The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released the findings of its 2017 update to An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.
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...Read the rest of this storyRefrigerated motor carriers may need to rethink their trailer trade cycles in light of new food safety transportation rules that went into effect this past April, argued Don Drum, vice president of customer solutions for PLM Trailer Leasing, during a presentation at the 2017 International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) co
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Home building in the U.S. slowed in September, according to a new report, while a separate one showed that the total amount of output from the nation's factories, mines and utilities moved higher during the month. Results of both reports would have been better had it not been for two hurricanes.
U.S. housing starts fell 4.7% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.127 units, according to the Commerce Department. That's the slowest pace since September 2016 and it follows an upwardly revised August level of 1.183 million units.
In contrast, single-family home starts, the biggest share of the market, showed a 2.4% increase in September from August with a year-over-year gain of 9.3%.
The same report also showed that the number of building permits issued during September, an indicator of future construction levels, fell 4.5% from the month before.
Both the number of starts in September, as well as the number of new building permits issued, were below a consensus estimate from analysts.
Not surprisingly, the South, where the most home construction happens, saw the number of home starts fall 9.3% last month, its biggest drop since October 2015. Single family home starts fell even greater, 15.3%, hitting a more than one-year low.
“Housing has been generally slowing and looks to end 2017 no better than flat. Still, permits and completions for single-family homes are solid pluses,” said analysts at Econoday.
Despite the decline in homebuilding activity, sentiment among home builders surged in October, according to survey released Tuesday by the National Association of Home Builders, hitting its highest level since May.
“It is encouraging to see builder confidence return to the …levels we saw in the spring and summer,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “With a tight inventory of existing homes and promising growth in household formation, we can expect the new home ...Read the rest of this story
Gabriel Ride Control is adding 11 different product lines for 62 different vehicle models, the company announced this week.
This year, Gabriel is adding new models to its ReadyMount Fully Loaded Struts, Max ControlTM Shocks, ProGuardTM Shocks, Load Carrier Shocks, Top Mounts, and HiJackers Shocks. Also, Gabriel is adding new models to four of its UltraTM lines: Ultra Struts, Ultra Shocks, Ultra Cartridges, and Ultra Spring Seats.
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...Read the rest of this storyNational Fleet Products, a North American supplier of loading ramps and other aftermarket accessories for commercial vehicles, is offering new versions of its WM System Loading Ramps.
Designed as a low-cost, maintenance-free alternative to hydraulic liftgates, WM System ramps are suitable for a wide array of vehicle applications, including everything from vans to box trucks to class-8 trailers and service and delivery vehicles of all types.
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...Read the rest of this storyDriver iQ announced it is offering access to Truck Driving School Records. According to the company, this offering will allow carriers to access driving school records as part of the pre-employment screening process.
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...Read the rest of this storyWe've often written of the improving safety performance of trucks after participating in a live demonstration, or sitting through a presentation on connectivity.
So, it comes as a bit of a surprise that overall highway fatalities rose in 2016 to a decade-high of 37,461.
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