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January 16, 2013 - Carriers Unsure What to Expect in 2013

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association reports that an uncertain economy paints a cloudy picture for the trucking industry. Carriers are split as to whether rates will increase or stay flat, and only 21% of carriers reported rate increases over the past three months. This does not bode well for drivers’ pay, notes TCP Partner Steven Dutro. “Driver pay increases will be constrained by these stagnant rates. It will be a tough balancing act for carriers to keep drivers. Investment in capacity is also likely to continue to slow,” he said.

Read the full article at MEMA.org.

January 16, 2013 - Carriers Consider Younger Drivers

Women and Logistics reports that more than 80% of carriers are willing to consider younger drivers, providing that they are well-trained. While driver turnover exceed 100% in 3Q 2012, carriers need a solution to improve retention. Nearly 80% of carriers believe that higher wages will play a role in keeping drivers on the job over the next year.

Read the full article here.

January 16, 2013 - Carriers Uncertain About Year Ahead

As Washington continues to muddle through the fiscal crisis, carriers are unsure about how government policies might affect them in 2013. The latest Business Expectations Survey from Transport Capital Partners shows that 45% of carriers believe that volumes will remain flat, whereas 44% believe rates will increase and 46% predict that rates will stay the same.

TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes that “continued high fuel costs, inadequate fuel surcharges, and some shippers not recognizing the impact of delays on schedules with constricted hours-of-service rules will force and increase in distressed situations.”

Read the full article at TruckingInfo.com.

January 16, 2013 - Sluggish Economy Continues to Weigh on Carriers

As reported by FleetOwner Magazine, a large number of trucking companies believe that freight volumes are likely to stay flat for the coming year. Carriers are split, on the other hand, as to whether rates will increase or stay the same, indicating uncertainty in the market. These findings come from the Fourth Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey, conducted quarterly by consulting firm Transport Capital Partners.

TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes, “Their volume and rate outlook does not bode well for cash flows and profits in 2013 for an industry under costs and availability pressure for drivers.”

TCP Parter Steven Dutro explains how this might effect wages: “Driver pay increases will be constrained by stagnant rates [so] it will be a tough balancing act for carriers to keep drivers.”

Read the full article here.

January 9, 2013 - Carriers Willing to Hire Younger Drivers

Truckinginfo.com reports that that more than 80% of carriers would consider hiring younger drivers. This data comes from the Fourth Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey, conducted quarterly by the transportation consulting firm Transport Capital Partners. The study also found that larger carriers are three times as likely to invest in training entry-level drivers compared to smaller carriers. TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes the importance of driver retention, while TCP Partner Steven Dutro acknowledges that “those who are successful in properly training and developing loyalty will gain a real competitive advantage.”

Read the full article here.

January 9, 2013 - Trucking Companies Look to a Younger Workforce

The Fourth Quarter Business Expectations Survey by Transport Capital Partners shows that carriers in the trucking industry are looking to the younger generation to fill a driver shortage, FleetOwner Magazine reports. The survey found that as many as 82% of carriers are willing to higher younger drivers. According to TCP partner Richard Mikes, “Most carriers know that turnover levels have doubled since the recession, which has continued to negatively impact our industry. Past surveys have indicated that pay must go up to significantly higher levels over the long-term.”

TCP partner Steven Dutro notes that “investment in effective training programs will be essential to our industry.”

Read the full article at FleetOwner.com.

January 8, 2013 - Trucking Industry Aims for a Younger Workforce

Today’s Trucking reports that carriers are willing to hire younger employees to drive their fleets. According to the recent TCP Business Expectations Survey, 80% of those surveyed would consider hiring younger workers, provided that they had proper credentials. Currently only about 30% of carriers hire entry-level drivers.

Such a change is a result of a chronic driver shortage. Accord to TCP Partner Richard Mikes,“Everyone in the supply chain needs to recognize the critical need to pay a little more to keep quality drivers moving the freight.”

Read the full article here.

January 3, 2013 - Study Finds Truckers Unhappy With Election

In a recent article from DC Velocity, it is reported that an overwhelming majority of those in the trucking industry did not support the President in the 2012 Election. According to the 4Q 2012 Business Expectations Survey by Transport Capital Partners (TCP), 93% of carrier executives surveyed were unhappy with the election results.

Additionally, the article relates that uncertainty in the US economy is affecting industry mergers and acquisitions. In a statement, TCP Partners Richard Mikes and Steven Dutro said, “Uncertainty about the tax picture for 2013 is [pushing] some carriers to accelerate merger and acquisition activity before the year closes, and many deals are being pressured as buyers and sellers are uncertain about what 2013 holds for them.”

Read the full article here.

December 13, 2012 - Truckers Wait for Washington

TheTrucker.com reports that 93% of carrier executives are not pleased with the results of the 2012 presidential election. However, 9% of small carriers are pleased, compared to only 1% of large carriers. These numbers are sourced from the latest Business Expectations Survey, conducted quarterly by trucking industry consulting firm Transport Capital Partners.

In addition, a majority of trucking companies are waiting for the “Fiscal Cliff” debate to be resolved before moving forward with any major mergers and acquisitions. TCP partner Steven Dutro notes, “Carrier executives know that if consumers and businesses are uncertain about the economy, in general, and their own personal finances, in particular, they will not be buying goods. It’s not surprising that carriers are unwilling to risk their own capital if their customers are also sitting on theirs.”

TCP partner Richard Mikes reports a similar sentiment among his industry contacts: “There is a general pause evident throughout the industry,” said Mikes. “Most carriers are in a ‘parked’ mode.”

Read the full article at TheTrucker.com.

December 13, 2012 - Carriers Unhappy with Election 2012

Truckinginfo.com reports that an overwhelming 93% of transportation executives are displeased with the results of this year’s presidential election. This data comes from the 4th Quarter Business Expectations Survey conducted by Transport Capital Partners.

Additionally, TCP partners Richard Mikes and Steven Dutro report that uncertainty around the “Fiscal Cliff” debate in Washington is causing carriers to hesitate before proceeding with any mergers and acquisitions. Read the full article here.