Tag: business: Page 17

Overdrive Radio

One independent’s comeback from the brink: A run with Ted Bowers

A rare opportunity to make part of a run with Kingston, Tenn.-based Ted Bowers, owner of the small trucking company that bears his name, yields a story of adversity overcome that holds lessons in the importance of close freight, accounting, driver and other partnerships.

March 15, 2016

Business

Fuel prices putting a damper on rates as winter freight season settles in

Rates fell for hauls originating in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Philadelphia, but strong freight volume may lead to a rebound on the most popular lanes this week or next.

January 21, 2016

Business

Spot market rates, volume: Hot markets for van and reefer across Midwest, South

The brief “reminder of 2014” we got in last week’s spot market update in the very high van load-to-truck ratio came back down to earth this, though it’s still high for this time of year.

January 14, 2016

Channel 19

Shipper to owner-operators: Come on down!

Some shippers’ common bond with owner-operators — when it comes to procuring transportation, they’d rather not deal with brokers or large asset-based carriers, either.

January 14, 2016

Business

The question any independent owner-operator business must answer

“Why is anybody going to use you to ship their material?” — your business’ distinguishing “why you” factor could take many forms, such as in these examples related to specialized equipment, geography and freight niche.

January 6, 2016

Voices

POLL: How does your 2015 business income compare to prior years?

Owner-operators, if you’ve put your business numbers together for 2015 as yet, how’d it turn out relative to 2014?

January 5, 2016

Voices

POLL: What’s your business outlook for 2016?

Owner-operators, how do economic conditions and your opportunity for profit look from the driver’s seat in your business? Will the coming year be better, about the same or worse than the one in the rear view?

December 30, 2015

Business

Van, reefer, flatbed rates dove again in November (charts)

This is the fourth straight month that rates dipped in all three segments, continuing a now year-long downward trend spurred by both a major drop in diesel prices and market conditions.

December 8, 2015

Channel 19

What sets your business apart?

In any bid to build long-term relationships with (and secure direct freight from) shippers, it’s a question “you have to be able to answer before” you embark, says Henry Albert: “Why you?”

November 30, 2015

Voices

POLL: Do you aspire to contract for freight direct with shippers?

Independents with authority, in a perfect world, would you do most of your freight business direct with shippers? Are you already there? Or: do you most appreciate current relationships with your broker(s)?

November 23, 2015

Parking

Too many cats, not enough walls

“Truckers are dirty” — the erroneous contention state and local governments trot out to “restrict parking for all truckers. It’s like saying all cats pee on walls, so we can’t build any more walls.”

November 16, 2015

Channel 19

Building the customer base: Introducing Utah-based Brandt King of King Farms Trucking

King and his King Farms Trucking grew from a one-truck Utah-based operation to 34 trucks by building lanes loaded both ways with shipper-direct reefer freight.

November 14, 2015