PROGNOSIS * USA - Driver shortage, small fleet survivability will vex all carriers in 2011

Nashville,TN,USA -Fleet Owner, by David Cullen -Dec 15, 2010: -- While large carriers are likely to find 2011 a challenging yet lucrative year, they should keep an eye out for their smaller brethren. That’s because an influential survey indicates that small fleets [under $25 million revenue] -- which provide a large chunk of capacity— are “vulnerable to a sluggish economy and increased fuel prices” unless they get rate relief “quickly and broadly.” In addition, the same study shows carriers of all sizes are very concerned about securing enough drivers and owner-operators... According to Transport Capital Partners, LLC (TCP), which handles transportation M&A as well as capital sourcing and offers advisory services, its latest Business Expectation Survey hasfound that “both drivers and independent contractors (IC) are on carriers' minds.” About three-fourths of the fleets responding to the survey use owner-operators... Of these fleets, 57% saw their IC counts remaining steady, about 29% are using various means to recruit and finance fleet additions, and the balance are seeing declining numbers. “Lease purchase plans by one in ten fleets are popular along with ICs who finance elsewhere or [using] a combination of methods to attract contractors,” said TCP partner Richard Mikes...