Faced with an ever-growing shortage of truck drivers, fleets are engaging in a variety of efforts to find and keep willing hands to hold a big rig’s steering wheel for a career. Not only are fleets starting up their own driver training schools, but recruiting efforts in have intensified, even within their own companies. Continue Reading

WASHINGTON — A proposed hours-of-service rule that would cut truck drivers’ hours would be very costly and exacerbate a shortage of truck drivers, while putting more trucks on the road, a panel of trucking and logistics executives told a House panel Wednesday. 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

Preliminary data released by FTR Associates for net Class 8 truck orders for April show another strong month for the industry. Last month’s numbers rose 32 percent over March, which posted a 20 percent increase over February’s numbers. The annualized rate for the past three months is at 362,700 units, and includes the United States, Canada, Mexico and exports. The concern being expressed now is whether manufacturers and suppliers are well-stocked enough to meet this growing demand. This is affecting how FTR Associates may develop forecast numbers, as the research firm has Continue Reading

Higher turnover among drivers may not sound positive, but the American Trucking Associations (ATA) chief economist sees it that way. Rising to an annual rate of 69 percent among large fleets, the turnover is the highest since the second quarter of 2008. Increased hiring and rising turnover, according to the ATA’s Bob Costello, shows that fleets are responding to signs of economic recovery. Though some changes can be attributed to Continue Reading

An aging truck fleet–the highest in 30 years–coupled with an industry largely comprise of Baby Boomers is causing some dealerships to scramble to keep up with the growing demand for parts and service and also address the coming generational shift in the workforce. Over the next 20 years, 77 million Baby Boomers will but they will be replaced by only 46 million new workers, according to numbers tracked by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Dealerships are developing partnerships with technical schools to build relationships with potential employees, and also turning to OEM’s to 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

Lobbying for the agricultural industry and others who ship heavier products, nine members of Congress petitioned the House of Representatives’ Committee on Agriculture in support of the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, H.R. 1799, which would boost the current 80,000-lb federal weight limit on commercial trucks to 97,000 lbs. Such a move, they say, would reduce emissions as well as 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

Labor analysts are predicting an impending severe shortage of diesel mechanics is on the horizon as the economy rebounds. With many baby boomer mechanics looking toward retirement, at least the current recession has kept them hanging on. But don’t look to vocational programs to fill the void. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence says fewer Continue Reading