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.
Range of New Products Unveiled by Suppliers at TMC
ORLANDO, Fla. — New products shown at the Technical & Maintenance Council’s recent meeting here ranged from a high-tech flatbed trailer to a low-tech mud flap, along with a seat and sleeping pad that combine New Age philosophy with Texas Instruments engineering.
February 23, 2009APU Makers Show Wares at Conference
ORLANDO, Fla. — An empty booth at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2009 Transportation Technology Exhibition marked the spot where auxiliary power manufacturer Rigmaster Power Corp. was to display its wares.
February 23, 2009Class 8 Truck Sales Hit 17-Year Low
U.S. trucking customers bought just 7,374 new Class 8 tractors in January, the lowest one-month total in 17 years and a drop of more than 5,000 units from December, WardsAuto.com reported.
February 23, 2009Graves Says Trucking Ready for Highway Bill Despite Uncertainty About Obama’s Agenda
With so much attention being placed on the economic stimulus legislation, trucking has not been able to uncover much about the Obama administration’s transportation policy, said Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations.
February 23, 2009Some Firms Cut New-Driver Pay as Freight Demand Stays Low
Some truckload fleets said they are selectively cutting driver pay for the first time in years to counter cost pressures as the recession dries up freight demand.
February 23, 2009State Registration Fee Plan Would Double Fleet Charges
State truck registration fees would more than double under a proposal being prepared for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under a two-year-old system Congress set up to reduce fees for for-hire carriers.
February 23, 2009Glitches Cause Traffic Jam as Ports Collect New Fee
Technological glitches related to the launch of a container fee program are being blamed for congestion that jammed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., on Feb. 18.
February 23, 2009Government Raises Presence During Recession
ORLANDO, Fla. — With the United States in a recession, the federal government is commanding a larger presence, two business lobbyists said, and while that does bring with it the potential for trouble, many executives at a manufacturers’ conference here welcomed the potential for help.
February 23, 2009Obama Signs Stimulus Package Into Law
President Obama signed a $787 billion economic stimulus package into law last week that included about $27.5 billion in highway funding, some of which already is being put to use.
February 23, 2009California Finishing Plans to Issue Vouchers to Help Small Carriers Buy Cleaner Vehicles
California environmental regulators are drawing up plans to issue vouchers as early as this spring to small fleets to help them pay for replacing old trucks with units carrying a 2007 or newer diesel engine.
February 23, 2009