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May 24, 2001 11:30 AM, EDT

NEW YORK — Having endured a year-and-a-half of searing competition that produced a raft of hardscrabble balance sheets, some of the nation’s most prominent truckload executives told a investors gathering here that just a bit more perseverance on the part of carriers will result in lavish rewards for both themselves and their financial backers.

Three carrier chairmen told the clients of Bear, Stearns & Co. that their firms have survived high fuel prices, higher insurance premiums, a low supply of drivers and even lower valuations on their trucks — all with some level of profitability.

While none of them predicted a rapid return to strong growth for the nation’s economy, they all said that when the economy does bounce back, the remaining carriers that can offer high-quality service will be able to demand premium freight rates from needy shippers that will face a sharply diminished menu from which to choose.

For the full story, see the May 21 print edition of Transport Topics. .

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