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.
Industry Execs Tell Congress to Pass Nat-Gas Incentives
Trucking and natural-gas industry leaders told a Senate energy committee that Congress could spur the transition from diesel to natural gas by changing the tax code, modifying weight restrictions on highways and encouraging creation of a fueling network.
December 8, 2014Diesel, Gasoline Continue to Fall as Oil Plunges to Five-Year Low
A decision by the OPEC oil cartel to maintain its production levels sent crude oil prices plummeting to five-year lows, which sent U.S. retail diesel and gasoline average prices tumbling, too.
December 8, 2014DOT's Foxx Opposes HOS Suspension in Funding Bill
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urged the top congressional appropriators on Dec. 4 not to include a provision that would suspend a “34-hour restart” trucking regulation in a large funding bill currently under consideration.
Cadec Opens New Data Center to Support Growth
Truck technology vendor Cadec Inc. said it has moved its data center operations to a larger location to accommodate growth and better support its private-fleet customers.
Omnitracs Appoints Haugh to Lead Roadnet Unit
Fleet-management technology provider Omnitracs said it has appointed Kevin Haugh as vice president and general manager of its Roadnet Technologies subsidiary.
Westport Acquires Dutch Supplier of Propane, Nat-Gas Systems
Westport Innovations Inc. said it has acquired Prins Autogassystemen Holding B.V., a Dutch supplier of propane and natural-gas vehicle technologies, in a deal valued at 12.2 million euros, or about $15 million.
Con-way Workers Reject Union at Texas Terminal
Con-way Freight said workers at its terminal in Harlingen, Texas, have rejected Teamsters representation in the latest result of the union’s organizing drive.
December 5, 2014C.H. Robinson Boosting Dividend
C.H. Robinson Worldwide will increase its regular quarterly cash dividend to 38 cents per share, from 35 cents. The increase will be payable Dec. 31 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 15.
Carriers Set Driver-Pay Increases
Several trucking companies announced driver pay increases earlier this month.
Oil Falls to Five-Year Low $65.84 a Barrel
Oil fell almost $1 to a five-year low $65.84 a barrel Dec. 5, as Saudi Arabia offered its oil customers in Asia the biggest discount on record, signaling it will defend its market share.
December 5, 2014