Encore performance: Analysts see 2005 being much like 2004. Growth may be slower and capacity slightly greater, but carriers should stay strong and healthy

摘要

If you liked 2004, how about another one? The consensus among economic analysts is that growth will be solid in 2005, although perhaps not quite as strong as it was in 2004, But slower growth is still growth, and demand still will likely outpace capacity as carriers continue to face labor shortages and other constraints. "I see our operations in 2005 growing probably in the area of 10 percent," says Michael Ward, vice president of Altoona, Pa.-based Ward Trucking Corp, "We are continually faced with driver and mechanic shortages for both our truckload and LTL operations as well as the issues with high fuel costs, but I continue to see more and more freight being available."