Business

About Business News...

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.

Letters to the Editor, Business

Letter: Write to Congress About the Hours-of-Service Rule

I am enclosing a copy of the letter I recently sent to the several congressman about the federal hours-of-service rule.

April 29, 2013

Infographic: Ryder’s Foundation for a Successful Freight Brokerage

Globally, supply chains are facing unprecedented levels of disruption. As a result, shippers and carriers are challenged more than ever to keep goods moving while remaining profitable. While most brokerages point to technology as the key to achieving success, today’s setbacks have proven that technology alone isn’t enough.

Perspective, Business, Technology

Opinion: Get Ready for the Future

Our industry must adjust to major changes in government regulations. We know that changes are coming, but it’s still not clear precisely when they will go into effect, nor do we know exactly what the changes will be.

April 29, 2013
Business

Insurers Weigh Pricing for Natural-Gas Trucks

Insurance underwriters are just starting to wrestle with how to price policies for natural gas-powered trucks, as there is not yet enough operational history available to create the actuarial tables on which the industry typically depends, according to interviews with brokers.

April 29, 2013
Business, Logistics

Trailer Orders Decline 12.2% During March, But Backlogs Remain Healthy, ACT Says

March trailer orders fell 12.2% from a year ago due to sluggish U.S. economic growth, ACT Research reported, but trailer makers reported continuing healthy order backlogs.

April 29, 2013
Business, Logistics

Shippers Say Reliability as Critical as Costs When Selecting Carriers to Move Freight

ORLANDO, Fla. — Shippers attending Nasstrac’s annual meeting here stressed the importance of reliability, service and relationships, even as cost remains the top concern.

April 29, 2013
Government, Business

Court Backs Cross-Border Trucking Plan

A federal appeals court has upheld the U.S. government’s cross-border Mexico trucking plan, rejecting challenges brought by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the Teamsters union.

April 29, 2013
Business

March Tonnage Rises 3.8% as Housing, Energy Rebound

Truck tonnage rose 3.8% in March from a year earlier, illustrating strength in the housing and energy sectors of the U.S. economy, American Trucking Associations reported.

April 29, 2013
Business, Logistics

Tank Material Innovations Extend Trailer Service Life

As tank fleets replace their long-lived trailers, they are turning to vehicles that take advantage of several innovations in recent years to increase strength, reduce weight, resist corrosion and better protect products, according to carriers and manufacturers.

April 29, 2013
Government, Business

House Panel Urged to Boost Fuel Taxes to Pay for Vital Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON — Top executives with two of the nation’s largest trucking companies urged Congress to raise the federal fuel tax in order to fund infrastructure projects that benefit freight.

April 29, 2013
Business

ATA Selected as One of Seven Award Winners of EPA’s 2013 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge

American Trucking Associations was honored last week as one of seven winners of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2013 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge awards.

April 29, 2013