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Qued Partners with Hoekstra Transportation to Bring AI-Powered Smart Appointments to a Family-Built Midwest Food and Beverage Fleet

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2 months ago

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The 35-year-old, 100% asset-based regional carrier automated its portal and email scheduling with Qued — including a custom workflow built from scratch for a major food manufacturer — and its senior CSR is finally getting off work on time

BROADLANDS, Va., Aug. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Qued, a leader in developing sophisticated, automated appointment scheduling solutions for supply chain and logistics companies, today announced a strategic partnership with Hoekstra Transportation, a 100 percent asset-based regional truckload carrier based in St. Anne, Illinois. Hoekstra deployed Qued’s Smart Appointments platform earlier this year to automate portal- and email-based appointment scheduling across a short-haul network built on velocity: 75 trucks, an average length of haul of about 175 miles, multiple turns per truck per day — and roughly 75 to 80 percent of loads requiring a confirmed appointment.

“It’s done. It’s working perfectly,” reports Shawndra Arvin, Hoekstra’s Senior Customer Service Representative.

Hoekstra’s story starts in a potato field. The family farmed and hauled its own produce on its own trucks before Steve Hoekstra bought a small paper-hauling business and built the trucking operation that has now run for 35 years. Today, about 90 percent of Hoekstra’s business is food and beverage — packaging, finished product, and shuttle moves between plants and distribution centers for some of the biggest names in the category — all of it moved directly for customers, with no brokered freight.

That heritage shapes how Hoekstra buys technology: deliberately. “We’re pretty selective about what we get distracted by,” says Steve Hoekstra, President of Hoekstra Transportation. The company chose Qued on trust — a longstanding relationship with a Qued team member from her years at McLeod Software — and didn’t evaluate anyone else. The bet paid off quickly. Onboarding was, in the team’s words, seamless: “All we had to do was send them our information. They took it and they ran with it.” When one major food manufacturer’s scheduling requirements proved too unique for any template, Qued built the workflow from scratch — and it now runs across inbound, outbound, and shuttle moves.

“It’s done. It’s working perfectly,” reports Shawndra Arvin, Hoekstra’s Senior Customer Service Representative.

For a lean operation, the impact goes beyond speed. The email flood that once dominated the appointments desk is gone, and when Shawndra is out, her backup can finally keep pace — the automation holds the line.

Qued’s platform uses machine learning to find the best appointment slots in real time based on ETAs, facility capacity, historical performance, and the specific requirements of each location. It connects directly to the transportation management system a carrier already runs, and it works on every channel a facility can require: web portals, email, and AI-powered voice calls.

“Hoekstra runs one of the leanest, fastest-turning regional operations in the Midwest, and they buy technology the right way — deliberately, on trust and proof,” said Tom Curee, President of Qued. “When their account needed a scheduling workflow that didn’t exist, we built it from scratch. That’s the standard, whether you run 75 trucks or 7,500.”

“They’re not selling you just what they have — whatever the format, whatever the process needs to be, they’re going to work with that,” said Steve Hoekstra, President of Hoekstra Transportation. “We’re a small guy in their mix, but they treated us like any of their biggest customers. They tackled it, and I thought that was great.”

“I use Qued daily. Honestly, it’s a couple of clicks and everything is just done,” said Shawndra Arvin, Senior Customer Service Representative at Hoekstra Transportation. “It’s given me back my time to focus on customers and build the relationships we need to succeed in this industry, instead of just sending emails. I’m even starting to get off work on time. I’m wholeheartedly behind Qued.”

Hoekstra joins a growing roster of asset-based carriers running on Qued, from family fleets to some of the largest carriers in North America.

About Qued:

Qued is a cloud-based, AI-powered smart workflow automation platform transforming load appointment scheduling for brokers, 3PLs, and carriers. By automating the scheduling process, Qued eliminates manual work, simplifies multi-stop load appointments, and ensures seamless coordination across the supply chain, improving both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.qued.com or contact us at contact.us@qued.com.

About Hoekstra Transportation:

Hoekstra Transportation is a 100 percent asset-based regional truckload carrier headquartered in St. Anne, Illinois, about an hour south of Chicago. Family-built and rooted in a potato-farming heritage, Hoekstra has served the Midwest for 35 years, operating roughly 75 trucks in dry van service within a 500-mile radius of the Chicago metro area, with a focus on food and beverage freight moved directly for its customers. For more information, visit www.hoekstratrans.com.

Media Contact

Adam Robinson, The Robinson Agency, 1 2148720780, adam@the-robinson-agency.com, The Robinson Agency

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/qued-partners-with-hoekstra-transportation-to-bring-ai-powered-smart-appointments-to-a-family-built-midwest-food-and-beverage-fleet-302844647.html

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New website helps parents get kids active and reduce their screen time

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16 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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CALGARY, AB, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ — Active for Life today launched ItsChildsPlay.ca, a free website that shows parents how to get their kids moving and off their screens.

The World Health Organization identifies physical activity as essential to health and well-being from the earliest years. Science finds that play builds executive function, social skills like negotiation and cooperation, motor development, and the ability to regulate stress and anxiety. Yet most Canadian children and youth fall well short:

80% do not get the recommended two hours of daily active play.63% do not get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.

Parents know these facts, but many remain uncertain about how to get their children moving, especially so when overwhelmed with the struggle to limit their children’s screen time.

ItsChildsPlay.ca provides practical solutions that show parents how easy it is to engage in fun activities with their children at home without costly equipment, struggle or stress.

ItsChildsPlay.ca was created by Active for Life, a web-based initiative that helps educators and parents build active play into children’s lives. The site is being promoted with a series of radio ads across Canada, with help from the Pro Bono Group.

Quotes

“For fifteen years, parents have been telling the Active for Life team that getting children to engage in active play is hard. We understand the challenge,” said Richard Monette, who leads Active for Life. “This is why we built ItsChildsPlay.ca: a resource for parents that’s easy to use, takes minutes a day and is good for their child’s body and mind.”

Associated Links

World Health Organization:

WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour [Link]Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age [Link]

Benefits of active play:

American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report “The Power of Play” [Link]UNICEF “Learning through play” [Link]OECD “Play!” report [Link]

Level of physical activity and active play in children:

ParticipACTION, Spotlight on Physical Activity for Children & Youth: 2026 Progress Report [Link]

Profiles

Active for Life

Active for Life is a web-based initiative that equips parents and educators with free resources and training to help children build active play habits early and manage their screen time. Doing so lays the foundation for healthy behaviours through adolescence and adulthood.

Visit website

B2ten

B2ten is a CRA-registered not-for-profit that applies a business-based approach to promote children developing a joy and pleasure of moving at an early age, active lifestyles, and athlete training and preparation services for select Canadian Olympic athletes.

Visit website

SOURCE Active for Life

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Ausom Fall Sale Brings Seasonal Savings on Selected Electric Scooters

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16 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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Limited-time savings of up to $240 are available on selected models, with an additional $100 off when purchasing two scooters.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ausom, a trusted brand in electric scooters, has launched its Fall Sale campaign across the United States, running from September 8 to 30, 2026, providing special pricing on selected models for consumers seeking a more flexible and affordable way to get around this fall.

Fall brings increased demand for short-distance travel among commuters and families, from daily commutes and local errands to weekend outdoor activities. Compared with driving, electric scooters offer a practical alternative for shorter journeys, helping riders save money on gas and on parking while avoiding traffic jams and making everyday trips more efficient.

With a broad product lineup, the Ausom Fall Sale campaign supports various riding needs, including daily commuting, recreational rides, and more demanding travel conditions.

Leading this campaign is the L2 Max Dual Motor, a premium e-scooter designed for riders who prioritize performance and value. Its powerful dual-motor system delivers up to 2,688W of peak power and a top speed of 38 mph, backed by a high-capacity battery with a range of up to 56 miles. This e-scooter also features ShocFree™ suspension, a dual swingarm suspension system built with aerospace-grade materials to improve durability and absorb road impacts from uneven surfaces. Paired with puncture-resistant tubeless tires, the suspension system provides a more comfortable riding experience for outdoor adventures in the fall.

For everyday riding, the L2 Max Dual Motor is equipped with dual disc brakes with E-ABS for responsive braking, along with a full lighting system for enhanced visibility. Practical features such as a hidden AirTag mount and NFC and passcode unlocking add convenience and security to daily rides.

Beyond the L2 Max Dual Motor, the campaign also highlights the DT2 Pro and Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor, offering additional options for riders looking for different levels of performance and versatility. For outdoor enthusiasts requiring greater range and performance, the DT2 Pro off-road e-scooter stands out with a 71-mile range, 2,912W of peak power, and a top speed of 40 mph. Building on the L2 Max Dual Motor’s practical feature set, the DT2 Pro upgrades the braking system to hydraulic disc brakes with E-ABS for stronger stopping power and better control.

The Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor e-scooter provides an affordable entry into high-performance dual-motor riding, making it an ideal choice for riders new to this level of performance. With 2,800W of peak output, a top speed of up to 36 mph, and the ability to handle inclines of up to 33%, it is a capable electric scooter for short trips, tackling hilly routes and varied terrain during fall outings. The 56-mile range supports short-distance round trips, and its foldable design allows it to be combined with public transportation for greater travel flexibility.

During the 23-day promotion, selected Ausom electric scooters will be available at limited-time discounts, with savings of up to $240. Among the participating models, the DT2 Pro, L2 Max Dual Motor, and Gosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor will offer discounts of $240, $180, and $150, respectively. Consumers purchasing two scooters can also enjoy an additional $100 off.

Fall Sale Promotional Prices:

DT2 Pro: $1,109 per scooter; $1,099 each when buying twoL2 Max Dual Motor: $869 per scooter; $819 each when buying twoGosoul 2 Pro Dual Motor: $849 per scooter; $799 each when buying two

For more information about the sale and participating models, consumers can visit Ausom’s official website.

About Ausom

Founded by adventurers and experts, Ausom is dedicated to igniting the spirit of exploration in everyone. We design and build premium electric scooters that empower riders to break boundaries, redefine their commute, and embrace the thrill of the ride. Every Ausom product reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation, delivering unforgettable experiences on two wheels.

Instagram: @ausomstore
Website: ausomstore.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ausom-fall-sale-brings-seasonal-savings-on-selected-electric-scooters-302885386.html

SOURCE Ausom Electric Scooter

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TICA Showcases Integrated Data Center Cooling Solutions at ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026, Supporting AI Infrastructure Growth in Southeast Asia

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16 minutes ago

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September 22, 2026

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TICA joins leading industry players at ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026 in Kuala Lumpur from September 22–25, showcasing its integrated data center cooling solutions and reinforcing its commitment to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian data center market.

Malaysia is a strategic gateway for TICA’s global development. Since its Malaysia factory commenced operations in 2019, TICA has continued to strengthen its regional presence. To date, TICA has supplied solutions to major projects across Southeast Asia, including Infineon, Western Digital, and Singapore Changi Airport. TICA’s systems have emerged as a preferred competitive option across high-end manufacturing, semiconductor and, increasingly, data center cooling applications.

At ENGINEER & MARVEX, TICA highlights its capabilities as an AIDC full-chain thermal management expert, going beyond individual equipment to deliver an integrated cooling solution across the entire chain through its self-developed product portfolio. Covering primary-side cooling sources, secondary-side precision cooling and liquid cooling, TICA provides end-to-end delivery from the cooling source to the IT rack, supporting the implementation of integrated air-liquid and multi-mode liquid cooling architectures.

As AI drives increasingly dense computing loads, scalable and engineered liquid cooling is becoming essential for the next generation of data centers. TICA addresses this evolving demand with full-chain self-developed products and customized solutions across diverse application scenarios, enabling flexible and reliable cooling architectures for high-density AI infrastructure. 

At the exhibition, TICA’s data center solution model brings these capabilities together in a complete thermal management system, with solutions designed to support next-generation platforms including GB300-class AI computing. Designed for Southeast Asia’s operating conditions, TICA’s solutions address the region’s high ambient temperatures, high humidity and growing demand for high-density AI infrastructure, providing adaptable solutions to balance performance, scalability, energy efficiency and water-conscious operation.

With professional expertise in high-precision air treatment, TICA serves more than 7,000 hospitals, 5,000+ GMP-certified pharmaceutical plants, 3,000+ semiconductor & electronics manufacturing enterprises and 1,000+ new energy companies across 100+ countries.

In data centers, TICA’s air-liquid integrated cooling solutions have been applied in more than 100 large-scale projects, with over 12,000 fan walls and 10,000 high-performance chillers delivered globally, serving industry leaders including Amazon, Alibaba and TikTok.

Through ENGINEER & MARVEX 2026, TICA is strengthening engagement with data center partners across Southeast Asia, demonstrating how full-chain thermal management capabilities and customized cooling solutions can support the region’s next generation of AI and data center infrastructure.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tica-showcases-integrated-data-center-cooling-solutions-at-engineer–marvex-2026-supporting-ai-infrastructure-growth-in-southeast-asia-302885405.html

SOURCE TICA

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