On a consolidated basis, revenue rose about 21 percent to $26.01 billion in the second quarter ended on June 30, beating the analysts' average estimate of $25.65 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Earnings per share was $5.01, beating an average estimate of $4.49, and would have been $8.90 if not for the EU antitrust fine announced last month, Alphabet said. Earnings per share was $7 in the second quarter of 2016.
Democrats led by Pelosi, Schumer and Warren roll out their 2018 economic platform titled "A Better Deal."
A peeved President Donald Trump tweaked Republican opponents of his party's reeling health care bill Monday, saying this week's planned faceoff vote is their "last chance to do the right thing" ...
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">Photo via Pixabay
">New Braunfels Utilities (Texas) will use an unmanned aerial system, or drone, to inspect about 500 power poles along five miles of distribution lines, reports San Antonio Express-News. Historically, this job was done by workers in elevated bucket trucks.
The pilot program will cost $35,000 and is expected to take about a week to complete. The drone is equipped with regular and infrared camera. Video from the drone will be analyzed to identify loose connections, leaking oil, rust and deterioration, and any hot spots.
CPS Energy in San Antonio completed a similar pilot, where it inspected 50 towers in 2.5 days, a job that would have taken two to three weeks using bucket trucks.
Related: Drones in Truck Fleets: Beyond Package Delivery
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...Read the rest of this storyPhoto:Jim Park.
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">The first half of 2017 has been good to the trucking industry, and to the vocational market in particular, and the going into the second half of the year, the underlying economic fundamentals look equally promising. That's the view from Renton, Wash., where Paccar vice president and Kenworth general manager Mike Dozier addressed reporters at a press event on July 21.
"Whether you're talking vocational or just the market in general in North America, the underlying fundamentals all remain very positive," Dozier said. "There's a very strong alignment between what we're seeing in terms of sentiment within the industry and factors like growth in GDP and the associated rise in consumer confidence. We expect that to continue throughout the year."
Dozier noted that certain key indicators, namely total construction spending and housing starts, trend closely to actual growth in retail orders for the company's T880 vocational chassis.
Earlier this year, Kenworth had forecast retail sales of 190,000 to 220,000 units. At the time, Dozier among others was a bit worried that the situation might change as the post-election hangover wore off, but it hasn't. In fact, Dozier said consumer confidence remains strong-- and the market remains buoyant.
"Earlier in the year, I would have said we were in the lower range of the estimate band," he said. "But today, with half the year still ahead of us, we are in the upper range of that band. That bodes well for the remainder of the year."
Internally, Dozier said the Paccar MX engine now accounts for just over 45% of engine orders across all Class 8 lines — on-highway and vocational. "We are happy with the growth we've seen so far, and we expect to end 2017 with 160,000 MX engines in service," he said.
The Kenworth dealer network continues to grow. There were 382 ...Read the rest of this story
The American Trucking Associations on July 24 welcomed the 2016-17 class of LEAD ATA to the nation's capital for a round of key congressional meetings.
LEAD ATA is a one-year program created to engage the trucking industry's leaders of tomorrow. Participants gain real-world experience and in-depth industry insights while making industry connections.
LEAD ATA will be meeting with members of Congress and their legislative aide as well as ATA President and CEO Chris Spear to hear a full summary of trucking's critical legislative issues and advocacy message.
"Since the start of LEAD ATA, I have gotten the chance to see the effect that this day of congressional visits has on emerging trucking leaders and elected officials on both sides of the aisle," said Kevin Burch, ATA chairman and president of Jet Express. "It is a surreal feeling to watch our LEAD ATA participants interact with the lawmakers of our country and offer an authentic trucking perspective to the men and women we count on to represent the nation's interests."
Trucking issues are gaining attention in Congress, according to ATA, including infrastructure funding and tax reform. LEAD ATA participants will receive a candid look at the legislative process and experience political activity with both chambers of Congress, looking to finalize legislation ahead of the August recess.
ATA hopes to foster long-term connections between legislators and the business leaders in their home districts. By expanding trucking's network of grassroots advocates, ATA aims to share the industry's story of safety, essentiality, and productivity to new audiences and stakeholders.
As part of the trip to the nation's capital, LEAD ATA members will tour the National Mall, visit the Lincoln Memoria,l and see the White House where ATA met with President Trump earlier this year. Photos of last year's trip can be found on LEAD ATA's official Facebook page.
"Taking ...Read the rest of this story
