Richard Mikes, TCP Partner, spoke at the recent VCF Conference in Miami about many of the current trends in the trucking industry such as the capacity crunch and the expected increase in truckload costs. Read Supply Chain Management’s full review of the VCF Conference here.
TruckingInfo.com reports on how carriers are optimistic for 2012. According to TCP’s first quarter Business Expectations Survey, 77% of carriers expect volumes to increase in the year ahead and only 2.6% expect volumes to decrease. Click here to read the full article.
Bulk Transporter reports how carriers expect to see an increase in both volumes and rates in the coming year according to TCP’s recent quarterly industry survey. Both Batts and Mikes are quoted in their analysis of the survey findings. Click here to read the full article.
Jason Rhyno of Today’s Trucking Magazine recently sat down with Richard Mikes of Transport Capital Partners to discuss driver wages and turnover. The results from TCP’s fourth quarter 2011 Business Expectations Survey show that two-thirds of surveyed carriers think that wages must be more than $60,000 to attract and retain drivers. Additionally the American Trucking Association (ATA) data shows that driver turnover rates doubled in the second half of 2011. Mikes discusses the importance of carriers balancing in 2012: balancing available trucks with rising freight volumes and balancing driver wages with existing rates. Read the full “The 60,000 Questions” article here.
The Ontario Trucking Association reported on TCP’s first quarter Business Expectations Survey which that found that for the past three quarters carriers have continued to be optimistic for volumes and rates in the year ahead. Click here to read more.
CNBC.com reports that while the U.S. GDP is improving, there are still a number of jobs that are difficult to fill. In addition to software developers, accountants, and nurses, there is a shortage of qualified truck drivers. Data from TCP’s fourth quarter 2011 Business Expectations Survey is cited stating that the driver shortage has improved slightly but 70 percent of carriers still report empty seats. Click here to read more.
An article by InsuranceNews.net reports that the rising costs of health care not only put financial pressure on the bottom line for carriers, but also makes it more difficult for them to recruit drivers and independent contractors. Click here to read more about how health care costs are affecting the transportation industry.
The impact of health care changes on carriers is discussed in a recent article by Bulk Transporter which highlights the findings of TCP’s fourth quarter Business Expectations Survey, most notably that 80% of surveyed carriers say that these changes will adversely affect business. Click here to read more about how carriers are planning to shift costs.
According to TCP’s fourth quarter carrier industry survey and a recent article by Bulk Transporter, driver issues continue for carriers. While a driver shortage still exists, Mikes, TCP Partner, notes that “Carriers are aggressively recruiting and are opening more training slots, while the lack of extension of unemployment benefits is potentially encouraging people to seek jobs and training.” Click here to read more.
A recent article by InsuranceNewsNet.com discussed the impact of rising healthcare costs on businesses nationwide. The article cites the findings of TCP’s fourth quarter 2011 Business Expectations Survey which found that 80% of carriers surveyed will be adversely affected by recent healthcare changes. In 2012, the healthcare premium rate increase is predicted at 7% and average premium price per employee at $10,475. To read more about the variety of methods discussed for combating these rising costs, click here.