Manual for a Downturn
here's no one tried-and-true method for an owner-operator to weather the current economic storm. There are many different problems, after all. One man's slow freight is another's low broker rate, which is to say nothing of the dire situation Marysville, Ohio-based Marvin Mc-Daniel found himself in as his carrier shut down. Leased to small fleet Harrington Transport, he'd seen the writing on the wall as the primary customer, a Honda plant, dramatically scaled back production. I'll probably see if I can get on with Byline Transit, he said in February, knowing his contacts there would help get his foot in the door. I grew up with all these guys. Exploring local opportunities is one of the many strategies an owner-operator can take to boost revenue in a tough economic environment. Read on to learn others. APRIL 2009 OVERDRIVE 27 HOW TO KEEP YOUR OPERATION ABOVE WATER