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, Government, Safety

Carriers Focus on Business Fundamentals to Get Through Hard Times

If there is a silver lining in the current freight recession, it might be that the challenging economic environment is forcing carriers to focus more closely on business fundamentals to keep the bottom line healthy.

February 11, 2008
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel, Equipment

Maintenance Execs Say Costs, DPF Service Are Top ’07 Issues

ORLANDO, Fla. — Uncertainty about the life cycle of key emission control components and higher maintenance costs have emerged as the top concerns fleets have with 2007 heavy-duty diesel engines, maintenance and equipment heads at several major carriers said here.

February 11, 2008
Business

Union Strikes Volvo Truck Plant in Va.

About 2,500 members of United Auto Workers walked off their jobs at the only Volvo-Mack over-the-road assembly plant in North America, shutting down production Feb. 1, after the union and Volvo Trucks North America failed to agree on a new contract.

February 11, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

DOT Approves I-73 Project in South Carolina

The Department of Transportation said Friday that South Carolina can move forward with its plans to build Interstate 73 in the state.

February 8, 2008
Business

UTI Worldwide to Cut Workforce

Freight forwarder UTI Worldwide plans to cut its workforce by 7%, eliminate divisions in the Americas and Africa and restructure management in an effort to its boost its profitability, the company said Friday.

February 8, 2008
Business, Government

Wholesale Inventories Rise 1.1%

Wholesale inventories rose 1.1% in December, though sales fell 0.7%, the Commerce Department said Friday.

February 8, 2008
Business, Safety

Truck Fatality Figures Reach Record Lows, ATA Says

Three of the primary measures of large truck safety fell to record lows in 2006, American Trucking Associations said Friday.

February 8, 2008
Business

Vitran’s Fourth-Quarter Income Declines

Vitran Corp. said Friday its fourth-quarter profit was $1.7 million, or 12 cents a share, down from $5 million, or 37 cents, a year earlier.

February 8, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

P.A.M. Reports Fourth-Quarter Loss

Truckload carrier P.A.M. Transportation Services said it lost $840,000, or 8 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, compared with net income of $4.3 million, or 41 cents, a year earlier.

February 8, 2008
Business, Safety, Government

Navteq’s Profit Jumps for Quarter, Year

Navteq Corp., a maker of maps used in transportation navigation, said its fourth-quarter profit rose to $61.9 million, or 61 cents per share, from $42.9 million, or 45 cents, a year earlier.

February 7, 2008