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.
Trimble Agrees to Purchase PeopleNet Communications
Bidding to expand in the freight transportation and logistics markets, software maker Trimble Navigation Ltd. announced July 20 that it is acquiring privately held PeopleNet Communications Corp., the Minnetonka, Minn., provider of motor carrier on-board computing and mobile communications systems.
July 25, 2011New CEO Says Cummins Can Compete Despite Vertical Integration of Trucks
Tom Linebarger, who will become Cummins Inc.’s next chairman and CEO on Jan. 1, said the company is well positioned to meet the competition of North American truck makers offering “vertically integrated” packages of their own trucks and engines.
July 25, 2011Bowes Promoted as Reinhardt Leaves Meritor; Manufacturer Lowers Quarterly Guidance
Truck component supplier Meritor Inc. rearranged its executive positions in the wake of the departure of Chief Operating Officer Carsten Reinhardt, who left the Troy, Mich., manufacturer last week.
July 25, 2011Spot Market Activity Gaining as Hauling Capacity Tightens
Indications are growing that carriers, brokers and shippers are shifting freight-buying habits to make more use of spot markets and load boards as freight capacity continues to tighten, sources said.
July 25, 2011Motor Carriers, Shipping Lines Clash on Effectiveness of Chassis-Safety Rules
Two years after truckers won a decade-long battle to win new federally mandated chassis-safety rules, broad disagreement about the effect of those changes remains, marketplace confusion reigns and operational issues are unresolved, according to trucking officials and consultants.
July 25, 2011Diesel Fuel Price Rises 2.4¢ to $3.923 a Gallon
The average price of a gallon retail diesel fuel rose 2.4 cents a gallon last week to $3.923, the second straight weekly increase, according to the Department of Energy.
July 25, 2011YRC Completes Restructuring Plan
YRC Worldwide said late Friday it has completed the financial restructuring plan it first announced in April, completing the last remaining milestones.
July 22, 2011Volvo’s 2Q Profit Jumps on Higher Truck Sales
Volvo AB said Friday its second-quarter profit jumped 62% on higher truck sales in Europe and North America.
July 22, 2011Caterpillar’s 2Q Profit Tops $1 Billion
Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. said Friday its second-quarter profit jumped 44% on higher sales, despite extra expenses from the company's acquisition of Bucyrus.
July 22, 2011YRC Posts Second-Quarter Loss
YRC Worldwide said Friday it lost $39 million, or 81 cents per share, in the second quarter, compared with a loss of $10 million, or 24 cents, a year ago.
July 22, 2011