Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/671350
14 // OWNER OPERATOR // MAY 2016 By Max Heine Personal Finance EIGHT OWNER-OPERATOR TAKEAWAYS FROM A TRUCKING ECONOMIST'S TALK J ohn Larkin covered lots of trends, trucking and otherwise, in early March at the annual meeting of the Truckload Carriers Association in Las Vegas. As managing director and head of transportation capital markets research for Stifel, Nicolaus and Co., he's got a good vantage point on forces affecting the industry. Here are some points he made, plus my take on how they could have some bearing on owner-operators, especially independents: • The anemic post-recession recovery isn't expected to get stronger any time soon, so don't get too smug over any stability you might be enjoying. If you don't have an edge in your operation, keep an eye open for better opportunities. • Robot installation has picked up and is predicted to grow 9 percent per year until at least 2025. There could be opportunities in industrial sectors that continue to automate. • Commodities prices have fallen nearly 50 percent over the last few years due to Flatbed haulers who serve the residential construction industry could see varied effects from trends in home buying and apartment rentals.