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March 27, 2013 - E-Logging, CSA Scores, and Capacity All on the Rise

Citing the Business Expectations Survey, conducted quarterly by Transport Capital Partners, Truckinginfo.com reports that carriers are increasingly installing e-log systems on their fleets. The survey shows that 35% of carriers have implemented e-logging systems on their entire fleet. Just 10% of survey responders report that they have yet to begin implementation.

Another trend from the survey indicates that carriers are making efforts to improve CSA scores, but not without expense. “The cost of compliance, along with decreasing productivity, the corresponding decrease in driver earnings, and the planned tightening of hours-of-service rules are part of the regulatory burden which has both directly and indirectly impacted carriers,” said TCP partner Richard Mikes.

Read the full article at Truckinginfo.com.

March 5, 2013 - Batts quoted about trucking acquisitions on the increase

Lana Batts, Partner with Transport Capital Partners (TCP), was recently quoted in an article by TruckingInfo.com about the increase in fleet acquisitions and mergers in recent months.  TCP is an advisory firm that facilitates merger and acquisitions for trucking companies. According to Batts, “we are just at the beginning of the cycle” for M&A activity.  There are a number of businesses that are currently looking to sell, and it looks like this will continue for the forseeable future. Batts also says that the “uncertainty about the number of taxes that carriers pay, such as the ‘Obamacare’ tax increase, fuel taxes, tolls, etc., have many carrier executives scratching their heads and wondering if they should stay in the business.”

TCP recently conducted its first quarter Business Expectations Survey which included questions about carriers’ expectations for buying or selling a company in the next 18 months. These results will be released in the next few weeks.

To read the full TruckingInfo.com article, click here.

January 24, 2013 - Carriers Hesitate to Replace Equipment

As reported by Truckinginfo.com, the Fourth Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey by Transport Capital Parters finds that most carriers plan to be very conservative when it comes to replacing fleet equipment. The survey found that 60% of smaller carriers and 45% of larger carriers plan to replace less than 10% of their fleets. TCP Partner Richard Mikes noted, “Capacity additions have been constrained for some time and linked to shippers’ desire to add dedicated capacity to assure service.” Larger carriers with “adequate profit margins” are more likely to grow, remarked TCP Partner Steven Dutro.

Click here to read the full article.

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 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.

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.

October 17, 2012 - Drivers Pay Likely to Increase

Truckinginfo.com reports that three-quarters of carriers are expecting to increase wages in the coming year in an effort to reduce driver turnover. The information comes from the Third Quarter Business Expectation Survey by Transport Capital Partners.

Uncertainty with how the upcoming presidential election will affect health care policies is also a concern for carriers, but not as much as was reported a year ago. TCP Partner Steven Dutro claims, “Without better pay and affordable health care for drivers, carriers will not be able to increase capacity for shippers.” Read the full article here.

October 3, 2012 - Carrier Capacity Unlikely to Expand in Coming Year

TruckingInfo.com reports that “Few Carriers Expect to Add Much Capacity in Next Year,” citing Transport Capital Partners’ Third Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey. TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes, “Carriers are not adding capacity as the economy remains relatively flat and used equipment prices go up and conservative equipment plans boost used demand.” Read the full article here.

August 22, 2012 - Understanding Carriers’ Views on Natural Gas

TruckingInfo.com shares the results of Transport Capital Partners’ recent special survey geared at gaining a better understanding of how carriers are thinking about the potential of natural gas fuel for their fleets. While slightly over half of carriers are considering natural gas, they still voice many concerns. Read more about what carriers think about natural gas here.

June 14, 2012 - Shippers Becoming More Aware of CSA Scores

Results from TCP’s Second Quarter Business Expectations Survey finds that carriers aren’t the only ones concerned about CSA scores. TruckingInfo.com discusses how shippers are becoming more aware of these scores as well. To read more about the survey findings, read the full article here.