Business Archives

ATA’s Truck tonnage contracts for two consecutive months

Dana Guthrie - January 23, 2025

WASHINGTON — Trucking activity in the United States contracted in December, according to the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. “For the first time since March and April truck tonnage contracted for two consecutive months,” said Bob Costello, ATA Chief Economist. “Tonnage fell 1.8% in November, bringing the two-month total decrease to 2.9%, pushing tonnage to its lowest level since January 2024. Sluggishness in factory output continues to weigh on freight volumes, but another drag on the index has been fleet growth at private carriers, which is holding back how much freight is flowing to for-hire carriers.” In December, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 111.3 compared with 112.6 in November. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was down 3.2% from the same month last year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 108.8 in December, 0.9% below November. The seasonally adjusted decrease follows a sequential 1.8% drop in November, which was revised up from the Dec. 24. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy representing 72.7% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.27 billion tons of freight in 20241. Motor carriers collected $906 billion, or 76.9% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. Both indices are dominated by contract freight, as opposed to traditional spot market freight. The tonnage index is calculated on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure. It is subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons and key financial indicators.

RXO receives top EPA honor for environmental excellence

Dana Guthrie - January 23, 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — RXO has been named a 2024 SmartWay Leader by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for environmental excellence. “At RXO, we optimize freight movements for shippers and carriers, which reduces empty miles and lowers the carbon footprint of the trucking industry,” said Drew Wilkerson, chief executive officer of RXO. “Through our RXO Connect platform and RXO Drive app, we match unused truckload capacity with our shippers’ needs. This approach reduces the environmental impact, provides our customers with efficient capacity, and drives innovation and growth.” According to a company media release, the recognition highlights RXO’s ability to influence and drive industry-wide change for a more sustainable future. Leader in Environmental Excellence As part of the inaugural list of leaders, RXO was honored for its project, CSR Principles: Corporate Action to Customer Options. The initiative reflects RXO’s commitment to advancing freight efficiency, reducing environmental impact and offering innovative solutions to customers and carriers. RXO’s technology platform and truck driver app help drive sustainable practices while enhancing overall business resilience. RXO has introduced strategies to assist its network of carriers with sustainability programs, including fuel-saving initiatives. For example, RXO’s Intelligent Load Looper helps carriers plan efficient multi-leg trips. RXO’s cube utilization project analyzes trailer capacity usage and helps cut down on empty miles even more. Additional innovations, like RXO’s “Get Me Home” feature, enhance carrier flexibility and operational efficiency, ultimately boosting driver satisfaction and carrier efficiency. Demonstrating a commitment to transparency and measurable progress, RXO employs globally recognized sustainability reporting frameworks, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), to set clear benchmarks and track ongoing advancements.

Diesel prices see double-digit spike in most regions

Bruce Guthrie - January 22, 2025

Diesel prices keep climbing. After last week’s four-cent rise per gallon, prices spiked even more, this week by 11 cents from $3.602 to $3.715 for a gallon. All regions rose in price with double-digit increases were the norm in most regions. The largest spike occurred in New England rising to $3.944 from $3.821. The Central Atlantic rose exactly 10 cents per gallon from $3.876 to $3.976. The Lower Atlantic and Midwest jumped 11 cents from $3.64 to $3.750. The Midwest Region climbed from $3.532 to $3.648.

Truckload spot volumes end year on high note

Dana Guthrie - January 22, 2025

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Demand for trucks on the spot market rose in December, suggesting solid retail and grocery sales ahead of the holidays, according to DAT Freight & Analytics. “December freight volumes were strong despite the quirks of the calendar,” said Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics, noting that Christmas fell on a Wednesday and there were only three non-holiday weeks between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. “The combination of seasonal volumes, fewer shipping days, and truckers taking time off for the holidays led to higher spot prices compared to November. Net fuel, the van rate was the highest monthly average since January 2023.” Truckload Volumes End Year on a High Note The van and refrigerated Truckload Volume Index (TVI) increased modestly compared to November Van TVI: 260, up 2.4% Refrigerated TVI: 220, up 3% Flatbed TVI: 237, down 5% According to DAT, Year over year, the van and reefer TVI were up 12% and 20%, respectively, and the flatbed TVI was 7% higher. Truckload Rates Shifted Higher The national average spot rates increased for all three equipment types: Spot van: $2.11 per mile ($1.74 net fuel), up 9 cents compared to November Spot reefer: $2.47 ($2.06 net fuel), up 2 cents Spot flatbed: $2.39 ($1.94 net fuel), up 2 cents National average contract van and flatbed rates edged higher last month: Contract van rate: $2.42 per mile, up 2 cents Contract reefer rate: $2.74 a mile, unchanged Contract flatbed rate: $3.06 a mile, up 3 cents “The difference between van and reefer spot and contract rates narrowed for the fourth straight month and was the smallest since March 2022, when spot rates entered a severe deflationary period,” Adamo said. “When the gap between spot and long-term contract rates is trending lower, it’s a signal that capacity is tightening and negotiating power is shifting toward truckload carriers.”

Trucking conditions expected to improve slowly in 2025

Cliff Abbott - January 21, 2025

Many in the trucking industry was looking forward to better days ahead as 2024 came to an end. Unfortunately, the news from December didn’t look good. The Cass Freight Index for Shipments fell 7.3% in the month, according to the monthly report from Cass Information Systems. Of course, shipment numbers almost always decline in December because most of the Christmas retail rush is delivered in the previous months. In addition, the new year of manufacturing and construction doesn’t kick off until January. But even accounting for seasonal fluctuations, Cass’s Shipments Index was still down 3.1%. When compared to December 2023, shipments declined 6.5%. That’s the largest year-over-year decline since January 2024. The total decline in shipments for 2024 was 4.1%, after falling 5.3% in 2023. Profits are still possible even when shipments are down. Even when shipments are down, however, carriers can profit while hauling less freight — if rates are higher. With a month-to-month comparison, expenditures for shipping dropped 2.6% in December, but when seasonally adjusted, that “drop” actually turned out to be a 0.5% increase. Also, inferred freight rates — the index that Cass calculates from shipment numbers and total expenditures — turned out to be 3.3% higher than the same month in 2023 and 5.1% better than November 2024. That’s positive news for trucking. Still, over all of 2024, shipping expenditures fell 11%. Perhaps the best news in the Cass Indexes came with the Truckload Linehaul index, which doesn’t include non-trucking forms of shipping. “The year-over-year decline narrowed to 04% in December from 1.1% in November,” wrote Tim Denoyer, vice president of Trucking at ACT Research and author of the Cass report. This index is now on the verge of turning positive year-over-year for the first time in two years, possibly in January.” The Cass Freight Truckload Linehaul Index is based on invoice information from Cass clients and represents both spot and contract dry van rates. ATA predicts volume growth. In its latest edition of its annual freight forecast, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) predicted that truck volumes should grow 1.6% in 2025. The projection comes from a joint report by ATA and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The report projects freight growth through 2035. ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, released Jan. 21, shows that trucking activity in the United States contracted in December — 111.3 compared to 112.6 in November. “Tonnage fell 1.8% in November, bringing the two-month total decrease to 2.9%, pushing tonnage to its lowest level since January 2024,” said Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist. “Sluggishness in factory output continues to weigh on freight volumes, but another drag on the index has been fleet growth at private carriers, which is holding back how much freight is flowing to for-hire carriers.” DAT: Spot load postings were up in December. In its Trendline report, DAT Freight and Analytics showed a 17.3% increase in spot load postings for December over November numbers and a 23.3% increase over December 2023 postings. One statistic reported by DAT is the number of available loads compared to the number of available trucks. That ratio rose 59.4% in December for dry van, 40.9% for flatbed and 50.4% for refrigerated. It’s not unusual for the number of posted trucks to decline during the holiday season, but with fewer trucks and more loads, rates should be on the rise. They were. Dry van spot rates rose to a national average of $2.11 per mile in December, up from $2.03 in November. Refrigerated rates grew to $2.48 from $2.45, while flatbed spot rates rose to $2.39 from $2.37. As of mid-January, all three segments are still rising. Winter storms have undoubtedly played a part in that trend: When trucks park to avoid severe weather or are delayed in their routes, fewer trucks are available to haul offered loads, pushing spot rates higher. It may take an additional month to see if expected rate increases are really happening. Will Trump help or harm the industry with threatened tariffs? In the meantime, this month’s events in Washington could impact the trucking industry for years, with the swearing-in of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president on Jan. 20. Trump has threatened to impose stiff tariffs on U.S. trading partners Canada, China and Mexico. While some economists have expressed concern about the impact of tariffs on the economy, Trump’s tactic of threatening tariffs to goad governments of other countries into specific actions is well known. Both Canada and Mexico sent leaders to meet with Trump, prior to his inauguration, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Both countries have increased border security measures in response to Trump’s demands. One tariff threat from Trump involved John Deere moving some of its production to Mexico. Trump threatened a 100% tariff on the company’s products in retaliation for the loss of U.S. jobs in the move. Following his Jan. 20 inauguration, Trump vowed to enact 25% tariffs on products from U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1. In addition, tariff threats against China remain a strong possibility. Tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term on $360 billion in Chinese goods were retained by the Biden administration. A 100% tariff on Chinese vehicles is still on the books. What do tariffs mean for consumer pricing? Economists worry that new tariffs on foreign products will drive up prices passed along to the American consumer. Others point out that tariffs make conditions more favorable for U.S. businesses, benefitting the economy. If imposed, tariffs would result in a reduction in some imports, possibly causing a reduction in freight volumes. As production is shifted to the U.S. or to other countries not subject to tariffs, volumes should stabilize. For example, in response to Trump tariffs on China, production of some goods was moved to Vietnam. The U.S. Department of Transportation awaits new leadership. The trucking industry is also watching for the changing of the guard at the USDOT. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Transportation is former Congressman Sean Duffy. On Jan. 15, Duffee breezed through a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He was introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, and flanked by Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican, in a strong indication of bipartisan support. Duffy served nine years as a congressional representative for Wisconsin, resigning during his last term to care for his family of nine children, including the youngest, who suffers from a heart condition. Duffy has been a frequent Fox News contributor and co-hosted “The Bottom Line” on the Fox Business Channel. “No federal agency impacts Americans’ daily lives and loved ones like the Department of Transportation,” he said in his Senate confirmation hearing.

Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico are coming Feb. 1

The Associated Press - January 21, 2025

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday, Jan. 20, that he expects to put 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on Feb. 1. At the same time, he declined to flesh out his plans for taxing Chinese imports. Trump made the announcement in response to reporters’ questions while signing executive actions in the Oval Office on his first day back in the White House. Making good on threatened tariffs Trump threatened tariffs of as much as 60% on China during his campaign. However, he appeared to temper his plans after a phone call last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said Monday there would be more discussions with his counterpart in the world’s second largest economy. “We’re going to have meetings and calls with President Xi,” Trump said. Trump is placing a big bet that his executive actions can cut energy prices and tame inflation and that the tariffs will strengthen the economy instead of exposing consumers to higher prices. But it’s unclear whether his orders will be enough to foster the growing economy with lower prices than he promised voters. ‘Massive overspending’ Trump specifically blamed the inflation on the $1.9 trillion in pandemic aid provided in 2021 by then-President Joe Biden, while saying that his predecessor’s policies restricted oil drilling despite domestic output being near record levels. “The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending,” Trump said in his inaugural address. An ‘energy emergency’ Orders on Monday included opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling and easing the regulatory burdens on oil and natural gas production. Trrump also declared a national energy emergency in hopes of jumpstarting more electricity production in the competition with China to build out technologies such as artificial intelligence that rely on data centers using massive amounts of energy. Trump also signed a directive telling federal agencies to conduct a 30-day review of how they can help to lower the costs of housing, health care, food, energy and home appliances as well as finding ways to bring more people into the workforce. Another measure he signed will keep the social media platform TikTok open for 75 days so it can find a U.S. buyer, instead of shutting it down. Trump also signed a measure telling federal agencies to study trade policies and have the Treasury and Commerce departments advise on how to create an “External Revenue Service” for collecting customs and duties tied to trade. The measure set a series of April deadlines. ‘Eager’ to impose taxes on imports Still, Trump wanted to make clear on Monday in his speeches that he was eager to impose taxes on imports. Trump pledged in his inaugural address that tariffs would be coming and said foreign countries would be paying the trade penalties, even though those taxes are currently paid by domestic importers and often passed along to consumers. Trump later on Monday said tariffs would “make us rich as hell.” A top official with the Canadian government said it would be prepared for almost all possibilities regarding the status of trade with the United States. “Perhaps he’s made decisions to sort of suspend the threat of tariffs over a whole slate of countries. We will wait and see,” Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc said. “Mr. Trump has been in a previous mandate unpredictable, so our job is to make sure we are ready for any scenario.” Drop in inflation Overall, the Republican faces an array of challenges with fulfilling his ambitions to lower prices. Biden managed to see the inflation rate drop over two years, yet he was leaving office with price growth still outpacing wages over the past four years. A big driver of inflation is a persistent housing shortage, and U.S. oil production is already at record levels, with producers facing uncertainty about global demand this year. The Federal Reserve is technically the government body tasked with keeping inflation at a roughly 2% annual target. Its usual levers are setting short-term rates for banks lending to each other, in addition to bond purchases and public communications. Natural resource production Trump has said natural resource production is key to lowering costs for American consumers, both at the pump and in their utility bills. Energy prices permeate every part of the economy, so increasing U.S. production of oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels is critical to national security. Trump, who has pledged to restore U.S. “energy dominance,” has complained that the Biden administration limited Alaska’s oil and gas production. Trump showed his relative indifference to the fossil fuels accelerating climate change, even as he lamented natural disasters such as the Los Angeles wildfires. He said he would again withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the U.S. from its closest allies. Consumer spending Energy can impact prices, but it’s not the largest chunk of families’ spending. According to the weightings for the consumer price index, energy spending represents on average just 6% of expenditures, much less than food (13%) or shelter (37%). Inflation, dormant for decades, resurfaced in early 2021 as the economy recovered with unexpected strength from COVID-19 lockdowns. A surge in customer orders overwhelmed America’s supply chains, causing delays, shortages and higher prices. Factories for computer chips, furniture and other products worldwide struggled to rebound. Republican lawmakers were quick to blame the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief, though inflation was a global phenomenon that points to factors beyond U.S. policy. Inflation further worsened after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, pushing up energy and food prices. In response, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023. Inflation has come down from a four-decade high of 9.1% in mid-2022. But inflation has picked up since September to an annual rate of 2.9% in December. Voters were unimpressed with the progress against inflation, frustrated that prices remained more than 20% higher than they were four years ago while average weekly earnings had not kept up. Higher grocery prices – up 27% from February 2021 — were especially painful. After the inaugural address, Trump played down the importance of inflation in the 2024 election, suggesting in remarks at the Capitol that his voters cared more about immigration because there were only so many ways to talk about prices. “How many times can you say that an apple has doubled in cost?” Trump said. By Josh Boak, Matthew Daley and Paul Wiseman, The Associated Press. Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.

LaFleur named COO at Montgomery Transportation Group

Dana Guthrie - January 21, 2025

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Montgomery Transportation Group (MTG) is announcing the appointment of Todd LaFleur as its new COO. “We are very glad to have someone of Todd LaFleur’s caliber to join the team at Montgomery,” said Joe Jaska, CEO. “His 30-plus years of experience and leadership in the trucking space will be invaluable as we develop our team and position ourselves for the growth that is on the horizon.” Experienced Leader With more than 30 years of experience in logistics, operations, and leadership LaFleur brings a wealth of expertise to the position, according to a company press release. LaFleur’s most recent position was serving as director of operations, Land Product-USA at DB Schenker, leading operational initiatives for nearly five years. His extensive background also includes impactful leadership roles such as vice president of LTL at Emerge, where he advanced less-than-truckload operations, and vice president of operations at Roadrunner Freight Systems for five years. MTG has established a mission to deliver exceptional service and foster a people-first culture, which the company says aligns perfectly with LaFleur’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Concrete impact: Kenworth’s T880 concrete pump truck raises $505,000 for CIM education

Dana Guthrie - January 21, 2025

KIRKLAND, Wash. — A Kenworth T880 concrete pump truck, donated for sale in support of Concrete Industry Management (CIM), produced a major financial contribution to the CIM education program. “Providing opportunities for students who will shape America’s infrastructure is essential, and CIM excels in this through its programs,” said Clayton White, Alliance Concrete Pumps president and CEO. “We’re proud that this truck sale significantly contributed to CIM, helping support both its education programs and its students.” Sale for Students According to a company press release, the Kenworth T880 concrete pump truck was purchased for $505,000 by Esh’s Masonry. The entire purchase amount goes to CIM to help fund scholarships for students pursuing four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Concrete Industry Management at Middle Tennessee State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Texas State University, California State University – Chico, and South Dakota State University. “Education is fundamental to building a stronger workforce, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support CIM through the sale of this special Kenworth T880 concrete pump truck, said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “We give a special thanks to Esh’s Masonry for purchasing this truck, which helped generate a significant donation to CIM.” The Kenworth T880 features the PACCAR MX-13 engine with a truck-mounted Alliance Concrete Pumps 38M concrete pump. Other contributing suppliers for this truck include Alcoa Wheels, Allison Transmission and Cummins Driveline and Braking Systems (CDBS). Proud Partners “Papé Kenworth is proud to have partnered with Kenworth and Alliance Concrete Pumps again to support CIM and its students through the sale of this Kenworth T880 concrete truck,” said Steve Randolph, Papé Kenworth fleet sales manager. “Programs like CIM are essential for training future leaders in the concrete and construction industries. They play a vital role in developing America’s infrastructure.” This year marks the sixth time Kenworth has partnered with industry suppliers and Kenworth dealers to donate a Kenworth truck for sale to benefit CIM. In each of the past four years, Kenworth, Papé Kenworth, and Alliance Concrete Pumps have donated a Kenworth concrete pump trucks for sale to support CIM. The Kenworth T880 concrete pump truck will be on display at World of Concrete at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan. 21-23. The truck will be located in front of the convention center.

Anderson Trucking Service celebrates 70 years of excellence

Dana Guthrie - January 21, 2025

ST. CLOUD, MINN. — Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) is celebrating 70 years in business this month with a number of activities to planned to honor the accomplishment. “As we honor the last 70 years and look to the future, we’re grateful for the trust of our customers and the hard work of our employees, drivers, and contractors,” said Brent Anderson, president. Family Owned and Operated for Three Generations Founded by Army Air Corps veteran and entrepreneur Harold Anderson, ATS was incorporated on Jan. 3, 1955, and began operations on March 1 of that year, according to a company press release. Now in its third generation of family ownership under CEO Rollie Anderson and president Brent Anderson, the company has grown from a humble two-truck operation into one of the most trusted names in worldwide freight transportation. Anderson Trucking Service’s (ATS) history began during a time when the trucking industry was heavily regulated. At the time, Cold Spring Granite (now known as Coldspring) owned a private fleet. They could haul outbound stone and inbound materials used only to manufacture granite products. Their business kept growing to the point where they had more outbound goods than inbound materials, leaving them stranded with no freight to get them back home. That’s when they reached out to Harold Anderson to manage their overflow business. ATS was then incorporated is now celebrating 70 years in business. Headquartered in St. Cloud, ATS serves all North America, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Germany, and other international regions with its trucking, logistics and multimodal transportation solutions. Celebrating 70 Years of Success To ring in its milestone anniversary year, the company is planning to celebrate the contributions and support of its employees, customers drivers and contractors, and local communities with a variety of festivities throughout 2025. “My grandfather, Harold Anderson, often said that ATS is great because of our people, and that remains true today. In his 50 years of leadership at this company, my father [Rollie Anderson] has ensured that our focus has always remained the success of our people and our customers,” Brent Anderson said. “It’s important to us to thank everyone who has been a part of our journey, past or present, for their support, without which this milestone would not be possible. ”

Cybersecurity 101 for owner operators, small fleets: NMFTA’s latest guidebook

Dana Guthrie - January 21, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) is publishing its first Cybersecurity Best Practices Guidebook – Owner Operator and Small Fleet edition. “We understand that small fleets often lack the resources of larger fleets. This guidebook provides a clear, step-by-step list of cybersecurity best practices, organized into four levels of progress,” said Joe Ohr, chief operating officer for NMFTA. Created to help independent owner operators stay ahead of cyberthreats with actionable steps tailored to meet the cybersecurity needs of owner operators and small fleets, this resource is a roadmap to help safeguard operations, data, and professionals’ livelihoods in 2025 and beyond. First of its Kind “This first-of-its-kind resource is tailored specifically for the trucking industry, adapting trusted cybersecurity standards and best practices that have been customized to meet the unique needs of owner operators and/or trucking operations that have less than 50 assets,” said Artie Crawford, director of cybersecurity for NMFTA. Cybersecurity programs and their requirements vary greatly across businesses and depend largely on internal processes, operating infrastructure, overall business risk tolerance, staffing levels, and employee education. The comprehensive guidebook includes: Low-Cost Solutions: Cybersecurity measures designed for limited budgets Step-by-Step Guidelines: Easy-to-follow actions to secure systems Tailored Insights: Controls specific to owner operators and small fleets Real-World Examples: Practical scenarios to implement cybersecurity best practices. The guidebook is the first in a series of offerings from NMFTA for owner operators and small fleets. Industry professionals are encouraged to attend an upcoming webinar, set for Feb. 13. The webinar will cover Practical Cybersecurity for Owner Operators. To learn more about NMFTA’s complimentary cybersecurity resources, such as research, webinars and reports, visit www.nmfta.org/cybersecurity. Fleets of all sizes should mark their calendars for NMFTA’s Cybersecurity Conference set for Oct. 26-28 in Austin, Texas. This is the trucking industry’s only cybersecurity event. Learn more at www.nmftacyber.com.

Trimac expands flatbed expertise with acquisition of Watt & Stewart

Dana Guthrie - January 21, 2025

CALGARY, Alta. — Trimac is expanding with its acquisition of Watt & Stewart, a flatbed and specialized carrier serving Canada and the United States. “Watt & Stewart is a remarkable company with a proud history, and we are honoured to carry forward their legacy while working together to achieve new heights,” said Matt Faure, president and CEO of Trimac. “Both organizations share core values of Live Safety, Do the Right Thing and Rise to the Challenge.” The partnership strengthens Trimac’s position as North America’s leader in bulk transportation and underscores a commitment to safety, service and family values, according to a media release. The partnership positions both companies to serve customers and drive growth in North America. Expanding Service Options The addition of Watt & Stewart expands Trimac’s service offerings, particularly in the mining, forestry and heavy equipment transportation sectors. By combining expertise, the two companies will deliver enhanced operational efficiencies, service offerings and broader market coverage. “With strategic locations in Claresholm, Alta., and Lexington, S.C., they are ideally positioned to serve key mining and manufacturing hubs across North America,” the release said. Founded by Neil Watt and John Stewart in 1987, it has grown from a small operation into an industry leader with 124 tractors and 205 trailers. Company Synergy The acquisition aligns with Trimac’s purpose of being a safe and efficient bulk transportation company and preserving Watt & Stewart’s legacy. The company will retain its name and branding. It will operate as part of Trimac’s Family of Companies, ensuring continuity for its employees and customers. “The combined strengths of Trimac and Watt & Stewart will drive operational excellence and create new opportunities for growth,” Trimac said. “We are excited to welcome the entire Watt & Stewart team into the Trimac family and look forward to building on their impressive legacy.” The Tenney Group served as the advisor to the seller, Watt & Stewart, in this transaction. “It was a privilege to collaborate with Neil and John,” said Ashesh Pansuria, vice president of the Tenney Group. “Watt & Stewart’s strong commitment to excellence is a perfect fit for Trimac’s vision, ensuring continued growth and success. A sincere thank you to both the Watt & Stewart and Trimac teams for their dedication and teamwork throughout this process.”

BlueGrace Logistics recognizes excellence in LTL Carrier Service

Dana Guthrie - January 20, 2025

Tampa, Fla. — BlueGrace Logistics (BlueGrace) is revealing the recipients of its 2024 LTL Carrier Awards, honoring carriers who demonstrate exceptional service, reliability and dedication to delivering value in the logistics industry. “Our position as a leader in the LTL industry is built on partnerships with carriers who consistently deliver exceptional results,” said Bobby Harris, CEO. “Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line set the standard for operational excellence and customer support, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements with our 2024 LTL Carrier Awards.” Southeastern Freight Lines According to a media release, BlueGrace recognizes Southeastern Freight Lines as the Regional Carrier of the Year in recognition of their exceptional performance, reliability, and unwavering commitment to customer service. Their consistent performance has solidified their role as a vital partner for its clients throughout the Southeastern region. “SEFL is extremely proud to celebrate 15 years of successful collaboration and partnership with Bluegrace Logistics,” said Toby Toburen, director of 3PL National Accounts at SFL. “This milestone is made even more special as we have been honored with their LTL ‘Carrier of the Year’ award for the second consecutive year. Our shared commitment to excellence has been the cornerstone of our enduring relationship. We deeply appreciate the trust and advocacy Bobby Harris and the entire Bluegrace team continue to provide, which has been instrumental in our continued success. Together, we look forward to many more years of setting new standards in the industry.” Old Dominion Freight Line Old Dominion Freight Line is the the National Carrier of the Year for its outstanding nationwide LTL services. It has become a dependable partner for the company in addressing the complex transportation needs of customers across the country by leveraging an extensive network, advanced technology and consistent operational excellence, according to the release. “We are honored to be again recognized by BlueGrace Logistics as their Long-Haul Carrier of the Year,” said Ed Garner, director of national accounts at Old Dominion. “Our relationship with BlueGrace has grown significantly through their strategic alignment of our service product with clients requiring a true value proposition in nationwide LTL services. We look forward to serving BlueGrace and our mutual clients in the future.” The 2024 LTL Carrier Awards reflect BlueGrace Logistics’ commitment to recognizing and celebrating carriers that play a vital role in delivering exceptional service and value to its customers. “BlueGrace expresses its gratitude to Southeastern Freight Lines and Old Dominion Freight Line for their unwavering dedication and top-tier service,” the release said. “These awards highlight the strength of the partnerships cultivated over time and the significant impact these collaborations have on the logistics industry.”

PITT OHIO announces new LTL express lane to the Texas border

Dana Guthrie - January 20, 2025

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — PITT OHIO is introducing a new LTL express lane to six key cross-border cities in Texas. “This operational setup brings significant improvements over the traditional hub and spoke system utilized by many national carriers,” said Geoff Muessig, EVP and CMO. “By consolidating freight at a single terminal and dispatching directly to the destination cities, we reduce handling, thereby minimizing the risk of damages, shortages, or lost freight. Our streamlined approach ensures faster transit times, offering superior service levels compared to most national carriers.” According to a company press release, strategic initiative will involve the consolidation of freight at the company’s Cincinnati terminal, with shipments efficiently routed to Laredo, El Paso, McAllen, Brownsville, Eagle Pass and Del Rio. For the final mile delivery to these border cities, PITT OHIO will collaborate with their partner to the south, Averitt Express. The LTL express lane in Texas underscores PITT OHIO’s commitment to sustainability. “Through more direct routing and the elimination of unnecessary miles, we significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Muessig said. “This optimized routing approach not only benefits the environment, but also enhances our operational efficiency, aligning with our goal to deliver exceptional service while maintaining environmental responsibility.” PITT OHIO believes the new Express LTL lane in Texas will provide customers with faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for November strongest since April 2022

Dana Guthrie - January 20, 2025

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for November rose to a 3.02 reading from 0.49 in October with carrier market conditions as measured by the TCI the strongest since April 2022. “A few outliers aside, our forecast indicates positive TCI readings over the next couple of years, but it does not show the index more favorable for carriers than it was in November until the third quarter of this year,” said Avery Vise, vice president of trucking. “The first half of 2025 still looks to be one of transition from the tough market of the past couple of years to one in which carriers have greater ability to achieve a desirable margin. We will be watching Trump administration policy initiatives closely for any developments that might shift the trajectory of the truck freight market.” According to the FTR Trucking Conditions Index, the improved TCI stems from lower fuel costs and less challenging rates, partially offset by weaker utilization. FTR still expects the truck freight market to be consistently favorable for carriers by the second quarter of 2025, but the outlook is somewhat softer than it was previously due to weaker growth forecasts for freight demand, utilization, and rates.

ACT Research: Freight market supported by winter weather in the near term

Dana Guthrie - January 18, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Winter weather is driving significant spot activity in January, but the supply response in the past couple of months has been considerable, according to ACT Research. “Winter weather has tightened the truckload spot market in January, and we see pre-tariff shipping supporting activity in 1H’25,” said Tim Denoyer, ACT Research’s vice president and senior analyst. “The DAT load/truck ratio is jumping off the charts amid winter storms, and while rates are rising, the aggregate spot rate, net fuel, is still up just 5% y/y.” While lower Class 8 supply over the past several months supports a return to rate increases in 2025, more capacity additions are to come, according to the latest release of the Freight Forecast: Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report. “With supply slowing and demand growth continuing, we see room for a modest acceleration in rates in 2025. But weather and inventory building are temporary, and, of course, pull-forwards have paybacks,” Denoyer said.

The future looks bright: Averitt’s results from 10th annual State of the North American Supply Chain Survey reveals optimism outlook

Dana Guthrie - January 17, 2025

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — A majority of industry stakeholders are optimistic about the future of the supply chain, according to Averitt’s 10th Annual State of the North American Supply Chain Survey. The comprehensive report captures insights from over 1,000 shippers across diverse industries. “As we celebrate the 10th edition of this survey, it is clear that the supply chain landscape continues to evolve rapidly,” said Barry Blakely, president and CEO. “These insights not only highlight the challenges ahead but also emphasize the resilience and adaptability of the logistics industry. Our team is committed to helping our customers navigate this dynamic environment with innovative and integrated solutions.” According to a company media release, the survey highlights the opportunities and challenges shaping supply chains in 2025. It provides actionable insights for logistics professionals. Key Findings from the Survey Optimism for Growth: Nearly 70% of respondents anticipate increased shipping volumes in 2025, reflecting growing confidence in the economy. Rising Rates: Over 57% of shippers expect shipping rates to rise, driven by capacity constraints and regulatory impacts. This includes driver shortages and geopolitical uncertainties. Shifting Trade Dynamics: Modest increases in shipping activity to Mexico and evolving sourcing strategies reflect ongoing adjustments to global trade challenges. Focus on Sustainability: Close to 50% of respondents rate sustainability as a high priority in their decision-making, reinforcing its growing importance in logistics strategies. The 10th Annual Supply Chain Survey delves into the survey’s findings, exploring trends such as port usage shifts, the rise of nearshoring, and the integration of sustainability initiatives into logistics strategies. It also outlines how Averitt’s Power of One approach – offering seamless solutions across LTL, Truckload, Dedicated, Distribution & Fulfillment, and Integrated & Global Logistics – supports shippers in building resilient and efficient supply chains. To access the full 2025 State of the North American Supply Chain white paper, visit Averitt.com/2025SupplyChain

ArcBest unveils new leadership structure and reorganization efforts

Dana Guthrie - January 17, 2025

FORT SMITH, Ark. — ArcBest is unveiling a new leadership structure and reorganization efforts to advance the company’s strategic priorities and drive sustainable, long-term growth. “As customer supply chains continue to evolve and become increasingly complex, ArcBest keeps taking steps that ensure our customers have the right solutions and capacity to meet their needs,” said Judy R. McReynolds, ArcBest chairman and CEO. “The leadership and organizational updates announced today reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. One of the top priorities of our executive team is to remain flexible and responsive to customer needs and market changes while ensuring alignment between our strategy and organizational structure.” Leadership and Organizational Changes Eddie Sorg, previously chief operating officer of asset-light logistics, will become chief commercial officer and will lead several functions including marketing, sales, customer support, customer experience and yield. Sorg will focus on optimizing workflows across teams to maximize revenue velocity. Aligning revenue-generating functions under one leader will provide a more unified approach to securing and seamlessly serving customers. Christopher Adkins will serve as chief strategy officer following his role as vice president of yield strategy and management. In his new role, he will oversee the Company’s strategy management, data science and process improvement teams to advance ArcBest’s most critical initiatives. Dennis Anderson will continue to serve as chief innovation officer following his appointment on Sept. 26, 2024. He will remain focused on innovation and technology initiatives that create efficiencies, address customer challenges, and unlock new revenue streams to accelerate growth. Steven Leonard plans to retire June 2025, following a 24-year career with ArcBest, and will continue to lead our asset-light logistics operations through the transition period to his retirement. “On behalf of the Board and management team, I’d like to thank Steven for his many contributions to ArcBest for more than two decades,” McReynolds said. “I am looking forward to working with our newly appointed leaders, many of whom are direct results of our robust leadership development programs. We are confident ArcBest remains well positioned for the long-term.”

Trucking industry urges Trump to stop proposed mandate on speed limiters

Dana Guthrie - January 17, 2025

WASHINGTON — The trucking industry is reaching out to President-elect Trump in an effort to stop the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) proposed mandate on speed limiters. In a letter from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s (OOIDA) speed limiter coalition and endorsed by 17 organizations, the letter urges Trump to postpone and ultimately rescind the mandate. “We write to ask that you take deregulatory action by indefinitely postponing, and ultimately rescinding, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) proposed mandate for speed limiters on all heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles (CMVs),” the letter said. “This mandate will be bad for road safety, driver retention, and supply chain performance. While a speed limiter mandate may be thought as something affecting only the “trucking” industry, FMCSA’s proposal would apply to every commercial truck weighing over 26,000 pounds. Our coalition represents the numerous industries that would be subject to this mandate, including agriculture, construction, and materials, along with small, medium, and large trucking companies.” Trump Initially Removed the Proposal in First Term According to the letter, in 2016, the Obama Administration initiated the rulemaking to restrict all heavy-duty commercial CMVs to a single top speed across the country. Afters taking office in 2017, the Trump Administration removed rulemaking from its regulatory agenda and took no further action. In May 2022, FMCSA revived this mandate with a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, again proposing to limit heavy-duty CMVs to a single speed. Mandate a Safety Hazard “First and foremost, this mandate would make our roads less safe,” the letter said. “By establishing a one-size-fits-all federal mandate restricting heavy-duty CMVs to a speed separate from passenger vehicles, this regulation would create dangerous speed differentials between CMVs and other cars. Decades of highway research shows greater speed differentials increase interactions between truck drivers and other road users, and studies have consistently demonstrated that increasing interactions between vehicles directly increases the likelihood of crashes.” Proposed Rule Limits Business Opportunities According to the letter, a speed limiter mandate will make it more difficult for businesses to attract and retain professional drivers. FMCSA received nearly 16,000 comments on its most recent NPRM, and “it is clear the majority of drivers do not want speed-limited trucks.” Speed limiting trucks will take control of the vehicle out of drivers hands and increases pressure on drivers to complete their work. Truckers required to operate below the posted speed limit must drive longer hours to cover the same distance, which increases their fatigue and places even greater stress on them to comply with burdensome hours-of-service regulations. Freight Service Compromised “This mandate will also literally slow freight movement across the country,” the letter said. “To account for this, more trucks will be needed to carry the same amount of freight in the same amount of time, which would increase road congestion. All of these effects would unnecessarily hamper economic growth under your leadership. In short, this mandate will be harmful for America’s truckers and small businesses, and it will be counterproductive to improving roadway safety. As you consider deregulatory action for your initial days in office, our coalition believes that stopping this mandate would be an ideal way to start.” OOIDA has been fighting against the mandate since it was first proposed. The letter was endorsed by 17 organizations including: Agricultural Retailers Association American Pipeline Contractors Association Associated Equipment Distributors Mid-West Truckers Association National Aquaculture Association National Asphalt Pavement Association National Association of Small Trucking Companies National Cattlemen’s Beef Association National Ready Mixed Concrete Association National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association National Utility Contractors Association North American Punjabi Trucking Association Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Power & Communication Contractors Association Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. United States Cattlemen’s Association Western States Trucking Association The Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) is also urging the government to stop the proposed mandate on speed limiters.

Goodyear extends deadline for Highway Hero Award nominations

Dana Guthrie - January 17, 2025

AKRON, Ohio — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is extending the deadline for nominations for its annual Highway Hero Award. “Commercial truck drivers are not only at the center of the supply chain industry, but they also act as vigilant guardians of the roads, ready to assist others in need,” said Joe Burke, vice president, Goodyear North America Commercial business. “For over four decades, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award program has celebrated remarkable contributions of professional truck drivers who have acted selflessly for the good of others on the road.” Highway Heroes Wanted The new deadline is Feb. 28 11:59 p.m. Goodyear is inviting nominations for drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) who went the extra mile to help others on the road. Goodyear is eager to hear from drivers across the commercial industry from long-haul truckers, to dump truck drivers, regional delivery and vocational vehicle operators and more. Since 1983, Goodyear has been recognizing commercial truck drivers who go above and beyond their regular duties to keep our highways safe. To enter or nominate a CDL driver, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/. Goodyear will determine an approved list of nominees from which a panel of judges will select one winner and up to two finalists. Goodyear will announce the award winner in 2025, honoring the driver with cash prizes and a ride on the Goodyear Blimp. Up to two runners-up will also receive a cash prize. Nomination Requirements Eligible nominees for this year’s Highway Hero Award must be a full-time commercial driver with a valid CDL, reside in the U.S. or Canada and be actively operating a commercial, infrastructure, vocational vehicle or non-lifesaving emergency vehicle with rim size greater than 19 inches. The commercial trucker must be on the job at the time of the heroic incident and the act must have occurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024. To learn more about the Highway Hero Award, view exclusive content and read the full terms and conditions, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com/newsroom/highway-heroes/.

TCA reveals division winners for annual TCA Fleet Safety Awards competition

Dana Guthrie - January 17, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), along with presenting sponsors Great West Casualty Company and Assured Partners, have unveiled the 18 division winners in the 49th Annual TCA Fleet Safety Awards competition. “Every year, these submissions and ratios are growing tighter and tighter as a testament to the programs and technology that motor carriers are using to improve upon their safety performance,” said Dave Heller, TCA’s senior vice president of safety and government affairs. “Involvement in TCA and other industry associations have demonstrated and proven the very notion that there are no secrets in safety and our industry’s fundamental goal of eliminating fleets vehicle accidents and fatalities on our roadways is an objective that we are ultimately striving for. I congratulate these 18 motor carriers that have led the way this year and the tireless efforts of every motor carrier in our industry that constantly strive to improve upon their operations by continuously placing safety first.” Safety at its Best The yearly awards recognize truckload carriers that exhibit an exceptional dedication to safety by achieving the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles within six mileage-based divisions. The 18 division winners are now invited to compete for one of two grand prizes – one for carriers with a total annual mileage of less than 25 million miles, and the other for carriers with mileage greater than 25 million miles. Grand prize winners will be announced at Truckload 2025 in Phoenix, AZ – TCA’s 2025 Annual Convention – set for March 15-18 at the Phoenix Convention Center. All winners will also receive recognition at TCA’s 2025 Safety & Security Meeting on June 8-10 in Louisville, KY. 2024 TCA Fleet Safety Award Division Winners Division I Winners (less than 5 million miles) 1st Place Liberty Linehaul West, Inc. – Montebello, Calif. 2nd Place Meyers Brothers Trucking – Pioneer, Ohio 3rd Place Next Logistics – Marshfield, Wis. Division II Winners (5-14.99 million miles) 1st Place Stallion Transportation Group – Beebe, Ark, 2nd Place B.R. Williams Trucking – Oxford, Ala. 3rd Place Transpro Freight Systems – Milton, ON, CA Division III Winners (15-24.99 million miles) 1st Place Unlimited Carrier Inc. – Bolingbrook, Ill. 2nd Place Loblaw Transport, Inc. – Calgary, AB 3rd Place Lion Force Transport Inc. – Brampton, ON Division IV Winners 25-49.99 million miles) 1st Place Erb Transport Ltd – New Hamburg, ON 2nd Place Johnson Feed Inc. – Canton, S.D. 3rd Place Trans-West Logistics – Lachine, QC Division V Winners (50-99.99 million miles) 1st Place Challenger Motor Freight Inc.- Cambridge, ON 2nd Place Nussbaum Transportation – Hudson, Ill. 3rd Place Decker Truck Line Inc. – Fort Dodge, Iowa Division VI Winners (100 million or more miles) 1st Place Bison Transport – Winnipeg, MB 2nd Place CFI -Joplin, Mo. 3rd Place Prime Inc. – Springfield, Mo. For more information about TCA’s Fleet Safety Awards, including eligibility requirements and rules, visit the Fleet Safety Awards page.