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, Logistics

Wabash Sets Plans for New Trailer Plant

Trailer manufacturer Wabash National said it is planning to construct a $25 million trailer manufacturing plant in Franklin, Ky. as part of a new cost-savings initiative.

February 29, 2008
Business, Government, Fuel

Oil Tops $102 a Barrel, Sets New Record

Crude oil prices reached another record close on Thursday, passing the $102 a barrel mark as investor flocked to commodities as a hedge against the falling dollar, Bloomberg News reported.

February 28, 2008
Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

TransForce's 4Q Income Falls on Goodwill Charge

Canadian transportation firm TransForce Income Fund said Thursday it lost C$30.8 million, or 36 cents a share, in the fourth-quarter as a result of a C$56 million write-off of goodwill associated with the Fund’s Oilfield Services division.

February 28, 2008
Business

Initial Claims Rise by 19,000 for Week

Initial jobless claims increased by 19,000 for the week ended Saturday, the Labor Department said Thursday.

February 28, 2008
Business, Logistics, Government

Teamsters, DHL Reach Tentative Pact

The Teamsters union said Wednesday its national negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement on an agreement with package carrier DHL.

February 27, 2008
Business, Logistics

Contrans’ 4Q Profit Dips Slightly

Canadian firm Contrans Income Fund said Wednesday its fourth-quarter income was C$7.5 million, or 31 cents per unit, compared with C$7.8 million, or 31 cents, a year ago.

February 27, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

January Truck Tonnage Jumps 5.3%

January truck tonnage jumped 5.3% from a year ago, the biggest year-to-year gain since January 2005, American Trucking Associations said in its seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index.

February 27, 2008
Government, Business, Safety, Fuel

Letters to the Editor: Hours of Service, Hard Questions, Fuel Discounts

After spending more than 32 years in this industry, nothing really surprises me anymore. However, with regards to all the political groups who seem to know more about our industry than we do, their members are probably the first to complain when the new stove, washer-dryer, etc., isn’t delivered on time.

February 27, 2008
Fuel, Government, Business

Oil Soars Past $102; Fuel Prices Seen Straining Economy

Crude oil rose to more than $102 barrel in early trading Wednesday, the first time it has topped that level, Bloomberg reported.

February 27, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

Fleets Urge FMCSA to Keep 11th Hour, 34-Hour Restart

Several large trucking fleets have urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to retain the 11th hour of driving and the 34-hour restart in its hours-of-service regulations, saying those provisions have improved highway safety and given drivers the flexibility to adjust to unexpected delays.

February 27, 2008