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.
Kenworth Unveils New Vocational Truck at MATS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kenworth Truck Co. unveiled its new T880 vocational truck here Wednesday at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
North American Truck Production Expected to Rise 15% in 2014, ACT Says
COLUMBUS, Ind. — North American truck production in 2013 is on course to virtually match last year and will spike almost 15% in 2014 on stronger economic growth, ACT Research President Kenny Vieth predicted.
Survey Finds Carriers Expect Capacity to Increase
About two-thirds of motor carriers surveyed plan to increase capacity in the next 12 months, up from 51% last quarter, a study from Transport Capital Partners said.
March 20, 2013FedEx Reports Lower 3Q Profit
FedEx Corp. said its third-quarter profit slipped from a year ago due in part to the company’s voluntary buyout program for U.S. officers, but operating profit at its less-than-truckload freight unit turned around a loss.
March 20, 2013Cummins Sees ‘SuperTruck’ Payoff by End of Decade
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Independent engine maker Cummins Inc. said it is introducing its “SuperTruck” research done in conjunction with Paccar Inc. into commercial production between now and the end of this decade, with much of it expected in 2016 or 2017, when the federal government is scheduled to tighten its standards for truck engine fuel economy.
Westport, Clean Energy Set Program to Boost LNG Use
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Westport Innovations Inc. and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced a new joint program aimed at further accelerating the adoption of liquefied natural-gas vehicles among trucking companies.
Engineers’ Group Gives U.S. Infrastructure ‘D+’
The state of America’s infrastructure improved slightly to a “D+” grade from a “D” grade four years ago, while roads improved to “D” from “D-,” the American Society of Civil Engineers said.
Idaho Lawmakers Approve Increased Truck Weight on 35 State Highways
Idaho lawmakers Monday gave final approval of a bill that would allow 129,000-pound truck loads on 35 designated state highways.
Truck Tonnage Rises 4.2% in February
Truck tonnage rose 4.2% in February from the same month last year, American Trucking Associations said.
March 19, 2013Echo Global Logistics Acquires Open Mile Inc.
Echo Global Logistics said it has acquired truckload brokerage firm Open Mile Inc. Terms were not disclosed.
March 19, 2013