Manufacturers: Trucking Hours Regulation Will Harm Supply Chains

Washington, D.C., 12/22/11 -  National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued this statement on the revised trucking hours of service rule released today by the Department of Transportation (DOT):

“Manufacturers rely heavily on motor carriers for transportation of materials for production and for the delivery of goods to customers. The final trucking hours of service rule will have a negative impact on manufacturers’ supply chains, distribution operations and productivity. The Administration conceded that it lacked evidence to support many of the proposed changes and still moved forward with new requirements that will place more trucks on the road during peak driving times and will fail to improve safety. 
  
Adding these new requirements on top of the already cumbersome regulatory burden facing manufacturers will cost jobs and increase the prices of consumer products. Manufacturers have built their logistical operations based on the current rules and have invested heavily in compliance since their implementation. To change these rules and limit the flexibility of manufacturers without sufficient reasoning is a mistake and will impede the ability of manufacturers to invest, grow and create jobs.

This regulation is another prime example of leaders in Washington creating additional uncertainty for the economy at a time when they should be focused on policies to help get Americans back to work.”