Cargo shipped via commercial trucks increased last quarter, continuing a trend of growth in the commercial truck industry.
The For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.4 percent compared to the previous quarter. The growth may seem small, but during a time when the overall American economy continues to look for positive signs following 2008’s recession, any growth in the commercial truck industry is positive news.
The index, which is put out by the American Trucking Associations, represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment. In September, the advanced seasonally adjusted index equaled 118.7. Compared with September 2011, the index was 2.4 percent higher. Year-to-date, compared with the same period last year, tonnage was up 3.6 percent.
“I was encouraged that the seasonally adjusted index edged higher from August,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. Costello noted again this month that the acceleration in housing starts, which is helping truck tonnage, is being countered by a flattening in manufacturing output and elevated inventories throughout the supply chain.
Costello added that overall commercial truck tonnage is expected to post a 3.5 percent increase by the end of 2012.
The recent announcement is further proof that the commercial truck industry is growing. Because of recent growth, truck drivers are in high demand and many truck carriers are experiencing a shortage of professionally trained drivers who can help meet growing demand.
The commercial truck industry has been expiring rapid growth for the past few years and the future looks even brighter. Even before the economy began to show signs of improvement, the commercial trucking industry was already growing. Now that sectors like manufacturing and construction are starting to slowly grow, the truck industry is experiencing even more growth. The growth in the commercial trucking industry is causing many truck carriers to hire thousands of new drivers every month, but it is professionally trained drivers who are in the highest demand by carriers desperate to find more drivers.
Diesel Driving Academy offers a CDL training program that is helping job seekers start a long-term career as a professional commercial truck driver, which is especially needed in today’s era of high unemployment. Carriers all across the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers, which makes professional training from a respected school like Diesel Driving Academy the logical first step in getting work in this growing industry.
If you are looking for a new job then the commercial truck industry might be the right fit for you. Receiving professional training from a respected program is the best way to get a high-paying job in the growing truck industry and Diesel Driving Academy offers some of the nation’s best CDL training.
