IMC BUSINESS TAKES SECOND-QUARTER PLUNGE

IMC BUSINESS TAKES SECOND-QUARTER PLUNGE    Intermodal marketing companies saw total intermodal loads and revenue take sharp plunges in the second quarter, according to statistics collected by the Intermodal Association of North America.
   Second-quarter intermodal loads fell 24.2 percent compared to the year-earlier period, the IANA said. Highway loads were off by 12.7 percent and revenue was down 15.9 percent. Average revenue per intermodal load, however, increased 7.2 percent.
   While the IMC industry has been plagued by earnings shortfalls, workforce reductions and closures, they do not strongly impact intermodal traffic volumes. However, changes in sales directly impacts intermodal business, which relies heavily on inventory replenishment moves between manufacturers and distribution centers, the study noted.