Bulk Freight News & Industry Updates - Stay Ahead in Trucking

After having as many as 12 owner-operators leased to his Suprise Trucking business, Bryon Stoll is down to just two trucks, including this Freightliner Cascadia from a former leased owner. Stoll said the owner had been struggling with fuel mileage in the truck, barely able to get 5 miles/gal. Stoll found the truck's sweet spot at 58 mph, where he now averages close to 8 mpg.

Multiple awards, across several divisions and ages, were presented as the 2023 Wheel Jam Truck Show closed on Sunday. The winners list was released by 18-Wheel Truck Promotions, LLC, who own and host the Wheel Jam Truck Show with the participation of numerous sponsors.

Experiencing an insurance claim can be a daunting and frustrating situation. As a trucker, you rely on insurance to provide peace of mind and have your back when you need it most. It's disheartening when you're told that you're not covered, leaving you scared and infuriated. At Bulk Insurance Group, we understand the importance of reliable coverage and exceptional service for truckers like you. We invite you to let us review your policy thoroughly. Our dedicated team will ensure that you rece

Today, every agribusiness is at some stage in their digital journey. There are some who have been at it for years while others are just getting started. But few businesses today are questioning why digital altogether. Rather theyre asking, what kind of digital solution is right for my business? Answering that question comes down to their organizational mindset - do they view technology as a foundational element to a successful future or simply a &ldq

A Tuesday report aggregating responses from supply chain executives showed the index stood at 47.3, the first reading in contraction territory for the 6.5-year-old data set. The mark was 3.6 percentage points below the April level and notably below a neutral level of 50.

In this solo episode of the BulkLoads podcast, Jared Flinn shares insights from his 20 years in the trucking industry. He emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions, continuous education, and avoiding excessive entertainment on social media. He advises creating a reward system to balance learning and leisure. Surrounding ones

Two women were arrested Friday, May 26, on a four-count indictment related to their alleged scheme to defraud and embezzle money from their employer, a Texas-based trucking company headquartered in Eagle Pass.

Many are gathering at the Jasper County, Illinois Fairgrounds to support the family and remember the life of Troy Huddleston.

The figure released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were 1,609,200 seasonally adjusted jobs in the truck transportation sector in May.

Trailer leasing companies are wary of trusting their trailers to a freight broker who doesnt have assets. Unlike asset-based motor carriers, freight brokers typically cant get the needed insurance coverage to protect those trailers.

More heavily loaded trucks could make lighter work and fewer expenses for U.S. farmers, according to a bill sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD).

A reduction of 8,700 positions occurred in Q1, but sharper declines could take place in Q2 given the weak freight market, he said. The industry had a total of 836,500 positions at the end of 2022, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Gordon, Georgia-based Attaway Hauling specializes in logistics, transfer station management and long-haul transportation of waste. Choice Bulk Carriers provides liquid and dry bulk transportation services in the region. Collectively, the fleets are known as Attaway.

Suttons Tankers is reporting significant growth in the industrial powders sector over the past year. The logistics provider has won and retained a combined total of over 10m worth of bulk powders business over the last 12 months.

Year 2022 was something of a banner one for independent owner-operator Matthew Karr. Leased to fuel hauler Quality Transportation of Halltown, Missouri, he put up big profit numbers in the 2021 Peterbilt 389 he spec'd with a 290-inch wheelbase and 78-inch sleeper, generally "not trying to make it a show truck," Karr said, but rather just what's necessary for what the rig fundamentally is.

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In this episode, Jared Flinn brings on Ken Clinchy, Vice President of Digital of FleetPride. Ken talks about who FleetPride is, what they offer, and many other topics such as the Right to Repair Act and why they stand for it. FleetPride has been gracious enough to give our listeners 15% off when you order on their website, use ONLINE15 wh

Nearly 800 trucks were placed out of service during an unannounced inspection initiative targeting brakes in April.

The company, which has been operating since 2016, has 38 drivers and 27 power units and hauls general freight, fresh produce and refrigerated food throughout the U.S.

Former TQL freight broker Jacob Patterson embroiled in litigation for 2 years

A coalition of groups, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, penned a letter earlier this month to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders noting their opposition to any legislation that would increase truck weight or length limits.

Before December 2015, if you were an entrepreneur starting your own trucking business, one of your first steps would be to register for your U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration through a form called the MCS-150.

Its not the only weight-related proposal. The Dry Bulk Weight Tolerance Act would also allow 10% weight tolerances for dry bulk carriers to allow for shifting cargo in vehicles that are loaded at or below federal weight limits.

The industry appears mostly ready to embrace an established apprenticeship program for 18- to 20-year-olds with some program modifications, writes Truckload Carriers Association President Jim Ward.

These waivers improve the application process for individuals seeking Commercial Drivers Licenses by allowing skills test examiners to also administer the CDL knowledge test, and to administer a driving skills test to any applicant regardless of the applicants state of domicile or training. The waivers were extended multiple times with no findings of adverse safety impacts by both the Trump and Biden administrations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House of Representatives voted 221-203 Tuesday to pass a Senate resolution to halt the EPA rule designed to strengthen heavy-duty truck emissions standards, beginning with model-year 2027 vehicles.

Farmers in Kansas, the biggest U.S. producer of wheat used to make bread, are abandoning their crops after a severe drought and damaging cold ravaged farms.

Planting 2023 is nearing the finish line across Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. Considering a large portion of the soybean crop saw an early start, one agronomic expert says the stage is set for big soybean yields this year. For farmers in Illinois, its been a rapid planting pace, after a cool start to the season. Rob DeFauw, who farms near Geneseo, Ill., says planting started for them in late April.

Two men and two companies tied to a scheme to bypass emission controls on heavy-duty diesel engines pleaded guilty this week to conspiring to violate the federal Clean Air Act.

This is another episode from MATS 2023! Jared brings on Justin Sensenig with Flint Creek Transport to talk about his major success in bulk hauling. Justin is a truck driver from New York who scaled his operation from 1 to 30 trucks. Discover the strategies and challenges he faced in managing multiple companies while building a YouTube following of 30k subscribers. Along

HAMBURG Chicago wheat futures fell below $6 a bushel for the first time in more than two years on Monday, as expectations of ample global supplies weighed on prices after a wartime deal to ship Ukrainian grains was extended last week.

Cargo theft reports increased 20% in 2022, with the steepest jump in Q4 for a total loss value of $223 million, a Truckstop news release noted.

The accident happened on May 16th in Whitfield County, Georgia. According to ABC 7, the tool, identified as a winch bar, fell off the semi truck along Interstate 75. A portion of the roadway

Thoughts must have been churning in dump truck driver Navpreet Singhs mind as he was directed into the truck inspection lanes along Steeles Avenue in Halton Hills, Ont., on May 16. Did the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) officer who pulled him over notice something wrong with his truck, or did he do something wrong while driving?

Ensuring the safety of commercial vehicles is paramount in the transportation industry. With driver safety and durable equipment in mind, leading electronic equipment manufacturer ASA Electronics has implemented a meticulous and rigorous testing process for its safety systems. The testing process adheres to the DOT, SAE, and ISO industry standards, constantly updating safety systems to meet industry benchmarks. ASA has consistently designed and tested commercial vehicle electronics for decade

The grains put in a mixed performance the second week of May. Wheat found strength while corn and soybeans were under pressure. Chicago wheat joined the corn and soybean markets. Minneapolis and Kansas City wheat pushed higher in three of the five sessions while the Chicago markets were only able to post gains during one session. The grains saw some heavy fund short covering and technical buying to close out the first week of May. Which in turn ended with all three wheat exchang

Multiple Canadian trucking groups are claiming an employee misclassification scam is costing the government billions in lost taxes and is putting the trucking industry into a state of crisis.

Burgum wrestled with those parallels this week before leading a tour to the small rural town in which he grew up where his family has operated a grain elevator since 1906.

The bobtail rigs went on a slow roll along Interstate 465 around Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 17th in hopes of spreading awareness about the financial hardships the low rates are creating for owner operators, reported WishTV 8.

At Bulk Insurance Group, we take pride in being a specialized insurance agency that offers comprehensive coverage for bulk trucking companies. Our insurance products and services are designed to meet the unique needs of businesses in this industry, including liability coverage, physical damage coverage, cargo coverage, and environmental coverage. We've seen many bulk haulers pay outrageous premiums simply because they were placed with the wrong insurance market that doesn't understand bulk fr

The official announcement was made May 9, according to a news release. This joint effort is the first of many exciting growth initiatives we have planned over the next few years. said Bryan Martin, President of 4 State Trucks. We have worked very well with John in years past, and I cant tell you how truly excited we are to have him sign on with us to grow our customer base in the Lone Star State. At the end of the day, we just want to have the

Landus is purchasing Snittjer Grain Co., a family-owned and operated grain merchandising and elevator company located in Iowa.

MIAMI (NewsNation) Truck drivers have called for boycotts against Floridas new penalties and restrictions on undocumented immigrants in the state that require employers to verify if workers are authorized to work in the U.S. Across social media platforms, Latino truck drivers are now threatening to stop delivering to and from Florida and are calling on migrants to stand down from work

For the first time since early February 2022, the national average for a gallon of diesel is below $4, according to the latest weekly update from the Department of Energys Energy Information Administration.

Jared brings on Benjamin Kowalski with Freight360 to discuss who Freight360 is, what they do, and the future of their company. They also discuss market conditions and how beneficial it is for all sides of the industry to understand how each ot

WASHINGTON The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliances (CVSA) International Roadcheck begins this week on Tuesday, May 16, and runs through Wednesday, May 18. This high-visibility, high-volume 72-hour inspection and enforcement event allows CVSA-certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. to conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, designated inspection areas and along roadways. Roadcheck comes on the heels of<

More than 3,400 Freightliner and Western Star truckers are being recalled because of a problem with their electronic stability control systems, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Daimler Trucks North America is recalling some 3,452 short wheelbase 2020-'24 Freightliner Cascadia (manufactured between Aug. 30, 2019, and Feb. 6, 2023) and Freightliner M2 Business Class; 2022 Western Star 4700; and 2020 Freightliner Cascadia (manufactured from Nov. 23-28, 2019) t

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill designed to help protect trucking companies from nuclear verdicts.

Americas wheat fields have been so plagued by drought that farmers are now on the verge of abandoning their crops at the fastest rate in more than a century.

Migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border are once again in the national spotlight after Title 42 expired this week. Enacted by former President Donald Trump in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the measure allowed for the rapid expulsion of undocumented migrants found crossing into the U.S. on the grounds that doing so would help prevent the spread of the virus.

65-year-old James Clayton Wolf has entered a guilty plea to a federal wire fraud charge. According to the US Attorney for Minnesota, the certified organic farmer from Cottonwood County was accused of selling "conventionally farmed" grains that he obtained from a supplier and reselling the grains as organic.

However, shippers the parties that use trucking services, such as retailers and manufacturers seem increasingly fed up with the chaos. While most are slashing how much theyre willing to spend on trucking services in their annual contracts, some arent cutting as deep as they could, as executives from four companies told FreightWaves.

The trucking industry is applauding the enactment of lawsuit abuse reform legislation in Montana establishing consumer protections and disclosures in third-party litigation financing. The legislation, SB 269, requires lawsuit lenders to register in the state and makes judges, juries, and defendants aware when a third party is financing the litigation. Governor Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law last week.

Did you know the largest farm in the entire world is bigger than 11 U.S. states? This massive farm dairy farm is located in Heilongjiang, China. Mudanjiang City Mega Farm has over 100,000 dairy cows and covers an impressive 22.5 million acres.

Focused broadly on "Overcoming Supply Chain Challenges to Deliver for America," the hearing saw representatives from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, America's truck stops and fuel makers, and the Teamsters sound off on the big issues impacting various trucking constituencies today.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) this week is running its first-ever Our Roads, Our Safety Week, a safety-observance event dedicated to educating all road users on sharing the road safely with large trucks and buses.

However, shippers the parties that use trucking services, such as retailers and manufacturers seem increasingly fed up with the chaos. While most are slashing how much theyre willing to spend on trucking services in their annual contracts, some arent cutting as deep as they could, as executives from four companies told FreightWaves.

Look at virtually any stock chart in any ocean shipping sector and youll see a similar pattern. Sometime around late February or early March, shares hit a high for the year to date, posting strong gains versus Jan. 1. Then they went south.

He gave me a lot of information and was a mentor to me when I started out, said Jenkins. Then, I got the business going the following year in 2017. I knew we were right here in an automotive hub with a lot of Tier 1 and 2 auto suppliers, and within two months we already saw success with landing large accounts.

Many businesses struggle with outdated or inefficient transportation systems that do not meet their needs. We recognize the pain points and frustrations that can arise from using these systems, and we strive to provide a better solution that addresses these issues and delivers measurable results.

FMCSAs analysis, sent to Congress on Friday, concluded that the percentage of driver inspections that found at least one HOS violation or at least one out-of-service HOS violation which requires the driver be removed from service until the violation is corrected was significantly higher during the post-change period. (See table.)

On Saturday, police got a call that a man who was let go from an Illinois trucking company was driving one of its semis east on the Indiana Toll Road.

Caleb Fernandez, a long-distance truck driver since 2017, said he often spends hours waiting to load or unload his trucks cargo without getting paid for the time. It can be drawn out to several hours, which will often disrupt his entire schedule for the week and he doesnt receive any compensation for those hours.

This episode was recorded at the Mid-America Truck Show. Jared brings on Colt Sharp with Sharp Farms LLC to discuss Colt's success in the bulk industry and the secret to being so successful at 22 years old! Colt talks about the challenges he's faced, the lessons he's learned, and how he has 2 show quality rigs. Colt takes the opportunity to call out older bulk haulers a

In the early 1930s, an employer advocacy group called the Citizens Alliance (CA) ensured that Minneapolis remained a non-union town. President Roosevelts New Deal program gave workers the right to collectively bargain, and FarmerLabor Party governor Floyd Olson sympathized with unions. Olsons support, however, proved tepid at b

The volume of freight shipments moved via truck declined in the first quarter of 2023 by 6.1% year-over-year, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index.

Quinn noted that, Urea was 5% less expensive compared to last month[and]one fertilizer, meanwhile, was slightly higher compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $827/ton.

David Spencer, vice president of market intelligence at Arrive Logistics, surmises that some of Aprils job growth could be attributed to owner-operators moving to company driver jobs.

Bartlett, a Savage Company, has completed a $28 million expansion and upgrade at its grain milling facility in Wilsons Mills, North Carolina, US, adding a third milling unit and significantly increased storage capacity for wheat, flour and millfeed.

A Republican congressman from Oklahoma has introduced new legislation that would prevent the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from implementing a speed limiter rule on 18-wheelers.

The Paccar $600 million judgments, resulting from a 2016 European Commission ruling, have put significant financial pressure on the leading truck manufacturer.

Sentiment among US agricultural producers improved modestly in April as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, calculated each month from 400 US producers responses to a telephone survey, rose 6 points to a reading of 123.

The agreement with the Chattanooga, Tenn., logistics provider also includes an earnout of up to $30 million, depending on the performance of the acquired company over the next three years. In 2022, Lew Thompson & Son generated about $64 million in revenue.

In this episode, host Jared Flinn invites Woody Waters, Co-Founder of Imagine360, to discuss health insurance options for small trucking companies. The episode sheds light on the fact that most truckers lack health insurance and presents a solution that can save truckers up to 30% on their health insurance. Jared and Woody discuss the challenges faced by small trucking

OROVILLE, Calif. New landmark rules adopted by California air officials are being called a major blow to the trucking industry.

Multiple pieces of legislation were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week that address key issues facing the trucking industry, including workforce development, lawsuit abuse, and supply chain challenges.

Diesel Freak has agreed to pay a $750,000 fine subject to defense arguments regarding inability to pay. Any fine is a part of the criminal sentence and ultimately within the discretion of the sentencing judge.

Ohio-based AIP provides bulk transportation and warehousing services for plastics and chemicals companies out of a 52-acre site in Wapakoneta, Ohio, that includes 450,000 square feet of storage. The location provides indoor rail access for transloading and moving cargoes to CSXs (NASDAQ: CSX) rail line.

Pay us for our time, all of our time, Randel said. Why do we work and dont get paid when we sit at a loading dock? Why do we not get paid for driving deadhead miles to pick up a load? We want to get paid for every minute of our time. Were ruled by the ELD or paper logs, why cant we get paid?

Conventional wisdom says that if youre a small-business truck owner and the freight market is in a downcycle, good luck trying to survive against your larger-carrier competition with deeper pockets more equipped to weather the storm.

Larry E. Estes, a 57-year-old man from Rush County, was arrested on Sunday and charged with four level-6 felony counts of theft after investigators say he stole multiple semi-trucks full of grain from a farmer that hired him and sold them to another grain depot.

Ralph May is leased to Bruce Oakley Trucking with this 1998 Peterbilt 379. The truck, powered by a 3406E Cat with an 18-speed and 3.55 rears, pulls a vacuum pneumatic tanker hauling plastic pellets.

Smart Freight Funding is your trusted partner in the trucking industry. Our freight factoring services help trucking companies of all sizes keep their wheels turning by getting paid quicker. Whether you're a single truck operator, an individual owner-operator, or a larger company managing several trucks and drivers, we've got you covered. With over 50 years of combined driving, dispatching, contracting, and accounting experience, our team knows the ins and outs of the trucking industry

The vote is one of the strongest efforts so far to cut greenhouse gas and ozone-causing emissions from the stubborn transportation sector, which has lagged behind electric power plant conversions to renewable generating sources in the overall battle to slow climate change.

This is why cruise control exists, you think to yourself as you lock yours in at 88 in an 80 mph zone. Even that feels slow. No one on the road except two semis in the slow lane about a mile ahead, or 5 miles ahead. Its hard to judge distance in a state sprawled out like a Faulkner sentence.

In this episode, Jared brings on Mark Hilligoss with Royal Charge Trucking to talk about a matter that he holds dear to his heart. BulkLoads member, and Mark's good friend, Andy Orem, received a life-changing diagnosis at Christmas time. He was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, this disease affects his ability to speak and later put him in the ICU struggling to breathe. Mark also talks about their band of brothers in trucking and how they operate on the road. <

A bill in the Missouri Senate would permit truck drivers to file a complaint if they believe they were overcharged for a nonconsensual tow. The issue has historically been derailed by the governor.

Kevin Turner rebuilt this 2006 Peterbilt 379 from the frame up. The truck was originally a day cab that had a Cat C13 motor, and Turner built the Cat 3406E C15 that's in it now. He said he took the truck down to the bare frame and stretched it to a 282-inch wheelbase from the original 230 inches. Turner pulls a 2022 Mac dry bulk tanker hauling cement.

The decision this month by the Miami-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit rejected an argument by an insurance company that a federal exemption provision of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act allows Florida negligence claims against a transportation broker based on the brokers selection of a motor carrier.

Minnesota is currently contemplating the establishment of a fund to provide payments to farmers when the companies that buy or store their grain go bankrupt. Minnesota would seed the money at least in part with state money. The fund would operate between $9 million and $15 million and in later years would be subsidized by a 0.2% fee on grain sales if necessary.

One index that measures logistics and transportation health in the United States was at an all-time low in March, illustrating the slowdown in freight demand since the spikes in rates experienced during the COVID pandemic. Truck and ocean freight rates, which were severely affected by the pandemic, remain well below historic highs, but logistics challenges for carriers may well be opportunities for shippers in the form of lower rates and greater availability of freight.

This was a poorly timed choice. When Chidester was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, trucking was one of the best-paid jobs a guy without a college degree could get. But by the time he started trucking, the entire industry was changing in response to a law called the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. This law deregulated trucking, wresting control of freight rates from the federal government and allowing the free market to decide how much it would cost to move shoes, concrete, furniture and everyth

There are concerns about a new bill in Tallahassee that would decrease safety standards for large trucks. Lawyers say the bill was sponsored by the Penske Trucking Company and it would benefit the trucking industry, not Florida drivers.

Jason Decker of brokerage General Transportation and carrier ART Trucking, based in Van Buren, Arkansas, gave a talk at the Mid-America Trucking Show on ways carriers and brokers can work together to combat what he called "one of the biggest issues we have going on right now, causing heartache and headache for everyone." Namely, double brokering and other fraud in spot freight transactions, dragging down rates through misrepresentation/skimming and in some cases outright theft.

Jared got to sit down with Jeremy Kellett at the Mid-America Truck Show. Jeremy is the Director of Recruiting for Bruce Oakley Trucking. In the show, they talk about how Oakley has grown from 400 owner-operators to over 800 so quickly. Jeremy talks about riding the ups and downs in the market and how they treat their carriers. Check out Oakley's podcast here:

Preliminary data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reveals a steady rise in crashes involving large trucks among companies that entered the industry since 2018.

A 1935 National Safety Council paper found that some truckers used an onion to moisten dry eyelids others, to keep from nodding off, would light a cigarette and sleep until it burned down and awakened them by scorching their fingers.

Along with Gleaner and Farmall, another brand familiar to farmers is celebrating a 100th anniversary in 2023 heavy truck manufacturer Kenworth.