rail delivery from Washington state to Chicago can occur within 12 hours of what a single truck driver can deliver. Rails are now delivering loads to the East Coast in six days.
However, York adds that a problem with rail service is the lack of intermodal equipment. There also is the challenge of rails being able to compete with trucks when it comes to backhauls, or return loads. Rails remain an option, are slowly increasing their volume, but York doesn’t see any significant improvements in the next three to five years.
An audience member comments there are transportation problems in moving potatoes out of Idaho. The challenge is getting the equipment to Idaho to make the hauls.
Concerning the CSA safety enforcement systems for trucks that used to be known as SafeStat, Vache’ says in the future the scores will have more meaning as the government is better able to track carriers.
“It’s going to force carriers to be more selective in the drivers they hire,” Vache’s states. “It is going to revolutionize the industry. It will result in liability becoming a bigger issue for carriers. Technology will result in more efficiency to the industry, but more liability.”