Volumes growing, rates stagnant: FTR

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Analysts at FTR are predicting U.S. freight volumes will grow this year, but say rates will likely be stagnant for at least six months.

Capacity is tight, but rates will rise: FTR

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Analysts at FTR are reporting a tighter freight capacity for shippers this year, but believe that "regulatory drag" will likely be slowed under the Trump Administration and a Republican-controlled US Congress.

U.S. trailer orders strong for third month

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Trailer orders in the U.S. reached 32,800 units in January - down 4% month over month, but up 86% year over year, FTR reports.

Mullen hopeful for 2017

OKOTOKS, AB - Mullen Group CEO Murray Mullen is "happy to close the books" on 2016, and predicting a return to growth after two years of steady declines.

Spear attacks lawmakers, pledges action

LAS VEGAS, NV - The president and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) launched a blistering attack on the record of U.S. lawmakers on Monday, pledging to take action on issues ranging from taxation to Hours of Service.

Truck numbers bottoming out, but has the economy?

LAS VEGAS, NV - Several indicators suggest that the U.S. trucking industry is approaching the end of an economic downturn. But broader economic growth is still being slowed by uncertainty around the U.S. election -- and the global rise in populism, nationalism and isolationism, a leading U.S. economist says.

Everything Sells: The Ritchie Bros. auction begins

EDMONTON, AB - Everything sells. It's a firm rule at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, and there is plenty on hand for the highest bidder. About 10,600 pieces of equipment will move through the company's sprawling Edmonton complex this week, easily setting a sales record and eclipsing last April's numbers by about 35%. Trucks dominated most of the sales on Tuesday, when close to 10,000 bidders had already registered for a piece of the action. Equipment such as cranes, rock catchers, and trailers will follow.

Mack projects 250,000-truck market, bigger vocational share

AUSTIN, TX - Mack Trucks president Dennis Slagle admits that North America's truck makers are still living through a "hangover" when it comes to sales. "The over-exuberance at the end of 2014 introduced a lot of orders into the system," he says. "The retail shelves were full, and that affected the number of trucks moving around." But that is hardly dampening the company's spirits.

For-hire fleets hauled 745.5 million tonnes in 2014

Canada's for-hire trucking operations hauled 745.5 million tonnes of freight in 2014, up 7.9% over 2013, Statistics Canada reported today. The related revenue was up 14.8%, reaching 14 cents per tonne-kilometre, while domestic freight generated 16 cents per tonne-kilometre. Most of the weight (86.2%) involved domestic shipments, which rose 8.3% in the year. General freight led the way in Ontario and Quebec, while petroleum was the driving force in Alberta. General freight and motor vehicle parts accounted for most of the cross-border shipments by weight.

Mullen Cuts Spending Budget for Next Year

OKOTOKS, AB - The board of the trucking and logistics and oilfield services provider Mullen Group Ltd. has slashed the company capital spending budget for next year, due in large part to the steep decline in oil and gas prices and activity.

B.C., Ontario Poised to Drive Canadian Economy in 2016

TORONTO, ON -- A changing of the guard in Canadian growth is well underway, with British Columbia and Ontario poised to be the biggest drivers in a still-sluggish Canadian economy next year, according to new report from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and that could force some trucking companies to rethink how they are doing business.

Cat Dealer Finning Closing Facilities, Cuts Workforce

VANCOUVER, BC -- The mega Caterpillar dealer Finning International Inc. says it will exit 11 facilities in Western Canada and cut some of its workforce in order to reduce costs in struggling markets.

Trucking Business Conditions Fall Slightly in U.S.

BLOOMINGTON, IN - The latest measure of business conditions in the U.S. trucking industry has retreated slightly following an even performance this year and is expected to decline further at the year's end.

U.S. Trucking Conditions Continue Improving

BLOOMINGTON, IN - A measure of the U.S. trucking industry has been steadily rising over the past three months and is expected to remain in the current range through the end of the year.

Canada, U.S. Economies Vastly Different ATA Panel Says

PHILADELPHIA, PA - While Canada was naturally not the main topic of conversation during a discussion of trucking and economics during the American Trucking Associations' Management Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, one leading economist gave his thoughts about it.