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.
Shippers Locking Up Trucks Ahead of Feared 2012 Shortage
ATLANTA — Shippers and brokers say they anticipate freight perils ahead in 2012, with a looming lack of truck capacity that could be exacerbated by a possible reduction in drivers’ allowable hours, according to comments during a recent industry event here.
November 28, 2011Floor Makers Using New Materials, Designs to Meet Fleet Demands for Longer Trailer Life
Fleets today are running their trailers longer than they ever have, and they expect trailer suppliers to make products that can meet higher standards.
November 28, 2011OEMs Uncertain About Cuts In U.S. Spending on Defense
Truck and component manufacturers who also build military products say they are confident they will be able to hold on to much of that business even as the U.S. armed forces face potential slashes in their future budgets.
November 28, 2011Lack of Infrastructure Dampens Promise of Natural Gas as Alternative to Diesel
WASHINGTON — Natural gas holds a great deal of promise for the trucking industry as an alternative to diesel, but with the hurdles of infrastructure and costs, it’s rarely a viable option currently, trucking stakeholders said.
November 28, 2011ATA’s Graves Backs Sustainability Efforts, Praises EPA’s Fuel Economy Standard
WASHINGTON — American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves applauded the trucking industry for its steps toward environmental sustainability, paying special attention to the SmartWay program and the fuel economy and greenhouse-gas emissions regulations published this year.
November 28, 2011Racing Helps Promote DTNA’s Alliance Unit
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Daimler Trucks North America wants a bigger piece of the aftermarket and is using stock car racing as a means to boost sales for its Alliance Truck Parts unit.
November 28, 2011October Trailer Orders Dip to 17,384, But Pace Quickens for Plants, Retailers
New orders for commercial trailers dipped 0.8% in October from the year-ago level after a rise in cancellations, but manufacturers and retail sellers reported strong late October and early November activity.
November 28, 2011Diesel Again Tops $4 a Gallon After 2.3¢ Rise
The average price of a gallon of diesel climbed above $4 last week, approaching levels not seen since spring, when trucking’s main fuel stayed over that benchmark for six weeks.
November 28, 2011TTNews.com to Be Closed for Thanksgiving
Transport Topics Online will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please check back on Monday, Nov. 28, for the latest trucking and freight transportation news.
November 23, 2011Consumer Confidence Improves
Consumer confidence rose this month to its highest level in since June, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Wednesday.
November 23, 2011