What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: February 26, 2014

In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. 

While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read. 

1. FDA Halts Sale of Four Tobacco Products 
   The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered a halt in the sale and distribution of four tobacco products made by Jash International: Sutra Bidis Red, Sutra Bidis Menthol, Sutra Bidis Red Cone, and Sutra Bidis Menthol Cone. Retailers must remove existing inventory as these products can no longer be legally imported or sold in the U.S. Existing inventories may be subject to enforcement action, including seizure.Click here to read more >

2. President Orders Tougher Fuel-Efficiency Standards for Heavy Trucks 
   President Obama ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to further tighten fuel-efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for heavy trucks made after 2018. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also must work with manufacturers, states, labor groups and others to cut fuel consumption and emissions after the 2018 time frame. EPA and DOT are expected to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking by next March. Click here to read more >

3. Petro Employees Aid Tennessee Troopers 
   State troopers worked with Petro employees to apprehend two armed robbers who had stopped to eat at the Petro Stopping Center in Kingston Springs after holding up a Tennessee business. Click here to read more >

4. DAS to Kick Off Travel Center Show & Sale April 30 
   NATSO Chairman's Circle member DAS Companies, Inc. announced that it will host the 2014 Back in Black Travel Center Show & Sale in historic Lancaster, Pa., at the Lancaster County Convention Center. The show is scheduled to be held April 30 and May 1. Click here to read more >

5. Coffee Futures Post Biggest Gain in 10 Years 
   Arabica coffee futures jumped 10 percent in trading this week, marking the biggest jump since November 2004. A heat wave and drought in Brazil are drying up coffee plants and running up commodity prices. Arabica prices in Brazil have increased 40 percent this year, and the country is expecting coffee production to be 30 percent lower than originally forecast. Click here to read more >

6. Cummins-Peterbilt SuperTruck Hits 10.7 MPG 
   The new Cummins-Peterbilt SuperTruck could reduce fuel costs by $27,000 annually for a long-haul truck traveling 120,000 miles per year and based on today's diesel fuel prices. The demonstration tractor-trailer drove a 312-mile round trip route under real world conditions, averaging 10.7 miles per gallon. The truck averaged 64 miles per hour with a gross weight of 65,000 pounds. Against a 2009 baseline truck, the new SuperTruck experienced a 75 percent improvement in fuel economy. Click here to read more >

7. DME New Alternative Fuel 
   The American Society for Testing and Material International (ASTM) recently issued a standard specification for the diesel alternative dimethyl ether, (DME), a product of converting natural gas to a liquid state. Mack and Volvo announced plans to manufacture DME-powered engines for sale in the U.S. DME could address some of the distribution and storage issues related to other natural gas fuels, and the new product will not congeal or thicken in colder climates. Click here to read more >

8. Diesel Exhaust Testing Ensures Quality 
   NATSO Chairman Circle member Brenntag is advising fleet owners to periodically test their diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) inventory using a combination of three testing methods to ensure quality. A visual inspection provides evidence of floating debris or cloudy DEF. A mechanical tester, known as an electronic handheld refractometer, gauges the urea percentage. And laboratory testing also can be performed by a third-party provider. Click here to read more >

9. Missouri Curtails Fuel Tax Evasion Efforts 
   In response to a state legislator's anger over an initiative to reduce fuel tax evasion, the Missouri Department of Revenue has drastically reduced its diesel fuel inspection program. Red-dyed diesel fuel found on farms and construction sites is sold without highway taxes included. Investigations have found incidents of the dyed fuel being used in vehicles driving on state highways. Because of Sen. Mike Parson's, R-Bolivar opposition, the agency is sharply reducing these inspections.Click here to read more >

10. Feb. 14 Declared "Love's Day" in Oklahoma 
    Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett each issued proclamations declaring Feb. 14 "Love's Day" to recognize Love's Travel Stops' commitment to service and its 50th anniversary. More than 500 of the company's corporate office employees spent the day volunteering at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County. Click here to read more >

     

I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.

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