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.
Truck Tonnage Jumps 3.7% in July, Hits Second Best-Level Ever
Truck tonnage rose 3.7% last month on a year-over-year basis, rebounding to the second-highest level ever with help from improved retail sales, housing starts and factory output, American Trucking Associations reported.
August 18, 2015Port of Brownsville Adds Cargo Dock, Storage
The Port of Brownsville, Texas, on Aug. 12, opened a $27.5 million, 650-foot marine cargo dock and storage yard, an expansion designed for the port to compete more effectively with major domestic and foreign counterparts in the Gulf of Mexico region.
August 18, 2015New Nonprofit Pursues Autonomous Collision Avoidance for Trucks
The Center for Automated Road Transportation Safety, based in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, which began operation last month as a nonprofit, said it will focus on the research, development, certification, and commercialization of autonomous collision-avoidance technology for autos, buses, and, especially, trucks.
August 18, 2015Housing Starts Climb to Nearly Eight-Year High
New home construction in the United States climbed in July to the highest level in almost eight years, indicating the industry will pick up in the second half of the year.
US Lags Behind Canada, France in Use of Commercial Drones
Several other countries such as Canada and France have been faster to permit commercial drone flights than the United States, a government study found.
National Diesel Average Dips 0.2¢ in 12th Consecutive Decline
The average price of diesel fuel in the United States declined 0.2 cent a gallon to $2.615, the 12th straight weekly decline, the Department of Energy reported Aug. 17.
August 17, 2015Affinia Group to Merge with Mann+Hummel
Affinia Group, a leading manufacturer of Wix and Filtron brand filters for vehicles and machinery, has agreed to merge with Germany’s Mann+Hummel, a company that also makes filters for automotive and industrial customers.
NTDC 2015 Champion: Wal-Mart Driver Ronald Emenheiser
ST. LOUIS — Ronald Emenheiser Sr., a Wal-Mart Transportation professional truck driver based in Yorkana, Pennsylvania, took home 2015 Bendix Grand Champion honors at the National Truck Driving Championships. See full list of winners, photos.
French Forwarder to Acquire US Logistics Firm OHL
Geodis, a French-owned freight forwarder and transport firm, has agreed to acquire logistics operator OHL, based in Brentwood, Tennessee, for an undisclosed amount.
August 17, 2015Study Shows Low-Rolling-Resistance Tires Aid Fuel Efficiency, Reduce Cost
A new study finds that tires designed with low rolling resistance are a worthwhile investment because they save a significant amount of fuel and cost about the same as tires that are not designed for low rolling resistance.