December 2014 Archive

ATA Truck Tonnage Index surged 3.5% in November

  American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 3.5% in November, following an increase of 0.5% during the previous month. In November, the index equaled 136.8 (2000=100), which was the highest level on record. Compared with November 2013, the SA index increased 4.4%, down slightly from

US truck tonnage sets new record

US for-hire truck tonnage increased 3.5% in November, achieving a new record high. The seasonally adjusted American Trucking Associations Truck Tonnage Index was up 4.4% year-over-year, marking the second highest y-o-y gain in 2014. Year-to-date, tonnage is up 3.3% in the US. Read more here.        

A Fast Lane to Growth

Demand for truck trailers is on a tear, given the nation’s aging semi-truck trailer fleet and increasing freight demand. Wabash National, one of the largest makers of truck trailers, and the only publicly held company in the business, could be a prime beneficiary. Its shares, at a recent $11.65, could

November orders of tractors and trailers way up

These results were published in ACT’s latest state-of-the-industry report, covering Classes 5 through 8 vehicles for the North American market. “Class 8 has the largest backlog since October 2006 and on a per day basis, November’s build was the second best since December 2006,” said ACT president and senior analyst,

Driver Demographics Begin to Shift

“I think many of them are looking for the freedom,” Brown said, including couples who are seeking new careers after children leave home, as well as other professionals. Rob Behnke, who heads the training program at Appleton, Wisconsin-based Fox Valley Technical College, agreed with Brown, about those seeking new careers,