Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

newsworthy

FMCSA revokes certificates of medical examiner who had cleared 2,000 drivers

Affected drivers will have 30 days after being notified to be medically re-certified, agency says.

At least 2,000 commercial truck drivers will need to be medically re-certified in order to continue operating after the federal government today said it would revoke the medical certificates issued to drivers in the past two years by an Alabama chiropractor who was arrested and indicted on multiple criminal offenses.

Dr. Kenneth G. Edwards, who had been certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to perform medical exams, was charged in late February by a federal grand jury with conspiracy, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, making false statements, and falsification of federal records, according to FMCSA. A U.S. Department of Transportation investigation found that while listed on government records as a certified medical examiner, Edwards "exhibited a pattern whereby examinations were incomplete, required tests were not performed, and information on medical examination forms was falsified," FMCSA said today.


Most of the affected drivers reside in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, although they could be domiciled anywhere in the U.S., according to Duane DeBruyne, an FMCSA spokesman. FMCSA and state driver's licensing agencies are working to obtain contact information for all of the drivers. Drivers will have 30 days from the date that notification letters are mailed to obtain a certificate from a certified medical examiner, FMCSA said.

By law, commercial truck drivers must be examined and cleared every two years or less to keep their commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). Examinations must be conducted by trained and certified professionals listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

Many state licensing boards allow chiropractors to conduct federally sanctioned medical screening exams providing they meet various criteria, which include being registered on the national registry. FMCSA removed Edwards' name from the registry last Dec. 5.

For independent drivers, who spend much of their lives on the road and don't get paid unless the wheels are turning, finding and scheduling a medical exam can be an arduous process. It may be even more of an imposition for the drivers whom Edwards had examined and cleared, given the short time window they will have to become re-certified.

The Latest

Artificial Intelligence

AI: Is it the real deal?

More Stories

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Logistics Managers' Index

Logistics economy picked up speed in January

Economic activity in the logistics industry expanded in January, growing at its fastest clip in more than two years, according to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) report, released this week.

The LMI jumped nearly five points from December to a reading of 62, reflecting continued steady growth in the U.S. economy along with faster-than-expected inventory growth across the sector as retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers attempted to manage the uncertainty of tariffs and a changing regulatory environment. The January reading represented the fastest rate of expansion since June 2022, the LMI researchers said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

Disrupting the furniture supply chain: An interview with Jay Rogers

As commodities go, furniture presents its share of manufacturing and distribution challenges. For one thing, it's bulky. Second, its main components—wood and cloth—are easily damaged in transit. Third, much of it is manufactured overseas, making for some very long supply chains with all the associated risks. And finally, completed pieces can sit on the showroom floor for weeks or months, tying up inventory dollars and valuable retail space.

In other words, the furniture market is ripe for disruption. And John "Jay" Rogers wants to be the catalyst. In 2022, he cofounded a company that takes a whole new approach to furniture manufacturing—one that leverages the power of 3D printing and robotics. Rogers serves as CEO of that company, Haddy, which essentially aims to transform how furniture—and all elements of the "built environment"—are designed, manufactured, distributed, and, ultimately, recycled.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of GenAI effect on workforce

Gartner: GenAI tools create anxiety among employees

Generative AI (GenAI) is being deployed by 72% of supply chain organizations, but most are experiencing just middling results for productivity and ROI, according to a survey by Gartner, Inc.

That’s because productivity gains from the use of GenAI for individual, desk-based workers are not translating to greater team-level productivity. Additionally, the deployment of GenAI tools is increasing anxiety among many employees, providing a dampening effect on their productivity, Gartner found.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse worker driving forklift between racks

German 3PL Arvato acquires two U.S. logistics firms

The German third party logistics provider (3PL) Arvato this week acquired the U.S.-headquartered companies Carbel LLC and United Customs Services, saying the move would grow its client base, particularly in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle segments.

According to Arvato, it made the move in order to better serve the U.S. e-commerce sector, which has experienced high growth rates in recent years and is expected to grow year-on-year by 5% within the next five years.

Keep ReadingShow less
photo collage of warehouse tech

Supply chain pros are wary of inflation and labor woes

The top worries that supply chain leaders hope to address with new innovations this year include inflationary concerns (68%) and labor shortages (50%), according to a survey on innovation from the third-party logistics provider (3PL) Kenco.

And many of them will have a budget to do it, since 51% of supply chain professionals with existing innovation budgets saw an increase earmarked for 2025, suggesting an even greater emphasis on investing in new technologies to meet rising demand, Kenco said in its “2025 Supply Chain Innovation” survey.

Keep ReadingShow less