TRUCKING PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE

* USA - Accuride plans 392 job cuts after CEO resigns

Evansville,IND,USA -Associated Press/The Chicago Tribune -September 23, 2008: -- Accuride Corp., a maker of commercial vehicle wheels and other trucking industry products, announced Tuesday the resignation of its CEO and plans to cut nearly 400 jobs -- 11 percent of its work force -- in a company shake-up... The company has been struggling along with other companies that serve the trucking industry, which has been hit hard by high fuel prices... Aside from cutting 392 positions, Accuride said it will also take a charge of about $14.3 million in the third quarter. Company officials said the moves will save the company $6 million in 2008 and generate annual savings of about $27.5 million thereafter... Accuride said orders for large truck and trailer components have struggled and that the "freight environment remains weak and trucker profitability remains low following record high fuel prices," it said... Last month, the company reported that its second-quarter net profits plunged 31 percent while sales were flat...


* Australia - McLaughlin’s runs cold withPeki

Australia -ATN -23 Sept 2008: -- Gold Coast-based operator McLaughlin Freightlines says its new Peki ‘Polar’ trailers are red hot when it comes to delivering fresh and frozen chicken for Bartter-Steggles... The new Peki “Polar” Freezer Semi Trailers (See Picture) are remarkably efficient trailer units, designed to operate at temperatures down to -25°C... As part of providing optimal insulation whilst minimising refrigeration plant fuel usage, the trailer has been constructed using a polyurethane foam core insulated roof and walls, with bonded reinforced fibreglass ribs for strength and improved thermal performance... The doors also utilise fibreglass composite panels whilst the rear door and door seal insulation have also been optimised to minimise refrigeration plant fuel usage... Complementing the body design is a host of equipment accessories including BPW suspension, Alcoa polished aluminium wheels, polished aluminium splashguards and polished fuel tank... As is the case with all refrigerated units, these trailers are all regularly hot washed with a pressure cleaner and are also periodically sterilised using acid based chemicals...