In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators.
While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read.
- New Credit Card Scam Targets C-Stores
Criminals have developed a new low-tech scam that is victimizing convenience store operators in the Midwest and Middle Atlantic States. The thieves climb to the roof of the convenience store and cover the satellite dish, that transmits credit card data to the card processors, with aluminum foil. That action blocks the transmission of transaction data while the criminals make their purchases using stolen cards. According to the FBI, the suspects are believed to be a part of the loosely confederated groups known as African Criminal Enterprises. The scams are growing despite law enforcement's best efforts. Click here to read more > -
Are Diesel And Gas Prices Inverted?
In 2004 diesel fuel retail prices averaged 20 to 25 cents below the price of regular gasoline. Today the roles are reversed and diesel is regularly 40 to 50 cents higher than gasoline. So, why the change? Is it a temporary inversion of pricing? The phenomenon is not temporary. It is merely a result of supply and demand. The global market has chosen diesel fuel as its transportation fuel of choice. Diesel demand is projected to grow at a rate three to four times that of gasoline in the coming years. Click here to read more > -
Kwik Trip To Acquire Minn. Truckstop
Last month, Kermit Watts announced the closing of his truckstop in Austin, Minn. Now Kwik Trip, based in Eau Claire, Wisc., is negotiating for the purchase of the facility. The company plans to invest over $5 million to rebuild a 6,000 to 7,000 square foot travel center at the site. Kwik Trip expects to lease adjacent land to a hotel and full-service restaurant operator. It will also install CNG lanes at the facility. Kwik Trip operates 450 convenience stores in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Click here to read more > -
What's The Best Mechanic/Technician Pay System?
The most popular method of compensating technicians in the heavy-duty market is a basic hourly rate. An hourly rate provides flexibility for the employer as it can adjust a technician's hours, and its costs, as business fluctuates. Flat-rate pay systems are growing in popularity, however, as they provide benefits to both the employer and employee and should be advantageous to the customer as well. Flat-rate compensation tends to motivate technicians to improve productivity and assist the shop operator in balancing costs with revenues. Changing from one system to another requires thoughtful planning and communications. Click here to read more > -
Analyst Sees Difficult 2014 For Trucking
The CEO of trucking consulting firm Ahern and Associates predicts a challenging year for the trucking industry. Among other forecasts, Andy Ahern is confident that an increase in the federal fuel tax will occur in 2014. Increased interest rates, inflation and GDP growth are other expected events in the coming year, according to Ahern. The consultant's advice for fleets is to prepare for the unexpected in 2014.Click here to read more > -
Leadership and Complaining
Most successful leaders share one common trait: No Whining! Leaders believe that problems are a part of life and they spend little time bemoaning the fate dealt to them because of these issues. Instead, they see their problems as learning opportunities and identify ways to benefit from them. Rarely will a successful leader be heard complaining about the bad things that have crossed their paths. Click here to read more > -
Majority Of Americans Know Little About Fracking
A recent survey performed by George Mason University, Oregon State and Yale University found that over half of the respondents reported knowing nothing about fracking. An even greater number said they do not care, or have an opinion, about the subject. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of horizontal drilling using a combination of water, sand and chemicals under high pressure to fracture the shale formations and release previously inaccessible oil and natural gas. The process raises issues of balance regarding the economic and energy benefits against the environmental issues. Click here to read more > -
Love's Plans Kansas Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stops is planning the construction of a new Kansas location in McPherson. The Oklahoma-based company is hoping that the property will be annexed by the city and move from county jurisdiction to city jurisdiction. Annexation will make city water and sewer infrastructure available to the site. According to a company spokesman describing the I-35 location, “There will be seven diesel bays, 12 gas bays, truck scales, a truck tire center, a 24-hour roadside assistance service and a restaurant, though we haven’t finalized negotiations on which restaurant it will be." Click here to read more > -
Fleets Moving To Factory-Installed Inverters
Inverters are one of the more popular electronic items sold in travel centers' retail stores. However, fleets are moving toward purchasing factory-installed inverters, and away from aftermarket purchases. Inverters allow drivers to operate televisions, laptops, coffee pots and even microwaves in the cab of their trucks. Convenience and safety concerns are the reasons fleets are adding inverter systems to their list of original equipment components. Click here to read more > -
Penn. Diesel Tax Increases 13 Cents
On Jan. 1, Pennsylvania made the first of three moves to increase the tax on diesel and gasoline. The increase will hike diesel taxes by 13 cents and gasoline by 9.5 cents. Another tax increase will take place at the beginning of 2015 and again in January of 2017. The new taxes are expected to generate an additional $2.3 billion per year in transportation funding for the state. Click here to read more >
I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.
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