Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/231816
JANUARY 2014 | VOL 171 | NO. 1 28 JOURNAL 2014 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: FEELING THE SQUEEZE LEADING NEWS, TRUCKING MARKET CONDITIONS AND INDUSTRY ANALYSIS The sentiment of fleet executives reflects positive trends in the overall economic climate as interest rates remain historically low and industrial production and manufacturing show signs of continued growth. However, there remain plenty of challenges facing carriers that are impeding – or halting altogether – their ability to grow. Based on the CCJ Economic Outlook survey of for-hire fleet executives, CCJ's annual economic outlook highlights the top four challenges survey respondents said they will face in 2014. Cover design by David Watson FEATURES 7 News Ferro defends hours rule … Summit: Urgent need for higher highway funding … CARB delaying retrofit deadline … FMCSA updates citation protocol to allow removal of viola- 34 tion from CSA, PSP … CCJ Fall Symposium: Change in 2014 and beyond the constant theme Court rejects broker group's request to halt If fleets aren't circling the wagons, they can't be blamed for thinking about it. Challenges abound from every quarter in today's business environment, from industry-specific issues such as a worsening driver shortage, fuel price volatility and a raft of new regulations slated to hit all at once, to broader concerns such as an uncertain economy and "ObamaCare." bond increase … Pilot Flying J settlement reaches $85 million … Judges toss EPA rule in Navistar case 25 Innovators: Prime Inc. 8 InBrief The Springfield, Mo.-based company addresses retention by offering drivers a growing list of career choices and opportunities. COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JANUARY 2014 1