The term “carrier-friendly” is often used to describe practices that make it easier for carriers to serve shippers and, as a result, lower operating costs. But does the term still have true meaning for freight carriers, or has it become just a buzzword?
Our predictions for trucking industry trends in 2016 have held true, and many of these factors may impact the performance of your trucking company both in 2017 and beyond. By understanding these key changes, you can help your business adapt and stay ahead of the competition.
The amount of money you can earn as an owner operator varies based on your contract with the company you work with and whether you are paid on a mileage or percentage basis. There are also various niches within the trucking industry with different compensation structures. For instance, general freight or van driving may pay less than specialized jobs, such as heavy haul work. Recent data provided by ATBS, the largest owner-operator financial services company in the United States, reported that independent owner operators earned an average of $61,167 in 2015. 2015 was also the first year that owner operator average salaries exceeded $60,000.
If you know anything about electronic logging devices, or ELDs, you’re well aware of the new electronic logging device mandate. In a nutshell, all truck drivers and shipping companies have to make the switch to ELDs by December 2017.
Drivers are angry, thinking this will make their jobs even harder. Industry analysts are measuring the impact from every angle. But everyone needs to stop and breathe! The law is the law and if we want to stay in this industry, we all just have to deal with it.
The words “manufacturing efficiency” call to mind images of an assembly line where workers and managers strive to put goods together more quickly and accurately. In fact, the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing depend on factors far outside the factory. Chief among these is manufacturing logistics, a process that includes:
These factors are critical to the success of manufacturing operations. Improvements in storage, delivery, and fuel efficiency lead to lower costs, better product quality, and more reliable shipping to consumers. With this in mind, manufacturers should pay attention to new developments in logistics that affect their bottom line.
With so many existing federal regulations to monitor truck drivers on the road, it can be difficult to determine which regulations you need to be actively aware of in order to properly do your job. Stay informed and safe by knowing these three essential truck driver regulations: hours of service, on-duty vs. off-duty time, and logging requirements.
Heavy snowfall, icy roads, and other winter weather hazards can lead to shipment delays, shortages, and other supply chain nightmares. Delayed deliveries, driver shortages, and even road closings plague many businesses during the cold winter months. But by putting the right strategy in place, you won’t feel helpless. With proper knowledge, planning, and teamwork throughout your organization and network, you can minimize the effect of winter’s wrath and keep your customers and vendors in high spirits. Discuss winter plans with your supply chain logistics management team in Arkansas and consider the following tips.
The electronic logs mandate is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s efforts to improve road safety and regulatory compliance among commercial truck operators. Drivers must install electronic logging devices, or ELDs, to record their vehicles’ speed, location, and hours of operation. The devices will ultimately identify drivers who work an unsafe number of hours. Regulators believe electronic logging will reduce driver fatigue, preventing an estimated 26 deaths and 562 injuries and saving more than $1 billion every year. If you own a ground freight shipping company, the mandate will require you to almost exclusively work with drivers who have installed ELDs. While the measure does not go into full effect until December 16, 2017, early compliance offers the following benefits for your operations.
Commercial truck drivers must travel on unfamiliar roads and through unfavorable conditions to deliver their loads on schedule. Failing to pay attention to your route or the road itself can lead to delays or serious accidents. If you are just starting your driving career, taking the time to read about road safety can teach you crucial lessons that would be painful to learn through firsthand experience. Before taking your next job in Arkansas, brush up on the following safe driving tips for truck drivers and haul your upcoming loads with confidence.
Specialized freight is a segment of the trucking industry dedicated to transporting loads that cannot be accommodated by the average dry van trailer. Carriers that provide specialized freight services must use a variety of trailers that are uniquely designed for shipping freight of uncommon weights, shapes, or properties. These types of cargo may also require escorts and specialized trucks for delivery. The following information explores five of the most common types of trailers used to carry specialized freight.
