PeopleNet Communications Corp. has begun offering its fleet management applications on handheld mobile computers from Motorola Solutions Inc., expanding the lineup of rugged handheld devices compatible with its platform.

American Trucking Associations last week unveiled several spotlight events of its 2012 Management Conference & Exhibition, scheduled for Oct. 7-10 in Las Vegas.

The less-than-truckload industry is undergoing a changing of the management guard with the recent appointments of new presidents at two of the nation’s largest carriers, ABF Freight System and Con-way Freight.

Dean Newell, vice president of safety and training for Maverick Transportation, was recently honored as National Safety Director of the Year by American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council.

PHOENIX — Trucking executives meeting here last week said they were cautiously optimistic that despite a sluggish economy and regulatory and political uncertainties, the industry was poised to emerge from the doldrums it has been in for several years.

American Trucking Associations members gathering this week in Phoenix will meet to discuss economic recovery, the future of trucks and engines and the political and regulatory issues facing the industry.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region grew in August at the slowest pace since November, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Tuesday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region grew in July, showing expansion for the tenth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.