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January 24, 2001 11:48 AM, EST

Recognizing that information management is a key component of moving freight, the American Trucking Associations Maintenance Council will reorganize to promote integration of advanced communications and logistics technology into the computer systems on a standard truck.

The council will take on the dormant functions of ATA’s Information Technology and Logistics Council and will change its name to the Technology and Maintenance Council — but retain the familiar TMC moniker.

“Management of information is becoming as important as management of freight,” said Carl Kirk, the council’s executive director. “That has caused the industry to think of a truck differently than it did 20 years ago. Trucks are no longer simply pieces of rolling stock. They are important logistics assets within the total supply chain.”

TMC will stay focused on all the traditional maintenance issues, but it is “adding a new dimension in recognition of changing technical challenges facing the industry,” Kirk said. The council also will continue work on its future truck initiative.

ATA has been trying to find a way to resurrect certain technology-related services since the association’s board of directors voted to scrap the former ITLC last February. Kirk said the ATA board recognized that some of the things ITLC did were vital to industry interests.

The association decided TMC was the best home for technology-oriented functions, Kirk said. The 14 members of The Maintenance Council board of directors voted unanimously to make the change Jan. 17.

For the full story, see the Jan. 22 print edition of Transport Topics. .