Shares Of A Major US Trucker Are Crashing After Management Says It Can't Find Drivers For Its Trucks

Rob Wile
Business Insider
July 28, 2014

Shares in Swift Transportation, the largest truckload carrier in North America, were down 14% Friday after management warned it was going to have to invest more to address a driver shortage.

The New Jersey-based firm now says it's going to have to spend more on wages and training to hold onto and attract ore drivers.

...We were constrained in the truckload and (central refrigerated systems)  segments by the challenging driver market. Our driver turnover and unseated truck count were higher than anticipated. Therefore, we sold more trucks in the second quarter to offset the impact of idle equipment, which drove additional gains on sale of equipment this period. After assessing the current and expected environment, we believe the best investment we can make at this time, for all of our stakeholders, is in our drivers. Our goal is to clear the path for our drivers by helping them overcome challenges, eliminate wait times and take home more money.

It now sees "cost headwinds" going into the second half of the year.

The American Trucking Association has warned the country is short 30,000 drivers, and that the gap could climb to 200,000 in the next decade.

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

Teamsters, Justice Department Ask Court to Sunset Federal Oversight

The IBT and the Department of Justice have filed a joint motion in court to ask for approval on a plan to sunset federal oversight of the Teamsters. What does this mean for the future of anti-corruption efforts and International elections in our union?

Amazon Ordered to Bargain with Teamsters in California

An administrative law judge has ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with Teamsters at the DCK6 delivery warehouse in San Francisco after finding the company violated federal labor law by refusing to recognize the union.

View More News Posts