TULSA, OK - May 22, 2007- Gaining a competitive advantage in the trucking industry can be difficult when considering the ever-changing economy. To stay on top of current trends, transportation leaders recently gathered at the industry forum presented by Melton Truck Lines in Tulsa, OK. Shippers from across the country heard experts Bob Costello, Martin Labbe, and Dr. Chip White discuss the current state of the economy and its effect on the trucking industry. Melton, a leading flatbed carrier headquartered in Tulsa, OK, has been hosting the forum for three years.

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Bob Costello, Chief Economist and Vice President of the American Trucking Associations, is often cited in the news media as an expert on trucking economics. Mr. Costello presented the "Economic and Motor Carrier Industry Update", which included topics such as truck capacity, congestion, and an outlook on fuel prices.

Dr. Chip White is the Director of the Trucking Industry Program and former Executive Director of the Logistics Institute at Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. White's most recent research has included analyzing real-time information and supply chain productivity. He spoke on the present trends in supply chain systems and why they are becoming more global and complex.

Martin Labbe, market analyst for the trucking industry and President of Martin Labbe Associates, LLC (MLA), gave an intriguing presentation on the state of the US economy and its effects on the transportation industry. Mr. Labbe explained new hours of service regulations, cross border traffic, the driver shortage, and the privatization of toll roads.

The Transportation Industry Forum is hosted once a year by Melton Truck Lines in Tulsa, OK. "We present this event to expose our customers to the top transportation industry experts. By providing such cutting-edge information, we can help put our customers as well as ourselves at the top of the industry while further strengthening our shipper/carrier relationships," says Melton President Bob Peterson.
Company Information
Headquartered in Tulsa, OK, Melton Truck Lines Inc. is an award-winning leader in the air-ride flatbed industry and services the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In business for over 50 years, Melton has offices and terminals in Tulsa, Dallas, Laredo, El Paso, and Birmingham. ###