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.
- 1,000 Travel Plazas Have Bulk DEF Dispensers
Bulk DEF dispensers now can be found at more than 1,000 truckstops throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is estimated that 75 percent of the trucks on the road by 2015 will require diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Click here to read more > - Fuel Additives Are A $4.5 Billion Market
The worldwide fuel additives market is $4.5 billion with the largest segment being diesel supplements. Increased ULSD demand has fueled a jump in additives used to boost cetane ratings, improve lubricity and aid cold flow properties. The new low sulfur diesel requires much higher dosing than the traditional 500 PPM diesel. Click here to read more > - Interview Do's and Don'ts
Asking the wrong questions in an employment interview can be as damaging as not asking the right questions. The wrong questions can lead to issues with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Some of the topics that an interviewer should treat with care are disabilities, family status, nationality, criminal background and transportation. Click here to read more > -
Rush Truck Centers to Number 88
Rush Truck Centers has announced the acquisition of several dealerships in Illinois and Indiana. The acquisitions, which will close in early 2014, will extend Rush's footprint in seven Illinois markets and three Indiana locations. Additionally, Rush is increasing its credit facility by $150 million to accommodate new equipment inventories. Rush Truck Centers will have 88 locations with these announced purchases. Click here to read more > - Truck Fuel Efficiency Could Improve 37% By 2025
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy predicts that truck fuel economy could be reduced significantly with improvements in areas such as trailer aerodynamics and waste-heat energy recovery. Fuel standards adopted in 2011 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce fuel consumption in heavy trucks by 15 percent in model years 2014 through 2018. Further reductions resulting from new improvements through engine downsizing and reusing waste heat energy could generate an overall reduction of 37 percent. Click here to read more > - Study Finds Debit Swipe Fee Reform Lowered Prices
A new economic report released Oct. 1 by the Merchants Payments Coalition shows that debit card swipe fee reform saved consumers and merchants billions of dollars in 2012, as anticipated by Congress when it passed debit reform legislation in 2010. Click here to read more > - Knight Pursues USA Trucking
Knight Transportation has offered to acquire USA Trucking for $242 million. The offer would yield $95 million in cash and the assumption of $147 in outstanding debt. The bid represents a 39 percent premium over USA's current market value on the Nasdaq exchange. Knight Transportation ranks #31 on the list of largest for-hire carriers and USA Trucking is #52. Click here to read more > - Are You Ready for Some Football?
TravelCenters of America and Petro Stopping Centers have announced the addition of DIRECTV service at 200 of their locations. As a result, drivers now will be able to view the NFL Sunday Ticket Channel that televises games on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Additionally, select locations will offer special game-day menus and provide food order and delivery service to the drivers' television lounges. Click here to read more > - Indiana County Imposes Restrictions on Truckstops
Monroe County in southern Indiana is proposing new rules for truckstops built on I-69 in the Bloomington area. Some of the travel plaza-specific regulations include a ban on overnight parking unless electrified parking spaces are provided, spill containment plans for any type of transported liquid, limited site approvals to within 2,000 feet of an interstate ramp and building allowed only in industrial zones. The onerous rules will surely be challenged in court. Click here to read more > - Driver Population Reaches 1,556,510
The truck driver population increased by 3.2 percent in 2012 and surpassed 1.5 million. That number is 9 percent less than the peak of 1,693,590 reached in 2007. The average wage for 2012's truck driver increased by 1.3 percent and topped $40,000 for the first time. 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.
Subscribe to Updates
NATSO provides a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the travelling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.
