I’ve written about trucking and truck drivers before. A lot.
Those folks (the ones about which I write) are the ones who own their own tractors and carry trailers to various sites, making deliveries to one location or several along a route. (For example, our trucking firm had its own tractors and trailers, since we were transporting our own goods- or bringing in raw materials for our production facilities.)
Continue reading Intermodal Truckers
I know, I know. Christmas is coming and y’all are desperate to spend money to buy your gifts. Others are desperate to get a new (or used) set of wheels. I’m waiting to get a supply of pineapple juice.
Continue reading Any Port in a Storm?
Late last year (The Lightest of All), I discussed a new concept. Instead of using batteries to store energy produced by wind and solar, folks like BP and Linde are choosing to produce hydrogen from the energy, which then serves as the energy storage. But, is that the best use for hydrogen?
Continue reading Hydrogen Trucks?
So, I haven’t spoken about what going on the in the trucking industry for a while. About 18 months ago, we discussed autonomous trucking concepts and about two years ago when I gave some ideas for folks entering the trucking business sector. (The three-part series began here.)
Continue reading RCO (remote controlled operation?)
I have always had an enamored view of truck-drivers. Since I was a little boy. Back then, there really were no interstate highways. And, my family would travel the roads (yes, late at night- that’s how I learned that was the best time to travel). And, when we wanted to pass a slow-moving truck, my dad would double-flash his brights (bright lights) to inform the vehicle of our attempt. And, when we were in front of the truck, ready to return to our lane, the truck driver would double-beam my dad, letting him know that he was absolutely clear of the vehicle.
Continue reading Big Rigs a-comin’, comin’ down the road…
I’ve written about self-driving trucks. (Here’s the first of three articles in a recent series.) And, these are most likely to be the first adopted use of autonomous vehicles. It’s not clear if the tractor (what one calls the “truck” that hauls the trailer) will be autonomous on the highways, only to revert to driver control on the side-streets and within cities- or there will be a leader vehicle (driven by a human), with a series of autonomous vehicles following the instructions of the lead driver.
Continue reading Self-Drive Act
Why have I been talking about truckers getting their own authority? (Parts 1, 2, and 3 of this series can be found by clicking on the numbers above..)
Continue reading Modern Day Slavery
Sorry, that I had to skip a day to complete this discussion on trucking businesses- and the future.
We’ve talked about why you have to consider autonomous trucking- where you aren’t needed as the driver as part of your considerations. And, you have to develop a business plan (not the 30 to 100 page tomes you see for larger firms), but about 5 pages that lets you have a road map- and signposts to ensure you are on your way to a profitable venture. (As discussed below, you also need this business plan to obtain your own carrier registration, to operate your own trucking entity.)
Continue reading Keep On Trucking- 3
So, yesterday, I described how we learned about trucking and logistics. That is exactly why we now know how to help our clients in these endeavors. Whether it’s a common carrier (conveys freight for other firms) or private carriage (only carries freight for their own business), we understand the factors, the hidden issues, and the need to manage “the lone wolf” (the long-distance trucker) effectively.
Continue reading Keep On Trucking- 2
When we started our dialysis company, we knew we were going to battle against some of the largest companies in the world. And, we were – if we were lucky- awfully teeny. But, we knew we had the absolute best product (yes, we were shy and retiring back then, too)- and we did our homework and knew how the marketplace operated.
Continue reading Keep on Trucking- 1
