Tank Truck Operators Urged to Prepare for Future Freight Demand
SAN DIEGO — The nation’s tank truck operators meeting here were encouraged to take advantage of the current economic downturn to prepare for the future, when increasing freight demand will put great stresses on the fleets that survive the harsh times.
Norm Ellis, vice president of transportation and logistics services at Qualcomm Inc., told the annual meeting of the National Tank Truck Carriers Monday that “the carriers that survive should be in a position to thrive.”
Ellis said that tank truck demand is down about 40% from last year’s levels and that “a lot of capacity has been removed from the market.” He estimated that more than 200,000 Class 8 trucks have been taken off the road since the start of 2008.
He urged fleet executives to focus on five keys to strengthen their companies in bad times: focusing on operations; showing confidence in their business dealings; innovating; seizing opportunities that come along; and reprioritizing as events dictate.
The NTTC meeting continues Tuesday.
