Flatbed Report: Lower steel production means fewer loads
Steel output in the U.S. in the week ending July 30th fell by 7.3% compared with the same time frame in 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.
Reefer Report: Double-digit growth in cross-border trade with Mexico
The U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index showed growth in Q2 2022 as another indication that a freight recession isn’t on the immediate horizon.
Little Rock isn’t so little anymore
The Little Rock freight market might not be the largest in the South, but it is one of the few true intermodal markets for truckload carriers.
Flatbed Report: Demand drops along with housing market consumer confidence
The housing market continues to cool following the 8% m/m decrease in the number of new single-family homes constructed in June.
Reefer Report: Inflation eats into restaurant demand
“The industry shows signs of year-over-year growth, but when factoring in inflation rates of 7.4%, the industry is only growing 1.5% on a real basis,” according to Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic
Dry Van Report: Industrial sector reports a solid second quarter
Industrial supply companies are reporting continued growth with their latest 2nd quarter results, suggesting that there isn’t a downward shift in demand yet.
This year’s produce shipping peak was more like a speed bump
In most years, summer produce volumes are so high that they drive up national truckload rates for reefer and dry van carriers, peaking around July 4. That didn’t happen this year.
Flatbed Report: Demand drops as lumber prices fall
The housing industry is one of the first to react to the continual Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.
Reefer Report: July is National Watermelon Month
Watermelons grow well in the widespread hot and dry weather prevalent this summer, and these conditions are bringing on the melons faster with a sweeter profile.
Dry Van Report: Freight recession fails to materialize in Q2
The May 2022 reading of the for-hire trucking ton-mile seasonally adjusted index produced by Yemisi Bolumole and Jason Miller at
Shippers front-load fall and holiday merchandise to avoid last year’s supply chain delays
Importers have been busy “front-loading” in the first half of the year, ordering as much inventory as possible in advance to avoid the supply chain delays that caused many shipping containers to arrive well past their due date.
Flatbed Report: Troubles in the housing market could hurt flatbed demand
May’s new orders for manufactured goods increased by 1.6% m/m representing an increase in twelve of the last thirteen months.