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BUILDING A BETTER BATTERY – As the world goes mad for lithium ion, a dark horse is emerging as a viable alternative: sodium ion.
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WOMEN AT THE WHEEL – Whether it’s in management or service, opportunities— and along with that, realities—are making themselves available to women.
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NEW TECH IS RUNNING THE ROADS – Could George Orwell have foreseen such things as mental health apps or electronic logging devices? Probably not.
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CAR CARE FOR LADIES – Shelly Pye is opening doors for women and even helping a few rethink career goals along the way, writes Jon Barry.
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THE RELEVANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION IN NS – Dave Giles asks an important question: Is the MVI worth it? He learns a few surprising answers…
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IT’S TIME FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, EQUIPMENT AND STAFF –Bob Greenwood identifies two areas of concern often overlooked when assessing business performance: personnel development and equipment requirements.
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NEWS OF THE WEIRD – A 12-pack as a baby booster seat? Uh, no thanks.
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THE RIGHT WOMAN FOR THE JOB: Introducing auto parts leader Susan Sangster.
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THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORt – Nova Scotia expands definition of “gender” on identity documents.
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WOMEN ON WHEELS: Ladies Making Their Mark on Maritime Racing - Tim Terry tells us how women are gradually making inroads at the race track.
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NSTSA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS of Supporting Safety in the NS Trucking Industry – And since that time, injuries have decreased by 56 percent.
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RUST CHECK SPOTLIGHT: Mary Harding might not be the only female Rust Check Dealer, but she’s certainly among the longest-serving owners writes April Chadwick.
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TAKING YOUR CARWASH BUILDING TO THE NEXT LEVEL- From insulation systems to waterproof linear LED systems, car wash construction has undergone a facelift for the better says Timothy Hogue. Find how, here.
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Letter from the Editor
BUILDING A BETTER BATTERY
A
By Carter Hammett
ND THEY SAID SALT WAS BAD FOR YOU. THE RACE IS CLEARLY ON TO BUILD A BETTER BATTERY. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING PUMPED INTO START UPS.
Billions on research and development. Automakers, oil companies and other multinationals are waking up and realizing that energy storage is the next great driver of the 21st century. Think that’s a tch exaggerated? Think again. What coal was to the 19th century and oil was to the last, energy storage will be the next great playground—and battleground—of the current. The battery race can be roughly divided into two separate beats: electric cars and electric grids. The former’s expected to jump to investments of $41 billion by 2024, according to fortune.com. On the other hand, grids, which are designed to store massive amounts of energy for up to weeks at a time, are, in theory, supposed to leave fossil fuels far far behind, where they belong, despite their reliability.
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Broken down into the simplest terms, the amount of energy a battery can contain is called energy density. This largely depends on how many ions the battery’s anode can store. With more ions, the more electrons that battery will generate to keep the thing running. That’s about all the science we’ll have for today kids. Where things get dicey is that almost all batteries get their ions from the one element: lithium. The element is favoured because a multitude of ions can be stuffed into a battery. Thus, everything from your electric car to your cell phone uses lithium ion batteries. In fact the technology has composed over 85 per cent of global energy storage deployments for the past three years. But is the industry leader always the best? In addition to cost, one of the ongoing concerns about lithium is safety. Earlier this year numerous fires in energy
storage hubs in both South Korea and the United States, among other locations were reported. Electrolytes used in batteries today are potentially hazardous, especially when exposed to oxygen and handled improperly. Some cathodes can release oxygen within the cell under higher temperatures, despite the fact that the batteries remain sealed from external sources of oxygen. It’s natural then to reflexively look at alternate power sources. One of these, sodium ion, has been able to rack up points in the safety department, but less so in the performance department. Researchers at the University of Houston earlier this year introduced a method of extending the cycle lives of these batteries allowing them to reach a higher energy density. Sodium is attractive on a number of levels. Unlike lithium, which is both expensive and limited, sodium is both abundant and cheap. According to sciencedaily.com, sodium-based components also have the potential to generate much faster charging times using an appropriate crystal design. The research isn’t entirely foolproof yet. Non-flammable solids moving sodium ions between electrodes, tends to break down rather quickly (Okay, maybe that’s not all the science for today). University of Houston researchers are working on addressing this durability problem and other issues. When ready, low-voltage uses could be promptly identified for it, such as wearable devices. Electric cars may have to wait a while before successfully determining sodium’s potential in that domain. However, sodium ion could be a pragmatic solution for grid storage since the energy density is lower. This could also have benefits in creating a more diverse energy infrastructure since many countries still rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy production. Whatever the outcome, there’s lots of fascinating stuff coming down the pipeline. It’s time to say goodbye to fossil fuels and embrace the future, ripe with sustainable possibility that guides us into tomorrow.
WOMEN AT THE WHEEL:
ADVANCING FEMALE OPPORTUNITIES IN MOTIVE CAREERS THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY WAS ONCE— AND IN SOME PLACES, STRUGGLES TO REMAIN--A DISTINCTLY OLD-BOYS CLUB. BUT WOMEN ARE OUTSIDE RAPPING ON THE DOOR AND THE KNOCKS ARE GROWING LOUDER. By Carter Hammett
If you’re to ask automotive industry pundit Jody DeVere what she thinks the biggest problem with advancing women in the field is, expect a blunt answer. “One of my theories is that automotive is one of the last places where a man can be a man,” she says. “He’s holding on for dear life to that one,” she chuckles, matter-of-factly. DeVere, is CEO of AskPatty.com, which offers a “Certified Female-Friendly” program that includes marketing and advertising programs that resonate with women. She’s a speaker, trainer, automotive writer and marketing expert. “Many men tend to define themselves by their profession,” she observes. “Automotive is a very manly atmosphere.” Indeed, research by Catalyst.org indicated that on a global level and as recently as 2018, only 8% of women were executives in the top 20 motor vehicles and parts companies in the Fortune Global 500. One half of the top 20 companies in the automotive industry had a grand total of zero women on their executive teams. Across Europe, female representation in the automotive industry averages out to 16.4% of the total workforce. 6
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Our neighbours to the south in the United States report stats not much better. Women make up half the labour force, but only represent about 25% of the automotive workforce. In 2017, women held 26% of jobs in the motor vehicles and vehicle equipment manufacturing industries. When broken down by cultural representation, the figures are even more alarming. In 2017, women of colour composed of blacks (6.4%), Latinas (2.7%) and Asians (1.8%) constituted only a fraction of the labour force. Women in Canada don’t fare much better, with our stats, comparable to those of the US. In 2016, women accounted for 19.9% of the workforce in motor vehicle manufacturing and about 13.7% in automotive repair and maintenance. In the trucking industry, stats are similarly grim says Ellen Voie of Women In Trucking (WIT). “In the United States, according to our most recent WIT Index female drivers comprise 7.89 percent and female executives make up 23.75 percent. However, our 2019 figures should be out soon, and they’ re trending up. In Canada, you are still under three percent for drivers according to Trucking HR Canada,” she says Jo-Anne Phillips, COO of several New Brunswick-based ventures, including Jeramand Trucking Ltd., Never Enuf Chrome & Detailing Ltd, Jeramand Barns & Garages and Tozai Synergy offers similar figures. She reports that women are only represented in about 11% of all management positions. Other figures are even less encouraging: 25% in safety, 18% in dispatch and 13% as parts technicians. When it comes to mechanics, technicians and cargo handlers, the figure drops to a dismal three per cent. And yet, and yet. Women have never been more educated, had better incomes and influence across a number of industries. In North America alone Catalyst. org notes the shifting demographics that people need to brace for. Between now and 2060, the number of people over
65 is expected to double. About 44% of all Millennials—born between 1981 and 1997—are people of colour. Women earn more degrees than men. For the class of 2016-2017, women earned more than half of all baccalaureate degrees at 57.3%, master’s degrees (59.4%) and doctorates (53.3%). Furthermore, women make up half the labour force although their participation continues to decline. Some estimate that women are more likely than men to lose their jobs due to automation (although it’s also worth noting that automation may create new complex tasks which may in fact open doors for more women, especially as more women continue to advance in Artificial Intelligence and STEM careers. The need for women in the automotive and trucking industries is real. The need is clear. So why are these two industries lagging behind others when it comes to increasing representation by women? What can be done to attract more women to the field, across multiple occupational platforms and promote their advancement within the sector?
KEY ISSUES While some companies are recognizing the need to hire, train and advance women in the trucking and automotive industries, and others have implemented programs aimed at achieving those goals, change is slow. Furthermore, women have identified several issues, around pay equity, gender parity, health and safety and other areas of concern as being barriers to achieving success in the industry. “Women still only make 78 cents on the dollar of what men are paid,” says DeVere. “Some women may think, why should I go for a career in automotive if I feel I can’t advance? This applies especially to the younger generation. If there’s no career path and leadership roles, that’s not attractive to an ambitious person that we hope to attract to our industry.” The trucking industry faces similar issues, says Jo-Anne Phillips. “There are barriers in any indus-
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Human Resources
try – attitude and a solution minded approach can usually overcome most of these issues. We do need to address the washroom/ shower facility concern at some truck stops and of course more female mentors (as most fleets will not send an un related – male/female in the same unit for training/mentoring on overnight trips) are needed. “ It’s a sentiment echoed by Ellen Voie: “The biggest barrier is the trucking industry’s image. Women don’t picture themselves in a truck or in the industry because they aren’t exposed to successful women who enjoy a great career in trucking,” she says. That image is reflected in the fact that women report higher rates of sexism and sexual harassment in the automotive field. Catalyst.org reported that of all women surveyed, a whopping 65% had to fend off sexual advances. The same number reported being tasked with lower-level assignments compared to their male counterparts. Another 25% reported constantly feeling unsafe at work. “All people can make an impact,” says DeVere. “When you’re told ‘you gotta have a tough skin’ or ‘be a special kind of person’ to succeed in the automotive business, you’re sending the wrong kind of message. That’s going to cut out a lot of women. All work should be based on skill and performance.”
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THE AUTO AFTERMARKET SPEAKS The Canadian auto aftermarket is a $19 billion a year business employing over 400,000 people. However, in 2016 only 6.4% of all people employed in the trades were women. An excellent 2016 report, Advancing Women in Automotive Knowledge Exchange (AWAKE) Needs Assessment, produced by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, (https:// w w w.aiac an ad a.com /f i les/2 015/0 4 / AWAKE_2016Report.pdf ) states that The Conference Board of Canada predicts that one million skilled workers will be needed by 2020. The report states in part: “Although many jobs will go unfilled due to the lack of skilled workers, women remain significantly underrepresented in multiple sectors, including the automotive aftermarket. The sector’s economic prosperity depends on increasing the number of female employees. Diversity in the workforce has a demonstrated impact on a company’s bottom line. Numerous studies show that employing women increases productivity and other performance measures and promoting inclusive working environments increases industry profits. “Workplace culture has a significant impact on women’s employment experiences and their willingness to seek opportunities in the industry. Companies must be engaged in the discussion of the roles women can and should play in the
automotive aftermarket. Raising awareness and beginning the conversation are the first steps to challenging perceptions, changing the image and addressing the sector’s labour needs,“ the report states. The AWAKE report identified, a significant proportion (43%) of respondents to the industry survey indicated that their companies had trouble recruiting employees, with 25% reporting specific challenges attracting women. Respondents who did report challenges listed the following reasons: New generation work ethic Difficult career move for women Type of business Lack of available/qualified candidates/ applicants Lack of awareness of job opportunities “You need a plan. It can’t be two months, it has to be long-term,” says DeVere. “You need action items that can be carried out. It just doesn’t happen because you have the desire. DeVere points out that some employers do hire women but complain when they don’t stay. “Do they (employers) ever ask women why they left? That way employers can get their feedback. It’s not easy what we’re proposing here,” she acknowledges. “Companies are sharing information so others can duplicate success.”
FACING THE FUTURE For the industry to thrive at all levels,
Human Resources
it’s clearly become a matter of “when” not “if” women come on board. Industry and technological advances are making inroads that are having a positive impact on women drivers. Voie notes that “the use of technology is making the job of a professional driver much safer. From anti-collision to lane departure to cameras, and technology to make it less physically demanding, it gives women the opportunity to enter an industry that was traditionally male dominated. We also work with truck manufacturers on truck cab design and ergonomics so women can feel as comfortable in the cab of a truck as their male counterparts.” Furthermore, some companies are
and 2% female executives. So what can employers do to bring more women on board? In the trucking domain, Ellen Voie suggests, “First, have women visible in leadership roles, then, set targets for hiring and track how many women apply and how many are hired. Look at the words and images used in the recruiting ads and determine the best places to recruit potential drivers and leaders.” Jo-Anne Phillips builds on that: “Present ourselves in forums where females might be inquiring, public recognition of successes of females within the organization, advertising using photos of both males and females, generating mentor pro-
at reaching out and inviting junior high students to an annual career event where they get to spend the day designing a car and learning about the industry. They’re doing lots of work to reach out to that demographic.” Indeed, DeVere’s organizations do much to promote women in automotive careers, including widely distributed advertising promoting motive as a career option while depicting women in ways they want to be portrayed. Scholarships and internships are other methods of banking on the future. “’If you bought it a trucker brought it. We will not likely see a plane, train, or boat pull up to our local Walmart or grocery store any time soon – trucking is an incredible industry that we rely on as consumers, more than most realize; in less than 24 hours water and fuel will run out for most communities if transport trucks stopped running in North America. The industry is in constant growth and flux and I am incredibly excited for the great impact of the increasing female influence, “ enthuses Phillips. It all sounds exciting but the recruitment road remains long and the horizon distant. “I think that some companies are very committed to diversity but as a whole I don’t think we’re doing a great job,” says DeVere. “We’ve got a long way to go towards having an inclusive industry. Some companies are working very hard but nobody will say we’re there yet,” she says. “So where do you start? Find one woman in the industry. Coach her. Motivate her. Mentor her. Connect her. One woman at a time.”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR WOMEN IN AUTOMOTIVE taking the leap forward and choosing to diversify their boards and incorporate women into their strategic and succession planning models. And little by little, women are making solid contributions. The CBT Automotive Network earlier this year noted that the BMW Z4, Volvo YYC, Renault Scenic, Ford Probe, and Nissan 350Z were all designed either by a female-led team, a female team or by a woman. In terms of leadership roles, Fiat is currently leading the pack with 27% of their directors and 38% of their executives being women. General Motors ranks second in terms of progressive hiring with 50% female directors and 11% female executives. Other automakers, such as Toyota and Nissan fair among the poorest for incorporating female leadership with Toyota having no female directors or executives and Nissan having no female directors 10
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grams for both sexes, providing uniform choices that are comfortable and feminine, considering the ergonomic differences; size, weigh, shape when setting up seats, bunks, and tools to do the job – I.e small/medium work gloves.., offer and support participation in Women In Trucking, and Salutes to Women Behind the Wheel. Support and endorse participation in the Women in Trucking Facebook page and other social media forums.” But recruitment isn’t just a corporate issue. Encouraging girls to consider automotive and trucking careers begins with the parents, and they need to be alerted to the fact that the motive sector can be highly profitable, says DeVere. “We’re working with junior high school students…that’s the age where they’re starting to think about their careers,” she says. “Hyundai does a great job
Automotive News Project XX M2W Conference: Selling and Marketing to Women Stats http://www.m2w.biz/fast_ facts.php #SeeHer at our Chicago Auto Show event in 2019 https://flosfavorites.com/ highlights/women-effecting-change-in-automotive-field/ AIA of Canada, Advancing Women in Automotive Knowledge Exchange (AWAKE) Needs Assessment Report (2016). Catalyst, Quick Take: Women in Male-Dominated Industries and Occupations. Deloitte, Women at the Wheel: Recruiting, Retaining, and Advancing Women in the Global Automotive Industry (2016). Caitlin Kelly, “A Woman’s Touch, Still a Rarity in Car Design,” The New York Times, October 29, 2013. Wheels for Women, “Cars Designed by Women” (December 12, 2013).
Future Technologies
NEW TECH IS RUNNING THE ROADS
I
By Kenneth E. Seaton
T M AY H AV E BEEN PUBLISHED BACK IN JUNE OF 1949 BUT, FOR ALL INTENTS A N D PU R POS E S, GEORGE ORWELL’S BEST-SELLING FUTURISTIC NOVEL “NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR” READS AS IF IT WERE JUST HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Orwell’s all-knowing and all-seeing presence – a fictional character named Big Brother – and the catch slogan “Big Brother is watching you” is even more prevalent nowadays than back in 1949.
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In today’s fast paced electronic age, it is social media and not Big Brother that gathers and assimilates every word that is (allegedly) spoken or written! It also tracks almost every purchase/action that’s made or taken. Next, social media, in all its forms habitually passes out its own version of online judgement. This omniscient presence is now a part of our everyday lives and oftentimes it appears as if it can even predict the future. The trucking industry is not immune to having an eye focused on it. On the 13th of June, The Canadian Press reported that Canada’s Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau made an announcement that, “Effective June 2021, all drivers of federally-regulated commercial trucks and buses operating in Canada will be required to use electronic logging devices.” Electronic Logging Device (ELD), is a device used to automatically collect, sup-
plement and process a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS) and Hours of Service (HOS) data by combining driver inputs with information collected from the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM). According to Transport Canada, 20 per cent of all fatal collisions on our roads involve driver fatigue. Garneau noted that the tamper-resistant electronic logging devices will be in alignment with U.S. road safety regulations. This is a move that’s sure to prove very beneficial for those Canadian truckers who regularly cross the border. He also stated that the ELDs would create a level playing field throughout the trucking industry, as all companies, will now have to follow the same rules. It’s also noteworthy that, ELDs can remotely transmit its stored information to its own company. And, during an inspection by DOT/MTO officers, upon request, info can be released to them. Police and
Future Technologies
other officials will also be able to use its information for investigation purposes, etc. ELDs store the information in a standardized format that can not be changed or altered.
THE CHANGING FACE OF DRIVERS The trucking industry is facing many new challenges that are as many, as they are varied. Historically, vehicles seemed to be driven by older, white male drivers. Nowadays however; a predicted driver shortage, driver retirements, changing government regulations and ever more technologically superior vehicles are forcing the trucking industry to make important changes to who’s sitting behind the wheel. The next time a vehicle backs into a dock, its more than probable that a female driver, a visible minority driver, a LGBT driver, an ex-military driver, a new immigrant driver or a millennial driver will be the one climbing down from the cab. People who never thought of driving for a living, are now considering driving for the trucking industry as real and viable career choices. Eager to take advantage of this newly found interest in driving as a career, fleet and company owners are counting on the ever-developing world of technology to aid them in their quest to fill the driver’s seats. Additionally, trucking companies are also looking to sweeten the pot by of-
fering enticing employment perks; signing bonuses, bonuses for referring other potential drivers and an increasingly better compensation packages are just some of the incentives that are now up for grabs. The industry is also exploring different ways of re-shaping the public’s opinion of trucking. The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) has launched an awareness and education campaign. Its focus is to promote the variety of career opportunities within the industry. The APTA liaison officer is visiting schools and attending events to talk about industry jobs.
TECHNOLOGIES HARD AT WORK KEEPING DRIVERS MOVING The trucking industry is very cognizant of the fact that most long-haul truck drivers work and live in their trucks. Conversely, all truck drivers are faced with similar essential needs; vehicle parking sites, restroom and washing – both vehicle and driver – facilities, fuel, restaurant and food to go locations, etc. All these necessities must also be readily available at route convenient locations and these locations need to be driver safe and secure. These requirements are also being tackled – to varying degrees – by shorthaul and local delivery drivers. They could prove very problematic for the industry as it addresses its driver hiring & driver retention concerns. Problematic for sure,
however not unsurmountable, due to one very important reason, new technology. The right combination, of properly utilized new tech and the ability to adapt to an ever increasingly technological world will prove to be the catalyst for a dramatically transformed trucking industry. Shrewd owners, fleet managers and dispatchers are also ensuring that their company drivers are aware of and using some of the powerful mobile apps that are specially designed for truckers. These truckers’ apps can not only improve the quality of life for truckers & their families but, should also improve business operations as well. Apps like: Dynamic Routing – Trucking companies and fleet operators make money moving goods from point A to point B. Using the fastest, most cost-efficient route to accomplish these goals will make the most monies for companies. Dynamic routing uses GPS tracking and continuously updated data to keep dispatchers & drivers informed of up-to-the minute traffic and weather conditions. Real-time GPS information allows for instantaneous decisions to be made on any necessary route changes. Dispatchers can also make additions or subtractions to busy delivery schedules. Deliveries & pick ups will be completed quicker and more fuel efficient with less kilometers travelled. All are important factors when selling a company’s services to potential
future customers and when hiring new drivers. Trucker Path Pro – A logistical assistant that’s geared towards providing detailed up-to-date information to drivers regarding truck stops, the number of truck parking spaces and current fuel prices. It also has the capability of booking vehicle parking in advance, can inform drivers about the different types available on-site truck care and which Walmart locations offer overnight truck parking, etc. Wunderlist – Is a cloud-based task management application, that assists busy truckers in keeping track of and managing their time while on the road. With the app drivers can create daily to-do lists, set reminders for themselves and share tasks with colleagues, friends and family. Wunderlist instantly syncs between cell phones, tablets and computers. Transflo mobile+ – Advertises itself as the complete trucking solution rolled out in one convenient mobile app. An app that provides on-the-go scanning solutions for the fastest document delivery available. Features include; integrated navigation designed specifically for trucking routes, weigh station bypass technology, two-way company, fleet and/or broker messaging, etc. It offers users real-time traffic view and full GPS map access, even if the data signal is lost.
TECH’S ENSURING THAT DRIVERS & VEHICLES ARE SAFER Driving at the best of times can be challenging. Driving a truck or big rig for a living, can often prove to be more than challenging. There are no guarantees of avoiding mishaps, and there are always unexpected & unpredictable safety challenges that will occur to or in front of truckers. All this is going on, while truckers strive to adhere to a usually tight schedule and as they also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle while being on the road. Fortunately, new technology is stepping up to co-drive with todays truckers. It can provide an extra set of eyes, that’s always ready to alert drivers to any potential dangers. Thereby ideally, providing truckers with the extra time needed to avoid harming themselves, their vehicle or others who may be sharing the road with them. Some of the health and/or safety technologies currently available to truckers are: The Rolling Strong App – Rolling Strong is a health and wellness program built to serve professional drivers and fleets. The app provides drivers with exercise and meal plans while on the road. It’s a subscription-based app that focuses
Future Technologies
on three main areas of driver concerns; nutrition, fitness and sleep. Rolling Strong provides guided exercise programs, sleep pattern tracking capabilities, effort/results-based incentive program oversight, special events, online coaching, help desk and more. Driver Facing Cameras – Many owners and fleet managers agree that driver facing cameras are a great resource for them and their drivers in reducing liability in the event of an incident or accident. Driver facing cameras can also alert drivers whenever they may appear to be distracted or too tired. The cameras capture video and audio while recording time and location via GPS. Most cameras also come equipped with an infrared function so it can properly record in the dark. However,
or other unpleasant incident, video recordings can be quickly and conveniently uploaded to owners, fleet managers, dispatchers, insurance agents and/or other persons of authority. Dash cams aid fleet managers and dispatchers in managing company drivers’ actions and some even have automatic safeguards built into them for increased safety. Still, far too many drivers, seem to be unable to resist the temptation of using their cell phones while driving. The trucking industry’s owners and fleet managers – looking to protect their companies and its drivers – are turning to software solutions and new technology for smartphones and tablets to tackle this troublesome issue. FleetSafer Mobile is an example of
keep ahead of the curve, astute company owners and fleet managers are talking to and working with innovative vehicle manufactures, health and safety experts and leading tech companies. Freightliner Cascadia currently offers innovative safety features under its proprietary Detroit Assurance suite. Ergonomic wraparound dash and noise abatement technology work to limit driver fatigue, windshield-mounted camera for lane departure warnings, brake assist, singlesheet windshields for improved better visibility, etc. Mack Trucks provides vehicles with anti-lock brakes and Bendix Wingman Advanced adaptive cruise and collision mitigation capabilities. Not to be outdone, all Volvo Trucks – the first commercial
there’s a growing number of truckers who feel that driver facing cameras severely invade their privacy. Dash Cams – Oppositely to driver facing camera, a dash cam’s main feature is to keep an eye on and record the actions of other drivers on the road. Conversely, some dash cams come equipped with the capability to record its own vehicles speed and brake reactions. This could prove worth its cost, when its necessary to defend against any seeming unjust speeding tickets and may well help in keeping insurance rates down. Dash cameras that record speed usually come equipped with Wi-Fi technology. In the unlikely event of an accident
this new tech in action. It uses GPS to determine when a vehicle is in motion and it will automatically engage to block any inbound/outbound calling and it also disables all text/email functionality. It automatically will respond to messages with an “I’m driving” message of its own. Call and message functionality are restored when the app senses that the driving movement has ended.
truck manufacturer to introduce a driverside air bag – come equipped with a collapsible steering column, breakaway foot pedals and an engine and transmission designed to drop down and away from the driver in the event of a crash. With one eye on the road and the other on the future, the trucking industry is keenly aware that it and its drivers, must be at the forefront of utilizing leading-edge transportation technologies. Vehicle manufactures are also on-board. They have been hard at work developing, testing and installing new tech on their vehicles. They are constantly developing newer and ever improving transportation technologies.
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LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE WHO DRIVE THE INDUSTRY The trucking industry is currently undergoing major changes. These changes are mostly a result of transformative transportation technologies. Determined to
Under The Hood
CAR CARE FOR LADIES SHELLY PYE IS OPENING DOORS FOR WOMEN WITH HER SEMINARS AND EVEN HELPING THEM RETHINK SOME OF THEIR CAREER GOALS By Jon Barry
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HELLEY PYE LEADS A SERIES OF CAR CARE FOR LADIES SEMINARS AT MIKE COGGINS OK TIRE LOCATIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA. With a long familial connection to the automotive industry, Shelley is now passing on her automotive knowledge to eager woman attending her seminars: “Based on my experience, everyone needs [more education about their cars], not just women, but it’s more of a male dominated trade. That’s why I have been putting on the clinics for women. Women should know the basic maintenance like how to check their fluids and put their spare tire on and how to know when there’s a problem with their vehicle. My main goals are that women understand how the vehicle works and that they
aren’t taken advantage of.” In many ways Shelly’s passion for automotive has deep roots: “I grew up on the eastern shore, in Port Dufferin, where there wasn’t a whole lot of things to do except putter around outside and hang out with my dad and work around the [automotive] stuff he was doing. When I went to high school they offered a co-op program...and I went to the local garage. I did one of my classes there to see if I liked it, because I liked doing the stuff I was doing with my father. And low and behold I did! So I enrolled in community college and signed up for automotive service technician. I give a lot of credit to my dad for showing me how to do a lot of these things.” Shelly wasn’t the only one to catch the automotive fever from her father: “Ironically enough when I took the course that I took, my sister ended up taking autobody. So she is an autobody technician and I am an automotive service technician.” Now Shelly is trying to instill that passion for automotive learning to her seminar attendees. “You can feel very intimi-
dated or nervous to do something that’s not a women’s designated trade. I would like for more people to understand...anyone can do any trade they want to do but they shouldn’t feel nervous about it.” Shelly continues, “When I first started out in the trade there were a lot of barriers in regards to being a woman in the industry.. It’s not anywhere near what it was now. “When people walk in and they see that there is a woman here, it makes the women that are coming to the counter a little more comfortable. They feel more comfortable to ask questions. A lot of women that show up [to the seminars] are very nervous and they don’t want to ask questions but they do want to. But once you start talking to them and you can get one-on-one to explain, “We are all here for the same reason”, you can interact with them much easier.” By the end of the seminar, the reception from the audience is clear: “When are you having the next one? Can you do one at this location?” the clients ask. And the next scheduled seminars? “They fill up very fast.” says Shelly.
Under The Hood
THE RELEVANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA
WHILE THE MERITS OF MVI PROGRAMS ARE STILL DEBATED BY MANY WHO FAIL TO SEE THEIR VALUE, ONE PUNDIT SEES THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY. By David Giles
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OVA S C O TI A’S MO TOR VE HI CLE INSPECTION (MVI) PROGR AM IS NOW SEVERAL YEARS, IF NOT DECADES, OLD. I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS A 1956 DODGE REGENT THAT HAD AN EXPIRED 1976 MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION STICKER ON IT.
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While this vehicle’s sticker expired almost 45 years ago it shows that the program—which commenced in 1967--isn’t new to this province. What is new is the process, inspected items and the enforcement of the program. Just recently it was revealed by CBC that fake (lick-and-stick) stickers were showing up in large quantities on vehicles. That news article stated that over 3000 vehicles in less than 18 months were ticketed for expired and/or illegal stickers (counterfeit). While not all the ticketed vehicles had fake stickers, many of them had defects in their safety systems that would have failed a motor vehicle inspection. The question I get asked from many
people is, “Is the MVI program worth it? Do we really need a system where a vehicle is inspected every two years?” While an interesting question, I did a little investigating with four different shops. I asked them on average how many vehicles came into the shop that pass with no defects under the current MVI checklist? One technician’s interesting response was, “Depends on the year”. Typically, when a vehicle is seven years or less, 8090% have no defects to report. After this age the number drops to 50% and for vehicles 15 years up, only 20% would pass without any work. So, is the MVI program worth it? If I asked people with vehicles seven years or older if they knew of any
problems, only 10% suspected any issues. I was talking with a customer at one of the shops and he gave a great analogy. He said “the vehicle safety inspection is like me going to the doctor every year to get a check-up; they take blood, pee in a cup and do a series of tests. I do it every year as required by my employer, but the good news is that if the doctor finds something it may be caught early and that’s a good thing.” I was thinking about that and wondered what if he went to the doctor and showed up with a coffee, chatted for a few minutes, and the doctor gave him the all-clear without checking anything? Then several years later he starts to get sick and finds out he has a disease that had gone undiagnosed for several years? Now his situation is dire as the treatment may not be as effective as it might have been had it been caught years earlier. Your vehicle’s health check up could be looked at the same way: not identifying something procactively may have expensive or even catastrophic consequences later on. Understanding the rules and requirements for current MVI laws may be confusing and hard to understand. I’ve heard from many people that they feel it’s a
money grab and does nothing to help with making vehicles safer on the road. When putting the question to an accident investigator, they respond like this: A vehicle loses control and crashes into another vehicle. The vehicle has bald tires and it was raining, which is the primary factor or catalyst for the accident. What if it’s not raining and the vehicle is involved in a collision? Then it goes to driver inattention, road conditions or speed, the tires are still not the primary factor. So why then, do we have inspections? In circumstances where the catalyst is the weather, driver inattention, speed or road conditions the vehicle won’t become the main contributor to those circumstances. Looking at it another way, if it’s raining and you have good tires you’re less likely to have a problem than if you have bald tires. If it’s raining and you have bald tires and you go slower, you are less likely to have a problem than if you go faster with bald tires. The weather conditions and speed become primary factors in an accident, not the tires. This means that a vehicle safety inspection can help identify these defects, including identifying components that could become a contributor, like the tires in the above example.
When taking your car in for your MVI, think of it as a health check-up, talk with the technician looking at your vehicle. Get some advice on maintaining your vehicle and become familiar with what’s checked and what isn’t. This will give a better understanding of why we have inspections and what purpose they serve for vehicle safety. A tip I give people is “don’t wait until the end of the month of the expiry to have your vehicle checked” You have more flexibility in getting a second opinion if you are proactive with your MVI inspections. I believe the MVI program still has a valid place for safety on our roads. Without it many vehicles would go for prolonged periods of time with worn out components or potentially dangerous issues. Without some sort of “check” many drivers would never know of an issue until it was too late. Nova Scotia has some of the most adverse road and weather conditions in Canada. The abuse our vehicles take every year from our climate and roads makes this program a way of ensuring vehicles are safe to all stakeholders. Getting a vehicle inspected should bring peace of mind for those driving on our roads. autoatlantic.com
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MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
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OBERT ALFERS, PUBLISHER OF AUTO & TRUCKING ATLANTIC WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME DAN HILLIER INTO THE COMPANY AS AN ACCOUNT MANAGER.
Dan has a wide print background over the last 30 years and before that was in the auto industry for 10 years. Some of you in the local HRM area may know Dan from his 20 years with the Daily News newspaper until their closure in 2008 and then the next 10 years with the Metro paper. Dan will be handling all aspects of advertising in our publication from regular advertising to Grand Openings, Anniversaries or anything that needs attention for a clients business. 20
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Bob’s Business Development
IT’S TIME FOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, EQUIPMENT + STAFF
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By Bob Greenwood
EPTEMBER IS TRADITIONALLY AN “EVALUATION” TYPE M O NTH G E T TI N G R E A DY F O R T H E FALL/WINTER SEASON; HOWEVER, IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AN UNPRODUCTIVE MONTH OF THE YEAR. Consider planning for this fall and winter now but this time sit down and clearly document your plan. Two items that are basically always overlooked when planning, and rarely documented in the files of an average shop are equipment requirements and personnel development. First, make a detailed list of your current equipment on the floor. Compare their capability to today’s potential equipment available. Do the newer lines of equipment dramatically exceed your current equipment’s capabilities? If they do, “Management” may be actually creating additional inefficiency costs within the shop, which comes right off the shop’s bottom line. Does your cur-
rent equipment exceed the current servicing requirement capabilities of your current clientele’s fleet of vehicles? If not, client relationships will be jeopardized as the shop “fumbles” for repair solutions. Perception is reality to the client, and the perception may be that your shop has lost its “touch” and therefore the client may think that they should return to the dealer to resolve their modern vehicle problem. Once equipment has been identified for upgrading, complete a “due diligence” on brands and obtain written bottom-line quotes. Choose the brand make desired to best fit in with your shop and don’t forget to ensure proper training of equipment is included. Sit down with the shop’s accountant and plan the financial aspect in order to achieve the replacement required. The accountant can work out the exact costs to the shop of whether to lease or buy and the consequences or benefits to the business of the financial decision. Second, review and list all individual staff capabilities and desired level of talent needed from each to achieve productive results for themselves and the company. Don’t forget to include “Management” in the review process. Highlight the staff members that requires one-on-one “coaching” and plan for the time and ap-
proach needed to achieve a positive result. Coaching may also involve a discussion of an “attitude adjustment” that is required or an “appearance” improvement to project a professional image. To repeat, perception is reality to the client. Review technical and management courses available this fall and winter; schedule and commit now to the courses to be attended. Accept that in many cases travel is going to be involved to obtain the right educational course. That is one of today’s realities. Complement all staff individually where they are doing well. Remind the staff of the “culture” level desired within the shop and how important it is to conduct each day as a “team”, focused together, to obtain not only the right amount of billed hours each day, weekly and monthly, but also positive client results with their experience in the shop through the next season. A happy clientele means financial security for all. To accomplish the above items in detail will require a substantial amount of time and if done during the month of September, you will be able to look back and conclude September was a very productive month indeed.
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Carter’s Corner
NEWS OF THE WEIRD BITS AND PIECES OF THE STRANGE AND BIZARRE COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE WEB…YOU’RE WELCOME. BUCK A BEER? DON’T DO THIS…JUST DON’T. Autoblog reported July 15 how a case of beer has left a Canadian driver in trou-
ble with authorities, and not because he drank it before or while driving. According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), a man was charged with “failing to ensure child properly seat-belted” because he used a 30-pack as a booster seat for his 2-year-old. As The Drive points out, the 22-yearold man in question was pulled over in the North Perth area in Ontario. He was found to be using a case of beer as a
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booster seat underneath his toddler, with no child seat in the vehicle. To make matters more suspect, the traffic stop occurred at 2:30 a.m., according to CBS. Although the child was not harmed, the cops still charged the man. In Ontario all kids 8 years and younger who weigh less than 80 pounds and are smaller than 4’9” must sit in a child seat or booster seat by law. After the driver was reprimanded, the cops helped remedy the situation by bringing him a child seat to use for the drive home.
CADILLAC PARKED ON NEW YAWK STREET FOR 25 YEARS FINALLY TOWED Motor 1 recently had a story about an old, rusty Cadillac parked on Brooklyn Street (image below). No big deal there, except according to estimates by a longtime neighborhood resident, it’s been there since 1994. Twenty-five years later,
the 1971 Caddy made its final run being towed away by the New York Police Department after a Windsor Park resident complained. The New York Daily News reports the vehicle was a local landmark. It was owned by an elderly man reportedly suffering from mental illness, who was unable to take care of it, according to local residents. Interestingly, the 1970s sedan had a current New York inspection sticker. After a recent complaint however, the car was ticketed by a street cleaner and, shortly after, towed to the NYPD’s Erie Basin Auto Pound. “It’s a safety hazard,” one woman who moved into the neighborhood of Prospect Park three years ago told Daily News. “My children walk by it every day. It needs to go away.” Another neighbor added: “Everybody had to move except — you guessed it! This Cadillac is even above films. No ticket and no tow.” No one was actually sure when the car was last moved from its location. New parking rules couldn’t relocate the Caddy and even a recent city filming permit that asked all residents to move their cars couldn’t change anything. The luxury sedan from decades ago was stuffed from floor to roof with yellow newspapers and empty water bottles.
Carter’s Corner
However, not everyone was happy when the vehicle was towed by the city. “That car is a staple in this community,” said a neighbor that goes by the name of Jake. “Those who gawk at it and want to get rid of it aren’t real Brooklynites.”
THE CAR AS MULTITASKING ENTITY? Autoblog published a story that, according to a report in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, car-sharing companies in Japan are also finding out that customers will gladly put products to unforeseen uses. When Times24, Japan’s largest carsharing service, surveyed its customers about how they use the vehicles, respondents provided answers that included as a place to nap, as office space, and as a storage place when there was nowhere else nearby to put belongings. Beyond that, it seems another lasting effect of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 is a lack of public charging infrastructure; the survey showed people were renting vehicles to charge their phones. Other surveys by other car-sharing services have not only revealed an even wider range of applications, but that such accessory uses are on the rise, albeit slowly. A questionnaire by service owner NTT Docomo found more than 12 percent of users didn’t drive. An “overwhelmingly large number” rented cars to have conversations with friends, family and business clients. Smaller numbers said they
watched television, used cars as changing rooms to don Halloween costumes, practiced their singing or rapping, and did “facial stretches to reduce the size of their face.” And some just got in a car to stay cool in summer or warm in winter. A PR spokesperson at Orix, another service, said, “[We] do not recommend our customers rent vehicles for purposes other than traveling in.” In addition to the morass of potential issues that could arise from people using cars as living spaces, the services make less money when cars don’t rack up miles. Admittedly, Tokyo is an outlier, with its exorbitant rents and extreme population density. Yet this is why car-sharing vehicles have turned into personal habitats, since they provide ubiquitous, affordable, semi-public spaces available 24 hours a day. Renting a car for 30 minutes costs less than $4. But these tales can certainly be taken as cautionary considerations as to how users in other cities will employ spaces they subscribe to and feel ownership of.
AND FINALLY…. ALWAYS BE PREPARED… Sometimes, that over-reliance on technology can cause headaches, which is what happened for nearly 100 Colorado drivers earlier back in July. Motor 1 carried an item about a car crash on a road leading to the Denver International Airport which caused Google Maps to provide a detour to drivers who didn’t want to or
couldn’t wait - many were trying to get to the airport (image at bottom). However, the rain had turned the narrow dirt road in an empty field into a muddy mess. According to CNN, cars began sliding around before some got stuck, causing another traffic jam. This time, though, it was in an empty field with no other alternate routes possible. One woman who spoke to the news network, Connie Monsees, said she was on her way to pick up her husband from the airport. Stuck in traffic, Monsees pulled up Google Maps in search of a detour. She found one and followed Google’s directions. When she got to the dirt road, she saw others going down it, too, and she decided to follow. Monsees was one of the lucky ones. While others got stuck, she was able to traverse down the road thanks to her vehicle’s all-wheel drive, picking up two people who were also headed to the airport. However, her car didn’t get by unscathed, damaging the front passenger wheel well liner in the process. Google said in a statement that the company accounts for many factors when determining routes, and noted the dirt road wasn’t marked as private. However, Google did say unforeseen circumstances like weather can cause even more headaches for drivers. The tech giant concluded, “We encourage all drivers to follow local laws, stay attentive, and use their best judgment while driving.”
Around the Atlantic
THE RIGHT WOMAN FOR THE JOB: SUSAN SANGSTER TAKES PRIDE IN HER TWO BUMPER TO BUMPER STORES IN ELMSDALE AND LOWER SACKVILLE, NOVA SCOTIA
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By Susan Bradley
EING A WOMAN-LED COMPANY IN THE AUTOMOTI V E I N D U S TRY, LONG DOMINATED BY MEN, DOESN’T FAZE SUSAN SANGSTER. SANGSTER OWNS TWO BUMPER TO BUMPER STORES, ONE IN ELMSDALE AND THE OTHER IN LOWER SACKVILLE. Bumper to Bumper is a Canadian auto parts distributor that has been in business for 50 years. Better known in western Canada, Bumper to Bumper is one of the country’s largest auto parts networks with 72,000 square meters of warehouse space in 160 stores and 4,000 affiliated mechanical shops. “I like the name recognition, Uniselect is a big name, especially out west,” Sangster, 57, says. She says the top-quality product brand is gaining more recognition in the east. “It’s steady.” Home-grown success is a big part of its appeal. Bumper to Bumper - Sangster’s Automotive Supplies is involved in community events and sponsorship, Sangster says. She is a proponent of dedicated customer service and giving back to the community. “I have an excellent customer base. I am very fortunate. They are great people to deal with, that’s one of the better parts of my job, helping out people.” She says a “fair amount” of her customer base is women. “I think they don’t feel intimidated when they come in our store.” Being friendly and genuine is the key,
Sangster says. “You’ve just got to treat people the way you want to be treated.” There are 14 workers employed at the two stores. The Elmsdale location, about 5,000 square feet, services garages and mechanics in a 30-mile radius including Stewiacke and Kennetcook, while the Lower Sackville store, at approximately 2,000 square feet, takes care of businesses in about a 15-mile span. “Our customers are about 60 per cent garage and 40 per cent over the counter,” Sangster says. Sangster knows her stuff. She took over the family business from her father when he retired and has been at the helm of the stores for the past 27 years. You might say the industry has been in her blood from the beginning. She recalls as a youngster spending time with her dad while he ran the family’s store in Lower Sackville. “I trailed around after him just like a little puppy,” she recalls.
ENFIELD STORE
LOWER SACKVILE STORE
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SUSAN SANGSTER
“My father is one of my heroes, he took good care of me and I loved working with him.” She is one of the two women who works in the stores and also employs female delivery drivers. She would like to employ more women. But, as with many business owners in Nova Scotia, finding staff is an ongoing issue. “I’d like … to expand but I can’t find people to work. Automotive is probably not the best paying out there but also you don’t have to have the greatest education to be in the automotive industry. It helps if you know about cars and can work on a computer,” Sangster says. She says she does pay commissions and bonuses to productive staff members. “If you’re good at what you do. That’s only fair because if I’m making money, they should be making money.” Sangster continues to be passionate about the industry and the people she serves. “I am very fortunate the community treats me so well. Life is good,” she says. - Bumper to Bumper - Sangster’s Automotive Supplies is located at 622 Hwy 2, Elmsdale, N.S. B2S 1C9 (902) 883-7040 - Bumper to Bumper - Sangster’s Automotive Supplies is located at 668 Sackville Dr, Lower Sackville, N.S. B4C 2S5 (902) 864-5152.
East Coast Road Report
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT BITS AND PIECES OF HIGHWAY-RELATED NEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC NEW BRUNSWICK
Assistance Arrangements. This program helps jurisdictions to recover from disasters and mitigate damages.
ment announced July 10 that the road leading to Darlings Island will be realigned and raised this year. “Darlings Island Road is critical for residents, as it is the only way in or out of the community,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Oliver. “We are looking at a number of projects related to flood mitigation, and, given the number of times this road has flooded during the spring freshet, I am pleased to announce that this upgraded road will be in use when the spring floods come next year.” The height of the road will be in line with the elevation of the bridge, which is about six metres above sea level. This will result in some parts of the road being raised over two metres. The new alignment will be about one kilometre in length. The tender for this project is now closed and construction is expected to begin in late July or early August. It will be completed this fall. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has applied for federal funding under the Disaster Financial
NEWFOUNDLAND
Darlings Island Road to be raised Fredericton - The provincial govern-
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Minister Crocker Emphasizes Importance of Modern Technology for Highway Safety On June 19, Transportation Minister Steve Crocker (right) provided the following statement to the House of Assembly: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to inform my colleagues how the Department of Transportation and Works is increasing the use of technology to help people make more informed decisions before travelling. “Since 2018, new highway cameras have been installed by the department at Heart’s Content Barrens, Black Duck Siding, Lumsden, St.
George’s, and Terrenceville, and cameras will be added to the Viking Trail and Argentia Access Road this year. “Mr. Speaker, in all of 2018, approximately 890,000 people visited our highway cameras home page. The number of visits to each of our individual camera web pages combined was more than 1.6 million. “Each of these cameras cost approximately $6,600 dollars a year to operate, but the value they provide is immeasurable. “In addition, in December 2017, we introduced a Provincial Plow Tracker for our busiest routes, which we expanded to the rest of the province this past winter. “In the six-month period between November 2018 and the end of April, our plow tracker received more than 28,000 visits, and we look forward to building on this usage this winter. “We have also been using digital display speed signs on some highways, which is proven to be effective in getting drivers to reduce their speed. “Next month we will launch a 511 NL mobile app and website. This will create a single-point-of-contact service that provides information such as highway condition and construction reports, highway cameras, the Provincial Plow Tracker and ferry schedules. “Mr. Speaker, while we use more mod-
ern technology to promote highway safety, we encourage all motorists to use this information before they drive and remind them to put their phones away when they sit behind the wheel. “Thank you.”
NOVA SCOTIA
Gender Options Expanded for Identity Documents Nova Scotia continues to make changes to reflect the province’s diverse population. Beginning July 9 the province is giving people more options for gender identity on a birth certificate, driver’s licence and a photo ID card. People can now choose to have X as an option for gender identity or have no gender displayed. “This is an exciting day for our province and for all Nova Scotians who deserve to have their gender identity recognized and respected,” said Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services Minister Pa-
on all identity documents. Sex, or gender displayed as sex, will continue to be recorded in the provincial system. The fee to change the gender indicator will be waived for replacement cards. Change of sex indicator services are also now available to people born outside of Nova Scotia but currently live in the province. For more information on how to change gender on driver’s licence or
photo ID cards, visit https://novascotia. ca/drivers-licence-gender , for birth certificates https://beta.novascotia.ca/applybirth-certificate and health cards https:// novascotia.ca/dhw/msi/health_cards.asp .
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Expanding driver training Highway Safety is introducing a newcomer novice driver course this September.
tricia Arab. “People who don’t identify exclusively as male or female have said that the identity documents currently don’t accurately reflect their gender. “As a province that is proud to be diverse and inclusive, we are pleased to introduce new gender identity options in response to the concerns.” These changes were introduced with support and input from the 2SLGBTQ+ community. “This is an important change which allows Nova Scotians the opportunity to see themselves represented on one of the most common forms of government identification,” said Shae Morse, non-binary teacher and community advocate. “Accurate identification, including the option to not display gender, reduces harm faced by intersex, non-binary, and transgender people and for all Nova Scotians. “Enabling this opportunity while waiving the cost, one of the largest barriers faced when accessing these changes, ensures that any one of us from Glace Bay to Yarmouth can do so.” Nova Scotians also have the option to remove the sex designation from the front of their health cards. There is still the option to have M or F autoatlantic.com
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East Coast Road Report
“Driving is a complex activity anywhere, and it gets even more complex with our winter weather in PEI,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Steven Myers. “The newcomer novice driver course will be geared to some of the specific issues we face in PEI like winter driving, graduated driver licencing and school bus safety.” Newcomers are required to get a PEI licence shortly after becoming a resident of our province and the new driver education course will be required before the road test. The course will take five hours and be taught in one or two sessions. There will be a registration fee. There are a few exemptions. Visitors to the Island are not required to exchange their driver’s licence. Newcomers who have taken an approved PEI driver’s education course are not required to take our course. Newcomers that have a licence from a country with a driver’s licence reciprocity agreement with PEI – such as the UK or Japan – are also exempt. “When we form a licence reciprocity agreement with a country, it is because we know the driver training programs in that country and we can easily verify the driver’s history. By providing training to drivers from non-reciprocity countries, we are assured that the driver knows all our rules,” added Highway Safety Director Graham Miner. “In our experience, new-to-PEI drivers appreciate when we take the time to make sure they and their families are driving safe.” Starting in September, newcomers interested in exchanging their licence can contact their nearest Access PEI for information on the course and to register.
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AUTOMOTIVE TRADES ASSOCIATION GROUP INSURANCE PLAN Offering a Group Benefits Plan both adds value to your business, along with that it sends a strong message to your employees that you are invested in their wellbeing and providing them with a sense of security and future. Ensuring your firm provides the most comprehensive and competitive plan goes beyond the products and services provided. The right plan is able to provide benefits that fit the needs of your employees at a cost that works for your organization.
BY INVESTING IN A GROUP BENEFITS PLAN FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES: You attract and retain employees You and your employee have access to insurance at a reduced cost compared to most individual insurance plans You help to improve morale and increase productivity by providing financial security and support in times when your employees may need it most You add value to your business Your employees and their health are your most important assets. While Canadians have some protection under our healthcare program, there are a lot of unforeseen costs and financial worries associated with long-term illness and accidentrelated emergencies. Providing your employees with a competitive plan can help reduce the financial risk that comes as a result of unforeseen medical emergencies. The ATA Group Insurance Plan has been a great asset to employers in the automotive industry as it is more essential than ever to provide an affordable, comprehensive benefit plan for their employees and their families. The Automotive Trades Association has partnered with MacLellan & Moffatt Group Consultants and Blue Cross to provide owners with some of the best premium rates in the industry, along with service that is second to none. If you would like more information on the ATA benefit plan please feel free to contact Mark Denholm, MacLellan Moffatt Group Consultants (902) 893 0508 ext 227 or Email mdenholm@mmgc.ca
Atlantic Racing News
WOMEN ON WHEELS . . . LADIES MAKING THEIR MARK ON MARITIME STOCK CAR RACING By Tim Terry
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RASSROOTS STOCK CAR RACING IN TH E M A R ITI M E S HAS SEEN MANY TRENDS OVER RECENT YEARS. WHEN IT COMES TO THE LANDSCAPE OF THOSE DRIVERS BEHIND THE WHEELS OF THE RACING CHARIOTS, A LOT THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE YOUTH MOVEMENT WITHIN THE SPORT.
man champion Drew Greenlaw for the big win. Courtney is no stranger to Sportsman racing. Her and her sister Alexandra have made the division their home at Speed-
way 660 over the past few years. In fact, Alexandra won her first race of 2019 by 0.001 seconds over her sister in a last lap, last corner pass on Kids Day in June. The
Another trend has been the wave of female drivers making their mark on the sport with several not only being within the field but are leading the pack at various racetracks within the region. Two racetracks in Atlantic Canada, Lake Doucette Motor Speedway and Petty International Raceway, have divisions dedicated to female drivers racing in Four Cylinder race cars. Both tracks have had success in recent years, pulling in an average of six cars per race in the opening races of 2019. The Four Cylinder Ladies division at the Lake Doucette, Nova Scotia half mile and the Kings County Performance Women on Wheels class at the River Glade, New Brunswick bullring produce some great racing and have made local stars out of drivers like Paula Evans, Ashley Campbell, Casie Skidmore, Rachelle Muise, Natalie Robillard and Barb Morris, among others. Most oval racing tracks in Atlantic Canada have a healthy mix of female drivers mixing it up with the guys. In many cases, the girls have not only held their own, they have won their fair share of races. Just the weekend prior to press time, Courtney O’Blenis scored the biggest win of her career at Speedway 660 by winning the Second Annual Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150 presented by DMR Auto. The race, ran in memory of Rick Arbeau, came along with a $1,500 payday and the accomplishment of beating the best Street Stock (and the odd Late Model) drivers in Atlantic Canada. O’Blenis made the winning move in the last five laps on Sportsautoatlantic.com
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daughters of multi-time Pro Stock champion Dave O’Blenis have seen success every step of the way from Bandolero to Sportsman with Alexandra having dabbled in Pro Stock racing with her dad before settling in the Sportsman division. The Bandolero division has produced some of the top talents in Atlantic Canada, including some of the top female drivers in the region. Newfoundland saw the first female Bandolero track champion in Eastern Canada in 2016 when Sara Thorne drove to her first title at Eastbound Park. Thorne is now in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Division I Sportsman class at the track, racing alongside her Father Ross with her sister (and former driver) Olivia on the radio.
the now defunct Truck division where she had a breakthrough victory in 2016. After the track disbanded the division in 2017, Parrott made the jump to Sportsman racing, driving for Mitch Blanchard and the Number One Racing team. It didn’t take long for her to find success, winning her first feature in August of 2018 in a competitive field at Scotia Speedworld that featured Colby Smith and Jordan Veinotte chasing her to the line. Parrott’s first win came on a Canadian National Autism Foundation Night at the Halifax track that saw three female feature winners, which is believed to be the most in one single card in Atlantic Canada that did not include an all-female division. Emma MacMillan started off the night by
On the mainland, Emily Meehan is leading the way for female Bandolero alumni. Meehan, who has one Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour start, has been tearing it up in the Legend car ranks. She took home five feature victories in 2018, the Eastern Canadian Semi Pro championship and raced at INEX Asphalt Nationals at the Bullring at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Meehan already has one win in her No. 75 Legend car as of press time and already has Carteret County Speedway in Swansboro, North Carolina in her crosshairs for Nationals in October. Alicia Mowat helped pave that path for the girls in New Brunswick. After starting out in Bandoleros, the Minto driver made the move right up to Pro Stock. As is sometimes the case, life took a different turn and racing isn’t in the current plans for Mowat. Destiny Enkel has helped to take up the torch in the Late Model Sportsman division along with the O’Blenis sisters. One of the most popular female drivers in the Province of Nova Scotia is Megan Parrott. Parrott, like Meehan, began her racing career in Bandoleros but took a different path to where she currently races in the Late Model Sportsman class at Scotia Speedworld. Parrott jumped up to
winning the Beginner Bandolero feature in a race that featured a maximum amount of green-white-checkered finish attempts. Meehan and Parrott followed MacMillan’s win with victories of their own in the Legend and Sportsman divisions, respectively. It was almost four on the night when Brooke Dowe, a former Beginner Bandolero champion at the Speedworld, finished second in the Bandolero Bandit portion of the show. Not to mention, behind MacMillan in the Beginner feature was Emily Chisholm in second. Speaking of Chisholm, she has been lighting it up in the Beginner Bandolero class in 2019. As of press time, the daughter of Riverside International Speedway track owner and former Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and IWK 250 champion Donald Chisholm, has two victories in the class and recently took the point lead heading into the second half of the year. The current crop of female Bandolero drivers have been turning in some great results, including Chisholm, MacMillan, Dowe along with Kelsea Lewis at Petty International Raceway, Gracie Melendy at Thunder Valley Speedway and Bailey Burke at Oyster Bed Speedway. Prince Edward Island has also been turning out some quick female drivers.
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Over recent years, the Street Stock division has been dominated by Amanda Wheatley. Wheatley won the Street Stock track title in 2017 and 2018 along with the prestigious David Lambe Memorial race. Wheatley, who is also a former Eastern Super Mini Cup Series champion and a stand out in Four Cylinder competition over her career, has scaled back a bit in 2019 but is always a contender when she hits the track in her Street Stock. Oyster Bed Speedway has seen a strong contingent of Four Cylinder drivers come out of their track. The latest appears to be Isabelle Getson. While she is still getting her footing underneath her in her second full time season, she has the fan base behind her, winning the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Most Popular Driver Award in 2018. The Tignish driver won her first heat race in July 2019 and continues to gain speed each week. At the top level of Maritime racing is Sarah McKay. McKay races part-time on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and is the 2014 Rookie of the Year on the Series. A karting standout, she moved into Sportsman cars where she saw success in the Province of New Brunswick before moving to the Series. She is the first female driver to start a race in the Tour era (2001 to present), first female to win a Heat Race on the Series and first female to win the Rookie of the Year Award. She also has a legion of fans, typically having the longest line at Pro Stock Tour autograph sessions and won the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Most Popular Driver Award in 2014. These talented women are just a sampling of those that are competing (and winning) on a regular basis at stock car tracks around the region. It just scratches the surface of talents that also include the likes of Chantel Ackles, Paige Drake, Courtney Barton, McKenzie Upshall, Ashley Stevens, Nicole Richard and more. We never even scratched the surface of kart drivers making their way through the ranks, where Richard and McKay got their start. Kelsey Hann and Isla Kants both call the CKRA club in New Brunswick home and have been racking up the hardware on a torrid pace in 2019. Here’s the great thing about this sport though. Once a driver, regardless of gender, straps a helmet on and climbs behind the wheel of a race car, they are just another driver. Unlike stick and ball sports, a race car can be the ultimate equalizer. From the stands, you see a car and a driver. Regardless who you cheer for, do yourself a favour and get out to a race track and cheer on your favourite stock car stars before the Summer runs out!
Around the Atlantic
NSTSA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SUPPORTING SAFETY IN THE NS TRUCKING INDUSTRY By Susan Bradley
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WENTY YEARS AG O, N OVA SCOTIA’S TRUCKING INDUSTRY WAS GR APPLING WITH IN CREASING INJURY RATES AND RISING WORKERS COMPENSATION PREMIUMS. Spurred by the high human and economic costs, the Regional Industry Training Committee (RITC) for the trucking industry, headed by a volunteer Board of Directors, began discussions with truck-
ing companies and occupational health and safety experts to try to reduce the trend. The most effective solution was to form an industry-led association that would provide leadership, offer quality, industry-specific workplace health and safety programs, safety audits and ongoing communication and support for the trucking industry. The goal of the association was to assist the membership in reducing workplace injuries and fatalities. In 1999, through an Order in Council in the provincial legislature, then headed by Labour Minister Ron Russell, the Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association (NSTSA) was incorporated. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, made up of trucking industry leaders, it is funded by a small
Best Wishes on 20 great years!
P.O. Box 131 Eastern Passage, NS B3G 1M4 (902) 465-6101 Office / (902) 483-6033 Cell. (902) 465-3040 Fax. Email: hodgsontruck@ns.aliantzinc.ca 34
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levy collected on WCB premiums paid to the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, by companies in the following classification codes: 4561 General Trucking, 4562 Moving & Storage, 4563 Bulk Liquid, 4564 Dry Bulk and 4569 Trucking Other. And the Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association was formed! The levy is what NSTSA uses to develop and deliver industry specific materials and services at no, or low, cost to the membership. Executive Director Linda Corkum has been part of the association since 2004. She has watched the injury rate decline overtime, something she says can be attributed to the education, training programs we offer as well as the safety audits the members have undergone. “Our goal is to increase through edu-
NSTSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019 - 2020
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Around the Atlantic
cation and training the number of employees committed to workplace health and safety and to the safety of others when no one is watching.” Safety is about protecting our greatest asset: our employees, she says. “It’s a good feeling. We strengthen the industry by keeping our people safe.” The association is very proactive in the types of services and program it offers to assist the ever-changing needs of the industry. “We have become a resource centre for anything related to occupational health and safety in trucking including mental health and wellness. We are a one-stop shop,” Corkum says. “The latest figures show that over the last five years, the numbers of injuries have decreased by 25% and the time-loss claims for our member companies have dropped by 56%. So, the non-profit association takes its programs on the road, offering training in different parts of the province and charging a minimal rate for cost recovery. Most training is offered between September and May to accommodate the industry’s busy summer season. In an aging workforce - the average age is 55 - it is important to protect the
health of emPROGRAMS: NSTSA has expanded our workplace safety ployees, Corkum programs and services we offer our members: notes. Another benefit of the training programs is bringing people who work in trucking together. “When you bring people together, they talk about what they’ve learned and will exchange ideas and tips about safety practices,” Corkum says. Feedback from our course surveys strongly states that the preferred method of our training is in a classroom setting, she says. However, we know that many some of our programs. companies are moving towards online We will continue to offer the in-class training and as a training resource centre, training as well as that’s what our industry we too, are moving in that direction for
Best Wishes on your 20th year!
Dartmouth, NS: (902) 468-9438 • Saint John, NB: (506) 343-4412 36
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LINDA CORKUM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARGIE BRISSON, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
prefers, she says. Corkum says strains and sprains are the most common causes of injuries largely due to improper lifting or over extension. The most common area of injury is to the back followed by injuries to the shoulders and ankles. All of which are preventable. The second most common causes are slips, trips and falls, generally occurring when truckers are entering and exiting their vehicles. Wearing non-slip footwear, using three points of contact when entering and exiting their cabs can help eliminate these serious injuries, Corkum says. “The average time a worker is off
GARY HUNT, SAFETY COORDINATOR
work as a result of a workplace injury is eight weeks and the trend is increasing,” she says. We know that although a worker has sustained a physical injury, there are also psychological impacts. Recovering from the physical injury may be successful, however, the psychological component of the injury may not be and in some cases, remains untreated. This is one of the reasons why we invested in having facilitators trained to by the Mental Health Commission of Canada to provide “The Working Mind” program. It has been amazing to see how these sessions have helped those who have attended share how their mental health has
GARRY ALDERDICE: OUR LONGEST SERVING SAFETY AUDITOR SINCE 1999
been impacted in these group sessions, Corkum says, adding the stigma around mental health is huge and we have a role to play in helping to remove that stigma. Recently, to help combat injuries, the association developed a cargo/load securement program in 2018. It was officially launched in 2019 and attendance is at capacity at each session. “We introduced Frank and Shifty. Frank does things the right way even when no one is watching both at home and at work. However, Shifty does things the wrong way even when someone is watching. We use these two characters during the training to drive home the importance of doing things the right way
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Around the Atlantic
workers in our industry, there is no time like the present to educate, communicate and train the people in our industry. They are our greatest asset.”
SAFETY CERTIFIED = REBATES FOR TRUCKING COMPANIES every time,” Corkum says. The cargo/load securement program is for anyone who loads ½ ton; ¾ ton trucks, cube vans, tractor trailers, etc. It is a hands-on program. Even members of the general public would gain knowledge into properly loading their vehicles so the purchases/items do not fly out of the trunk or back of their truck when driving down the highway. Corkum says the feedback on the content of this program has been excellent and what’s more important is the participants remember Frank and Shifty. We continue to listen to our industry when creating programs, she says. Members tell us to “keep it simple and easy to remember and understand” when developing programs and awareness campaigns and we do. With the shortage of
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And safety pays big dividends. NSTSA has been conducting safety audits for our members since the beginning. We now have additional trainers and safety auditors all of whom provide their expertise and knowledge to our membership, Corkum says. Our customer service survey reports indicate 98 % customer satisfaction. We appreciate feedback to ensure continuous improvement. “Our Safety Certified Accreditation program (Practice Incentive Program) in partnership with the WCB has returned to the trucking companies who have participated in the program, a total of over $1,755,000 since the program began in 2013,” Corkum says. “It is the easiest way to keep our people working safely and overall saves money. And remember, when someone is hurt and is unable to work, it takes much time and effort to find someone to replace the
injured worker while recovering from the injury plus insurance premiums including workers compensation premiums go up when there are injuries.” In addition, in order to bid on government tenders and contracts, trucking companies must be safety certified. Each year, a few more businesses participate in our programs and services. Investing in safety is a good business decision, Corkum said. Through the Practice Incentive Program, rebate amounts vary based on the WCB premiums the company paid during the eligibility period i.e. previous calendar year. The rebate amounts are based on the following scale: • 5% rebate for companies with premiums of $10,000 and above • $500 rebate for companies with premiums between $5,0001 and $9,999 • 10% rebate for companies with premiums of $5,000 or less The WCB of N.S. determines which employers meet with rebate criteria. For eligible employers, the rebate is issued automatically, no paperwork is required, no
participation fee is collected, and no red tape must be cut, it’s that easy. Safety certification means a company’s operations have been evaluated by a safety auditor on site and in person, Corkum says. We understand that one size does not fit all. Our audits are designed to assess all operations, regardless of scale and size. Our auditors assess everything from a one-person operation to a multi-location workplace. We’ve seen it all. Safety certification demonstrates a commitment and an investment in people.
NOVEMBER 2 GALA DINNER CELEBRATES SAFETY CHAMPIONS AND 20 YEARS… To celebrate the NSTSA’s 20th anniversary, a gala evening has been planned for Nov. 2 at The Westin Hotel in Halifax. The theme is Camo and Chrome, something that is sure to appeal to those who work in the trucking industry, Corkum says. Among the evening’s events, are NSTSA’s annual safety awards given out to those individuals and organizations whose efforts support workplace safety while maintaining their safety accreditation. The Safety Excellence Awards are presented every year to industry safety
champions. Corkum says, “there will be individuals in attendance who have participated in our programs since the association’s beginnings in 1999. It will truly be an evening of celebration”. Some of the categories include Professional Safe Driver of the Year Award, OHS Safety Representative of the Year, Community Spirit and Safety Champion of the Year. Our guest speaker for this event is professional driver, David Henry. David will take us through the twists and turns of his life. He has survived multiple life changing experiences. This is a compel-
ling story of a man who has battled back from head injuries and mental health issues who celebrates life every day, Corkum says. David’s story, we expect, will help others in the industry to speak up and share their story. Also, the proceeds from the auction held after the dinner will go towards assisting members with resources for mental health. This will be the official launch. For more information about the Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association and/or to register for our Gala event on November 2, 2019, visit: nstsa.ca.
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Around the Atlantic
RUST CHECK SPOTLIGHT: HARDING’S RUST CHECK CENTER
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By April Chadwick
AINT JOHN, N.B. - RUST CHECK HAS PROUDLY CONTRIBUTED A NUMBER OF ARTICLES OVER THE YEARS TO AUTO ATLANTIC EXTOLLING THE DANGERS OF ROAD SALT AND LIQUID BRINE TO YOUR AUTOMOTIVE INVESTMENT. Hopefully the message has sunk in that an annual oil based rust proofing application is the only way to beat the rusties. In keeping with this issue’s focus on women in the automotive and transportation fields, we decided to spotlight the female owned and managed Harding’s Rust Check Center in Saint John, New Brunswick. Don’t worry we will still talk a little bit about deliquescent salts, brine residue and electrochemical reactions. Your vehicle is most likely your second largest asset and we are dedicated protecting your investment from rust. An annual Rust Check application is the affordable way to prolong the life of your car or light truck, saving you a fortune in car payments. Mary Harding is not Rust Check’s only female dealer but she is one of the longest serving owners in our family of 270 locations across Canada and internationally. Mary has a thirty year history with Rust Check, she started working at the Saint John location in 1988, going on to purchasing the business in 1993. “Before I bought the business I had a period of five years to get a very good knowledge of the product and the customers that were interested in prolonging the life of their vehicles. I had no hesitation when it was time to purchase the business because I already had a good understanding of what had to be done to move forward.” It was Mary’s love of cars that attracted her to the business in the first place, “My dad was a big influence on me, as a firefighter he believed in keeping his car in perfect condition. At Rust Check that’s what we do too, we help people take care their vehicles. “I enjoy attending classic car shows 40
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and am so impressed by the dedication and skill that goes into a restoration”’. It hasn’t always been easy for women in the automotive sector, as the minority they have often faced discrimination even if it has been a lessor one of discouraged participation and low expectations. In 2019, according to a Conference Board of Canada study (A Case of Disruption, Economic Impacts to the Canadian Automotive Aftermarket), the percentage of women in the automotive trades is below 10% across the board and in the single digits for many skilled positions such as service technician and collision repair. “I will be honest it was not easy in the beginning and the male customers had to adjust. It did get easier as time passed but still today you can run into bumps in the road. Because of what we do most male customers feel more at ease with a male employee but that has changed a lot because I have been here so long and the fact that I am the owner makes them very comfortable.” The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence estimates that auto service customers are 65% female, they hold more drivers’ licenses than men over all age groups and influence up to 95% of car buying decisions. Across N. America, women spend some $200 billion on their cars annually. “When I started we had a 95% male to 5% female customer base. Now it is more like 70% male to 30% female. I believe that the increase in female customers is part due to my position as owner and a female presence behind the counter putting them at ease”. The Conference Board of Canada pre-
dicts that by the end of the decade we will need one million new skilled workers. The automotive service sector is already experiencing a shortage of technicians; women represent an unrealized resource in helping fill these critical vacancies. “It would be nice to have more females involved in the automotive field because they are good with detail work, attention to detail is very important in our business. We need more ladies to enter the business, they should take that first step and visit their local community college to see what career paths are available as well as speaking with women already working in the automotive sector.” Having been involved with Rust Check since the eighties, Mary has seen the benefits of an annual application of Rust Check’s proprietary Rust Inhibitor and Coat & Protect formulas. “Sometimes it is hard to understand why you should Rust Check your new car, but we live in Atlantic Canada where we have moisture 365 days a year. The moisture in the air starts the rust, add road salt and liquid brine and soon every part of your vehicle begins to decay.” The climate of the Atlantic Provinces is particularly harsh on automotive sheet metal and contributes to the short lifespan of local vehicles. The average age of vehicles is Canada is ten years according to AIA Canada/ Desrosiers 2018 Outlook Study. The longest lived vehicles come from the low salt provinces of B.C. and Saskatchewan with an average fleet age of nearly 12 years. It won’t come as a surprise that the east coast has the lowest average vehicle survival rate. New Brunswick (9.22 years), Newfoundland (7.98 years) and Nova Scotia (8.42 years). The calcium chloride and magnesium chloride applied liberally in winter to clear ice, combines with water on the road and even moisture in the air (salt dust is deliquescent, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air) to produce an electrochemical reaction that promotes rust on metal. Let’s leave the last word to Mary, “Rust Check has proven over and over that it is the #1 rust proofing product on the market. If you want your vehicle to last you need to use the very best, RUST CHECK, you can’t beat it!”
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EXACT LINEAR WHEEL ALIGNER CGI EXACT INEAR
16,64900 $339.00 per month*
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4,44100 $94.00 per month*
Now comes standard with truck adapters The AMMCO 7-Point Advantage: 1. Exclusive 2-in-1 lifting arms for asymmetric or symmetric vehicle positioning. Improves versatility and ease of use. 2. 1-1/2" stack-pad lift system for faster set-up; "V" and "P" models also have 3" and 6" height adapters for SUVs and trucks. 3. Proven twin hydraulic cylinders and cable equalization for greater stability. 4. More steel for more strength. Reinforced columns for greater stability. 5. Two installation heights of 138-1/2" or 148-1/2" (extended height of "P" model is 172"). 6. Door bumper guards and outer arm adapter on "P" series protect the vehicle. 7. Steel pulleys for low maintenance and longer life.
Image shown with optional equipment sold separately.
At The Car Wash
TAKING YOUR CARWASH BUILDING TO THE NEXT LEVEL By Timothy Hogue Convenience & Carwash Canada
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N RECENT YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ADVANCES IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. There has been a much-anticipated revolution in the construction industry regarding materials as well as building design. Now we have drones, virtual reality, augmented reality, BIM, project management and more. It doesn’t stop there! Researchers and various institutes are taking building technology to the next level. New developments in self healing as well as lighter weight concrete, 3d printing, more efficient solar panels and various other construction materials has been ag-
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gressive and intense. These benefits may not be available in the near future, but there are advances in construction that can be realized today. Due to these new advances and innovations in materials as well as construction techniques, there are many options to consider when either building your new carwash or considering remodeling an existing one.
INSULATION SYSTEMS Whether you are building a new carwash or remodeling, one of the main considerations is keeping your energy costs controlled. One of the main criteria affecting new commercial construction, as well as remodeling an existing commercial building, is the increased energy codes. These have been developed by the International Code Council, a member-focused association dedicated to helping the build-
ing safety community and construction industry provide safe, sustainable, and affordable construction through the development of codes and standards used in the design, build, and compliance process. Most communities and many global markets choose the International Codes, or ICodes. Providing minimum safeguards for people at the workplace, the I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes. This latest version also references other codes and criteria which affect most North America as well as global markets. This can affect many other items in the design of your new carwash building but the major issue is R-Value: How efficient the insulation systems are that have been designed in the structure in order that it might have less energy consumption and become more energy efficient.
The main requirement is continuous insulation. This is insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior or exterior or is integral to any opaque surface of the building envelope. There are many recent advances in exterior sheeting options that are available today that help you to meet the new energy codes by combing a vapor barrier, rigid sheeting, built in exterior rigid insulation, continuous air barrier as well as structural durability. Thus meeting the definition of continuous insulation. Since it combines rigid insulating foam and structural sheathing into a fabricated product that provides uninterrupted exterior insulation, air sealing, and a solid nailing surface for exterior finishes, many find it helps meet new code requirements in less time and with much less cost.
MAGNESIUM OXIDE BOARD Another very exciting product available today and one that is a tremendous innovation in the carwash industry and should be used in every modern carwash building, whether doing new construction or a remodel, is magnesium board. This product represents a dramatic shift in sheet building technology and has been designed to replace plywood, OSB, fiber cement and gypsum based sheet building products. The proprietary design and formula
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At The Car Wash
offers superior structural and high-impact strength, stiffness, durability and fireresistance. The interesting aspect to the carwash owner is that this board material is impervious to water, dimensionally stable when wet, structural when wet, does not warp, does not swell, and does not delaminate. It is completely inorganic, does not mold or feed mildew, is termite proof, contains no toxins or formaldehyde and is paintable with any typical acrylic paint. There are multiple locations that you can utilize this material in your new carwash building or a remodel project. Magnesium board can be used as exterior wall sheeting, as a paintable exterior cladding treatment, as an underlayment in any wet area i.e. as an underlayment behind PVC for structural support. It can also be used in place of sheetrock in typical office areas, restrooms and any place where water is of concern. This board comes in multiple sizes and is easy for the contractor to install. It scores and snaps easily, lighter than fiber cement products, has excellent nail holding capabilities, and you can achieve a level five finish with less paint and materials.
HIGH EFFICIENCY WATERPROOF LINEAR LED SYSTEMS Another innovative item that is purpose built for the carwash industry, as well as a great energy saver, is LED Lighting but not just any LED lighting but linear waterproof fixtures that have polymeric outer housings that provide superior wa-
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terproof capabilities as well as chemical resistance. This is especially important in the harsh conditions of the typical carwash tunnel. Installing these bright, linear LED lights is a great way to modernize an existing carwash. These modern linear fixtures feature quick connect cabling couplings that allow a day chain connection which creates less hard wired locations and saves money on installation. There are many choices in LED lighting today but it is important to look for fixtures that have an embedded aluminum heatsink which provides ample cooling for a long lifetime and allows the fixture to operate in both cold and hot weather environments. The light output can range up to 12000 lumens as well as have efficiency up to 140LPW. The lights can be mounted on structural members or sidewalls inside the car wash building, on board equipment, on exterior wall areas for accent as well as vacuum systems where certain types of LED can be curved or bent to match a desired profile shape.
BUILDING SYSTEMS
as a carwash. Steel construction which is superior in structural integrity but can often be difficult regarding carwash design due to exposed fasteners and water retaining spaces etc. Modular construction is great in that the structure or additions will come in modules that can be installed quickly when located on site however they have design restraints due to transportation limitations. The module size must be limited due to highway dimensions. Pre-engineered bolt - together tubular steel construction allows for great design early in the process while not having any of the typical issues with standard steel construction. These structures are designed and preengineered to meet the requirements of the site location. They offer great design and structural benefits while also having certain parts pre-constructed for fast erection, however some designs maybe more appealing than others when using this type of construction. No matter what type of construction that you undertake, careful planning in your design, as well as coach of materials is most important.
Of course, when it comes to either building a new carwash facility or remodeling an existing one, there are many options regarding framing systems. There is typical block construction, however this type of construction has limitations in design and is also becoming more difficult to meet the latest energy codes due to its poor insulative nature. Wood construction, however it has obvious issues regarding a water intensive structure such
Timothy Hogue is the president of Modernwash Buildings and Solutions, MetronGarage and the Metron Group Inc. He is an industrial and architectural designer who specializes in automotive related buildings and structures. His buildings have been featured on Fox Business, as well as many architectural publications. He can be reached at tim@modernwash. net.
Around the Atlantic
TAKING OVER FAMILY-RUN NAPA STORE WAS ‘ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I MADE IN A LONG TIME’ By Susan Bradley
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Auto in the early 70s. My parents ran the shop,” Gregory says. The business, M.A. Cox Enterprises Limited, is a thriving NAPA Auto Parts associate store. Sadly, both of Gregory’s parents passed away about four years ago, within months of each other. “At that stage I made the decision - my father and I had talked prior to that –to take over the administrative end of things. We’ve had an amazing staff here for years. Our manager and assistant manager can pretty much run the shop blindfolded. So I’ve had really good support,” she says. Previously, Gregory worked in the administration office of Saint Mary’s University for 28 years. For the first year of her involvement in the family business, she worked both jobs.
MID-LIFE DECI S ION TO SWITCH CAREERS BROUGHT MICHELLE GREGORY HOME TO HER ROOTS, A FAMILY-RUN AUTOMOTIVE STORE IN MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR ON NOVA SCOTIA’S EASTERN SHORE. “It’s a bit of an interesting background. The store was started by my mum and dad. It was actually called Cox Home and
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Three years ago, Gregory decided to take early retirement from her university career - by then she was the manager of financial aid and awards at the Halifax university - and devote her time to the store, located at 7939 Highway 7.
“It’s probably one of the best decisions I made in a very long time,” she says. Living in Lake Echo, Gregory no longer faces a lengthy commute across the harbour to Halifax and now has a flexible work schedule, works with a great team “and I get to be in the neighbourhood where I grew up.” In addition to the financial management of the business, Gregory is now out doing deliveries, working on the counter and taking part in all aspects of the automotive supply business. “We’ve got such a great customer base. They’re just really down to earth, there’s no fuss and bother.” Her customers consist of auto garages and repair, walk-in retail - “a lot of backyard mechanics,” and cottagers for lawn mowers and items for fixing boats. “We have a really good marine customer base, so we make sure to carry a lot of marine supplies for them.” Being connected to the NAPA Auto Parts network means the business has access NAPA’s many programs and huge inventory of quality auto parts. The business gets its orders from NAPA’s centrally located Moncton, N.B., warehouse on a daily basis, from Monday to Friday. “But we have the luck to be associated with so many other NAPA stores, if there’s a particular part that one of our garages or customers need, we can bring it in from another store in the metro area, to get it to our customers,” Gregory says. “It is a really cohesive relationship and we’ll do the same, it is share and share alike. “ Being a NAPA associate store has many benefits, she says. “The quality of the products, the support and ease of delivery is crucial.” Gregory doesn’t find that being a female in a typically male industry has been an impediment. Her manager and assistant manager are brother and sister, who’ve worked in the store for decades. They are both equally respected for their expertise, Gregory says. “We have two other employees who are both female. Our manager is the only male. It is an interesting balance that you don’t often see in auto parts.” Now in her mid-50s, she is happy she made the switch from a fulfilling university career to running the NAPA auto parts store. “The only way I could have made the transition that I did was due to the support of my family. Having the staff that I have here made it a no-brainer. I am just incredibly lucky,” Gregory says. autoatlantic.com
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Dollars and Sense
REPORT: HIGH LOSS RATIOS KEEPING AUTO INSURANCE EXPENSIVE ACROSS CANADA
PRICES IN ALBERTA SEE MOST SEVERE INCREASES AS INSURANCE COMPANIES GRAPPLE WITH RISING CLAIMS COSTS
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ORONTO, JULY 30, 2019- TODAY, LOWESTRATES.CA, AN ONLINE COMPARISON SITE FOR PERSONAL FINANCE PRODUCTS LIKE INSURANCE, MORTGAGES, LOANS AND CREDIT CARDS, RELEASED ITS Q2 2019 AUTO INSURANCE PRICE INDEX, WHICH USES PROPRIETARY DATA TO TRACK THE AVERAGE COST OF CAR INSURANCE IN CANADA EACH QUARTER.
The report found rates are up across Ontario, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada in the second quarter of 2019, with drivers in Alberta seeing the steepest increase in the country—rates there rose 16.20% in the past year. In Atlantic Canada, rates have seen the least severe increase; up 13.29%, while in Ontario the average cost of auto insurance is up 13.85%. “Insurance companies across Canada are fighting high loss ratios,” explains Justin Thouin, CEO and Co-Founder of LowestRates.ca. “We have been hearing from many of our partners that in some areas, they’re paying out more money in claims than they are taking in from premiums. This has led some companies to stop offering new insurance policies, which has led to a drop in competition and higher prices for Canadians.” 50
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The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), which regulates insurance rates across Canada, has highlighted several factors that have raised the values of claims nationwide, including distracted driving accidents and the high costs associated with fixing modern cars, which feature a variety of sensors, touch screens and advanced technologies. Additionally, provincial government caps on insurance pricing have contributed significantly to the high loss ratios being experienced across the industry, particularly in Alberta. “Our Alberta price index has now hit record highs for three straight quarters, and the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta has publicly said that auto insurance in the province is in crisis,” says Thouin. “They want government intervention to address this unsustainable situation.” Breakdown in auto insurance price changes by sex:
ance Price Index tracks the percentage change in the average car insurance quote received by individual drivers insuring only one vehicle in either Ontario, Alberta or Atlantic Canada. A benchmark quarter, in this case Q1 2018, is used to create a baseline (a reading of 100) for the index. Each point on the index above or below 100 represents a roughly 1% change in prices. For instance, a 104 index reading would mean the price has increased by 4% since Q1 2018. Each market has seen the following increases on LowestRates.ca’s Auto Insurance Price Index: Ontario increased from 100 on the index in Q1 2018 to 117 in Q2 2019 Alberta increased from 100 on the index in Q1 2018 to 119 in Q2 2019
Ontario Men are paying 15.17% more than in Q2 2018 and 8.72% more than last quarter. Women are paying 9.82% more than in Q2 2018 and 2.66% more than last quarter Alberta Men are paying 17.18% more than in Q2 2018 and 7.47% more than last quarter. Women are paying 14.25% more than in Q2 2018 and 6.35% more than last quarter Atlantic Canada Men are paying 13.47% more than in Q2 2018 and 9.02% more than last quarter Women are paying 12.63% more than in Q2 2018 and 4% more than last quarter How does the Auto Insurance Price Index Report work? The index works by looking at the lowest auto insurance rates available on LowestRates.ca each quarter, getting an average and then comparing it to past quarters. The LowestRates.ca Auto Insur-
Atlantic Canada increased from 100 on the index in Q1 2018 to 114 in Q2 2019 Read the full report on the LowestRates.ca blog, here. About LowestRates.ca LowestRates.ca is an online rate comparison site for insurance, mortgages, loans and credit card rates in Canada. The free, independent service connects directly with financial institutions and providers from all over North America to offer Canadians a comprehensive list of rates. LowestRates.ca’s mission is to help Canadians become more financially literate, with the goal of saving them $1-billion in interest and fees.
ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY ADVERTISER
PHONE
INTERNET
PAGE
Adams Car Wash
1-902-497-7260
adams.carwash@ns.sympatico.ca 29
Arnott Industries
1-800-251-8993
arnottindustries.com
56
Atlantic Autowash
1-506-459-8878
aautowash@nb.aibn.com
29
Atlantic Tiltload
1-902-468-0891
atlantictiltload.com
36
Cabot Shipping
1-800-565-0606
cabotss.com
5
CARQUEST Canada
1-506-631-3809
carquest.ca
9
Day and Ross
1-905-846-6152
dayross.ca
39
Dominion Sure Seal 1-905-670-5411
dominionsureseal.com
47
Dunphy’s Mobile Wash 1-902-210-7279
halifaxpressurewashing.ca
48
Eassons Transport
1-902-679-1153
eassons.com
38
Fisher Transport
1-902-758-2204
fishertransport.com
35
Fleet Brake Atlantic
1-902.468.1396
fleetbrake.com
49
Hodgson Trucking
1-902-465-6101
hodgsontruck@ns.aliantzinc.ca 34
Ideal Equipment Ltd
1-506-458-9322
idealequipmentltd.com
48
Johnstone Media Inc
1-204-489-4215
convenienceandcarwash.com
45
Krown Rust Control 1-800-267-5744
krown.com
Lighthouse Transport 1-902-468-3696
lighthousetransport.com
MacLellan & Moffatt 1-888-893-0508
mmgc.ca
Maritime Auto Parts 1-800-565-7278
maritimeauto.com
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maritimecarwash.ca
31
maritimeprostocktour.com
33
Maritime Car Wash
1-902-861-4747
Maritime Pro Stock Tour 1-902-873-2277
13
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NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
11
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
25
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
42
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
43
NAPA Auto Parts
1-800-263-2111
napaonlinecanada.com
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NGK Spark Plugs
1-877-2-SPARKY
ngksparkplugs.ca
NLS
1-800-465-0500
nlsproducts.ca
19
NLS
1-800-465-0500
nlsproducts.ca
20
NLS
1-800-465-0500
nlsproducts.ca
IN
1-902-493-3051
nstsa.ca
Parts For Trucks
1-800-565-4700
partsfortrucks.com
23
Rust Check
1-888-RUSTIES
rustcheck.ca
41
Spectra Premium
1-800-641-3090
spectrapremium.com 45
THRSC Atlantic
1-902-893-8410
thrsc.com
Uni-Select (BtoB)
1-506-857-8150
uni-selectcanada.com
NSTSA
Worldpac Inc. 1-800-888-9982
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JEFF LEE NEW REGIONAL SALES MANAGER, ONT. AND MARITIMES
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OUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC - SPECTRA PREMIUM HAS ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. JEFFREY A. LEE IN THE ROLE OF REGIONAL SALES MANAGER, ONTARIO AND MARITIMES.
Previously in the position of Sales Manager for Ontario, Mr. Lee (photo below) will be responsible for continuing to lead sales efforts within Ontario and overseeing the Maritimes as well in his expanded role. “For over 30 years, customer service and client relationships have been the mainstay focus of Spectra Premium across all divisions and departments,” said Scott Cléroux, Canadian Sales Manager of Spectra Premium. “Through his hard work, initiative and loyalty, Jeff proved deserving of this promotion, and ready to take on a larger role for our customers. I take the opportunity to wish him great success in his new responsibilities.” Mr. Lee, a University of Windsor graduate in Commerce, Marketing, Strategy and Entrepreneurship, brings to this role eight years of service with Spectra Premium in the sales and business development team.
Crossword Contest
CROSSWORD (ANSWERS IN THE NEXT AUTO & TRUCKING ATLANTIC)
JULY 2019 WINNER!
Glen Chubb, of Stephenville, NL is our latest Crossword Puzzle winner! Congratulations on winning your new Rust Check package of goodies. Deadline for entry is September 15th, 2019
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IT’S SO EASY TO WIN!
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CROSSWORD BY MURRAY JACKSON - THECROSSWORDGUY.COM
YOU COULD WIN THIS SWAG BAG OF GOODIES FROM RUST CHECK THAT INCLUDES A JACKET, BALL CAP, TOUQUE AND TWO RUST CHECK PROTECTION PRODUCTS. ENTER WITH YOUR CORRECT PUZZLE ENTRY, AND IT COULD BE ALL YOURS!
16 Fill out info below and fax your crossword to us in Halifax, NS at: 902-423-3354, or mail us: 51 Bethany Way, Halifax, NS B3S 1H6, or Email us at: rob@autoatlantic.com NAME:
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1. Succumbs to road salt
1. Skiers’ auto accessories (4,5)
4. Extended mobility tire (3,4)
2. Boat’s rear
8. Exceed safe RPM
3. Squeegee kids’ workplaces (6,7)
9. Canso Causeway payment, once
4. Energizes, engine-wise (4,2)
10. Car wash cycle
5. C.B. Highlands & Kejimkujik (8,5)
11. Flexible driveshaft parts (1,6)
6. Enticing used-car ad words (4,3)
13. ‘71-’05 Toyota sports coupe
7. Dodge Viper cylinder count
15. Auto paint protectant (3,3)
12. Stickshift knob’s “6” (5,4)
17. Minivan habitats, often
14. Crustacean in a roll
18. Inner tube repair
16. Sable or Scaterie
20. Gas pump unit
19. Intersection accident, slangily
21. Gas station convenience (3,4)
(1,4)
22. Read the manual carefully
20. Once around Scotia Speedworld
23. Take the tiller
IT’S FUN! IT’S EASY! LAST ISSUE’S CROSSWORD 1
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NAPA Guess & Win contest
NAPA GUESS & WIN!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
A
utomotive history fans, time to dig online and maybe you can name what this locally well known and Maritime assembled vehicle is, or anything more about it. Details please and a FREE Stanley 1/4” and 3/8” Drive SAE 123pc Socket Set from NAPA is all yours! The more the better! Send in your answer at autoatlantic.com/Contest.htm or Fax us at: 902-423-3354, and make sure to include your name, town and province and telephone number. Maybe this time it’ll be you! Deadline for entry is September 15th, 2019.
Congratulations to Lloyd MacDonald of Sydney, NS who correctly answered that the car in the photo is a Willy MB (Model B) Jeep, with 370,000 built between 1941 and 1945. It was a WW2 war winner too, and many were sold into private use. Thank you to all who entered our contest, you could be next!
YOUR NAME: DAYTIME PHONE: CITY / TOWN / VILLAGE: PROVINCE: EMAIL: YOUR ANSWER:
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