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April 3, 2017 - Transport Topics Quotes TCP Regarding Schneider Going Public Stock Sale

Steven Dutro, Managing Partner, was quoted in Transport Topics’  April 3, 2017 article “Schneider Initial Stock Sale May Spur growth in Truckload, Intermodal, Analysts Predict”

Schneider’s forthcoming initial public offering may close a chapter on the company’s long- standing family ownership, but it will expand the motor carrier’s ability to broaden its horizons, industry analysts said.

At least one industry analyst believes that Schneider’s IPO will strengthen interest in trucking among investors and could spur other companies to follow its lead.

“Schneider is a well-known and well-respected company,” said Steven Dutro of Transport Capital Partners in Windsor, Colorado. “I believe Wall Street and other financial investors will be paying attention.”

Read the full article here (Transport Topics Subscribers only).

October 15, 2016 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Quotes TCP regarding “Family May Be Driving Schneider IPO”

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quotes TCP regarding “Family May Be Driving Schneider IPO”

Schneider has long been a leader in truckload, the sector of trucking in which carriers haul trailers containing a single shipment of freight between companies, said Steven Dutro, managing partner of Transport Capital Partners, a mergers and acquisitions adviser.

“Extremely well respected across the industry, so they’re well positioned both because of their size and their capabilities and their history,” he said.

And new rules such as those requiring truckers to replace paper log books with electronic recorders — something Schneider has already done — stand to benefit larger firms like the Green Bay carrier, Dutro said.

Read the full article here. 

 

October 30, 2014 - The Perfect Buyer

“With all the news about company bankruptcies, increased government regulations, higher equipment costs and economic uncertainty, some motor-carrier owners are looking for options.

They are asking themselves: “Should I buy another company to get larger and spread the overhead of more regulations?” or “Should I sell? And if so, to whom?”

If selling is the preferred option, owners then find themselves looking for the “perfect buyer.”

The “perfect buyer” usually: (1) is willing to acquire either 100% of the business or a minority interest; (2) does not get involved in the day-to-day operations of the business; (3) pays fair market value; (4) offers flexible terms; (5) offers the seller the option of paying no capital gains tax on the sale; and/or (6) provides some upside participation in the future performance of the business….”

Excerpt from “Opinion: Looking for the Perfect Buyer?” by Ronald J. Gilbert, President of ESOP Services Inc. and Jim Parham, Managing Partner of Transport Capital Partners, published on the Transport Topics online newspaper. 

Read the full article here.

February 15, 2014 - Carriers Continue to Evaluate HOS Impacts

Transport Capital Partners’ (TCP) fourth-quarter survey results showed new Hours of Service rules impacting carrier productivity. TheTrucker.com posted a recent article detailing this impact.

Increases in rates and improved accessorial charges have yet to materialize for many carriers. They are, instead, looking to increase productivity as a means to raising their bottom lines.

However, the new HOS regulations appear to be significantly impacting that avenue of growth.

Seventy-eight percent of carriers reported HOS as having some impact on productivity. Thirty-seven percent say the new regulations will have more than a 5 percent impact.

Amazingly, almost six months after the changes were implemented, 16 percent of carriers still have not determined the impact. 

Read more here.

February 8, 2014 - Carriers Finding Re-Negotiation of Accessorials Challenging

TodaysTrucking.com shared TCP survey results (from the 4th Quarter BES) that show 42% of carriers expecting their customers to resist re-negotiating accessorials.

Fifty percent of smaller carriers and 38 percent of larger carriers expressed pessimistism about accessorials. However, carriers small and large were more positive about re-negotiating detention times – 43 percent expected to re-negotiate.

“Credit availability and carrier profitability go hand–in-hand, both are essential to replace aging fleet assets and to grow capacity. Carriers with stronger profitability and cash flows will find credit available and affordable and will be better positioned to gain market share,” said Steven Dutro, TCP Partner.

Full article here.

August 7, 2013 - New Fleet Investments Unlikely for Many Carriers

Recent articles from TodaysTrucking.com and TruckingInfo.com report that inadequate rates of return are keeping fleets from buying.

They share results from the second quarter TCP industry survey that show only slightly over 50 percent of carriers seeing returns on investments that can justify new equipment purchases. This figure is up just four percentage points from November 2012.

Additionally, one-third of all carriers reported having no current plans to add any new equipment. At this time, replacing aging fleets is the principle driver of most equipment investment.

“Higher equipment costs in recent years, combined with the lower utilization resulting from new HOS rules, will continue to make adequate returns on investment a challenge,” said Steven Dutro, TCP partner.

Read the complete articles here and here.

August 6, 2013 - Larger Carriers More Positive About Renegotiating Accessorials

Forty-three percent of all carriers believe they will be able to renegotiate detention pay, up significantly from the November 2012 TCP survey. This increase is most likely in response to recent changes in hours of service regulations.

However, small carriers are more pessimistic than larger carriers on accessorials. Sixty-four percent of those smaller carriers anticipate no relief in charge negotiations.

“As freight demand grows, shippers who need consistent service will need to assist carriers in gaining operational efficiency and adequate compensation. Larger carriers are more confident they are positioned to achieve this customer cooperation,” stated TCP Partner Richard Mikes.

For the full article from OverdriveOnline.com, click here.

July 22, 2013 - Current State of the Truckload Industry

A recent conference call hosted by Stifel featured Transport Capital Partners Managing Partner, Dr. Richard Mikes. In the call, Mikes suggests that fairly flat demand and supply point to an upcoming capacity shortfall in the truckload industry. Furthermore, tightening supply and demand is increasing the potential for future rate increases. To read the full transcript, click here.

April 17, 2013 - Freight brokerage still important

Freight brokerage is still playing an important role for carriers, reports Bulk Transporter. Despite an increase of brokered freight services in the last three months, 62% of carriers are using fewer brokers than six months ago. Small carriers (under $25 million in revenue) report a higher use of brokers than larger carriers, most likely due to lower lane density and smaller marketing staffs. The article is based on TCP’s recent Business Expectations Survey. Click here to read the full article.

TCP’s Second Quarter Business Expectations Survey will launch on Thursday, May 2nd. If you are a carrier interested in participating, please visit our industry survey page to learn more.

April 12, 2013 - TCP survey says broker usage increases

FleetOwner shares results from Transport Capital Partners’ First Quarter Business Expectations Survey which found that broker usage amongst carriers has increased in recent months. The percentage of carriers using broker freight services increased from 16% in August 2012 to 25% in February of 2013.  TCP Partner Steven Dutro is quoted in the article: “Freight brokers continue to provide loads that improve asset utilization and efficiency as customer demand fluctuates.” Dutro also discusses how the increase in broker services is a reflection of the ebb and flow of seasonal freight. Read the full article.