A.M. Executive Briefing - Nov. 13
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Ergonomics Standards to Be Issued Monday
The Clinton administration will issue new ergonomic workplace standards Monday that will give workers more job-injury protections, the Associated Press reports.These standards, aimed at reducing repetitive stress injuries in the workplace, will take effect in January and businesses will have until next October to be in full compliance, the story said. For some businesses, compliance will mean merely providing information about ergonomics-related injuries and their symptoms, AP added.
The proposal was backed by organized labor but is likely to be challenged in the courts by business interests, the story said. Transport Topics
OTR Express Reports Widening 3Q Loss
Truckload carrier OTR Express (OTR) reported a net loss of $1.3 million dollars or 75 cents per share for the third quarter, the company said late Friday. In 1999, the net loss was $328,000 or 18 cents per share.OTR Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, William P. Ward said the losses are partly due to planned reduction of the company's fleet.
"A softer freight market, higher fuel prices, a weak used truck market and difficulty in obtaining drivers continue to negatively impact our results," Ward said, noting that OTR expects to incur losses through the first quarter of 2001.
OTR plans to reduce debt by $4.6 million to deal with the loss. It will also streamline operations, sell less-productive equipment and reduce non-driver staff, the company said.
Olathe, Kan.-based OTR is a nationwide dry van truckload carrier serving 48 states. Transport Topics
Trucker Survey Rates Best/Worst Roads
Florida may have the most tangled presidential election results, but truckers say the state has some of the smoothest roads, Randall Publishing's Overdrive magazine reported from its annual survey.Florida and Georgia's I-75 made it to the best-of list for the first time, the survey said. Florida was also named the state with the best roads overall.
The worst roads, they said, are in Arkansas, home of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater. Arkansas' section of I-40, which runs east/west from North Carolina to California, was rated the worst stretch of road in the country. Its numerous potholes and ruts in the blacktop make rigs hard to control, the survey reported.
Other best roads were 1-10 through Texas, 1-40 through Tennessee and I-39 through Illinois. Other roads making the worst-of list are 1-94 in Chicago, I-10 in Louisiana and I-70 from Kansas City to St. Louis, all east/west roads. Transport Topics
GoFreight.com Buys LoadsOnline.com
GoFreight.com, which makes communications software for the trucking industry, will buy online freight-matching service LoadsOnline.com for cash and stock, the companies announced Monday. The purchase price was not disclosed.LoadsOnline President Michael Haynie said the partnership will provide a communication system that will minimize phone use between various segments of the trucking industry.
Dallas, Texas-based GoFreight, makes software that provides instant messaging between freight forwarders, carriers and warehouse operators. LoadsOnline is based in Durant, Okla. Both companies are privately held. Transport Topics
Headlines From Friday's P.M. Briefing
- U-Haul's Holding Company Reports Increased 3Q Earnings
- Fritz Companies Announce Executive Changes
- Tanker Shortage Contributing to Higher Fuel Prices
- Volvo to Benefit From $1B French Military Contract
- Roadway to Offer Holiday Product Returns Program
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