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.
Profits Jump Sharply for LTL Carriers as Shipment Volumes Increase in 4Q
Fourth-quarter profits rose sharply at five publicly traded less-than-truckload carriers, buoyed by strong shipment growth across the sector.
February 9, 2015West Coast Port Operators to Halt Vessel Loading, Unloading
West Coast port operators will halt vessel loading and unloading this weekend, the latest sign that the long-running labor contract strife there is intensifying.
February 6, 2015Ryder Sets Truck Specification Designed for Women Drivers
Ryder System said it will offer customers a female-friendly vehicle package for lease, which it described as the first of its kind in the trucking industry.
Truck-Lite Buys LED Lighting Company Rigid Industries
Truck-Lite Co., which makes LED lighting systems, said Feb. 5 it acquired LED lighting manufacturer Rigid Industries, based in Phoenix. Terms were not disclosed.
Clean Energy, Agility Set Joint Natural Gas Sales Program
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and Agility Fuel Systems, which designs and produces natural-gas fuel storage and delivery systems, announced a joint fuel-system sales program to reduce the incremental cost of heavy-duty natural-gas trucks.
CarrierWeb Reports 40% Sales Growth in 2014
Trucking technology supplier CarrierWeb said sales volume in the United States grew by a record 40% in 2014.
February 6, 2015NTSB's Hart Warns on Changing Nature of Drug Problems
WASHINGTON — The nature of drug problems for drivers in general, including those who operate trucks and buses commercially, is changing, and fleet managers need to be aware, the acting chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board said.
Trucking Adds 2,400 Jobs in January; Unemployment Rises to 5.7%
The trucking industry added 2,400 jobs in January as the unemployment rate increased slightly to 5.7%, the Labor Department reported Feb. 6.
February 6, 2015Union Pacific Promotes Lance Fritz to CEO
Union Pacific announced that it has promoted Lance Fritz to CEO from chief operating officer, succeeding John Koraleski, who was named executive chairman.
February 6, 2015Feb. 5 Earnings Roundup: Cummins, Echo Global Logistics, Old Dominion, YRC
Two large less-than-truckload fleets reported higher fourth-quarter earnings, and net income rose slightly at engine maker Cummins Inc.
February 5, 2015