US/Canadian Dollars at Par - What does it mean for the moving industry?
Rick Taylor October 13, 2010 News, International Moving
As I write this, the Candian dollar and US dollar are virtually at the same level. If it stays in this range for some time, how would it effect the moving industry?
Canada and the United States are each others largest trading partners. Not only do we move goods and services across the border but people. Indeed, employee relocation to the United States from Canada and vice versa is a very important part of the moving industry.
Trucking laws prohibit Canadian drivers to interstate (i.e. perform moves within the United States) and for US drivers to do the same in Canada. As such, it is very difficult for moving companies to get effecient full loads on cross border moves. Many drivers have to go a fair distance in between stops (called empty miles) for their next pick up or delivery. This does add significant costs to the van foreman as these "empty miles" are not revenue generating.