es in these items, a manufacturer can manage the fluctuations and offer stability in pricing. But this year, we have experienced unprecedented movement upwards in these costs.” Transportation costs are also having an affect on the price of
tires, as ocean and inland freight rates are significantly higher in 2010 due to limited supply and large demand. Even if the econ- omy were to suddenly improve drastically, customers would see little, if any, change in pricing. “As the economy grows, trucks and buses run more miles and use
more tires. Tis leads to increased future demand,” added Murphy. Many companies, like Hankook Tire America, are investing in
ways that technology can help bring down overall production costs. “As we grow, we continue to invest approximately 5 percent of
revenue into research and development in order to meet market demand for products, applications and new technology for the future,” said company spokesman Bill Bainbridge. Manufacturers are also engineering products with improved
service life and more enhanced features to promote “retreadabil- ity” and creating tires for specific applications. Tese factors allow the end user to benefit more from a better performing product. “Even though acquisition costs may rise, the end user may ex-
perience lower operating costs or cost per mile on tires due to improved product performance, thus helping minimize the ef- fect of price increases,” said Murphy. n
Louisiana to Throw Book at DUIs Te state legislator passed House Bill 1170, which bans school
bus drivers from driving commercially for up to 10 years if they are arrested for driving under the influence while operating any vehicle or refuse to take chemical tests when stopped by law enforcement. At this writing, the bill was awaiting Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature. “Tis is not likely to be vetoed,” said George Horne, a pupil trans-
portation consultant in Metairie, La. “I think it strengthens our business, the pupil transportation industry, to have such a law as this.” If the law goes into effect, it would allow bus drivers who re-
fuse the DWI test or get cited for DWI to lower the suspension to five years if they seek and complete drug or alcohol counseling, medical treatment or medically-approved group therapy. “You should always be opened minded to giving somebody an-
other chance, I just wouldn’t want to give them another chance and they get another DUI,” Horne added. Te existing law allows a one-year suspension for a bus driver
who is caught driving a commercial or personal vehicle after being cited for driving under the influence. State law also requires that a school bus driver who is convicted of a second offense or refuses the breathalyzer or chemical test a second time to lose their bus driving license for life. Rep. Nancy Landry, who introduced the bill, said this section of the statute would remain the same. n
See Us At Booth # 126
www.stnonline.com 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92