What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: October 30, 2013

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. 

1. White House Delays Health Care Sign Up 
   The Obama Administration announced it is is delaying the deadline for individuals to sign up for the Affordable Care Act by six weeks. The health care law requires people to have health insurance byMarch 31, 2014. To guarantee the coverage, people must begin the process of applying for insurance no later than Feb. 15. Under the change, people who have signed up for insurance by the end of March will not face a penalty even if they do not actually have the insurance. Click here to read more >
   
   
2. Jobs Reports Fuel Concern 
   September's less-than-exciting jobs report brings new concern about the future of American employment. While jobs growth over the past several months seemed to indicate that the employment environment was gaining traction, September's report reversed the trend. Additionally, the labor force participation rate was at a decades low rate of 63 percent. In fact, a weak economy does not seem to be the cause of the stagnant jobs climate, but rather, Americans appear to be abandoning the job market. Millions are leaving the labor force with no desire to continue working. Click here to read more >
   
   
3. Tea Party Targeting Transportation Chairman Shuster 
   House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) could face a challenge from Tea Party activists in the upcoming election as the rift between Republicans and the Tea Party movement continues to grow following the government shutdown, according to published reports. Click here to read more >

4. Dollar General To Enter Gas Business 
   Dollar General has announced that it will open its first fuel station as a part of its retail store in Hanceville. Ala. The low-price retailer will partner with Mansfield Oil on the pilot project and analyze results over a twelve-month period to determine next steps. Click here to read more >

5. HOS Tops Fleet Concerns 
   A recent survey performed by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that hours-of-service rule changes were at the top of trucking executives' worries. That concern was followed by the DOT's Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program, the driver shortage and the sluggish economy. ATRI Chairman Steve Williams, who also chairs Maverick Transportation, said that the HOS rule changes impacted productivity and driver satisfaction and, consequently, aggravated the driver shortage. Click here to read more >
   
   
6. Big Data Management 
   The truck stop industry is transactional in nature with millions of pieces of data moved between customer and supplier each day. Within that data lie insights that could likely transform a business or a total industry. The challenge is finding a process that allows you to manage the data rather than being managed by it. The key to gaining value and insight from the massive amounts of data available is in the development of the process that you will use to do so. Click here to read more >

7. Love's To Open Virginia Facility 
   Love's Travel Stops will open its Franklin, Va. unit in the first half of 2014 and will partner with a Bojangles operator, who will provide the food offering. The $7 million facility will be located on 20 acres situated on the Route 58 bypass. Click here to read more >

8. Dual Diesel/Natural Gas Engine Technology Available 
   A new dual fuel diesel/natural gas technology has been introduced that will allow Class 8 tractors to utilize both fuel sources in the same engine. The technology, called D2G, will allow a vehicle to consume up to 70 percent natural gas. Bestway Express has been testing the technology with eight tractors from its fleet of 275. Bestway plans to add 40 additional trucks in the near future. The trucking company reports that it has been running the trucks 800 miles per day with no issues. Click here to read more >
   
   
9. Love's Expands Headquarters 
   Love's has opened an expanded office building at its headquarters in Oklahoma City, Okla. The company has grown from a single store in 1964 to 300 locations and more than 10,000 employees today. The new three-story, 67,500-sq.-ft. building will accommodate 400 employees. The addition was needed to accommodate the ongoing growth of locations that have been opening at a rate of 20 per year. Click here to read more >
   
   
10. Tens of Thousands of Trucks Eliminated From I-26 
    South Carolina's inland port in Greer is now open for business. The state's coastal ports now will be connected to the inland port by rail and will move significant amounts of freight to and from the Greer port. The inland facility located along I-85 will be a transfer point for shipping containers. Expectations for traffic changes include eliminating "tens of thousands" of trucks from I-26. It also could move truck traffic from I-95 to I-85 as the facility matures. 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.