Celadon Group on Wednesday, Jan. 25, announced that revenue for the second quarter increased 6.3 percent to $141.5 million in the 2011 quarter from $133.1 million in the 2010 quarter. Freight revenue, which excludes fuel surcharges, increased to $112.4 million from $111.6 million. Net income increased 86.2 percent to $5.4 million from $2.9 million. The company’s operating ratio improved to 92.5 from 95.0. Continue Reading

Thieves are getting more tech-savvy when it comes to stealing cargo, and it’s becoming a growing trend, according to a recent insurance report and agencies that track such incidents. The latest tactic is to pose as a legitimate trucking firm to bid on transferring freight, going so far as to create a website to back up their identity. When they get the job, it’s as easy as picking up the cargo to steal it. Called “deceptive Continue Reading

A strong freight market in June led to a weakened one in July, according to the American Trucking Associations’ For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. The seasonally adjusted numbers for June reflected a 2.6 percent increase, which fell 1.3 percent in July. In three of the last four months, tonnage has fallen. ATA economists believe the stronger June showing was followed by a weaker one and that the weaker numbers are in line Continue Reading

In an effort to boost its viability, the U.S. Postal Service explored less-than-truckload ventures to fill trailers with small shipments. However, the beleaguered postal system will end this collaboration effective Sept. 19. The potential partnership with Collaborative Logistics was at one time deemed a success, boosting revenue in its two-year trial and promising even more growth. Reorganization and Continue Reading

Trucking is getting a boost from healthy manufacturing levels, and its pace is predicted to keep growing over the next year. Between demand for raw materials and consumer goods, that’s expected to keep truckers busy, despite the sluggish or slowing economic climate. American Trucking Associations chief economist says the strength of freight activity through the end of the year will be dependent on how Continue Reading

TransCore’s North American Freight Index came just short of eclipsing its all-time high. For June, the index notched its second-highest load volume for the year and in its 15-year history. Freight availability jumped by 15 percent from May and 37 percent from the same time last year, and truckload freight rates rose for all freight markets. TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index measures truckload Continue Reading

A healthy rebound in truck orders has pushed production capacity of Class 8 vehicles to its limits. And those limitations are further exacerbated by the shortage of tires, axles and other second- and third-tier components. As a result, manufacturers are approaching their production capacities with a tempered conservativism due to these potential shortages. When production of Class 8 trucks begins to level off, it will be Continue Reading

While the recently-signed U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking agreement has divided the industry’s lobbying groups, one international trade expert is urging the positives of the deal. Troy Ryley, the managing director of Transplace Mexico, says the new agreement could be a boon for Texas as a distribution center for loads brought in by Mexican trucks, as well as it could help alleviate capacity issues in the Continue Reading

Among the criticisms leveled at the proposed hours-of-service rule revisions are its negative impact on productivity and potential to hasten a driver shortage, as many businesses would have to hire new drivers to keep pace with current shipping levels. But small businesses could suffer the most, according to one company president who testified before a congressional committee this week. Calling the proposed changes “unnecessary and unjustified,” James Burg, of James Burg Trucking Co., estimated that his company would have to add more trucks and drivers to Continue Reading

Rising export levels and a resurgence in manufacturing have in part been responsible for driving up truck freight. And that could continue to grow or at least be sustained for a while, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Exports posted a record-breaking high in April, increasing $2 billion to $126.4 billion in terms of goods. But just as important as the boost it’s giving to freight volumes is the Continue Reading