Small operators have borne the brunt in 2023, and analysts blame bad spot rates and pricey fuel, but the losses have leaked to larger fleets of 100 trucks or more. However, this hasn’t yet put much of a dent in the huge 2020-2022 carrier surge. The tumbling freight spot market and historically high fuel prices […]
Parts availability and prices are among the biggest problems facing independent drivers. Inflation is pushing owner-operators to readjust routes and loads. With economic pressures including record inflation, still-high diesel prices, and volatile freight markets hurting the bottom line of even the largest carriers, owner-operators are having to stay on their toes as they navigate the […]
Time spent reviewing your fleet’s operations can help pinpoint weaknesses and provide opportunities for improvements. Probably of that you have not had time to re-evaluate your existing practices and procedures. As supply chain issues are getting resolved and more businesses are returning to normal operations. Now is a good time to take a step back […]
The spot market economy for freight has been “recovering” for much of the time. The latest catchphrases for the market critical to smaller fleets and owner-operators are “soft” according to the latest from the research. A industry researcher, characterize the spot market economy as “soft”! Especially in two critical segments of freight-hauling: dry van and […]
ELD data now shows where shippers, traffic, and other problems hold up more drivers and slow freight. It’s time to be proactive in combating detention time if fleets want to be more efficient—and safer. А simple rule that if you don’t show up 15 minutes early, you were considered late. Detention time Detention time strains […]
Fleets share how they’ve endured truck, trailer equipment shortages. As fleets continue to struggle with parts shortages, procuring new equipment, and rising maintenance costs, they are forced to think of new, creative ways to keep their operations running. Fleets today are finding more ways to get creative as trucking equipment is still hard to come […]
Fleet Advantage latest benchmarking survey details fleets’ growing focus on environmental goals. The latest industry benchmarking survey from Fleet Advantage shows a growing number of carriers plan to deploy alternative-fuel vehicles sooner than later. The report also indicates that maintenance and repair trends remain top of mind and that fleets are focusing more on modernizing […]
Maintenance and repair costs rise, but rate of increase slows despite headwinds, fleet maintenance operations continue to offset increases. Parts and labor cost data indicate that significant cost challenges continue to impact fleets through 2023.
After contracting in 2022, the economy is growing again as employment remains consistent and consumers keep spending despite inflation concerns. The overall U.S. economy might not be as bound for a recession in 2023 as the mainstream media has warned much of this year. But the freight economy might have to start the new year […]
Particularly in the last five months, the spot market where owner-operators and many smaller carriers find and price loads to haul has been on a road to recovery after a time when the spot market struggled, load board observers say. Trucking industry experts and load board operators these days describe the spot market for freight […]