Transport Topics back issues from February 2007:
Lack of Holiday Shipping Surge Depresses 4Q Truckload Profits
Feb 05, 2007; ... Profits fell at major public truckload carriers in the fourth quarter, as declining demand for freight carriage more than eliminated the benefit of declining diesel prices, which are now lower than a year earlier. The carriers consistently reported the traditional fourth-quarter shipping ...
Dec. Freight Drops 5.5%
Feb 05, 2007; ... 2006's Total Tonnage Is 3% Below Prior Year Truck freight volume ended 2006 the same way it began, with December's loads trailing year-ago levels by a notable margin, according to American Trucking Associations' preliminary monthly tonnage index. Volume fell 5.5% in December from ...
Diesel Drops 1.7¢ to $2.413, Lowest Level Since Katrina
Feb 05, 2007; ... Retail diesel fuel prices fell for the seventh straight week and are now an average of 7.6 cents a gallon below year-ago levels, according to the Department of Energy. The average diesel price across the United States dipped 1.7 cents to $2.413 a gallon in DOE's latest weekly survey of ...
Some Carriers Are Warming to '07 Models
Feb 05, 2007; ... DIESEL ENGINE EMISSION UPDATE While other carriers were debating whether to buy even one Class 8 truck with a 2007 EPA-certified engine, Mike Hasinec at Penske Truck Leasing Co. was knee-deep in testing 2007 engine performance. Hasinec, Penske s vice president of maintenance ...
House OKs 2007 Spending Bill; Highway Funding Up $3.5 Bln.
Feb 05, 2007; ... The House of Representatives last week approved a federal government spending bill for fiscal 2007 that would add nearly $4 billion for highway and transit programs. The $463.5 billion measure was passed after House and Senate leaders agreed to fund most government programs through Sept ....
Lockheed Martin Wins TWIC Contract; Truckers' Cost for ID Card Will Be $137.25
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Transportation Security Administration awarded a $70 million contract to Lockheed Martin to administer the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program and said the cards would cost $137.2.5 for first-time applicants. Mandated by Congress, TWIC is required for workers, ...
ATA Names Ex-DOT Spokesman Boyce Vice President of Public Affairs Office
Feb 05, 2007; ... American Trucking Associations said Jan. 24 it has hired Clayton Boyce to lead its Office of Public Affairs, which directs communications strategy for the federation and its members. "We're pleased to add a veteran official of transportation communications to our organization," said Bill ...
Navistar Awaits NYSE Ruling
Feb 05, 2007; ... Original equipment manufacturer Navistar International Corp. said Feb. 1 it was awaiting a decision from New York Stock Exchange officials regarding whether its shares would be delisted. Led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ustian, a Navistar team appeared in New York on ...
LTL Firms Report Mixed Quarterly Results
Feb 05, 2007; ... Less-than-tmckload carriers YRC Worldwide Inc. and Saia Inc. said fourth-quarter profits fell, while Old Dominion Freight One said net income rose. YRC said it earned $46.5 million, or 80 cents a share, down from $76.8 million, or $1.30, a year earlier. For the year, YRC earned $276.6 ...
Paccar Earns Record; Hino Profits Down
Feb 05, 2007; ... Truck manufacturer Paccar Inc. earned a record $380.5 million, or $1.52 a share, during the fourth quarter, up from $312.9 million, or $1.22, a year earlier, the company said Jan. 30. Revenue at Paccar was $3.97 billion, up from $3.43 billion. For the year, Paccar earned $1.5 ...
Trailer Manufacturer Stoughton Joins ATA
Feb 05, 2007; ... Trailer manufacturer Stoughton Trailer joined American Trucking Associations Jan. 19. "Trailer manufacturers and ATAs trucking members need a communication channel to better serve both parties' interest," said Don ...
Quality Distribution Lowers Outlook
Feb 05, 2007; ... Tank truck carrier Quality Distribution lowered its earnings outlook because of soft freight demand and environmental cleanup expenses. Quality said it will earn 3 ...
Western European Truck Sales Plummet
Feb 05, 2007; ... Western European heavy-truck sales plummeted 21% in December after new regulations making vehicles more expensive went into effect. Sales fell to 17,460 vehicles in December, the European ...
Standards Group to Vote on 'Hot Fuel' Issue
Feb 05, 2007; ... The group that sets standards for commercial measurements said it will vote this summer on whether to recommend that states regulate retail fuels by temperature. "The intention is, right now, that the item will move forward as a voting item in July" at the National ...
UPS Quarterly Profits Gain Despite Cooling Economy
Feb 05, 2007; ... Led by strong results for international package shipping, UPS Inc. said it had record revenue, operating income and earnings per share in the fourth quarter and posted its second-highest quarterly profit ever, despite national economic growth that the company said "moderated" more than ...
EPA Boosts Enforcement Of ULSD Labeling Rule
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Environmental Protection Agency said it has increased enforcement of its fuel-pump labeling rule after finding that the majority of retail diesel pumps it tested did not display ultra-lowsulfur-diesel labels, even though they were dispensing ULSD. EPA said that ULSD, required for ...
Freightliner to Cut 2,200 Jobs; Cites Drop in '07 Truck Orders
Feb 05, 2007; ... Company to Open New Factory in Mexico in 2009 Truck manufacturer Freightliner LLC said it planned to lay off more than 2,200 employees because of falling orders and would end production of Freightliner-brand trucks at its plant in Portland, Ore., where trucks bearing that nameplate have ...
Rail Intermodal Volume Hits Plateau in 4Q; Industry Handled 14.2 Mln. Shipments in '06
Feb 05, 2007; ... The intermodal industry, whose success has transformed shipping this decade, hit a plateau at the end of 2006 in terms of volume handled, according to the earnings statements of the four largest U.S. railroads. While there was some variation among the intermodal results of Union Pacific, ...
'06 Profits Strong as Volume Dips
Feb 05, 2007; ... Last year was a pretty good year for many carriers - which is being confirmed as the publlicly traded companies issue their official reports to stockholders - even as freight levels slid during 2006. Despite a nearly universal drop in profits for truckload carriers in the fourth quarter, ...
Letters & Comments
Feb 05, 2007; ... 68-MPH Speed Limit Commercial trucks traveling in excess of 68 mph are not the problem. Going too fast for conditions is the real issue. There are too many undertrained and inexperienced drivers rushed into the driver's seat in order to fill open trucks. Better training ...
Marine Highways Offer Congestion Relief
Feb 05, 2007; ... At American Trucking Associations' annual meeting in October, ATA's chairman, Pat Quinn, called congestion "a cancer on our economy" and observed that "the country's 200 worst highway bottlenecks cost the trucking industry $7.8 billion each year as a result of the 243 million hours our trucks ...
Engine, Truck Makers Researching Hybrids as Partners With Government
Feb 05, 2007; ... Hybrid technology for heavy-duty trucks rests in the hands of a few engine and component manufacturers - including Volvo AB, International Truck and Engine, Freightliner-Mercedes Benz and Paccar Inc. Japanese and South Korean companies have long been researching hybrid technology for trucks and ...
Caterpillar, Cummins Report Strong Profits in 4th Quarter
Feb 05, 2007; ... Heavy-Duty Engine Buyers Sprint to Beat '07 Rules Caterpillar Inc. and Cummins Inc. both reported strong profit gains in the fourth quarter as demand for heavy-duty engines surged ahead of tougher emission regulations from the Emironmental Protection Agency. Caterpillar said it ...
Michelin Wins $1.7 Bln., 10-Year Contract To Manage Defense Dept.'s Tire Program
Feb 05, 2007; ... Michelin Americas Truck Tires said the Defense Department has awarded the firm a 10-year, $1.7 billion contract to manage its military tire program. The contract calls for Michelin to provide tires for every wheeled vehicle in all the military branches, the company said in a statement ....
Double Coin Attracts Interest As International's Tire Option
Feb 05, 2007; ... Interest in China's Double Coin tires has surged since International Truck and Engine Corp. announced last month it would make them a primary tire option, said executives of the Companys North American distributor. "Since International announced its decision, we have gotten inquiries ...
ARTBA to Press Congress For Higher Road User Fees
Feb 05, 2007; ... WASHINGTON - The American Road and Transportation Builders Association will press Congress to raise highway user fees for trucking companies and other businesses t n at move goods in the United States in order to pay for improvements and expansions of Key freight corridors, said ARTBA President ...
Congress Likely to Reinstate Single State Registration Plan
Feb 05, 2007; ... Congress probably will reinstate the Single State Registration System, allowing states to collect millions of dollars in registration fees, pending completion of a new mechanism for collecting fees and data from motor carriers. Although SSRS expired at the end of 2006, the ...
Highway Officials Back Funding For Freight Corridors and Tolls
Feb 05, 2007; ... WASHINGTON - Several highway officiais speaking at the recent Transportation Research Board annual meeting backed aspects of the Bush administration's national freight policy that, among other things, calls for more tolls and highway funding specifically aimed at key freight ...
Wash. Gov. Wants Private Firms To Build New Roads, Bridges
Feb 05, 2007; ... Associated Press TACOMA, Wash. - Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) is looking for ways to link with private contractors to design and build expensive new road and bridge projects, probably using tolls to help pay for them. Projects could include widening Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass, ...
Transit Center Developer Quits Vermont Project
Feb 05, 2007; ... FAIR HAVEN, Vt. - The developer of a proposed transit center where cargo would be shipped via rail and then transferred to trucks is pulling out of the project. Phil Stannard has written to town officials that he would no longer commit money needed to obtain a matching grant from the ...
EARNINGS
Feb 05, 2007; ... Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CKVV), San Mateo, Calif., is the parent of regional less-than-truckload carrier Con-way Freight; truckload farrier and freight broker Con-way Transportation; trailer manufacturer Road Systems; and Menlo Worldwide, which includes Menlo Worldwide Logistics and ...
Market Trends
Feb 05, 2007; ... * Jan. 23 - Werner Enterprises was downgraded to "market perform" from "outperform" by Chaz Jones at Morgan Keegan. * Jan. 26 - Marten Transport was cut to "market perform" from "outperform" by Chaz Jones at Morgan ...
Market Insiders
Feb 05, 2007; ... * Jan. 16 - Gregory Swienton, chairman of Ryder System, exercised options on 27,000 shares for $26.83 each. He then sold these shares for $52.68 each, leaving him with 85,364 shares. * Jan. 17 - Robert Burke, a director at Trailer Bridge, sold 5,000 shares for $8.31 each, leaving him ...
Mack's New Cabover Model Aimed at Work Sectors
Feb 05, 2007; ... Mack Trucks Inc. said it has developed an updated version of its heavy-duty cab-over-engine truck aimed at the refuse and construction sectors in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mack said the truck, dubbed the TerraPro cabover, balances durability with a driver environment ...
Vehicle Hauler Completes Reorganization
Feb 05, 2007; ... Performance Transportation Services, the nation's second-largest vehicle hauler, said Jan. 29 it completed a reorganization plan that includes new owners Yacaupa American Alliance Fund. The plan calls for Performance, of Wayne, Mich., to fully repay secured creditors with a combination ...
ArvinMeritor's Profit Falls, but Commercial Vehicle Sales Rise
Feb 05, 2007; ... Heavy-duty component maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said that its fiscal first-quarter profit fell 79% from the year-earlier period, which had been helped by the sale of two businesses. The company said that it earned $7 million, or 10 cents a share, down from $34 million, or 49 cents, a year ...
Insurer Cline Wood Adds New Practice For Risk Management
Feb 05, 2007; ... A Kansas insurance company that writes policies for the trucking industry said it has added a risk management practice. Cline Wood Agency, Leawood, Kan., said it added the risk management practice to complement its transportation insurance division. Cathy Wilson ...
Flying J Insurance Offers Truckers Aflac Policies
Feb 05, 2007; ... Flying J Insurance Services said it has started offering medical insurance policies from Aflac as an option for drivers visiting many truck stops operated by Flying J. Flying J said many drivers are concerned about rising expenses that are not covered by their ...
Penske Unit to Close Ohio Terminal Soon
Feb 05, 2007; ... Penske Logistics said it will close a facility near Cleveland by the end of March because of the reduction in business from General Motors Corp., a company spokesman said. Randy Ryerson, a spokesman for parent firm Penske Truck Leasing Co., said the closure will lead to the loss of 92 ...
YRC Grants Two Finance Executives Added Powers
Feb 05, 2007; ... Less-than-truckload giant YRC Worldwide Inc. said it gave two executives additional responsibilities as part of a reorganization plan announced earlier this year. YRC, Overland Park, Kan., said Phil Gaines will be chief financial officer of YRC National Transportation, the new unit that ...
FTC Clears Way For Bridgestone To Buy Bandag
Feb 05, 2007; ... Tire retread firm Bandag Corp. said Jan. 29 the Federal Trade Commission gave regulatory approval to its pending acquisition by Bridgestone Corp. for $1.05 billion. The FTC had until Feb. 8 to determine whether Bridgestone's proposed acquisition violated a 1976 antitrust law. Bandag and ...
Co-CEO at Mullen Group Resigns From Position; Will Remain as a Director
Feb 05, 2007; ... Pat Powell, a co-chief executive officer at Canadian transportation company Mullen Group Income Fund, has resigned from the post. Powell came to Mullen as part of the June 2006 merger with Producers Oilfield Services, where he was president and chairman. Before joining Producers, Powell ...
EGL Retains Deutsche Bank To Evaluate Buyout
Feb 05, 2007; ... EGL Inc. said a special committee of its board hired Deutsche Bank Securities to consider a buyout offer from the founder of the transportation and logistics firm. The committee announced previously that it had hired Andrews Kurth LLP to serve as legal adviser for the proposed $1.2 ...
FMCSA Says More Information Needed Before Acting on 68-MPH Truck Limit
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said on Jan. 26 it needed more information before acting on requests from the trucking industry to mandate the use of speed limiters set at 68 miles per hour. Ian Grossman, a spokesman for FMCSA, said the Federal Register request showed the ...
Missouri Truck Driver Finds Poetic Inspiration While on the Road
Feb 05, 2007; ... POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - While driving across America, longtime truck driver Larry Morris gets a lot of time to think. The sights and sounds he's taken in over the years have provided much inspiration. "A lot of times, going down the road, things just come to me," Morris said. He has ...
Celadon's Russell Is Honored By Indiana World Trade Club
Feb 05, 2007; ... The World Trade Club of Indiana has honored Stephen Russell, chief executive officer of truckload carrier Celadon Group, Indianapolis, as its Global Business Person of the Year for 2006. Russell was recognized for supporting and fostering global trade throughout his career during a ...
Joy Given MEMA's Triangle Award
Feb 05, 2007; ... Robert "Pete" Joy, president of Haldex Friction Brake, received the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association's Triangle Award during the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, which took place Jan. 22-25 in Las Vegas. The event is sponsored by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers ...
Richardson, Canby Receive TRB Awards For Transportation Research, Service
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Transportation Research Board presented Herbert Richardson with its Roy VV. Crum Distinguished Service Award for outstanding achievement in transportation research during its 86th annual meeting in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21-25. Richardson, who retired in November, was the associate ...
PSI's Sonzala Elected IANA Chairman
Feb 05, 2007; ... Frank Sonzala, executive vice president of Pressure Systems International, a San Antonio manufacturer of tire inflation systems, has been elected chairman of the Intermodal Association of North America. Sonzala, now in his second three-year term on the IANA board, has been active in the ...
PEOPLE: BRIEFS
Feb 05, 2007; ... Associations The Transportation Intermediaries Association, an Alexandria, Va., trade association of third-party logistics companies, announced the most recent graduates from its Certified Transportation Broker program. The latest graduates include Hussam Abusharkh, Douglas Campano, Lisa ...
United Petroleum's Brown Named a Highway Angel
Feb 05, 2007; ... Brian Brown, a driver for United Petroleum Transports, was recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association as a Highway Angel after rescuing a woman trapped in a burning vehicle. Brown was driving on Highway 470 in Topeka, Kan., when he noticed a sport utility vehicle in front of him ...
Boyd Bros. Driver Celebrated For 4 Mln. Accident-Free Miles
Feb 05, 2007; ... Boyd Bros. Transportation, a Clayton, Ala., flatbed carrier, said it honored driver Nathaniel Blue for reaching 4 million safe miles. Blue has been with the company for more than 29 years and achieved the 4-million-mile mark without a single ticket or ...
USA Truck Fetes Safe Driver For 4 Mln. Miles
Feb 05, 2007; ... Truckload carrier USA Truck, Van Buren, Ark., recognized driver Walter Spiesshoefer for driving 4 million miles without a preventable accident. Besides his driving duties, Spiesshoefer also is a member of USA Truck's ...
UPS Driver Reaches 3 Mln. Safe Miles
Feb 05, 2007; ... UPS Inc. said it recognized Ron Sowder for achieving 3 million accident-free miles. Sowder, who began his career with UPS as a step-van driver, has been with the carrier for 45 years, UPS said in a Jan. 25 ...
FLEETS: BRIEFS
Feb 05, 2007; ... Association American Road and Transportation Builders Association's Transportation Development Foundation said it is seeking nominations for its 12th annual Young Executive Development Program, to be held May 8-10 in Washington, D.C. The program offers young executives a three-day ...
EVENTS: BRIEFS
Feb 05, 2007; ... Special Events American Trucking Associations' Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference and North Dakota State University will sponsor the first National Summit on Agricultural and Food Truck Transport for the Future April 25-26. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn at ...
Some EOBR Makers Applaud Mandate, Others Decry Plan's 'Punitive' Aspects
Feb 05, 2007; ... Manufacturers of electronic onboard recorders had differing views of the federal government's proposal to require recorders for some motor carriers, with some saying the government was treating EOBRs punitively and others hailing the move as an important safety development. The Federal ...
Analyst Says More Ethanol Won't Stem Consumption
Feb 05, 2007; ... ATLANTA - A leading energy analyst said President Bush's plan to increase ethanol production would not reduce the country's overall energy consumption or help the United States move away from oil as its main source of energy for transportation. "There are no alternatives to ...
C.H. Robinson, Target Report Mixed Results
Feb 05, 2007; ... C.H. Robinson Worldwide said Jan. 30 it earned $71.8 million, or 41 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $58.1 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier. For the year, C.H. Robinson earned $266.9 million, or $1.53, ...
STB Orders Rails to Alter Surcharge Practices
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Surface Transportation Board ruled last month freight railroads cannot calculate their fuel surcharges as a percentage of their base rates. The Jan. 26 ruling also prohibits railroads from what the STB called "double-dipping" - applying to the ...
Bush Warns on Trade During Caterpillar Visit
Feb 05, 2007; ... President Bush, during a Jan. 30 visit to engine maker Caterpillar Inc.'s headquarters in East Peoria, Ill., called on Congress to leave policies in place that promote free trade. Bush said U.S. trade agreements with countries including ...
Washington Governor Announces Ports Plan
Feb 05, 2007; ... Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) announced Jan. 18 a new "Container Ports Initiative" aimed at improving the flow of freight. Gregoire called on the ports of Seattle and Tacoma to develop a cooperative plan that would allow both to grow. Her plan also ...
Niagara Bridge Commission to Raise Tolls
Feb 05, 2007; ... The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission increased tolls on the Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids and Lewiston-Queenston bridges over the Niagara River on Feb. 1. Average round-trip toll rates now are $17 for five-axle commercial trucks, up from $13, the commission said. Tolls ...
Texas Drops Mandate for Oversize Loads
Feb 05, 2007; ... Interstate trucking companies hauling oversize or overweight loads in Texas may now me a $10,000 surety bond with the Texas Department of Transportation to acquire necessary permits, in ...
Lawmaker Files Bill to Block Trans-Texas Route
Feb 05, 2007; ... Texas state Rep. David liebowitz (D) has filed a bill that would repeal the Texas Department of Transportation's authority to buy land and establish contracts for the Trans-Texas Corridor project a 4,000-mile transportation network that would be built and ...