After the harsh winter storms and a wet, soggy spring, trucks and equipment are rolling into summer in a little worse shape than before. Bad weather is tough on fleets and equipment with repairs costing up to $15,000 on average, annually.
read more
...Read the rest of this story
Salt Lake City tourism officials playfully jabbed back at Golden State Warriors players who bemoaned the lack of nightlife in Utah, hoping to combat the predominantly Mormon state's reputation as a boring ...
In a heated, high-pressure primetime TV debate, French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron warned of "civil war" if his far-right opponent Marine Le Pen is elected, saying Wednesday that her ...
Image via Swift Facebook
'>Swift Transportation has announced a new strategic marketing campaign called Swift's Driving Force that's aimed at reaching new drivers by highlighting the company's culture, size, and emphasis on people.
Partnering with digital marketing agency iCrossing for creative and digital strategy and execution, Swift's Driving Force campaign targets men and women looking to join Swift's driving workforce. It will also celebrate the role that the company's drivers play in the lives of Americans every day.
“Through conversations with our drivers and others in the industry, we were able to work alongside iCrossing to develop a campaign that truly reaches key driver personas and relays how Swift creates opportunities for thousands of drivers and their families across the country,” said Tom Hall, digital media strategist, Swift Transportation. “We hope this campaign communicates Swift's commitment to drivers and reaches those that may never have considered trucking, educating them on a career opportunity that is critical to America's economy.”
By targeting younger potential drivers, Swift plans to increase its driver base and communicate the longevity of its employees to a group of individuals building a career. To reach drivers, Swift will use social media, display ads, paid search, digital radio and industry-specific channels.
The inspiration behind Swift's campaign was drivers, their families, and the role that the company plays in communities across the country. The campaign encourages new and potential drivers to become a part of a culture of growth, opportunity and family-centered work with Swift.
“We live in a digital age, where people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life are living their lives through online channels and connected devices. Truck drivers are no different,” said Lori B. Wilson, executive creative director, iCrossing. “After doing in-depth research into 'what drives drivers,' we are working with Swift to engage, educate and connect individuals ...Read the rest of this story
One of the biggest names in trucking reported first quarter earnings this week showing it turned its fortunes around for the better, while losses grew at another fleet and a third's financial problems were surrounded not only by questions of its accounting practices but also about its long-term survival.
XPO Logistics Inc. said it recorded net income of $19.5 million, or 16 cents per share, compared to a net loss a year ago of $23.2 million, or 21 cents per share. The per share performance matched Wall Street expectations.
Revenue was just slightly lower at $3.54 billion, with the year earlier figure excluding revenue from the former Con-way truckload unit that XPO sold off in late 2016.
“We started the year on a strong note by solidly beating our expectations for earnings, and continuing to expand margins in both transportation and logistics,” said Bradley Jacobs, chairman and CEO. “In North American less-than-truckload, we increased operating income by a robust 49%, in part by running our linehaul, cross-dock and pickup-and-delivery operations more efficiently. Our market-leading position in e-commerce continued to drive growth in last mile and contract logistics, and our intermodal unit won the largest contract in any business line in XPO history."
The company's transportation segment generated revenue of $2.28 billion for the quarter, compared with $2.3 billion for the same period in 2016, reflecting the divestiture of the North American truckload unit, according to XPO. The divested operations contributed $128.8 million of revenue in the first quarter of 2016. The company said organic revenue growth for the segment was led by last mile and truck brokerage, partially offset by lower revenue in expedited and global forwarding, and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
Operating income for the transportation segment increased to $100.8 million, compared with operating income of $75.4 million a year ago
XPO's logistics segment generated ...Read the rest of this story
Graphic: DAT
">Graphic: DAT
">The final week of any month usually means a bump in freight activity as shippers move goods prior to closing their books. However, the number of loads posted on the DAT network of load boards market edged up just 2% for the the week ending April 29, according to DAT Solutions.
With truck posts rising 8%, load-to-truck ratios fell with the biggest declines seen by reefers, down 13% to 5.8 loads per truck. Flatbeds fell 7% but still at a very healthy 44.5 to 1 level while vans slipped 4% to 3.4 loads per truck.
While April may have ended quietly, rates rose for all trailer types during the month and load-to-truck ratios were above seasonal norms, signaling a strong start to the second quarter, according to DAT.
The national average van rate dipped 1 cent to $1.67 per mile, but that rate is still 4 cents higher than the March average while the national reefer rate remained at $1.94 per mile for the third straight week, but that's 7 cents better than the March average. The average flatbed rate was unchanged at $2.07 per mile throughout April but 4 cents better than the March average
Reefer load posts declined 5% while truck posts increased 10%. But compared to the same period in 2015 and 2016, reefer load-to-truck ratios are solid.
If you looked at the national average reefer rate, you might think that there wasn't much happening in the spot market. But there was an influx of produce crossing the Mexican border last week, said DAT, and reefer load-to-truck ratios surged in Nogales, Laredo, and especially McAllen, where volumes soared 64%.
After wildfires interrupted traffic in Florida, produce started moving out of the state again last week. Key outbound lanes there are:
Miami-northern New Jersey reefer rates were up 17 cents to $2.26 per ...Read the rest of this story
