Volumes growing, rates stagnant: FTR

FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for February Moves Up in Expectation of Tightened Market

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index for February took a positive step, moving up about two and half points from January to a reading of 5.11. The company's analysts expect the index to approach a double digit positive reading by the end of the year due to the combination of freight growth and still-planned regulatory headwinds in 2017.

FTR is forecasting improvement in freight growth in 2017, closing in on 4% loadings growth for the year. The Trump administration's focus on reducing regulations has prompted FTR analysts to modestly downgrade its regulatory forecast for 2017, but they still expect significant effects late in the year from the electronic logging device mandate that goes into effect in December. On the downside, FTR does not expect contract rates to make a strong move for at least six months.

“The economic outlook has solidified for 2017, and freight growth is expected to accelerate versus what we saw in 2015 and 2016," explained Jonathan Starks, FTR chief operating officer. "While we have reduced our assumptions of productivity hits to truck fleets and drivers from the regulatory environment, the acceleration of freight growth is enough to keep utilization rates high, and climbing, during 2017.

"The downside is that the rate environment remains slow to pick up. Contract rates will begin to show year-over-year gains by the time Q2 hits, but any real acceleration isn't likely to occur until the end of the year. Spot rates have begun moving upward, but are only a couple of percentage points above prior year levels."

Starks noted that if ELD implementation is slowed or enforcement remains lax, it would limit how much rates might rise.

Details of the February TCI are found in the April issue of FTR's Trucking Update, published March 30.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Rush Trucking Corp. CEO Earns Women in Trucking Logistics Honor

Andra Rush. Photo courtesy Women in Trucking Association.

The winner of the Women in Trucking Association's 2017 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award is Andra Rush, who has been honored extensively for her innovative job creation and manufacturing ingenuity.

Rush is chair and CEO of Rush Trucking Corp., CEO and president of Dakkota Integrated Systems, and chair, CEO and president of Detroit Manufacturing Systems. She leads the largest woman-owned business in Michigan, and one of the largest Native American-owned enterprises in the U.S., according to WIT, which notes that her mission has been to create sustainable job opportunities in underserved communities.

Rush was chosen among three finalists for the third annual award. The other finalists included Lacy Starling, president, Legion Logistics LLC, and Karen Duff, president and CEO, International Express Trucking Inc.

The announcement was made during the Transportation Intermediaries Association 2017 Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award is sponsored by Truckstop.com.

Today, Rush Trucking transports goods for Fortune 100 companies across the U.S. and Canada with 1,100 trucks and 700 drivers.

The auto supplier was named Supplier of the Year for quality and world-class manufacturing by Chrysler Group in 2013 and Supplier of the Year for three consecutive years, 2013, 2014 and 2015, by General Motors.

President Barack Obama acknowledged Rush during his 2014 State of the Union address for creating manufacturing jobs in Detroit with the June 2012 opening of Detroit Manufacturing Systems – the first such plant opening in the city in decades.

Rush served two terms from 2013 to 2016 as a member of the U.S. Manufacturing Council, which regularly advises the U.S. Commerce Secretary on matters related to government policies and programs and their impact on the U.S. manufacturing sector.

She was honored in 2015 by the Michigan Women's Foundation with its Women of Achievement and Courage Award, and inducted ...Read the rest of this story

Story Stocks from Briefing.com

William Rodriguez joins Transervice Logistics

Transervice Logistics has appointed William “Bill” Rodriguez director of sales, western region.

“Rodriguez brings to Transervice extensive marketing, sales, business development and operations management experience,” the company said.

He was most recently an account manager for Inland Kenworth and TEC Commercial Truck Leasing, both in Fontana, CA, where he was responsible for sales, marketing and acquisition of full service leasing, contract maintenance and new truck fleet sales.

read more

Johnson & Weaver, LLP Announces Investigations of the Proposed Sale of Intrawest Resorts., Xcerra and Swift Transportation

NRS Healthcare selects Paragon routing, scheduling software

Paragon Software Systems announced that NRS Healthcare has selected Paragon's routing and scheduling software as part of its commitment to continually improving the quality of service provided to its customers. The company will use the planning solution to better manage a fleet of 300 vans responsible for the delivery and collection of mobility equipment, wheelchairs and daily living aids.

read more