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Driver Shortage Continues But Carriers Are Agressively Recruiting

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.

Smaller Carriers More Likely to be Impacted by Health Care Changes

Batts and Mikes are both quoted in an article by TruckingInfo.com that highlights the findings about health care costs from TCP’s recent survey. According to the survey, smaller carriers are more likely to be negatively impacted by healthcare changes that larger carriers who plan to implement numerous strategies such as wellness plans. Click here to read the full article.

Majority of Carriers Are Planning to Add Little or No Capacity

Both Batts and Mikes were recently quoted in Fleet Owner’s article discussing TCP’s fourth quarter Business Expectations survey that found that 73% of carriers plan to add 0-5% capacity. TCP believes that these expectations are impacted by low GDP predictions, escalating costs and regulatory constraints, and an unclear path towards higher rates. For more information, read the full article here.

Many Carriers Are Considering Leaving the Industry

In a recent article by TruckingInfo.com, Batts and Mikes are quoted regarding the recent findings from the Third Quarter TCP Business Expectations Survey. Given uncertainty about volumes, rates, drivers, and the economy, many carriers are considering leaving the industry. For more information, read the full article.

Tendency for Carriers to Use Contractors to Expand Fleets is Down

While the use of independent contractors has remained steady over the last five quarters, the tendency for carriers to use contractors to expand their fleets is trending down. TruckingInfo.com quotes Batts and Mikes on the findings from TCP’s recent Business Expectations Survey. To read the full article, click here.

Carriers Backing Away from New Truck Buying Plans

TruckingInfo.com reports how carriers are backing away from new truck buying plans and are unsure of how to add capacity. The article cites the Third Quarter TCP Business Expectations survey as well as quoting both Batts and Mikes. To read more about carriers’ feelings on adding capacity, read the full article.

Number of Carriers Expecting Business Volumes to Increase is Down

In May of 2011, almost 80% of carriers surveyed expect business volumes to increase but this number shrank down to only 48% of carriers in TCP’s recent survey. Both Batts and Mikes were quoted in TruckingInfo.com’s article. Read the full article here.

More Smaller Carriers Eager to Sell

Richard Mikes is quoted in an article in the Commercial Carrier Journal regarding the increase of carriers – particularly smaller carriers – that are eager to sell. While in 2006 and 2007 the climate was a “seller’s market,” the number of carriers willing to sell now makes it a “buyer’s market.” To read more about the current mergers and acquisitions market in the transportation industry, click here.

Recent Increase in Driver Turnover for Large Fleets

Transport Topics reports that in the first quarter of this year, driver turnover “reached the highest level in nearly three years” for larger fleets ($30 million in revenue or more). Mikes points out that smaller fleets are more inclined to have less turnover as they “tend to have shorter lengths of haul, which gives drivers more time at home.” To read more about the recent increase in driver turnover, click here.

Where is the Industry Headed?

TCP Partners, Lana Batts and Richard Mikes, discuss where the trucking industry is headed in an annual report covering the current industry trends. Some of the topics covered include drivers, equipment, and capacity. Read the full paper.