The industry is starting to return to pre-recession levels and as a result, freight volumes are on the rise. More freight equals higher truck demand and the load capacity they yield. At the same time, previous fleet reductions and a decrease in the amount of available truck drivers has resulted in fewer trucks to go around. “Carriers lost a large number of trucks with the fallout from the recession, and most aren’t in a big hurry to bring equipment back online as they’re making money now with existing assets,” says TQL Executive Vice President Kerry Byrne.

This combination of rising demand and diminished capacity is creating higher logistics costs across the industry that are rising faster than the overall economy. Total transportation costs in 2010 were up 10.3 percent to $768 billion, says a State of Logistics Report by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. Read the full report.

TQL currently maintains relationships with the 58,000 freight carriers in our system, allowing us to identify the right trucking solutions when and where you need them. We understand how important your shipments are to your business, and we want to make sure your customers receive goods on time. Our superior technology and 24/7/365 staffing allows us to track your shipment from pickup to delivery and every critical point in between.

Are you concerned about your company’s carbon footprint when you ship freight? If so, you can take action by choosing to become a SmartWay Transport Partner Shipper. SmartWay is a program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce transportation-related emissions, reduce fuel consumption and improve the air quality for future generations.

As a SmartWay Shipper, you quantify your current environmental performance level according to SmartWay standards and then track your progress toward achieving better environmental performance. You can further improve by committing to ship at least 50% of your goods using SmartWay Logistics Partners. Further actions can include SmartWay shipper strategies such as “no-idling” policies at docks and modifying business practices at distribution centers and warehouses.

TQL is a SmartWay Transport Logistics Partner because we are committed to promoting greater energy efficiency and air quality within the freight transport sector. As a SmartWay Logistics Partner, we assist freight carriers in making better choices for their businesses and the environment and enable our shippers to move more freight with SmartWay Transport Carrier Partners to help improve your transportation footprint.

TQL was proud to provide 24 volunteers for Cincinnati’s annual “Paint the Town” event. This day-long event involves more than 1,000 volunteers and corporate sponsors, such as TQL, banding together to rejuvenate homes in need of a little “TLC.” Painting a mass of homes in a concentrated area can truly serve as a catalyst to lift up a community. Neighborhoods are chosen according to need, and qualified homeowners are encouraged to apply for the service.

Volunteers work in groups led by experienced team leaders to paint an entire home of someone less fortunate. Watch TQL transform this house in just one day!

TQL employees formed 16 bowling teams who bowled their hearts out in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ annual Bowl for Kids Sake event. A total of 64 employees participated in this friendly competition, raising a total of $5,200 in donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.

“This night has been amazing; not only for Big Brothers Big Sisters, but for me to witness this kind of enthusiasm from the TQL employees. I have heard it said before that TQL employees work hard and play hard, and they didn’t disappoint. This has been a phenomenal night for us,” said Kathy List, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati.

“Having a Bowl For Kids Sake fundraiser has been something that Big Brothers Big Sisters has done for a long time. What was different about tonight was the TQL experience. Everyone that came through the door was genuinely excited to be here. They put forth their best effort, they raised a lot of money, and they really helped children succeed.”

Watch this video of all the fun. TQL employees work hard for you, but they play hard, too!

TQL Makes Forbes List of Top Entry Level Employers
TQL was recently announced on the Forbes website as one of the 2011 Top Entry Level Employers in the U.S. This list, assembled by CollegeGrad.com, includes only the best in class employers who are dedicated to the training and advancement of college graduates.

TQL on Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For List
TQL has been honored as a winning company on the 2011 Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest
Companies to Work For list (compiled by the National Association for Business Resources). Winning companies were ranked the highest by their employees on key areas, including: community initiatives, compensation and benefits, recognition and retention, and recruitment and selection.

TQL Named a Top Workplace in Cincinnati Again
Based on the top rankings of surveys from company employees, the Cincinnati Enquirer has once again named TQL a Top Cincinnati Workplace. The full analysis, which included responses from more than 32,000 employees from the Cincinnati area, featured 75 “top companies.”

TQL again placed in the Top Ten category for large companies, and was noted as the only company who moved up in this year’s rankings. Additional company accolades were noted in a “Best in Class” category for “Clued-In Senior Management.”

“There was a significant increase in competition this year in the Top Workplaces program,” says Marissa Winter, Manager, Client Services for WorkplaceDynamics. “Even amongst this increased competition, TQL moved up in ranking which is something to be very proud of. The company had quite an increase in almost all areas that were measured on the employee survey.”