WARD TRUCKING! WHATS THE DEAL?

[seal3k]

i been with this company for little over year, and at first every thing seemed fine. but lately i been hearing rumors and talks about being bought, or of us folding up after 75 years from other drives and dock workers. and its not just rumors from what i hear lot s of guys at other terminals have been fired! as a matter of fact our terminal mager and 2 dock supervisors have been canned in the last 2 months!! will anyone in in the know in the LTL industry fill me in, because every thing is hush hush around here and i need to know if i need to start looking for a new job anytime soon.

BY THE way ward trucking = non union AND NO OVERTIME LTL!

[Snowman7]

Rumors of buyouts are a part of life at an LTL company, especially smaller companies as the big boys keep buying everything in sight. If you like your job dont worry about something you cant control. And if you are bought it will likely be a large company with great pay and bennies anyway. Drivers never get cut because of a buyout, management is the only ones who would be worried. They need the drivers for their expansion efforts. I'm at UPSF which purchased Overnight. No one got cut and they hired more drivers. Quit worrying, you'll never find a job where there are no rumors of selling or buying.

BY THE way ward trucking = non union AND NO OVERTIME LTL!

"Non-union" and "no overtime". Yup, those two phrases usually go together.

But it's what you make of it, it's part of the job, if you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen blah, blah, blah...

another smart, eh uhm, dumbass responce from cold frosty dick. which made me think, you always have some great wisdom on everyone that is getting screwed, but i have never heard who you work for...probably no one that wants you to advertise for them?

[seal3k]

yea our terminal manager response to a question was always "ITS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST". Well the beast ate him because he is longer employed by ward lol.

our old dock used to be in this small area right next to over night, fed ex, jp express and like 2 other ltl carriers and i remember when over nite express got bought . all the drivers started to wear the world famous UPS Uniform lol. did you guys get raises or pay cuts?

[Snowman7]

They (UPS) haven't changed our pay. 5415/mile and 21.50/hr, if anything, it should continue to get better. Although they have made alot of changes with still much more to come. I cant wait to see how much we grow over the coming years. I'm glad they bought us.

They (UPS) haven't changed our pay. 5415/mile and 21.50/hr, if anything, it should continue to get better.

That's on par with the other union outifts covered under the National Master Freight Agreement. I don't think you'll see any raises besides the annual COLA. I've also heard that you won't go under the NMFA and that you'll see less work rules (more labor flexibility) in this new contract.

they have made alot of changes with still much more to come. I cant wait to see how much we grow over the coming years. I'm glad they bought us.

Having the backing of the #1 for-hire transport company in the world and the power of the UPS brand will pay off for you guys. I mean, the ***** would really have to hit the fan for UPS to go under. Ditto for the FedEx drivers, as well.

These smaller, regional-type carriers are going to be left in the dust, tho. Pure-play LTL carriers are going to feel a pinch because the lines between LTL and parcel are blurring. Look for DHL to make an LTL play in the near future too.

Best o' luck to ya'!

[BigWheels]

These smaller, regional-type carriers are going to be left in the dust, tho.

Yep--eventually bought out or gone belly-up. Chances are slim that a regional carrier's pockets are deep enough to consider buying a regional carrier competitor.

Pure-play LTL carriers are going to feel a pinch because the lines between LTL and parcel are blurring.

Yes--to some degree. A pure-play LTL carrier will need to change and adopt to a changing world. That could involve becoming more of a niche player in select markets rather than focusing on both LTL and parcel. No question that UPS and FEDEX are major players in both LTL and parcel. However, they will never monopolize the LTL and parcel industry. DHL is a prime example. 15-years ago, who would even have thought of shipping a package via DHL. In addition, watch out for some giant Asian tiger corporation. In a relatively short time, for example, China could have a giant global LTL and parcel company that could eat UPS, FEDEX & DHL's lunch. Welcome to the global economy.

Look for DHL to make an LTL play in the near future too.

That will be likely. Heard any good rumors?

[hard2explain18]

I know that the big guys from DHL spent some time last year in Wilmington, Ohio and wanted to buy R&L but the owner said "No Sale"

DHL is huge in Europe with a large bankroll. I remember the rumors that they were going to buyout that piece of crap company Central Transport but that would have been a big joke for them. With Vitran buying PJAX last year and Pitt-Ohio only being regional, the best bet would be for them to buy ODFL. I guess time will tell.

[BigWheels]

I know that the big guys from DHL spent some time last year in Wilmington, Ohio and wanted to buy R&L but the owner said "No Sale"

Too bad--DHL & R&L seems like a good fit.

BTW, Hard2explain18--do you work for DHL?

DHL is huge in Europe with a large bankroll. I remember the rumors that they were going to buyout that piece of crap company Central Transport but that would have been a big joke for them. With Vitran buying PJAX last year and Pitt-Ohio only being regional, the best bet would be for them to buy ODFL. I guess time will tell.

ODFL seems like a good fit as well.

"...that piece of crap company Central Transport" might not be as big of a joke as everyone might think. Things are changing V-E-R-Y S-L-O-W-L-Y there. They're modeling the "new and improved" CT after Conway and Fed-Ex Freight. Granted, it's gonna take time to turn the ship around if they can pull it off. CT does have North American freight connections (Canada & Mexico). Any international company expanding in America would be very interested in that.

[hard2explain18]

Don't work for DHL. I do alot of investing on the side and read alot of financial publications. I read a big article on DHL last year and was impressed. My best friend works for R&L and dated a girl in the office. Thats how I know about the R&L/DHL meeting. When I heard the Central Transport rumor I watched the stock to see if there was a volume spike to confirm the rumor. I figured I'd play the buyout but it didn't materialize. When Yellow was rumored to buy USf back in 2005 I noticed the volume spike and loaded up on shares. The day they announced the buyout the stock went from $39 to $48. I made a killing. I wish I could have 5 days like that a every year.

[BigWheels]

Don't work for DHL. I do alot of investing on the side and read alot of financial publications. I read a big article on DHL last year and was impressed. My best friend works for R&L and dated a girl in the office. Thats how I know about the R&L/DHL meeting. When I heard the Central Transport rumor I watched the stock to see if there was a volume spike to confirm the rumor. I figured I'd play the buyout but it didn't materialize. When Yellow was rumored to buy USf back in 2005 I noticed the volume spike and loaded up on shares. The day they announced the buyout the stock went from $39 to $48. I made a killing. I wish I could have 5 days like that a every year.

Thanks for the comeback. I wasn't aware that Central Transport was a publicly traded company.

It's a great feeling when you buy a stock based on some indicator you're watching and the price starts launchin' soon afterwards!

[Ian Williams]

My pet theory is that DHL is going to buy out Con-Way and are just waiting for a rough couple of quarters to tank the stock price.

Any LTL with national reach is a potential takeover target. R+L is not quote there yet; still some gaps on the Left Coast.

The big advantage UPS has is that they can offer bundled pricing for LTL, parcel and warehouse (supply chain solutions). They are poised to assimilate ABF into the brown collective after the next contract.

FedEx has too many brands right now; they have become the General Motors of the transportation sector. When you have Express, Home and Ground delivering similar packages its too much overlap. Ditto on having 2 parallel LTL systems (Viking & American Freightways) and the recently borged Watkins. Then to put the icing on top they went and bought Kinkos.

[BigWheels]

My pet theory is that DHL is going to buy out Con-Way and are just waiting for a rough couple of quarters to tank the stock price.

Any LTL with national reach is a potential takeover target. R+L is not quote there yet; still some gaps on the Left Coast.

The big advantage UPS has is that they can offer bundled pricing for LTL, parcel and warehouse (supply chain solutions). They are poised to assimilate ABF into the brown collective after the next contract.

FedEx has too many brands right now; they have become the General Motors of the transportation sector. When you have Express, Home and Ground delivering similar packages its too much overlap. Ditto on having 2 parallel LTL systems (Viking & American Freightways) and the recently borged Watkins. Then to put the icing on top they went and bought Kinkos.

I believe FedEx's motto is "Buy or Die." Seriously, over time I'm sure they'll be streamlining everything and avoiding too much overlap. BTW, talked to a Watkins P/D driver right after FedEx bought Watkins and he was ecstatic. He finally was getting paid hourly rather than miles for his route.

UPS gobbling up ABF...good fit (burp).

Conway & DHL...that does make sense.

[hard2explain18]

They were publicly traded. Used to have the ticker symbol CNF. I can't remember if they got bought by a private equity firm last year or went private but I remember they were trading for around $2 per share.

As for Con-Way. I thought about that being a great fit for DHL but never really considered it. And I know they warned in advance for some bad quarterly reports and the last one time they announced there net income dropped like 16% but the company is still earning around $4 per share with a P/E of around 11. Thats not bad. I'm still waiting for the economic slowdown and will have to start shorting stocks. I deliver building materials and we slowed down at the start of the year but we're picking up again. They posted 2 job openings at the union hall last month and still haven't filled them. This time last year guys were begging to work here. Its weird. I know Yellow has been looking for full time city drivers in Pittsburgh for 2 months now. I'd hate to give up my seniority here and start on the bottom over there. The benefits are about the same and we come close on the pay.

[BigWheels]

They were publicly traded. Used to have the ticker symbol CNF. I can't remember if they got bought by a private equity firm last year or went private but I remember they were trading for around $2 per share.

As for Con-Way. I thought about that being a great fit for DHL but never really considered it. And I know they warned in advance for some bad quarterly reports and the last one time they announced there net income dropped like 16% but the company is still earning around $4 per share with a P/E of around 11. Thats not bad. I'm still waiting for the economic slowdown and will have to start shorting stocks. I deliver building materials and we slowed down at the start of the year but we're picking up again. They posted 2 job openings at the union hall last month and still haven't filled them. This time last year guys were begging to work here. Its weird. I know Yellow has been looking for full time city drivers in Pittsburgh for 2 months now. I'd hate to give up my seniority here and start on the bottom over there. The benefits are about the same and we come close on the pay.

You're right--CT was public and is now private.

I believe the long term outlook for the stock market in general (S&P, Dow, Nasdaq, etc.) over the next several decades will be trending upward. However within those decades will be a bumpy ride all around--up, down, and sideways. We could be in for some bumps downward as we speak--especially if China stocks tank as they did in Febrary.

Yeah it's tough considering a move to another barn--you start all over again. Yet, sometimes that can be a good thing.

[seal3k]

conway and dhl? really i couldnt see it happpening but what do i know

[hard2explain18]

You want to see something interesting? Go to Yahoo Finance and type in the ticker symbol for Yellow (YRCW) and read the headline from May 24 about Yellow being a takeover target.

[BigWheels]

Do the same in Google Finance and the most recent story shows the CEO backpeddling -- explaining that what he said shouldn't be taken out of context.

Anywho, best to buy on the rumor, sell on the news! In Yellow's case, can't really tell if there is even a rumor.

[seal3k]

i hope somebody buys them cuz there running it alll messed up now