Logistics service providers are adjusting as the global economic downturn has caused many companies to curtail production and reduce inventories, stalling the longtime trend of expanding international trade, thereby reducing demand for transportation services in North America.

Consistent with the notion that every cloud has a silver lining, achievers in the logistics business are finding opportunities in difficult times.

Five states have formed a coalition to seek a $300 million federal grant to help pay for intermodal development and improvements along the Norfolk Southern Railroad corridor that stretches from New Orleans to New York City.

Freight broker BirdDog Logistics Services said that it has acquired Churchill Transport Group, a third-party logistics firm.

J.B. Hunt Transport Services said that it has reached a multi-year deal with Norfolk Southern Corp. in which the railroad will provide intermodal service for the carrier in the eastern U.S.

Transportation and third-party logistics firm Pacer International said its third-quarter profit fell to $600,000, or 2 cents per share, compared with $20.8 million, or 59 cents, a year earlier.

Logistics firm Expeditors International of Washington said Tuesday its third-quarter net income fell 33% to $57.8 million, or 27 cents a share, from $85.6 million, or 39 cents, a year ago.