Meritor expands Edmonton aftermarket distribution centre

EDMONTON, Alta. -- Meritor has recently completed an expansion of its aftermarket distribution centre in Edmonton, Alta., which the company says will improve service and delivery time to its western Canada OE dealer and warehouse distributor customers. The 35,000-sq.-ft. centre now stocks a full line of Meritor and Euclid drivetrain and undercarriage products.

The expansion improves product availability which will reduce lead times as much as 70%, according to Doug Jamieson, site manager, Meritor.

“Our expanded centre in Edmonton enables us to consolidate and expedite a customer’s order for Meritor and Euclid parts into one shipment for faster delivery,” Jamieson said.

Customers in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan were previously served through the company’s Brampton, Ont., distribution centre.

The expanded Edmonton facility complements Meritor Logistics, the company’s new third-party multiple logistic services. Meritor recently launched this aftermarket-based, third-party multiple logistics service to improve distribution activities, packaging capabilities and remanufacturing techniques within a given country or an entire continent.

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Ryder Expands Reverse-Logistics Capability

Ryder System has expanded its reverse-logistics business to include processing returns in the same facilities from which it forwards outbound shipments.

The Miami-based leasing and logistics company said handling technical repair, refurbishment and repackaging in the same buildings gets products to the shelf faster while reducing costs.

Ryder is ranked No. 12 on the Transport Topics 100 listing of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.

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CN expands fleet with purchase of 'green' containers, chassis

TORONTO, Ont. -- CN Rail has purchased an additional 200 EcoTherm containers, bringing its fleet to nearly 500 units - the largest in North America. The containers are designed to protect products such as food, beverages, paints and pharmaceuticals against low temperatures.

The super-insulated 40-ft EcoTherm container is designed to be an alternative to the 53-ft heated container, with the ability to hold the same volume of product without the need for the blocking and bracing required in a larger container.

Officials say the EcoTherm has more insulation than a conventional diesel engine-powered "heater" container, enabling it to hold its interior temperature more effectively. The company also says EcoTherm is able to retain the proper temperature for sensitive goods throughout a rail trip as long as 10 days with no need for an engine to burn fuel en route.

CN also announced the purchase of 25 EcoRide chassis. They weigh 15% less than conventional chassis and are equipped with aerodynamic features such as side skirts and low-rolling resistance tires. Officials say containers delivered on EcoRide chassis are able to consume 8-11% less fuel than containers delivered on traditional chassis.

"EcoTherm and EcoRide are innovative technological advances that help CN reduce the energy intensity of its customers' supply chains and position us to grow our business," said Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN's executive vice-president and chief marketing officer.

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