Business Management

With shipments and rates, respectively, having contracted 9 percent and 10.9 percent year-over-year, carriers find themselves in a more competitive and more financially pressured environment than they have in years.

Read the full article to learn six strategies small carriers can use to survive and thrive in a challenging market. 

Driver Qualification Files, Equipment Compliance Among Fleet Challenges in Survey

Among fleet managers' biggest challenges are the day-to-day challenges of staying up to date with regulatory changes and improving driver knowledge and skills, according to a recent survey conducted by the research arm of J.J. Keller & Associates — with drivers knowing how to safely operate a specific vehicle making a big jump in priority compared to last year.

 

As fleet managers continually assess and work to improve the knowledge and skills of their drivers, some areas were identified as more important than others. Read the full article to learn what those are. 

Do Owner-Operators Need to Worry About Credit Scores?

For established trucking owner-operators, and even those eyeing going into business for themselves for the first time, having good credit means a lot more than just a decent FICO score. While digging up old unpaid dentist bills and paying them might help shave interest points off a home loan, companies that finance trucks typically go a little above and beyond the credit bureaus' magic numbers. 

Read the full article to learn more about what truck lenders look for and how to improve your credit – not just your score.

Economic Trucking Trends: Truck orders fall, signs of a spot market turnaround

Class 8 orders continued to fall in April, with FTR reporting preliminary orders of 12,050 units. That’s down 37% from March and marks the sixth decline in the last seven months.

Orders were down 20% from year-ago levels. Not a big surprise, FTR chairman Eric Starks said in a press release. Demand remains strong but build slots are filled for the year.

 

Read the full article to learn more.

Diesel Sheds Another 8.2¢, Falling to $4.294 a Gallon

Good news for truckers: The price of diesel fuel showed a significant decrease in February, with the nationwide average dropping 8.2 cents a gallon to $4.294.https://www.ttnews.com/articles/diesel-sheds-another-82c-falling-4294-gallon

Carriers have weathered years of insurance premium increases and may see slight relief in 2023, but insurance providers continue to face inflation, economic pressures, and larger verdicts in both average loss and nuclear verdicts.

Learn how carriers are turning to technology, including cameras, telemetry, and artificial intelligence, to help mitigate risk and reduce premiums

Identity Theft has never been a bigger issue, and it comes in many forms. Given the fact that so much of our information and data ends up online, it is something everyone needs to be aware of. Fleet fuel cards are no exception. Check out this week's featured article and make sure you are doing everything you can to protect your business!

Cash Is King But Cash Flow Is Its Equally Regal Cousin" - For this week's featured article, we have some helpful information and ways to manage cash flow and keep your business healthy regardless of the market volatility, inflation, or other factors that can leave businesses high and dry.

For Car haulers and Fleets, safety first is a lot more than just a slogan. Good safety practices can save you money on insurance, violations, and much more. Check out this week's featured article and learn 10 ways fleets can improve and foster a safety culture.

Running a business can be complicated, with many moving parts. For this week's featured article, check out some helpful tips to get "Back To Basics With Owner-Operator Business Planning"