Trucking hours-of-service regulations "final rule redo" released with negative implications
December 30, 2011
Hours-of-Service (HOS) Final Rule (December 2011) | www.fmcsa.dot.gov
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released its trucking hours-of-service (HOS) regulation in response to a lawsuit agreement from the 2003 HOS Regulation limitations. The new rule will cost the most productive truck drivers in pay and logbook “gotchas,” cost trucking companies in productivity (profits) and cost shippers more. All of this is passed on to us consumers. The new rules take effect in mid-2013, but the 2003 Regulation-related lawsuit will most probably be reconstituted anyway.
The driver pay lawsuit against Swift Transportation highlights a well-known issue
September 16, 2011
Arizona Supreme Court lets drivers' case against Swift go to trial | www.ccjdigital.com
Truck driver pay within the freight industry is based on work performed. The metric used by 90% of firms is length-of-trip “miles” – but there are different approaches used in employment contracts. Driver pay makes up the largest company expense (25% of revenue) so a few percentage points of pay increases and back-pay costs can be huge. This suit will cost Swift Transportation legal fees – and will result in more detail in driver contracts.
Will Freightliner's 2015-2018 greenhouse gas fuel mileage pitch equal more sales?
September 7, 2011
Freightliner Says Fuel Economy, Uptime Prime Directives for 2011 and Beyond | www.truckinginfo.com
Truck-maker Freightliner recently laid out its thoughts on how it will stay ahead of the recently announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency standards for medium - and heavy-duty engines and vehicles. The plan is great for marketing and engineers, but not necessarily for sales.
Daimler Freightliner 2015-2018 Fuel Mileage Pitch Underway
August 19, 2011
Freightliner Says Fuel Economy, Uptime Prime Directives for 2011 and Beyond | www.truckinginfo.com
Truck-maker Freightliner recently laid out their thoughts on how they will stay ahead of the recently announced Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium - and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles.” It’s great for marketing and engineers, but how about sales?
Fuel Mileage Rules For Big Trucks Is Another Thing On The Table
August 12, 2011
Early Reaction to Truck Efficiency Standards Mostly Positive | www.truckinginfo.com
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the Notice Of Rule Making titled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles.” Calls about what we think are rolling in, so we’ll offer comments as it moves along. I sped-read the almost 1,000 pages. I know I am a glutton for punishment and in the minority, but the source article is right - we better read it first…
Roadrunner Transportation Systems Is One To Watch More Closely
August 8, 2011
Roadrunner Transportation Systems Reports 2011 Second Quarter Results | www.marketwire.com
Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. reported their 2nd Qtr. results where revenue was up over 30% to $208MM and operating income was up over 50% to $12.5MM. This is one we are watching because of the companies we liked - they are rolling up - leveraging solid and growing sectors.
Second Quarter Logistics Profits Still Positive
August 5, 2011
Second quarter truck, rail and logistics providers 2nd Quarter numbers are still positive with expected nuances with individual companies. Our new colleague in these missives - Mr. James Bisaha - is a welcome addition, to which I’ll make some comments about his noted companies and others.
Yellow-Roadway (YRC) Going Back To Court On ABF “Labor / Cost” Suit
July 11, 2011
The Arkansas Best Corporation suit against YRC Worldwide Inc and the Teamsters is back on the docket. The suit is regarding concessions given to YRC by the Teamsters to keep YRC in business - and not to ABF under the same contract. ABF’s contention is that this is not fair contractually - and it costs them in their business. Regardless, this is not good news for YRC from several aspects.
A Google Acquisition of Hulu would Leverage User Generated Content Programming
July 7, 2011
Netflix Shouldn’t Fear a Google or Microsoft Buyout of Hulu | www.investorplace.com
Google is the most likely acquirer to successfully realize synergies and it is a future threat to Netflix. Google could create various UGC viewing channels that people could subscribe to share mutual content on either a closed and/or open basis for broadcast.
Mexico Cross-Border Trucking Program Signed Into Reality - Without Fanfare
July 6, 2011
ALERT: U.S., Mexico sign cross-border trucking program | fleetowner.com
In a relatively low key visit this week in Mexico City, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and his Mexican counterpart signed the cross-border trucking agreement allowing Mexican trucks to haul freight beyond the commercial zones in the US. What does it mean? Mostly it will eliminate Tariffs on Southbound goods that will help US exporters - and get rid of the NAFTA issue left from the Clinton administration. We won’t see many Mexican trucks plying the US highways – here are some reasons why.
SOPA and the wisdom of Yogi Berra
January 19, 2012
Larger wafers present a growth opportunity for LEDs
January 6, 2012
Smartphones threaten digital camera industry
December 1, 2011
Google music launches: The end of the end for the music industry
November 22, 2011
The move to the cloud will impact multiple industries
November 17, 2011