Business

About Business News...

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.

Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

Pacer’s President Steps Down; Orris to Take Intermodal Post

Transportation and logistics firm Pacer International said Wednesday that its president, Tom Shurstad, is leaving the company and that its retired chief executive officer, Don Orris, will become president of its intermodal segment.

November 7, 2007
Government, Business, Safety

Third-Quarter Productivity Jumps 4.9%

U.S. worker productivity rose at an annual rate of 4.9% in the third quarter, the most in four years, the Labor Department said Wednesday.

November 7, 2007
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Oil Tops $98 a Barrel

Crude oil rose above $98 a barrel for the first time Wednesday as the dollar slid to a record low and analysts forecast U.S. stockpiles declined for a third week, Bloomberg reported.

November 7, 2007
Business

Highway Watch Membership Tops 750,000

Highway Watch said its enrollment recently topped 750,000.

November 6, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

Opinion: Active Surveillance Can Be Tricky

Many carriers are still using those “How’s my driving?” decals featuring an 800 number the public can call to report a driver they consider unsafe.

November 6, 2007
Business, Safety, Fuel

SoCal Ports Set Plan to Ban Older Trucks

The Port of Long Beach said it is joining the Port of Los Angeles in setting a plan to bar older trucks from operating at the port, and approved a tariff structure that will gradually limit access to all but the cleanest vehicles.

November 6, 2007
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Diesel Soars 14.6¢ to Record $3.303; Gas Jumps Over $3

Diesel fuel jumped to a new all-time high Monday, rising 14.6 cents over last week’s record to $3.303 a gallon, the Department of Energy said.

November 6, 2007
Government, Business, Safety, Technology, Equipment

Qualcomm System to Track Trucks in Cross-Border Program

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Monday that that starting later this month, trucks crossing the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a new demonstration program will use satellite-based technology developed by Qualcomm Inc. to track trucks.

November 5, 2007
Business, Government, Safety, Technology, Equipment

Carriers’ Interest in APUs Is Growing

ORLANDO, Fla. — With idling restrictions increasing in states and localities around the country, carriers are increasingly interested in buying systems that will allow drivers to keep their truck cabs cool or heated and to operate electrical “hotel” appliances such as televisions or computers.

November 5, 2007
Business, Safety, Government

ISM Services Index Rises for October

The economy’s service sector growth increased in October, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday.

November 5, 2007