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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.

November 11, 2012 - Carriers Holding Steady in Flat Economy

From a November 11 article from BigTruckTV, slow growth in the US economy matches the trend in the trucking industry. According to TCP Partner Richard Mikes, “Carriers are not adding capacity as the economy remains relatively flat, used equipment prices go up and conservative equipment plans boost used demand.”

For TCP Partner Lana Batts, “Long term demographics still portend a shrinking driver pool, and current CSA and HOS regulations remove drivers and shorten effective hours (and pay checks) for existing drivers. Some runs that were doable in a day are requiring a sleep break.”

October 17, 2012 - 77% of Carriers Plan to Increase Pay for Drivers

FleetOwner reports that over three-quarters of carriers are planning to give drivers a raise, with close to half of them expecting to increase pay by 2-5%. These figures are based on the quarterly Business Expectations Survey by Transport Capital Partners. TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes that wages in trucking have lagged over the past year when compared to other industries. Healthcare policy is also a concern, due to uncertainty over the fate of the Affordable Care Act. Depending on who wins the Presidential election, the ACA could go into effect, or be overturned. 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 5, 2012 - BES Survey Points to Limited Growth in Capacity

As reported on Refrigerated Transporter, carriers are not likely to add much capacity in the coming year. According to the quarterly Business Expectations Survey from Transport Capital Partners, the number of carriers expecting to add little or no capacity has remained between 70% and 74% for the past five quarters. TCP Partner Lana Batts cites driver shortages, coupled with CSA and HOS regulations, as having a diminishing effect on equipment purchases.

October 3, 2012 - Freight Carriers Reluctant to Add Capacity

The Third Quarter 2012 Business Expectations Survey from TCP shows that carriers remain slow to add capacity to their fleets. TCP Partner Richard Mikes notes an increase in the used equipment market, while Partner Lana Batts acknowledges the effects of a shrinking driver pool. Read the full article on Automotive World.

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.

September 28, 2012 - Increase in Carriers Interested in Making a Strategic Acquisition

A recent article by Fleet Owner magazine cited TCP’s recent Business Expectations Survey which found a record number of carriers are interested in making a strategic acquisition in the next 18 months. Richard Mikes was quoted in the article as saying: “A lot of fleets buy and sell for different reason, but what we’re seeing now is that there are more strategic buyers in the market versus purely financial buyers.” Click here to read the full article.