ExpediteNow.com

Trim Those Expenses

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:25:44 PST

Becoming a successful expedited owner-operator isn't as simple as buying a truck and heading out on the open road to meet your financial goals. To be a successful owner-operator, you've got to think the way a successful owner-operator thinks.

One of the keys to being a successful owner-operator is to keep your eye on the bottom line and trim your expenses.

Review your insurance costs

Insurance experts suggest re-evaluating physical damage insurance every six months to see whether the coverage and premium can be lowered. This especially is true on newer trucks because they depreciate faster.

Take the Guesswork Out of Oil

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:19:33 PST

The need for lubrication is basic. Every owner operator worth his salt takes care to protect his livelihood with frequent oil drains. But new oils come out often, making it difficult to keep pace with oil technology. Is it enough to maintain regular oil drain intervals without considering the characteristics of new oils? Might you extend the life of your engine by switching from CH-4 to CI-4? What about CI-4PLUS? And what about the newest oil designation, DDC93K214, just out July 9^th? To begin, what exactly do those letters and numbers really mean?

Alex Bolkovsky, Commercial Vehicle Lube Advisor, Exxon Mobil, says that the common oil designations were begun 50 years ago by the API, American Petroleum Institute, to keep track of changes in the composition of oils as they were developed and marketed. About 15 years ago, a further distinction was made between oil for gasoline engines and oil for diesel. The letter C became the designation for compression ignition, a diesel engine’s method of firing fuel.

FedEx CC CEO Virginia Albanese

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:10:09 PST

One of expedited trucking's leaders was recently given center stage in a Cleveland Plain Dealer article "FedEx Custom Critical delivers on White Glove promise." The piece was authored by the Plain Dealer's Business Editor Paul O'Donnell.

The article is part of the publication's On the Record series - a collection of interviews with top Northeast Ohio business leaders. The interview, presented in a Q&A format gives an overview of Albanese's FedEx Custom Critical history, her description of how the expedited trucking business operates and a glimpse into her family life.

David and Teresa Craft

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:49:58 PST

Business Planning for Expediters Part X

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:40:12 PST

In part nine of this Business Planning for Successful Expediters series, we talked about a decision every self-employed expediter must make. You must decide what kind of legal structure — also known as business form of ownership — your business will have. Will it be a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation of some sort? This part continues that discussion. Previous parts can be read online at www.ExpediteNOW.com.

Which business form is best? That is a question to discuss with your accountant and attorney. It might cost you some money to do so. But this is a case where professional advice from people who know your circumstances and desires is worth the price.

The 2008 Expedite Expo

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:55:10 PST

The 2008 Expedite Expo will move into the Roberts Convention Centre in Wilmington, Ohio on July 25-26, 2008.

The 8th Annual Expedite Expo is an indoor trucking exposition that focuses on the time sensitive, expedited trucking industry. This event features over 100 exhibitors from truck manufacturers and dealers ,trucking carriers truck suppliers and service providers. This event covers over 70,000 sq. feet of trucks, trucking displays, product exhibits and free live entertainment.

The Expedite Expo is designed to appeal to trucking and expedited owner-operators, drivers, fleet managers, fleet executives and all others interested in the trucking industry.

DPF's and You

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:04:28 PST

Particulate filters have been in use on non-road machines since 1980, and in automobiles since 1996. During combustion of the fuel/air mix, diesel engines produce a variety of particles generically classified as diesel particulate matter due to incomplete combustion.

The composition of the particles varies widely, dependent upon engine type, age, and the emissions specification that the engine was designed to meet.

Historically, diesel engine emissions were not regulated until 1987 when the first California Heavy Truck rule was introduced capping particulate emissions at 0.60 g/BHP Hour. Since then, progressively tighter standards have been introduced for both On-Road and Non-Road diesel engines.

Express-1 Logistics Venture

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:30:36 PST

BUCHANAN, Mich. – Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc. (AMEX:XPO) has announced the creation of a new non-asset based brokerage segment, Bounce Logistics, Inc.

Express-1 Expedited Solutions, Inc, one of the leading ground expedited transportation companies in the U.S., has formed a new subsidiary to complement its portfolio of transportation services.

Bounce Logistics, Inc. will be based in South Bend, Indiana and focus upon dedicated fleet services, full-truckload (semi) offerings, supply chain consulting and “custom warehousing solutions”. In keeping with Express-1 Expedited Solutions, business model, Bounce Logistics. Inc. will be focused on premium transportation solutions for its customers.

Be Aware Of ULSD Issues

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:42:47 PST

In late January and early February, a sudden blast of cold air after a mild winter caused diesel fuel gelling problems that stranded trucks in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In some cases, additives that normally would lower the cold filter plug points were simply not working. Fuel that had been treated with additives that should have lowered the filter plug point to 20 or 30 degrees below zero were found in lab tests to have a plug point of 5 to 10 above.

The problems were at least partially due to the transition to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, mandated by the federal government in conjunction with the 2007 diesel engine emissions standards. ULSD also may be more likely to have water issues, which is a greater danger than ever with today's engines and also could mean increased microbial growth.

Business Planning for Expediters Part IX

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:16:32 PST

In part eight of this Business Planning for Successful Expediters series, we introduced something called “business form.” By business form, we do not mean a piece of paper with blanks to fill in. That would be A business form. We mean YOUR business form, the way your business is structured for legal and tax purposes. Here in part nine, we are picking up where we left off. If you missed part eight, it, and all other parts, are online at www.ExpediteNOW.com.

One driver might say her business is a sole proprietorship. Another may tell you he has a corporation. Still others may say they have a partnership or a limited liability company. All of these folks are talking about the kind of business form they have.

Ten Secrets To Expediting Success

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:03:43 PST

Investor's Business Daily has spent years analyzing leaders and successful people in all walks of life. Most have 10 traits that, when combined, can turn dreams into reality....

1. HOW YOU THINK IS EVERYTHING: Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.

2. DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3. TAKE ACTION: Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.

The Road to Health... trans fat

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:56:46 PST

What are trans-fats, and why are they the new bad boys on the food pyramid? "Trans-fat is formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats through a process called hydrogenation, which increases a food's shelf life," according to Marisa Moore, RD, American Dietetic Association spokesperson. This process creates fats that raise levels of LDL cholesterol (sometimes known as "bad" cholesterol), which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.

Bill and Carla Sturgis

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:29:58 PST

Panther Recognized for Growth

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:21:48 PST

SEVILLE, Ohio -- Critical delivery specialist Panther Expedited Services has been awarded the 2007 Business Growth Award and Sales Growth Award in the Service category from Cascade Capital Corp.

The Cascade Business Growth Award is given in recognition of the existing and increasingly significant role area companies play towards the continuing economic growth and vitality of the local area, honoring businesses located in Summit, Medina, Portage, Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties that have prominently increased sales and/or employment over the past five years.

Sandy Stewart Joins Bolt Express Team

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:42:07 PST

Bolt Express, a leader in the Expedite Transportation market, is pleased to announce the recent addition of Sandy Stewart to our team. Stewart is a thirty-year veteran of the trucking transportation and logistics supply chain industry. Ben Bauman CEO & President states “ Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our company”. Stewart’s lengthy career has seen him hold positions with several companies providing services in multiple modes of transportation.

Express-1 Partners with Langham

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:20:56 PST

Express-1, one of the largest ground expedited carriers in the country, has entered into an agreement with Langham Logistics, headquartered in Indianapolis , Indiana , to provide in-house support for Langham’s growing ground expedite business. Express-1 has a customer service representative working at Langham’s Indianapolis headquarters to provide quick coverage of time critical expedite shipments through to the tactical support operations of pick up and delivery and tracking and tracing of shipments.

18-Wheel Expediters

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:57:18 PST

From cargo vans to tractor-trailers, expedited trucking uses 'em all. Although the expedited industry is probably best typified by the 6-wheel straight trucks, there are a number of semi-truck owner-operators running the highways hauling fast freight.

Let's meet two of those owner-ops.

Debra Patrick and her husband Dixie call Pell City, Alabama home and are independent expedited team drivers.

Women of Expedited Trucking

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:49:48 PST

The expedited trucking business is populated with people from all walks of life and former professions. It is also a niche of trucking that is typically free of sexism and is truly an equal opportunity vocation.

There are a number of women drivers and owner-operators running the highways in expedited trucks and a growing number of those lady owner-operators are expanding their businesses into multi-truck operations.

Profiled below are two female fleet owners:

Jim and Mary King

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:51:22 PST

Trying to Predict the Next �Push�

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:31:54 PST

Stu Sutton

As a company that caters to the technology needs of the Expedite Carrier, we have seen the Expedited business cycle disrupted over the past several years. This cycle is currently being challenged.

The typical annual Expedite cycle starts slow in January, creeps higher in February and has a mini-peak in March at the end of the quarter as shippers try to meet Quarterly sales quotas. April tends to lag behind March and then May and June tend to be strong as manufacturing �pushes� to meet quarterly quotas before summer recess begins.