Mr. Jay Thompson

GLG News by Mr. Jay Thompson, President and General Manager

GLG News is now G+ Insights

G+ is a community for professionals, academics and entrepreneurs to connect through online discussions and in-person meetings. You will continue to see G+ Insights (formerly GLG News) here as well as on the G+ website, where you can share and discuss the G+ Insights you read.

LTL Service Improvements By Some Truckers - Is Problem For Biggest (YRC, ABF…)

April 12, 2010

Analysis of:Estes Reduces LTL Transit Time | www.truckinginfo.com

As traditional unionized Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carriers such as YRC Worldwide and Arkansas Best Corporation struggle in addressing their competitive cost structures, others non-union ones such as FedEx Freight, Con-way Inc, Old Dominion Freight Lines, Estes Express, Averitt Express, Saia and smaller ones continue to solidify their share with productivity-related and flexible cost-saving approaches.

Simple Inexpensive Trucking Fuel Efficiency Products - That Sell!

April 5, 2010

Analysis of:Schneider National Outfits Tractor Fleet with First-of-its-Kind | www.schneider.com

1% fuel savings for $200 - now that’s an ROI! Fuel efficiency improvement gadgets are getting a lot of attention, but a simple one with an understandable ROI sells well. It also helps when one of the the largest fleets in the US - Schneider National - commits to buying them for all their trucks.

US Truck Sales Predictions - 2010 Flat & 2011 Up

April 1, 2010

Analysis of:Class 8 Demand Is on Track For Slow Growth in 2010 | www.truckinginfo.com

Most agree now that 2010 truck sales will be relatively flat, so we’re looking for good news now in 2011. My friend Erik Starks and his gang at FTR Associates do the numbers better than most, so we’ll stick to some thoughts regarding planning from ground level with small / medium fleets (majority of market) and their financiers. There are some pot-holes to watch for, too.

Mid-America Truck Show Summary - 2010 Trucking Regulations Affecting Priorities

March 30, 2010

Analysis of:2010 Mid-America Trucking Show, March 25-27 | www.truckingshow.com

Slowly improving freight levels and tough financing aside - 2010 Emissions, CSA 2010, 2010 EOBR and now 2010 Health Insurance Bill are hot topics. These are making truckers "pause" in moving ahead aggressively with major purchases, but they are looking for ways to improve productivity and cut expenses. The other general themes included pushing idle reduction, more GPS / Information technology and keeping trucks longer (aftermarket parts).

Palm Oil Plantation Farming, Logistic & Retail - Some Pros and Cons

March 17, 2010

Analysis of:Biofuel industry pushing tax credits & palm oil growth | www.examiner.com

Palm Oil was a promising Biofuel opportunity, but got mired in global politics. It still is both! Our colleagues Brian Coppa and Yves Moyen have offered great pros and cons, so I’ll add some personal history and insight. At today’s crude prices, Palm makes a good financial case. We’ll not comment on the $1 per gallon blender rebate here either on soy prices and buttressing of offshore oils coming to the US.

Big Swings In Trucker Load Boards Mean Broker’s Are Getting Their Due

March 16, 2010

Analysis of:Spot Freight Triples Year-Over-Year in Normally Weak Month | www.truckinginfo.com

Do brokers, 3PL’s and other non-asset providers sell value and relationships or moreso price? Therein lies the quandary that creates the opportunity for truckers' profits today and problems for 3PL’s / brokers.

Truckload Demand Shifting In Trucker’s Favor - But A Crunch Is A Little Wishful!

March 8, 2010

Analysis of:TCP: Capacity Crunch, Improved Rates Are in the Cards | www.truckinginfo.com

Truckload (TL) demand versus capacity has been improving, but other adjustments will follow quickly. The Transport Capital Partners Business Expectations Survey noted in the referenced article offers interesting survey data regarding the TL sector. We suggest other issues are at hand need to be considered. Is a crunch in the cards? I don’t gamble and play mostly euchre where good team-players and planners do best!

LNG (And CNG) In US Transport Will Be A Slow Go - Here’s Some Thoughts

February 26, 2010

Analysis of:Oil Search Warns on Possible LNG Glut | www.rigzone.com

Those thinking that US transport will quickly adopt natural gas-powered vehicles need to look at the history and current thinking among users, truck / engine-makers, financiers, distributors, producers and (unfortunately) government. Our colleague Mike Lynch has done his usual outstanding of job of addressing supply-side issues to which I agree. I’ll not address the “getting off of oil or carbon” issues, but will stick to the practical side regarding demand and trying to get stuff on the road.

More Input That Used Truck Market Is Doing Better Than New

February 18, 2010

Analysis of:Used Truck Volumes Up; Prices Still Lowest Ever | www.truckinginfo.com

Used truck sales in the secondary used truck marketplace is fragmented - but strong. Volvo’s Arrow Truck Sales gives us insight into the marketplace from an OEM perspective and underscores that just written about with Rush Enterprises (link) that it will continue to depress new sales.

Rush Enterprises Gives Insight Into Slower New Truck Sales - Used Is Better

February 14, 2010

Analysis of:Rush Sees Income, Revenue Down in Fourth Quarter | www.truckinginfo.com

Rush Enterprises Inc. is the largest truck dealer organization in the US and a primary seller of Paccar, Inc, - Peterbilt trucks, Paccar parts and Paccar Financial Services (financing and leasing), along with a Navistar Dealership in Charlotte. They give us good input as to new truck sales and service, but this and other input tells us the used and parts / service markets are doing better in the non-OEM channel.

2010 Freight Levels Improving - But Truck Orders Have Headed Back South

February 7, 2010

Analysis of:FTR: Strengthening Freight May Lead to Higher Truck and Trailer Sales in 2011 | www.truckinginfo.com

Improving freight levels should help truckers, but not so much the truck manufacturers - unless you have a good parts and service network. Some call it a double dip slowdown or better yet - déjà vu all over again.

Winning (and Losing) LTL Strategies v. 3PL - Then Those Darn Customers

January 25, 2010

Analysis of:The New and Improved LTL Industry | www.worldtrademag.com

The Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) marketplace is a tough one - especially with the current excess capacity v. demand. I agree with our colleague Mr. Wilkerson regarding LTL opportunities regarding Information Technology (IT) / RFID, warehousing, freight forwarding and alliances. While some are moving that direction, others aren’t addressing the people basics - then there are the actions underway by customers.

2010 Trucking Outlook - Public And Private Fleet Contrarian Thoughts

January 18, 2010

Analysis of:Trucking Stocks In 2010 | stocks.investopedia.com

Some analysts are giving thumbs-up for truckers in 2010, due as much to another exit of capacity as an improvement in freight demand. We are more cautious and the reference article seems to get it right from our perspective. It is about freight demand versus truck capacity - and we don’t see a big change in either.

Good News - Navistar Using The “S-Word” Again - An SCR Announcement

January 7, 2010

Analysis of:Navistar Invests in Ammonia-Based Emissions Technology | www.truckinginfo.com

Navistar is investing in a Danish Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) company - Amminex (link). Getting on with their SCR solution - whatever it is - is being seen as a positive with truckers.

Arrow Trucking Failure - More Of The Same Lessons & More

January 3, 2010

Analysis of:Further Problems Emerge for Arrow Trucking | www.truckinginfo.com

A leading-leading indicator of economic activity is flatbed trucking. Business is still tough, but an orderly business shutdown has many implications alone. Arrow Trucking is showing how not to do one, or handle the affected people and press. It offers the change to revisit the norms - and that out of norm.

2009 Transport Review Gives Us Insight Into 2010

December 29, 2009

Analysis of:Economy, Government Top Trucking Issues for 2009 | www.truckinginfo.com

Per the referenced article, the freight recession, truck manufacturer and regulation-related issues (EPA 2010, environmental issues, Hours of Service and other) clouded 2009. Some positives noted involved Information Technology. We’ll comment on these, along with that noted in our GLG articles - plus a bit about 2010.

The Other “Real” Cost Of Pending Regulations - Real JOBS!

December 14, 2009

Analysis of:Smog rules will cost 1,000 truckers’ jobs at Oakland's port | sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com

In California, new regulations are costing jobs. Many of us in the industry try to assess the cost of new regulations to truck operators (my 12/1 article). Being shut out without any recourse - but still left with a truck - just doesn’t seem fair to independent businesses. Is this is a harbinger of things to come elsewhere? Many talk hyperbolae about jobs, but this is about reality.

Globalization - Is There Room For More US & Australian Big Truck Partnerships?

December 6, 2009

Analysis of:Will Chrysler Return to Class 8 Trucks? Link with Fiat's Iveco Might Make It So | www.truckinginfo.com

Globalization of major truck builders could mean another commercial truck could be coming to North America. Per the referenced article by Tom Berg last month, Chrysler LLC Dodge Truck’s new CEO Fred Diaz said the Fiat-owned Iveco big truck offering is being looked at for the US market. It also opens up a discussion regarding Navistar trucks around the globe - and more specifically Australia.

Leading Truck Sales Indicator - Cummins Laying Off Workers

December 4, 2009

Analysis of:Cummins to Temporarily Slice 400 at New York Plant | www.truckinginfo.com

Just announced January 2010 layoffs at Cummins, Inc. Jamestown, New York engine plant gives an indicator of 2010-compliant engine demand and expected Class 8 trucks sales. This plant manufactures the M and ISX heavy-duty series engines from 11-15-Liters, which go primarily into Class 8 trucks.

New Regulations WILL Increase Trucker’s Costs - Here’s Some Numbers To Play With

December 1, 2009

Analysis of:The War On Trucking Continues | www.logisticsmgmt.com

Logistics Management writer Michael Regan gets it right in raising awareness of the potential pending regulatory costs of legislation under consideration. We will take a stab at real planning costs as they apply to each. In pennies per mile businesses such as trucking, it doesn’t lead to a pretty picture.

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