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.
Union OKs Final Supplement of Five-Year Pact With ABF
The Teamsters union last week approved the final outstanding supplement to a national five-year labor contract with Arkansas Best Corp.’s ABF Freight System unit, making the agreement’s full ratification official.
November 4, 2013Trailer Orders Rise 3.5% to Highest Since April
New trailer orders in September were the strongest since April, and 3.5% higher than a year earlier as fleets continue to replace aging equipment, ACT Research and manufacturers said.
November 4, 2013Opinion: Neglected Tires, Deflated Reputation
Excessive roadside service calls are a major symptom of a dysfunctional fleet operation, the sort whose pickup-and-delivery times are less than dependable and whose truck downtime is costing the head office big bucks for lost business and expensive repairs. And the No. 1 cause of roadside service calls is tires.
November 4, 2013Editorial: Consensus on Freight
In these days of diminished expectations in our federal government, we should surely be happy to find that a bipartisan House panel has managed to find unanimity on at least one topic of interest to us: that the nation’s freight system is vital to the future well-being of the country.
November 4, 2013Panel Seeks U.S. Freight Plan
WASHINGTON — A House panel created to explore freight issues has recommended that Congress create a national freight transportation policy and designate a freight network that includes all transport modes, namely highway, rail, air and water.
November 4, 2013Fleets Outsource Major Maintenance Work to Reduce Tool, In-House Labor Expenses
When A. Duie Pyle needs an engine overhauled or major transmission work done, the company sends the work to an off-site maintenance shop rather than using in-house mechanics.
November 4, 2013FMCSA Finalizes HOS Exemptions For Shorthaul, Munitions Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has formally amended its hours-of-service rule to exempt shorthaul and munitions drivers from taking a 30-minute rest break after eight hours of driving.
November 4, 2013Pegasus CEO Helms Announces Retirement
Pegasus TransTech last week announced Frank Adelman as its new CEO, succeeding Bob Helms, who has retired to pursue other interests.
November 4, 2013DOT’s Speed-Limiter Proposal to Add Older Trucks, Aide Says
An upcoming federal rule mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks will include the requirement that current vehicles be retrofitted as well as new trucks rolling down assembly lines, according to an official of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
November 4, 2013Iowa-Based Ruan Transportation Rejoins ATA
Ruan Transportation Management Systems has rejoined American Trucking Associations after a hiatus from the federation of more than two years.
November 4, 2013