According to a new report, fleets say they’re already feeling the pinch of a driver shortage. The Q3 2011 Fleet Sentiment Report from CK Commercial Vehicle Research found that 40 percent of fleets are currently affected by a shortage of drivers and another 25 percent say they believe that shortage will limit their company’s future growth. Those fleets with immediate needs for drivers say they aren’t adding capacity as a result, and some Continue Reading

Despite the positive numbers from FTR Associates about Class 8 truck sales, uncertainty in the industry still lingers, causing some fleets to weigh new engine technologies and even the early signs of a driver shortage affect their buying decisions, according to the most recent Fleet Sentiment Report from CK Commercial Vehicle Research. Orders are being driven by increases in freight volume, replacement of aging equipment, ordering units for evaluation of new engine technology. Some fleets are considering adding used equipment, even as a rising percentage, 50 percent up from 27.5 percent in the first Continue Reading

Looking ahead, executives from several truckload carriers speaking at the Truckload Carriers Association annual convention this week are concerned about inflation and driver shortages. Though it’s hard to predict when inflation will hit, the carriers know it’s coming, and are already keeping a watchful eye on controlling costs–made even more challenging by volatile fuel prices. Shipping rate increases will serve as part of the answer to covering Continue Reading

The proposed amendments to the hours-of-service provisions are feared because they could potentially shorten hauls, require more drivers, lead to a shortage or perhaps worse, make it easier to put less qualified drivers on the road. Not to mention the lack of overnight parking, congestion and delays in delivering goods particularly to rural areas. But what no one has mentioned, until now, is the impact on cross-border drivers. André Perret, who runs The Road-Scholar, a Hamilton-based fleet loss-prevention, safety and compliance services firm, says the required starts and stops will disrupt Continue Reading

Though larger fleets are expected to fare better than their smaller counterparts in 2011, both expressed concern about finding enough drivers, according to results published in the Business Expectation Survey conducted by Transport Capital Partners, LLC. To counteract this, more are stepping up recruiting efforts and the potential impact of CSA 2010, which could affect the pool of available drivers. And perhaps to attract more or better drivers, about two-thirds of firms that responded expected to raise driver wages as much as 5 percent. Only 20 percent of those participating expected no Continue Reading

Near-term projections for the trucking industry indicate a slow, steady climb to reaching previous peak sales levels, but not without some new challenges along the way. Specifically, FTR Associates President Eric Starks told industry representatives at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in Dallas that CSA 2010 could ultimately create a driver shortage. Fewer drivers will be able to be processed through the system, which will result in an unprecedented driver shortage by mid-2011. Overall, truck sales and freight volumes continue to improve, though at times at what appears to be Continue Reading

Despite increases in tonnage and truck sales, a new report suggests a bleak future for the trucking industry. The 21st annual State of Logistics Report, sponsored by Penske Logistics and released by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) recently particularly focuses on a potential driver shortage that would be further squeezed by new regulations. Depressed freight levels forced many drivers to Continue Reading