GLG News by Biofuels Experts

Joe VictorBusiness Development SpecialistMinneapolis Grain Exchange Inc.

Several Surprises Within the Starches via Oct 2010 WASDE:

October 13, 2010

Analysis of:Record grain stocks, scarcity coexist on rigid distribution norms | economictimes.indiatimes.com

Corn's days cushion is at record level lows. Wheat has a decline of 50 days. Rice production is down.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

How Much Excess Capacity Is There Really In The LTL Sector? More Than You Think…

October 12, 2010

With Truckload (TL) carriers experiencing tightening capacity, we (and especially YRC Worldwide) are still hoping for the same in the Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) sector. There are several factors that limit the real decrease in LTL capacity - and real increases in LTL profitability. They include capacity in-service: trucks, trailers and terminals sitting idle; Information Technology (IT) and other firms with “hybrid” trucking models.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

New Truck Sales Will Remain Slow With Used Doing Better - Here’s Some Why's

October 4, 2010

2010 is quickly passing with new truck sales falling short of most folks earlier predictions, but better than conservative estimates (like from us). Demand is being met by a strengthened used truck marketplace. There are several reasons including: freight demand, current fleet financials / utilization, regulations, higher new vehicle costs, tougher financing terms, available used trucks, newer truck engine product concerns, maintenance costs, truck drivers still available and other reasons.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

SWA v. Majors’ Bags, Booze, Blankets, Braking & Bad Cheese / Attitude Issues

October 3, 2010

Analysis of:Southwest Airlines to buy AirTran for $1.4B | www.forbes.com

Success in a service business is largely about “service.” The Southwest Airlines purchase of AirTran brings all of the competitive fare / operational insight / supplier issues as noted by our colleagues Ernie and Addison, but less-frequent fliers will get something seemingly missing at the mega carriers - a good in-flight experience in coach! A recent American Airlines weekend trip reminds me of why a growing SWA / WN will be good for the traveling public.

Joe VictorBusiness Development SpecialistMinneapolis Grain Exchange Inc.

A Major Surprise

October 1, 2010

Analysis of:Wheat prices expected to remain stable in 3 months | thecitizen.co.tz

The days cushion is small with corn, getting smaller with wheat but growing within the rice. The impact on producer, middle men and end users may likely have strong implications.

Gary DrimmerChief Executive OfficerWorld Ag Associates LLC

Louis Dreyfus And Olam In Possible Merger Talks

September 26, 2010

Analysis of:Agrimoney.com | Grain merchants - Louis Dreyfus in talks over merger with Olam | www.agrimoney.com

This morning Olam confirmed that they are in talks with Louis Dreyfus on a potential merger. Neither of the two companies are familiar names outside of a very specialized industry. The merger would be a good fit, though the cultures might be very different.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

In Addition To Diesel Engine SCR v. EGR Debate - There Are Still DPF Issues

September 23, 2010

While engine buyers are starting to see Navistars’ Advanced Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) versus all others’ with Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technologies, a “Hotter” issue in the field is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) problems, life and costs. With higher EGR rates with advanced EGR, does that mean higher DPF stress and costs? Probably!

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

Pilot-FlyingJ Making Money - But Costing Truckers More?

September 20, 2010

Analysis of:Pilot, Flying J merger appears to be home run, but some are crying foul | www.thetrucker.com

The merging of Flying J into Pilot Travel Centers LLC looks like a winner for Pilot, but with some concerns yet to be addressed. The referenced article by Jack Humphreville of TheTrucker publication lays out the pros for them, but also rightly notes the issues that truckers are seeing - plus concern by competitors and others. We offer the following from our trucking side of things.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

Half Of Truckers Report Problems With Newer Engines - It’s Only Part Of Story

September 13, 2010

Analysis of:J.D. Power and Associates Reports: More than One-Half of Heavy-Duty Truck Owners Report Engine Problems in 2010, A Considerable Increase from 2002 | businesscenter.jdpower.com

J.D. Power and Associates has done a U.S. Heavy-Duty Truck Engine / Transmission Study survey for 14 consecutive years. It looks like problems are coming in much worse (double) as compared to before the EPA2004 & EPA2007 emissions rules were implemented. They result in costs that are seen in warranty claims, operators’ costs and sentiment. While these numbers are about pre-2010 engines, we are expecting higher problem numbers yet for 2010 - but at least with better fuel economy.

Jay ThompsonPresident and General ManagerTransportation Business Associates

Dallas Truck Show & Commercial Vehicle Outlook 2010 Summary - It’s Still Cloudy

September 6, 2010

Analysis of:Economy's Course Puzzling, But Changes in Equipment, Driver Pay Coming, Say Speakers at CV Outlook 2010 | www.truckinginfo.com

Transport experts gave us a good overview of HOT trucking topics a couple weeks ago at a meeting held along with the Dallas Truck Show. Issues included freight predictions, higher gross vehicle weights, smaller truck cabs, the “pending” truck driver shortage, the revised hours-of-service (HOS) rules coming, truck pricing increases and truck-maker vertical integration (meaning mostly engines). Here are some thoughts.

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