Truckload

Since I acquired a second home in Vermont this year, my car has new tires and adjustments have been made to my brakes. Once again, I have become an active traveler on America’s busy interstate system; and what I have observed on these highways reminds me not only about the challenges that logistics professionals have in qualifying and selecting safe carriers, but the direct and indirect breadth of your safety responsibilities and oversight.

By re-engineering its supply chain, the fashion retailer reduced transportation expense, lowered store operating costs, enhanced labor planning, improved communication with its vendors, and was the hands-down winner of the 2011 NASSTRAC Shipper of the Year Award.

Non asset-based third-party logistics services provider Road Runner Transportation Services (RRTS) continued its aggressive rate of acquisitions this week, announcing it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire the outstanding stock of Prime Logistics Corporation for roughly $97.5 million.

Second quarter earnings for Echo Global Logistics, a non-asset based freight brokerage company and a provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services, were strong, with total revenue up 37.9 percent at $151.5 million.

The cost of the U.S. business logistics system jumped up 10.4 percent in 2010, making up more than half of the preceding year’s decline. But don’t expect gains like this to continue as the economy begins to slow and all four transportation modes scramble to make adjustments during this period of unprecedented volatility.

Tight capacity, more regulation, major concerns

As we turn the corner towards a lasting recovery, we’re reminded of the columns that we wrote in the recent past signaling the shifts in partnerships between shippers and transportation providers—specifically on the rates and services “dance” and potential capacity tension.

Non asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) services provider UTi Worldwide (UTIW) said this week it has introduced a U.S.-Mexico cross-border service in an effort to “simplify and speed trade across the U.S. and Mexico borders.”

Second quarter results for transportation and logistics services provider Con-way Inc. were a bit of a mixed bag, according to the company’s earnings announcement today.

Following last week’s positive forecast, YRC Worldwide’s stock price began surging to 30 cents since hitting a low of 11 cents a share July 7, after being put under extreme pressure in the recent past.

A study designed to examine current less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation pricing practices conducted by the supply chain management department at Auburn University—and sponsored by SMC3 is scheduled to kick off later this year.

Even though various freight- and economic-related indices have lost steam in recent weeks, one which continues to chug along is the TransCore North American Freight Index.

Con-way Truckload, a subsidiary of transportation and logistics services provider Con-way, said this week it has introduced a new offering for shippers to better utilize trailer space, as well as better effectively secure freight to prevent shipment damage.

The market for Class 8 vehicles continues to show sustained strength, according to recent data from ACT Research, a provider of data and analysis for trucks and other commercial vehicles.