Relief Is on the Way, Says M.S. Carriers’ Michael Starnes

SAN FRANCISCO — Relief could be on the way for trucking companies that can endure into the second half of this year, predicted the chief executive officer of M.S. Carriers, one of the top two dozen trucking companies in the nation in terms of revenue.

Michael S. Starnes told a convention of trucking finance professionals June 19 that a rebound for the industry may be at hand, but painted a grim picture for the present, pointing to driver shortages, high fuel prices, declining values for used tractors and an untenable hours-of-service proposal.

“Eventually, we will be rewarded for having assets,” he said. “I think there will be a capacity issue in the second half of the year. Shippers are starting to realize they’re going to have to wonder who’s going to be around in the second half of the year when the seasonal demand is higher.”

tarnes acknowledged that getting to that point could

e tough and offered a number of suggestions to the finance officers and accountants attending the annual conference of the National Accounting and Finance Council of American Trucking Associations.

For the full story, see the June 26 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.