Truckload Freight

Full digital automation of shipping processes may be on the way, but what are the intermediary steps leading us there?

Since its founding in 1935, Schneider has only known three leaders: founder Al Schneider, his son Don Schneider, and Chris Lofgren, the first non-family member to lead the company. Come April 2019, you can add the name Mark Rourke to that list.

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Despite many truckload carriers reporting record revenues and strong operating ratios in the second and third quarters, TCA data […]

Roughly 65% of Truckload Carrier Association member fleets have structured brokerage operations, estimates Chris Henry, program manager of the TCA Truckload Profitability Program (TPP), but very few companies have insight into how their asset-light division stack up against their peers.

As any driver knows, parking is at a premium at truck stops, even during the middle of the day. A new survey is being conducted to get an update on the current parking situation.

Coming in at No. 9 on the Freight.Tech 25 list is C.H. Robinson (NASDAQ: CHRW), one of the tried-and-true providers in the freight space. Robinson’s Navisphere technology platform is part of the company’s commitment to providing solutions to its customers and carrier partners.

The National Academies of Science has identified seven core research areas that it said could help DOT determine possible changes to truck size and weight.

John Paul Hampstead (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Roughly 65% of Truckload Carrier Association member fleets have structured brokerage operations, estimates Chris Henry, program manager of […]

A driver incentive program, which not only prompts drivers to make smarter and safer driving decisions, but also promotes driver happiness, is one way to increase driver retention.

Is e-commerce making traffic congestion in urban areas worse? Gas demand plummets in South Korea; a state DOT seeks solutions through art; turnkey logistics in Asia and more.

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION AND DAT INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Whether you call it a driver shortage or a driver squeeze, it’s no secret that the trucking […]

Ashley Coker (CHART: DATA FROM TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION AND DAT INSIDE FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Brokerage revenues dropped at asset-based carriers as the market deteriorated between June 2018 and August 2018, according […]

JD Walker’s son, Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Walker, was killed in Iraq over 11 years ago. In a few short weeks, Walker will deliver a truckload of remembrance wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in honor of his son and other deceased veterans as part of the annual Wreaths Across America initiative.

The reality is, many of the tasks handled by our operations, accounting and customer service teams are repetitive and prime candidates for automation. In general, any repetitive, rule-based task is a prime candidate for automation. So why haven’t they already been automated?

The Swift program will offer courses through Southern New Hampshire University.

Canada is working to finalize an ELD rule for truckers in that country. The rule would closely mirror the U.S. regulation, with a few significant differences.

Chris Henry, Program Manager, TCA Profitability Program (PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK) You’ve done it a thousand times. Walking through operations, you’ve asked yourself, “Why am I paying these smart people to spend […]

Central Oregon Truck Company will wrap-up its cross-country tour hauling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree with one last stop at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland this weekend before the tree is dropped off at its final destination.

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: KENWORTH) Central Oregon Truck Company will wrap-up its cross-country tour hauling the 49th U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree with one last stop at Andrews Air Force Base in […]

Drivers at Swift Transportation, a subsidiary of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX), now have the opportunity to earn college degrees online through Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America program.

Ashley Coker (PHOTO: SWIFT TRANSPORTATION) Drivers at Swift Transportation, a subsidiary of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX), now have the opportunity to earn college degrees online through Southern New […]

At a time when used truck pricing is holding strong and new truck orders seem to surge month after month, many wonder when the proverbial crash is coming. Tam thinks the good times are likely to continue into 2019, with the market taking a turn in the second half of the year.

A Connecticut DOT study found that tolls on the state highways could generate $1 billion a year. Despite that, the incoming governor is focused only on adding tolls for trucks.

How much of the strength is pre-tariff purchases? How much of the talk of weakness is “on the other hand” economics?

One-time regional player rides wave of renewed oil and gas development with new terminals and more drivers.

A Goldman Sachs report several months ago laid out the strengths of the app that matches loads, but does a lot more than that.

Ashley Coker Used Class 8 truck pricing held strong in October and same dealer sales volumes rebounded after a slight dip last month, according to preliminary data from ACT Research. […]

Even though the Department of Energy’s reported diesel per gallon price has risen 27% since early 2017, carriers have seen their net fuel expense per mile remain largely neutral.

With the ongoing, high-profile negative news surrounding Tesla, there is still interest in the company’s electric semi. Albertsons Companies, which operates well-known food and drug retailers across the country, has purchased 10 Tesla Semi all-electric trucks.

Also today: going to jail for bogus CDLs; ecommerce driving the Canada Post labor dispute.

After making its first acquisition last year in a quarter-century, the company could be in the market for another one, according to CEO John Roberts.

Ashley Coker (CART: DATA FROM DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND TCA INGAUGE IN FREIGHTWAVES’ SONAR) Even though the Department of Energy’s reported diesel per gallon price has risen 27% since early […]

There are no filings with the SEC that indicate the company purchased an actual trucking company, just some tweets and statements to Bloomberg.

There is no timeline for implementation of any new NOx rulemaking, but there are a couple of key questions that must be answered: What will the limits be and how much will this cost?

At a two-day conference in which rapid technology development and what’s to come was the focus of so many presentations, Eric Fuller of U.S. Xpress (NYSE: USX) provided a reality check.

Fresh off strong third quarter earnings, Werner Enterprises (NASDAQ: WERN) President and CEO Derek Leathers was optimistic about the company’s future moving into peak season and beyond during a fireside chat presentation at Baird 2018 Global Industrial Conference in Chicago, Illinois.  

U.S. Xpress CEO Fuller warns that a lot of companies are still working with 30-year-old technology.

The year 2018 has been a big one for Nikola Corporation, and investors continue to line up to support the hydrogen-electric truck startup. Next year might be even bigger.

Amazon came out on top according to the judges in FreightWaves’ Research Institute’s inaugural Freight.Tech 25, which identified the most disruptive and innovative companies in the freight space.

Also in the pickup: vets get a shot at free CDL training; another dispatch from the parking wars

If you are a small fleet or an owner-operator, discounted products are often just a dream. J.B. Hunt is looking to change that.

Penske Truck Leasing has added a major upgrade to its Penske Driver app, giving drivers the ability to quickly and easily call for roadside assistance without the need for a phone call.

By David Heller, Vice President of Government Affairs, Truckload Carriers Association Detention time is certainly not a new issue, but recent developments, particularly the advent of the electronic logging device […]

The American Transportation Research Institute is asking fleets to contribute electronic logging device (ELD) data to the group so it can study how the data can assist the industry in terms of safety initiatives and regulatory focus.

The graphs below are based on TCA InGauge’s compilation of financial data filed by publicly traded truckload carriers. They display how trucking companies performed in 2017 and the first half of 2018. 

TFI International (TSX:TFII), the Montreal, Canada-based transport and logistics company, has made two significant personnel announcements this week. David Saperstein has been promoted to chief financial officer of TFI International and Greg Orr, currently president of U.S. Truckload, has been promoted to executive vice president of U.S. Truckload.

Its financial metrics were not strong, but management sees recapitalization as key to its future.

GREG ORR, EVP OF U.S. TRUCKLOAD FOR TFI INTERNATIONAL. TFI International (TSX:TFII), the Montreal, Canada-based transport and logistics company, has made two significant personnel announcements this week. David Saperstein has […]

Lows water levels are seasonal, but this year has been record, impeding low-cost barges and favoring high-cost trucking.

TFI International the Montreal, Canada-based transport and logistics company, has made two significant personnel announcements this week, including a new executive vp of U.S. Truckload.

Oil prices fall on the back of a possible supply glut; highly populated cities are fighting back to regulate traffic during peak hours; U.S. companies are finding it hard to continue working in Iran after the now-in-effect trade sanctions.

ZED Connect has announced that it is discontinuing its ZED-ELD product and offering current customers an opportunity to transition to the EZ-ELD from Stoneridge.

Rail and truck demand a secondary casualty in trade dispute.

Also in the pickup: better tools for sleep apnea instruments in sleeper berths; does Buffet care about BNSF’ OR?

The FreightWaves Research Institute will announce the winners of the Freight.Tech 25 next week at the MarketWaves18 conference at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

There’s been a flight to quality that has led some shippers and carriers out of the spot market, Fuller said.

While transportation was not a front-of-the-ticket issue for politicians in the midterm elections, there were some significant developments when it came to funding projects across the country.

KeepTruckin has further expanded the utility of its fleet management platform with a new App Marketplace for customers to access solutions that easily integrate with KeepTruckin’s current platforms.

While most of the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada is an update to NAFTA, there is a paragraph inserted into the agreement that could disrupt cross-border trade via truck.

Fleet Advantage, the truck fleet analytics company has added new features to its ATLAAS solution including customizable dashboards that allows real-time truck visibility and identifying when an assest becomes economically obsolete.

The driver squeeze forced U.S. Xpress to shift resources from OTR to Dedicated. Still, it posted a healthy increase in its OR.

In a CarrierLists survey of fleets, most respondents expect rates and volumes to remain the same or improve in 2019.

Optimal Dynamics uses AI and machine learning to assist fleets in finding loads a few days into the future, which would help carriers get ahead of their competition, as they could plan their network flow further in advance than usual.

Incoming CEO Rourke brings experience in driver training, account management and truckload services.

Drivers at XPO Logistics, Inc.’s (NYSE:XPO) facility in Cinnaminson, N.J., an eastern suburb of Philadelphia, have agreed to join Teamsters union Local 107, the Teamsters said.

The Indian freight industry struggles with issues that most of the developing countries suffer with – like high fuel prices, inadequate infrastructure, lethargic governance, stifled technology adoption, and a general inefficiency in hauling equipment.

Spireon has new financial backing and a market that still has a lot of trailers without GPS tracking.

Drayage to be test bed as OTR market remains out of EV reach.

It was a better quarter for three companies representing different sectors: 3PL, intermodal and truckload.

A strong quarter all around, but as predicted, the quarter-to-quarter comparisons are showing signs of being weaker just because the trucking bull market is getting to be a year old.

Knight-Swift Transportation reported strong earnings on Wednesday, and it was immediately met with praise from Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker, who wrote in a note that the company’s stock is a “relative buy, at worst, in our view.”

Even as the trucking industry struggles to identify new drivers, there is a segment of the U.S. population that is facing unemployment rates above 27% that are looking for jobs. Can felons fill the driver gap?

Also in the pickup: IMO meets with 2020 on the horizon; Rhine levels are causing plants to shut down; C.R. England and its charitable cause

Since its launch, Convoy has been innovating with technological solutions aimed at reinventing the way freight moves across the country. To help fulfill that mission, the company is now expanding beyond its Seattle, WA, roots to a second office located in Atlanta.

The usual signs of an upturn in the trucking sector aren’t there, according to the Wall Street house, and Morgan wonders if a lot of the demand got pushed forward.

SONAR’s Headhaul Index map and the HAUL.JOT Index are both showing that the return to growth in inbound loaded container flow first seen in the Long Beach/LA port is continuing and gathering momentum.

Uber Freight introduces three new features to its app, making it more customizable and intuitive, and helping drivers and carriers better manage their loads and time schedules.

XPO Logistics was named to the Fortune Future 50 list of U.S. public companies while KeepTruckin and Transfix were both honored by Forbes as two companies likely to achieve unicorn status.

Uber Inc. has introduced Powerloop, an affiliate company to Uber Freight, which would rent out power-only trailers to carriers looking to grow their business and thereby ease the industry’s capacity crunch.

One quarter ago, their earnings were feared to have marked a peak. But there’s no signs of that reading the third quarter numbers.

The CEO of Heartland defends the company’s strategy that saw a lot less revenue but a lot more in profits.

The FreightWaves Research Institute has announced the list of 55 voters who will be choosing the inaugural winners of the Freight.Tech 25 awards, and it’s who’s who of freight leaders.

Also in today’s issue: a beating shows the dangers to truckers, even off the road; an Indian company looks to disrupt that company’s trucking sector.

A significant falloff in revenue went along with the rise in profitability as the operating ratio took a big leap forward.

A significant falloff in revenue went along with the rise in profitability as the operating ratio took a big leap forward.

From on-demand trucking to blockchain, loadboards and freight matching, the list of companies bringing innovative technologies to the freight industry is growing by the day, which makes the 100 that have made the cut to be honored by the FreightWaves Research Institute as part of its inaugural Freight.Tech 100 all the more special.

Although some of its individual ORs were less than a year ago, the company said its 14-month record on OR is its best ever.

It started with an open nomination period, and after culling through hundreds of submissions, the FreightWaves Research Institute has announced the inaugural Freight.Tech 100 companies.

Groups representing livestock, bee and fish haulers in the nation have asked the Department of Transportation to extend their available driving time up to 15 hours a day, up from the current federally regulated 11 hours.

Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE, spoke last week at the Meritor/P.S.I. Fleet Technology Event, telling the audience that one of the lessons he learned from NACFE’s Run on Less program in 2016 was that drivers still have plenty of influence over fuel economy, despite technology advances.

Long known for its automatic tire inflation system (ATIS), P.S.I. adding a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to its portfolio of solutions to help fleets more effectively manage tire maintenance.

Rail seems to be benefiting from higher diesel prices and capacity constraints with SONAR data suggesting more loads are shifting to intermodal in shorter lengths of haul.

Most of the hit is coming from an arbitration award with BNSF. Its conference call with investors is a change in its normal practice.

High spot market trucking rates have caused more carriers to move to that market, but the majority of carriers in a new Transporeon Group survey have remained loyal to their shippers.

Indices are clearly signaling that the container volume coming in through the Long Beach/LA port is surging and bodes well for the holiday shopping season.

Venture capital-backed firm incorporates road, weather and hours-of-service data to providing real-time tracking.

As part of a wide-ranging DOT initiative to prepare for driverless vehicles, FMCSA will address regulations that could be slowing the development of these technologies in the commercial vehicle space.