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.
Wisconsin Using Grants to Reduce Crashes
For a third straight year, Wisconsin’s State Patrol has received federal and state funding in hopes of continuing to reduce large truck crashes in the state. The yearlong grants of nearly $500,000, which boosted the three-year total over $700,000, took effect Oct. 1.
Mack Trucks Union Workers Approve Three-Year Contract
Union workers at Mack Trucks have ratified a new, three-year labor agreement.
Caterpillar Lowers Sales Forecast as Rebound Proves Elusive
Caterpillar Inc., the biggest maker of construction and mining equipment, cut its 2016 revenue forecast and said next year won’t be much different as companies defer purchases amid sluggish growth and low commodity prices. Shares fell.
FMCSA Panels Advance Sleep Apnea Recommendations
Two Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committees forwarded on Oct. 24 a slate of comprehensive moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea risk factor recommendations that the agency could use in a formal regulatory requirement for truck and bus drivers to submit to costly diagnostic sleep studies.
ATA Names 33 Finalists for Next America's Road Team
American Trucking Associations named 33 professional truck drivers as 2017-2018 America’s Road Team finalists Oct. 24. The finalists have a total of 77.6 million safe-driving miles and 893 years driving commercial vehicles. The winners will be announced Jan. 12.
Swift Transportation Profits Rise in Third Quarter
Swift Transportation reported profits were up 4.7%, one of the few bright spots so far in the industry for the third quarter, and the company said it was the result of cutting expenses to deal with the challenging truckload environment.
October 24, 2016Diesel Average Dips 0.3¢ to $2.478
The U.S. average retail price of diesel dipped 0.3 cent to $2.478 a gallon, according to the Department of Energy.
October 24, 2016Experimental Cotton Shipment from Houston to China Could Revolutionize Logistics
When the Marie Schulte rounds the breakwater off the Chinese port of Qingdao in early November, bankers on two continents will be watching anxiously.
FedEx Ground Settles Overtime Case With Oregon Drivers for $15.45 Million
A judge has approved a settlement that requires FedEx Ground Package System Inc. to pay $15.45 million to a class of drivers that worked in Oregon and sued to receive unpaid overtime wages.
October 24, 2016New Jersey Senators Hope to Repeal Fuel-Tax Hikes
Just six days after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed the compromise gas-tax legislation into law, two of his fellow Republicans introduced a bill on Oct. 20 to repeal it.