Business

About Business News...

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.

Business, Fuel

Frito-Lay Continues CNG Conversion With New Nat-Gas Station

Questar Fueling Co. has opened a compressed natural gas station in Dallas for Frito-Lay as the company continues to convert its fleet to run on the cheaper fuel.

October 14, 2014
Perspective, Business

Opinion: An Exciting, Challenging Time to Lead ATA

When I began my journey in trucking, I had no idea it would end up here — as American Trucking Associations chairman, a leading spokesperson for all the good things our industry does and for which it stands.

October 13, 2014
Editorial, Business

Editorial: MC&E Eyes the Future

Trucking’s leaders did not come up with any new policy directives at this year’s Management Conference & Exhibition, but considering the inability of the House, Senate and White House to agree on just about anything, there was probably no need.

October 13, 2014
Business, Government, Safety

Lack of Federal Funds Hinders Plans for Highway Spending, States Say

When Mike Hancock surveys Kentucky’s highway network, he casts a worried eye on its major freight routes — interstates 65, 71 and 75.

October 13, 2014
Business, Safety, Equipment, Autonomous

Class 8 Orders Increase 32%

Orders for new Class 8 trucks jumped 32% in September from a year ago to 24,900, the highest September in eight years, ACT Research Co. reported.

October 13, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

2Q Truckload Driver Turnover Hits 2-Year High, ATA Reports

Truckload driver turnover hit a two-year high on both a year-over-year and sequential basis in the second quarter, American Trucking Associations reported last week, as the migration to more attractive jobs inside and outside trucking accelerated.

October 13, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics

Conflicting Decisions on Proper Classification of Contractors Could Wind Up in Supreme Court

Conflicting appeals and state court and National Labor Relations Board decisions on when independent contractors should be reclassified as employees ultimately could help persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to review the controversial issue that some carriers say threatens the contractor business model.

October 13, 2014
Business, Safety, Government

FMCSA Set to Publish New Rule on Minimum Insurance Coverage

An advance notice of the proposed new rule on minimum insurance coverage for carriers is expected to be published soon, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced.

October 13, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Logistics, Autonomous

Extensive Travels Prepared Long For Helm of Trucking Federation

RALEIGH, N.C. — Duane Long has run everything from an array of companies with more than 2,000 employees to a logistics firm with 40 trucks, a breadth of experience that he brings to his new role as chairman of American Trucking Associations.

October 13, 2014
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

Driver Shortage Hits Critical Level as Executives Fear Loss of Business

SAN DIEGO — Increases in truck tonnage and freight rates should make trucking executives happy, but the long-festering driver shortage has mushroomed to such a critical level that fleet managers meeting here said they either have made or may soon make radical changes in how they operate.

October 13, 2014