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.
UTi’s Fiscal 3rd Quarter Losses Mount
UTi Worldwide Inc. last week reported a quarterly loss that more than tripled to $34 million, or 35 cents per share, in the wake of the abrupt departure of CEO Eric Kirchner and acquisition talks that were canceled.
December 15, 2014Diesel Dives 7¢ to $3.535
The U.S. diesel average price dropped 7 cents last week, to $3.535 a gallon, and the Department of Energy said prices should fall below $3 next spring for the first time since 2010.
December 15, 2014Congress Debates Spending Bill
House Democratic opposition to relaxing a key financial measure was holding up passage of a $1 trillion omnibus funding bill that includes a suspension of the hours-of-service restart provision as Transport Topics went to press.
December 15, 2014'Share the Road' Truck Delivers Message, Wreaths
American Trucking Associations' Share the Road truck participated for the ninth straight year, delivering a shipment of handmade wreaths, as hundreds of volunteers laid more than 200,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 13. See photos.
December 13, 2014Ingersoll Rand to Expand Reefer Business with Frigoblock Acquisition
Ingersoll Rand said it has agreed to purchase Frigoblock, a European manufacturer of transport refrigeration units, for 100 million euros ($125 million).
Bendix Spicer Kentucky Plant Hits Production Milestone
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake reported a milestone was reached at the Bowling Green, Kentucky, plant, with the production of more than 1 million foundation brakes over a 12-month period.
December 12, 2014Con-way Workers at Miami Terminal Vote for Teamsters
Con-way Freight workers at a Miami terminal voted in favor of union representation, the Teamsters announced.
December 12, 2014Intermodal Traffic Rises 2.1% for Week
U.S. rail intermodal traffic increased 2.1% in the week ended Dec. 6 compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported.
December 12, 2014Consumer Sentiment Rises to Almost Eight-Year High
Americans’ confidence rose in December to an almost eight-year high, pointing to a pickup in holiday-related purchases.
Wholesale Prices Drop on Energy
Wholesale prices in the U.S. fell more than forecast in November, led by the biggest drop in energy costs in more than a year, signaling inflation pressures remain weak even as the world’s largest economy is expanding.