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Fully-Electric HGV Added to Fleet
Kinaxia Logistics has added the first fully-electric Volvo HGV to its fleet as the company continues to invest in its environmental and emissions reduction strategy and help customers to decarbonise their supply chains. The new Volvo FM 4×2 tractor unit, which has a range of 200 miles and is powered by six batteries and three electric motors, was supplied by award-winning Volvo dealer Thomas Hardie Commercials.
It is being deployed to move stock for Vaillant, which manufactures heat pumps and high-efficiency boilers to help decarbonise home heating in the UK. The zero-emissions vehicle, which replaces a diesel truck, is being used to transport goods from Vaillant’s manufacturing plant in Belper, Derbyshire, to a national distribution centre seven miles away at Denby.
Kinaxia says the tractor unit will reduce delivery emissions for Vaillant by more than 21,600kg CO2e a year. The electric truck complements other eco-friendly vehicles in Kinaxia’s fleet which are powered by compressed natural gas and hydrotreated vegetable oil, as part of its mission to help customers remove carbon emissions from their supply chains and meet environmental targets.
Simon Nelson, managing director of Kinaxia’s contract logistics operations, said: “We announced at the start of the year that we would be investing further in sustainability measures, and this new electric vehicle sits alongside other recent initiatives, including our greater use of technology and our K-Link distribution network which reduces delivery miles and emissions for customers. This upgrade supports Vaillant’s goal to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 and there are great synergies between both businesses, as we drive decarbonisation of our customer supply chains and Vaillant supports the decarbonisation of home heating through the design and manufacture of low-carbon systems.”
Nick Bennett, supply chain director at Vaillant Group UK & Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to have invested in a more efficient fleet, launching our very first fully- electric lorry which supports us on our journey to net zero. At Vaillant, we are driving the transition to decarbonising home heating with our heat pump technology, so this new vehicle moves us forward in a positive way whilst we consider how we further decarbonise the whole supply chain. Partnering with Kinaxia and Volvo has allowed us all to work together with a shared sustainability vision. We see this as the first of many electric vehicles yet to be introduced into our fleet.”
Kinaxia, which has its headquarters in Cheshire, has 1,600 staff nationwide and operates a fleet of 1,000 vehicles transporting goods for the retail, leisure, food and drink and manufacturing sectors.
The company’s national network of hubs provides a full source-to-shelf logistics service. It has 2.7 million sq ft of strategic national warehousing facilities offering contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management, storage services and a complete distribution service.
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Carie Seymour Receives 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award
Carie Seymour, vice president of human resources for Penske Logistics, has received the 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics. The award honors female supply chain leaders who set a strong foundation for women at all levels of a company’s supply chain.
Seymour appears on the esteemed 2024 ranking in the Trailblazers category, honoring female leaders with proven track records of paving the way for future women in logistics.
Seymour leads the human resources function for Penske Logistics’ dedicated contract carriage product line, encompassing more than 380 locations and 11,000 associates. A champion for Penske associates for more than 25 years, her accomplishments include the development and launch of Penske’s flagship women’s impact programs: Penske Women in the Field and Penske Women in Logistics.
“I’m proud to be part of an organizational culture that values and inspires women’s leadership,” said Seymour. “It’s an honor and privilege to be recognized alongside so many exceptional women in the transportation and logistics industry.”
Seymour built her Penske expertise from the ground up, with a strong focus on elevating associates to help move the organization forward. Her experience as a human resources professional includes oversight within the leasing and logistics businesses, developing talent, driving engagement, enhancing communication efforts and supporting business growth. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with associates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, enabling her to be a strong advocate for inclusion across the enterprise.
Celebrating Decade of Engineering Traineeship
This week saw a landmark celebration at Combilift’s global headquarters in Monaghan, marking the 10th anniversary of the highly successful OEM Engineering Traineeship — a collaborative initiative between Combilift and the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB). The event, which welcomed past graduates, current trainees and local educators, underscored the programme’s evolution from a local skills initiative to a cornerstone of regional industrial development.
Launched in 2015, the OEM Engineering Traineeship was born from a shared vision to tackle the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing with an industry-led approach. Today, with over 150 trainees having passed through its doors to achieve a QQI level 5 qualification, and with job placement rates above 80%, the programme stands as a model for how industry and education can collaborate to mutual benefit.
Combilift, a global supplier of materials handling solutions, has been central to this success. As the primary industry partner, Combilift has not only provided cutting-edge workplace experience but also ensured the course content remains aligned with real-world demands. “We wanted to create more than just a training programme — we wanted to build a pathway into meaningful careers,” said Combilift Managing Director, Martin McVicar. “This traineeship has delivered exactly that, time and time again.”
The nine-month programme blends 26 weeks of classroom-based learning at Monaghan Institute with 12 weeks of hands-on work experience in Combilift. Over the years, the course content has evolved to reflect changes in the manufacturing landscape, now including modules in Hydraulics, Lean Manufacturing, and, more recently, Mathematics to prepare students for greater work or educational opportunities.
CMETB has played a vital role in coordinating and delivering the educational aspect of the programme. Their ongoing commitment to adapting the curriculum, securing government funding, and expanding the scheme to include other regional employers from 2025 reflects their strategic approach to workforce development. “It’s about staying ahead of the curve,” said Sinead McKenna of CMETB. “We’ve created a flexible, forward-looking course that equips learners with in-demand skills and supports local industry at the same time.”
One of the most compelling aspects of the programme is its accessibility. Fully funded through government and EU support, it removes financial barriers for participants and trainees are offered a €300 bursary per week during practical placements within Combilift. Trainees also benefit from additional qualifications, including City & Guilds module in Hydraulics and a Lean Six Sigma White Belt.
The 10-year milestone was marked not only by reflection but by ambition for the future. Attendees at the celebration event heard first-hand from past graduates who have gone on to build thriving careers — many still with Combilift, some even progressing to degree-level study or engineering apprenticeships. Watch a clip here.
With enrolment now open for the September 2025 intake, both Combilift and CMETB are doubling down on their commitment to the next generation. As McVicar put it, “The demand for talent in this sector is only growing, and we’re proud to continue building that talent right here in Monaghan.”
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Military Recruitment a Top Priority at Penske
Like many veterans, Sean Wilkins gained a wide range of skills during his time in the Army. After his service, he applied that knowledge to lead talent acquisition at two mortgage companies, which ultimately led to his current role as Manager of Military Recruiting at Penske.
In this position, Wilkins combines his passion for talent acquisition with a commitment to helping other veterans transition to civilian life.
“I really enjoyed my time in the Army and had a great overall experience,” said Wilkins. “It helped a lot with being successful in this role, understanding veterans and doing what I can to bring their talent into our organization.”
Sean Wilkins, Manager of Military Recruiting at Penske
Wilkins joined Penske in 2018, and his role was created specifically to lead military recruiting efforts. Much like a military assignment, the job required him to relocate to Texas, where he also manages the logistics training program and is an active member of Penske’s Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG).
He credits the variety of experiences he had in the Army for his ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
“While I was serving, I had a variety of jobs and took things on that I didn’t have formal training in,” said Wilkins. “I started to realize that being able to step into positions and make opportunities happen creates value that many organizations appreciate. That’s something I really began to learn and understand in the Army, and I’ve tried to bring that to Penske as well.”
Wilkins enjoyed the challenges of stepping into unfamiliar, and sometimes uncomfortable, roles during his military service. He believes veterans with similar experiences can also translate their skills into successful civilian careers.
Learning to collaborate with people from different backgrounds is standard in the military. Despite differences, there is always a shared mission to accomplish–a mindset that Wilkins sees reflected at Penske.
“The military is probably the most diverse organization in the world. Despite the various walks of life that are brought together, you have a singular mission that you’re all working towards,” Wilkins said. “So, there are a lot of similarities between coming from the military and how we operate at Penske. Both organizations offer opportunities that empower people to be leaders.”
Wilkins believes Penske is at the forefront of veteran recruiting.
“We’re an organization that has invested in positions like mine. Having veterans throughout our recruitment team is an advantage. We have folks who understand first-hand what it means to be a veteran,” said Wilkins. “During the recruiting process, having recruiters who can vouch for Penske and make the connection between their military experiences and potential roles makes all the difference.”
Wilkins continued: “We also connect potential veteran hires with veteran associates who are currently in the role they are interested in. It allows them to have an open conversation about what the job entails. That level of transparency goes a long way.”
Penske’s Veterans Business Resource Group further enhances the company’s veteran hiring efforts.
“Our BRG offers continuous support to both our veteran associates and allies. It has helped us with being recognized as a top military employer, but in addition to being great at hiring veterans, we also want to be excellent at retaining them.” said Wilkins. “The BRG provides a support structure for associates to connect, learn more about Penske, and see how they can grow their careers with us. For anyone that has dedicated their life to this country, we want to provide that same level of dedication as a place of employment.”
Penske’s veteran hiring efforts have been recognized by organizations such as the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Hiring Our Heroes, Mission: ABLE and Militaryfriendly.com.
Even with this recognition, Wilkins said there is more work to do.
“I’m very excited about all the efforts and progress we’ve made. This is a company that values the military and loves to support veterans. While the support is evident across the entire organization, there’s still a lot of opportunity,” said Wilkins. “We’re looking to expand some of what we do with drivers and diesel technicians into other areas of PTL. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished and have been able to get off the ground here in the past six years, and I’m excited for what we are going to do moving forward.”
For more information about Penske’s open roles, please visit: www.penske.jobs/veterans
Penske Logistics Honored with Toyota North America Service Outbound Award
Penske Logistics was recognized for its industry-leading work in the automotive aftermarkets supply chain by Toyota North America with a 2024 Service Outbound Award. Penske was a recipient during Toyota’s supplier conference in Plano, Texas.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by our longtime customer at Toyota North America and we are sincerely appreciative of this award,” stated Jeff Jackson, president of Penske Logistics. “We are especially thankful to be supported on this account by an incredible team of associates who go above and beyond each day to serve our customer and accelerate the performance of their aftermarket supply chain.”
Penske Logistics earned the honor with its commitment to safety, quality and on-time delivery to support Toyota’s service parts dealer network in select Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic markets.
Photo caption: Penske Logistics is a recipient of the Service Outbound Award from Toyota North America. In this photo, from left: Andria Anderson, general manager – accessories, logistics and packaging, Toyota; Ashley DeRose, enterprise account executive, Penske; Lee Schiller, vice president of operations, Penske; Michael Schad, vice president – service parts logistics and accessory operations, Toyota; Tim Ernest, senior manager – service parts logistics and accessory operations; Toyota; and Jenny Dyer, senior manager – purchasing and supplier development, Toyota.
By “Move Ahead” Staff
First Look: Universal Logistics Holdings
Universal Logistics Holdings’ first-quarter operating revenue decreased 22.3% year over year to $382.4 million, which company officials attributed to a sluggish freight market.
“While we gained positive momentum as the quarter progressed, the early softness posed a significant headwind to our overall performance for the entire period,” CEO Tim Phillips said in a news release. “Lower auto production, combined with sustained weakness in the freight market, resulted in top-line revenues falling short of our expectations and contributed to a compression in our operating margin.”
Universal Logistics (Nasdaq: ULH) is a Warren, Michigan-based truckload transportation, intermodal and logistics provider. The company provides services across the U.S, Mexico, Canada and Colombia and has more than 10,000 employees.
First-quarter earnings per share came in at 23 cents per share, an 88% year-over-year decrease.
Universal Logistics missed Wall Street analysts’ revenue estimates of $454.1 million in the fourth quarter and earnings per share expectations of $1.04 per share.
The company’s first-quarter results showed year-over-year decreases in its trucking, contract logistics, intermodal and managed brokerage segments.
In the contract logistics segment, which includes Universal Logistics’ value-added and dedicated services, first-quarter revenues decreased 18.4% year over year to $255.9 million.
By the end of the first quarter, Universal Logistics managed 87 value-added programs, including 20 rail terminal operations, compared to a total of 71 programs at the end of the same period in 2024.
Revenue in the intermodal segment decreased 9.8% year over year to $70.7 million in the first quarter. Load volumes declined 3.4% in the intermodal segment during the quarter, and the average operating revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharges, fell by an additional 8.7% on a year-over-year basis.
Trucking segment revenue in the first quarter decreased 20.2% year over year to $55.6 million. Load volumes declined 31.3% year over year, while average operating revenue per load, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 24.3%.
As of March 29, Universal Logistics held cash and cash equivalents totaling $20.6 million, and $12 million in marketable securities. Outstanding debt at the end of the first quarter was $740 million and capital expenditures totaled $52.6 million.
Universal Logistics announced a cash dividend of 10.5 cents per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record by June 2.
The company will hold a conference call to discuss results with analysts at 10 a.m. Friday.
| Universal Logistics Holdings | Q1/25 | Q1/24 | Y/Y % Change |
| Operating revenue | $382.2M | $491.9M | (22.3%) |
| Operating income | $15.7M | $75.1M | (79%) |
| Trucking revenue | $55.6M | $69.7M | (20.2%) |
| Intermodal revenue | $70.7M | $76.7M | (7.8%) |
| Contract logistics segment | $255.9M | $313.5M | (18.3%) |
| Adjusted earnings per share | $0.23 | $1.99 | (88%) |
Universal Logistics key performance indicators.
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Trump to Ease Regulations With Three Executive Orders
President Donald Trump is expected to sign a trio of new executive actions designed to reduce the impact of regulations — part of an effort the White House has said will spur economic growth.
Accelera rolls out new battery packs, EV technologies
Accelera by Cummins, the engine maker’s zero-emissions business segment, arrived at ACT Expo with new products to discuss, including a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for electric vehicles. Brian […]
OTA updates police commercial vehicle committee on trucking issues
The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) updated the Ontario Police Commercial Vehicle Committee (OPCVC) on key issues during its recent spring meeting in Gannaoque, Ont. The event, which invited policing members […]