J.B. Hunt drives record sales, profit in 2011

   National trucking company J.B. Hunt said it had profit of $72.6 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $57.9 million in the same 2010 period.
   Revenue for the quarter was $1.2 billion, compared to $1.02 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2010.
   For the full year, Hunt had a profit of $257 million, compared to $200 million in 2010. Revenue in 2011 was $4.5 billion, compared to $3.2 billion recorded the previous year.
   John N. Roberts, J.B. Hunt’s president and chief executive officer, said all four of the company’s businesses – intermodal, dedicated contract services, truck and integrated capacity – improved from 2010 in the fourth quarter and full year.
   “During 2011, we began implementing improvements to the approach we take with our larger, more complex customers and we are satisfied so far with the results of these efforts,” Roberts said. “The primary objective in collaborating with customers is to find new ways to integrate our complementary business segments to drive out cost and create efficiency.”