YRC Worldwide Plans Tariff Rate Hikes

LTL carrier YRC Freight to raise rates 6.9 percent, YRCW CEO Welch says

YRC Freight plans to raise base rates 6.9 percent on average, matching rate increases announced by several competitors, YRC Worldwide CEO James Welch said Friday.

“Rates still aren’t where they need to be,” Welch said in an interview. “The industry as a whole needs to improve its returns so companies can recapitalize their fleets.”

FedEx Freight and Con-way Freight will take 6.9 percent general rate increases July 9 and ABF Freight System implemented a 6.9 percent increase June 25.

YRC’s regional carriers — Holland, New Penn Motor Express and Reddaway — may impose a slightly smaller GRI, in the 6.5 percent range, Welch said.

General rate increases only cover non-contract freight, typically a smaller portion of a less-than-truckload carrier’s overall business. But they send a signal.  Full Story........

Holland Hiring Additional 450 Professional Drivers to Meet Growing Demand

Holland plans to hire an additional 450 qualified over-the-road and local city drivers throughout the Midwest in the next few months. Driver recruitment efforts are system-wide with a spotlight on the Evansville, South Bend, Ind.; Chicago and Wheeling, Ill.; as well as Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; and Milwaukee, Wis. areas.

Holland continues to experience increasing demand in the next-day delivery market. In anticipation of further growth, Holland has been adding professional drivers and equipment. In 2011, the company hired 750 drivers. So far in 2012, the company has hired nearly 300 drivers, added more than 100 tractors and over 450 additional trailers to its fleet to be even more effective and meet customer satisfaction levels.

"We lead the industry in next-day delivery, quality handling, and on-time performance throughout the central U.S. and Canada because our employees are committed to safety and customer service. Our professional drivers are the heart of our ability to provide fast, flexible and reliable transportation services that support our customers' supply chains," said Holland President Scott Ware.

Jeff Whitaker, a city driver at the Holland terminal in Charlotte, N.C., who has been accident-free his entire Holland career had this to say: "For me, what sets Holland apart is its attitude towards its customers. We have an excellent damage-free ratio and speed that is second to none in the industry. And that's because we always take care of our customers."

Holland provides paid health care benefits and vacation time to its drivers. Drivers are paid union wages. Equipment is provided and maintained by the company and all fuel cost is paid for by the company. Many daily dispatches involve minimum time away from home. Overnight stays for drivers are provided and paid for in hotel rooms. Most Holland drivers agree that better working conditions are hard to find in the industry.

Drivers interested in positions at Holland can apply online here.  View our "Discover your direction with Holland" professional driver career video here. Candidates are also encouraged to attend recruiting events at various locations; dates and times are posted here.  In addition, Holland is working to place military veterans in driving positions through participation in the Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces program and the Hiring Our Heroes initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. freight levels decline for second month

For the second month in a row, U.S. freight levels slowed, declining 0.7 percent in May compared with April, according to new data from the American Trucking Associations.

The ATA’s seasonally adjusted index of for-hire truck tonnage fell 1.1 percent in April. The index now stands at 117.8, down from April’s 118.7. The year 2000 equals 100 on the index.

“Two straight months of contractions is disappointing,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said in a release, noting that the drops reflect the slowing broader economy.

Full Story...........

YRC Freight Announces Increased Speed In More Than 24,000 Lanes Across Its North American LTL Network

YRC Freight, a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide Inc., recently implemented significant improvements to its North American LTL network, which now features faster service into and out of every major U.S. city.

With its new network optimization plan fully engaged, YRC Freight is now at least one day faster than before in hundreds of the most significant supply chain lanes in North America. These include Charlotte to Seattle (now 4 days instead of 5), Indianapolis to Los Angeles (now 3 days), Milwaukee to Tampa (now 2 days), and Salt Lake City to Denver (now 1 day).

Today there are more reasons than ever to ship with YRC Freight:
Increased speed in more than 24,000 lanes;

An improved on-standard service reliability trend for the last eight consecutive months;

Less risk of damage: 700,000 fewer freight touches per year

"We are continuously working to improve our North American LTL network and to ensure deliveries are made more quickly, efficiently and damage-free," said Jeff Rogers, president of YRC Freight. "True to our promise of 'Confidence Delivered,' YRC Freight is committed to providing our customers with improved service, speed and reliability."