Heavy Duty Trucking's special April 2007 issue "Solving the Driver Crisis," has won the prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award from the American Business Media for Best Theme Issue.

This issue also was chosen as one of four finalists for the Grand Neal award, which means it was in the top four of all the winners in the entire competition.
Called "the Pulitzer Prize of the business media," the prestigious Jesse H. Neal Awards recognize editorial excellence in business-to-business media. Although several organizations present awards of excellence to business publications, the Neal is the most sought-after honor among the 3,700 publications represented by the members of ABM - publications that reach industries from the medical profession to pork producers, from electrical engineers to jewelers.
In the April 2007 issue, the entire feature well - almost 50 pages - was dedicated to giving fleet managers the tools to cope with high driver turnover, including analysis of why drivers turn over; recruiting and retention issues; new driver demographics; government impact; compensation packages; non-traditional methods of pay; technology solutions; equipment changes to please more drivers; high-tech temptations in the cab, and how to create peace between drivers and mechanics.
Heavy Duty Trucking also won a Neal Certificate of Merit for Best Single Issue for its November 2007 issue, which was packed with a wide assortment of breaking news, features and analysis. "Killer Trucks No More" launched a series to help the industry deal with its public image problems. "The Monster That's Eating Your Rigs" told fleets how to cope with ice-melting chemicals that destroy equipment and cause accidents. Test drives evaluated a new midrange series, a Peterbilt hybrid and the latest Mack large car. The monthly "Hotline" department analyzed the China Factor and its potential impact on trucking here. "Emissions Report" looked at how European incentives spur adoption of eco-friendly equipment, problems with fitting diesel particulate filters and fleet evaluations of hybrid trucks.
Newport Communications' editorial team has won 36 Neal honors and has five current staff members among the top 30 all-time Neal Award winners.