Business
Transport Topics business coverage focuses on the financial, economic, and commercial aspects of the modern freight business. Looking at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic forces shaping bottom lines, the news in this category includes labor news, jobs reports, tonnage and sales indicators, operations analysis, money and banking, mergers, acquisitions, e-commerce, bankruptcy, insurance issues, and more.
Jobless Claims Hold Near Six-Week Low
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits held near a six-week low, the Labor Department reported Jan. 23.
January 23, 2014DTNA’s Mark Lampert to Retire
Mark Lampert, Daimler Trucks North America’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, will retire at the end of March, the company said.
January 22, 2014Teamster Workers to Vote on New YRC Contract Plan
Teamsters union members at YRC Worldwide Inc. will vote Jan. 25 and 26 on a revised contract extension proposal, which is on a fast track as the first $69 million of debt repayment looms in about three weeks.
ATA Tonnage Index Rises 8.2% in Dec., Hits Another Record
American Trucking Associations said its tonnage index rose 8.2% last month, reaching another record, capping the strongest year since 1998 and reflecting increasing strength across broad economic sectors.
Mack Offers Air Disc Brakes on Vocational Trucks
Mack Trucks Inc. said it is offering optional EX+ air disc brakes from Meritor Inc. on its vocational trucks.
January 22, 2014Diesel Price Declines to $3.873; Gasoline Also Falls
Diesel and gasoline both fell for a second straight week, with diesel declining 1.3 cents to $3.873 a gallon, the Department of Energy reported.
Marten Reports Record Earnings in 2013
Truckload carrier Marten Transport reported 2013 was the best financial year in its history, but fourth-quarter income declined.
January 22, 2014Norfolk Southern Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises
Norfolk Southern Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit increased 24%, and income from railway operations rose 23% to $881 million.
January 22, 2014Despite Cost Disputes, Panama Canal Expansion to Move Forward, Authorities Say
ATLANTA — The Panama Canal expansion is expected to move forward on schedule despite an ongoing dispute with contractors over the project’s cost, an administrator for the Panama Canal Authority told an audience of transportation executives here last week.
Odyssey Logistics & Technology Acquires Two Firms
Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corp. said it has acquired CMI Freight-Trans and Steel Wheel Transfer. Terms were not disclosed.
January 22, 2014