{"text":"Environmental regulations in California have caused Timmerman Starlite Trucking, Inc. of Keyes to announce it is closing after 40 years of service to hundreds of clients in 11 western states.\nCompany leaders broke the news to Starlite's 30 employees Friday morning. The closure takes effect immediately. A skeleton crew will stay on at the yard north of Keyes near the freeway to sell off any remaining assets over the next 30 to 60 days. That includes Starlite's Fleet of 30 newer trucks as well as 150 trailers. Some leased tractors will be returned.\nChief Executive Officer Colby Bell cited the growing costs to upgrade its equipment because of the onslaught of state and federal regulations as reason for the decision.\n\"We tried to provide a healthy work environment for our employees and give them the best wages and benefits we could,\" said Bell, \"but in the end, the rates that were available did not support the cost structure needed to compensate our employees .\"\nFreight rates are the same or lower today than 10 years ago, but costs have risen nearly 40 percent with California Air Resources Board and labor regulations, Bell noted. Many local trucking companies are feeling the pressure of shrinking margins and increasing regulations.\nRead more: https://www.turlockjournal.com/news/local/keyes-trucking-firm-closing-after-40-years/ ","videos":"[]","link":"{}","pics":"[]","canComment":true}