Yokohama Adds Four Sizes to 104ZR Tire Line

Yokohama Tire Corporation has added four new sizes to its 104ZR all-position/steer tire lineup designed for urban and regional applications.

The new sizes added to the 104ZR line include 225/70R19.5, 245/70R19.5, 265/70R19.5 and 285/70R19.5. The tire is still available in its original sizes as well: 295/80R22.5, 9R22.5, 10R22.5, 11R22.5 12R22.5 and 315/80R22.5.

“The 104ZR is a true workhorse that's designed to deliver longer treadwear, low rolling resistance and even wear, making it especially ideal for high scrub applications,” said Tom Clauer, Yokohama Tire manager of commercial and OTR product planning.

The 104ZR features a five-rib, full-depth tread pattern that is designed to deliver a smooth and quiet ride. A serpentine groove pattern reduces premature shoulder step-down and irregular wear to preserve overall tread life.

The tire also uses Yokohama's Zenvironment technology which predicts casing growth and helps with stabilized performance over the life of the tire, longer casing life and improved retreadability. The 104ZR is made of specialized compounds which are strong and pliable, improving treadwear and low-rolling resistance.

Block-shaped stone defense ribs prevent stones from traveling to the bottom of the grooves, reducing casing damage by up to 25% to improve durability and retreadability. Also, an ultra-wide top steel belt increases rigidity across the entire tread surface to improve durability and avoid casing damage.

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Earnings Watch: Saia Earnings Up, C.H. Robinson Down

As more trucking companies report third quarter earnings, most are showing profits are down from the same time a year ago – but there are a few exceptions.

The less-than-truckload feet Saia Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA) reported net income increased to $13.8 million from $11.8 million. Earnings per share increased to 54 cents from 46 cents, 4 cents better than a consensus estimate from analysts.

Revenue moved down just 0.2% from a year earlier to $316 million, while operating income increased to $22.6 million from $19.8 million.

"Third quarter operating results reflect our continued pricing discipline and our company-wide efforts aimed at achieving operating efficiencies across all areas of our network," said Saia President and CEO Rick O'Dell, citing year-over-year improvements in dock, city and linehaul productivity.

He said freight rates increased an average of 5.7% on contractual renewals in the quarter. In early October the Georgia-based company implemented a general rate increase of 4.9%.

During the quarter LTL shipments per workday fell by 1.2%, and LTL tonnage per workday declined by 2.9%, while LTL yield increased 3.7%.

"Though the economic environment continues to offer only tepid growth, I was encouraged to see our LTL shipment trend turn positive in September for the first time since February," O'Dell said.

In contrast, earnings for third-party logistics provider C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ: CHRW) fell by 7.5% to $129 million in the third quarter from the same time a year ago, while revenue declined 5.1% to $558.5 million due to lower freight rates.

Earnings per share totaled 90 cents in the most recent quarter, 7 cents short of Wall Street expectations and down from 96 cents a year earlier.

“We expected a challenging pricing environment in 2016 as shippers focus on reducing their transportation costs," said John Wiehoff, CEO and chairman. "Despite the decrease in ...Read the rest of this story

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