Heavy Duty Trucking, July 2018

HDT JULY 2018 14 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM Hotline Greg Gantt President CEO Old Dominion Freight Line SIGN UP FOR YOUR DAILY NEWS AT WWW TRUCKINGINFO COM HEADLINENEWS TRUCKINGS MOST RESPECTED BUSINESS REPORT Daimler Tariffs could hurt global approach to tech advancements Daimler Trucks execs emphasized the benefits of global collaboration as the OEM develops new electric and automated truck technology at the same time warning of the potential negative effects of tariffs and trade wars in a wide ranging Q A with media capping Daimler Trucks Capital Market Technology Day June 6 in Portland Oregon Daimler announced the formation of a new E Mobility Group and an Automated R D Center which will draw on the knowledge of Daimler companies throughout the world such as Mercedes Benz in Europe and Fuso in Japan Martin Daum head of Daimler Truck Bus explained that When we develop in one place a solution we take it to the other place and improve it and hand it back to the first place and so on Especially in an area where no one has to defend any turf and we all are in search of the best solution as is the case with e mobility and automation When asked about the latest tariffs from the Trump administration and the response from other countries to impose tariffs of their own Daum said he was concerned and not just about this country To me this is one of the big mistakes we tend to do we become more nationalistic I think the true solution is we become more global All problems we face are global problems and we solve them together Manufacturing companies such as Daimler he said dont think in terms of national borders anymore As more barriers and tariffs are imposed the more cumbersome our life is We as manufacturers can work around it but its the customers and ultimately the citizens of those countries who suffer because they have to pay more When I look around the globe the more tariffs you build up the more expensive life inside the country gets Roger Nielsen president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America added that the steel and aluminum tariffs definitely will increase costs in the United States and eventually they have to find their way through the entire value chain See page 28 for more on Daimlers Technology Day announcements Deborah Lockridge Q Congratulations on your appointment as CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line What are your thoughts taking on the top role at a company you have been with for 24 years AI am honored to be named the CEO of OD It is truly my pleasure and good fortune to lead an organization that we have built into the premier transportation provider in America I look forward to our continued growth and success Q The freight market is sizzling and expected to stay so at least into next year What challenges does that happy state of affairs pose to Old Dominion A Likely our most difficult challenge will be acquiring the necessary real estate to accommodate our growth Hiring drivers always requires a lot of hard work but surely this is a challenge that I think we can meet with minimal difficulty Q Is it pay that matters most to drivers or is that tempered with the desire for time at home Is the electronic logging device rule as much of a factor in drivers leaving as some have contended A The ELD mandate is not a factor in our ability to hire and retain drivers We have a very robust in house driver training program that we work extremely hard with to keep it filled and producing drivers The vast majority of our drivers are home daily That along with the fact that we have newer equipment and certainly a competitive pay package helps our ability to fill our driver needs Our retention level is extremely high For the full interview go to www truckinginfo com Gantt Martin Daum speaks to reporters and investors unveiling electric trucks at Daimler Trucks Capital Market Technology Day PHOTO