Business

[Broompilot]

So how has been for YOU this year?

Good, Great?

Seen some indications by a couple of posters just curious hows it going for you?

Little slower than years past for me. Doing fine between the dips even complaining does not help so just curious. Was talking with a marketing person who told me one of the indicators Wall Street looks at for a forcast is the Box Manufacturing. Boxes not being ordered = new equipment not being produced to be shipped.

 

[nightcreacher]

Broom,
You have been in this business long enough to know,that this time of year is hit or miss,and just depends if you are in the right place or not.what is slow for some can be busy for others.Feb.of 06 I did $26000,this year it was only $9000,although this year I ran solo in Feb,back to running team in March,and back to my usual pay,which is why I drive an E unit.

 

[hondaking38]

sprinter van with the big cat down about 4,000.00 compared to last year, and am running in the 90 percentile acceptance

 

[davekc]

A few more vans than last year because of the Conway sale, and slumping auto sales. We have been busy, but slightly behind last year.








Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[TeamCaffee]

Our income is up a great $725.00 and our miles are up 1,934. Our dead head miles are way up due to a decision we made to be at the MATS truck show! If not for that our dead head miles would be about equal to what our income shows. We are still sure this is going to be another really good year for us!

 

[Moot]

>A few more vans than last year because of the Conway sale,
>and slumping auto sales. We have been busy, but slightly
>behind last year.
>


Did not the Con-Way sale include trucks also? And were not these vans and trucks engaged in the transportation of expedited freight prior to and at the point of the sale?

These vans and their owners are a pestilence that will be the downfall of the entire expedite industry if something isn't done soon!

BAN THE VAN! BAN THE VAN! BAN THE VAN! BAN THE VAN! BAN THE VAN!

 

[terryandrene]

I think Moot is onto something; however, if we buy no more vans, the auto industry will suffer further and the fate of the auto manufacturers, then NLM, then Panther will be sealed.

 

[MSinger]

I am down approx $1200 from this time last year. Solo 14' cube under 10,001#.

 

[letzrockexpress]

I have to believe that after the merger that there would be less vans by now. I have to think that the cream rises to the top and that most of the old,rundown,rustbucket vans are probably off the road. I don't really see a whole lot more Panther vans than before the merger. I did right after it happened but not now. Just my observation.

 

[jaminjim]

My loads are down by about half.

 

[davekc]

It is possible they now have the same van count, but with a slower economy, I see less activity in several areas. Straight trucks and tractors may feel a little less of a pinch because they are much easier to load. As mentioned, the NLM market is much less than last year. That has a major impact on alot of the smal carriers, and the vans.
The good news is that they say the 2nd quarter should be pretty good. Alot of manufacturers haven't ordered much because they have had large inventories for the last 5 months. As they continue to drop, shipment volumes should increase.





Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[ATeam]

Jan and Feb were above goal. March was slightly below. The three months totaled provide an above-goal first quarter. Based on our first quarter results, we expect an above-goal year. April is off to a strong start.

 

[are12]

We have had a great 1st quarter! We are up almost $14,000.00 from last year's 1st quarter. Of course, last year, we were off 2 weeks in Jan for vacation and then down for 27 days in February because of the accident in CA. So I would say, we are doing pretty good - hopefully it will keep up.:+ :+

 

[x06col]

We don't do ANY nlm, and very, very little automotive, so those segments being stagnant are not a bother to us. Our growth in 07 over 1st quarter 06 has been about 12%. Hope it continues!

 

[FIS53]

1st quarter numbers are better than last year, which were better than the year before. Currently a little slower than first quarter, but April was bad last year as well.

Overall up about 15%.

Rob Fis

 

[Paul56]

Business is excellent and increased from last year.

As for customers... they are satisfied, we have more of them, and have lost none... always a good sign.

 

[layoutshooter]

We are up over this time last year and have taken a little more time off. Sure hope this can keep up. Layoutshooter

 

[Marty]

Ban the van?? This industry needs vans, straight trucks, and tractor trailers.
What should be banned is the practice of over-highering.

 

[bryan]

Hi

My year has had so many ups and downs and twists and turns that Cedar Points getting jealous.

 

[ftp000]

Business is great so far, acting just like it should...Feb. up from Jan .... par up from Feb. and so on

Moot. Ban the Van? Usually stupid things on this board look like this "did any body here what i herd". Congrats on properly spelling your stupid statement. I'm sure the semi drivers would see an increase in their revenue if the straight trucks went away, but it is a sad business plan that starts with "if only the competition would go away". Why shouldn't we offer a needed service, the ability to ship small loads at a lower price so the shipper doesn't have to rent an entire straight truck for 1 or 2 skids. Because it gets in your pocket? Seriously, I've read some misspelled, run-on, no sense making statements on this board, but that one takes the cake....make the competition go away....wah wah wah. Good God!