What should you do so that your trucking business can keep up with the changing industry?
- Invest in better truck drivers and management
- Keep up with the latest technology
- Upgrade your truck fleets
- Place emphasis on training
In many ways, the trucking industry is constantly on the move; it is always changing. Because of this, trucking companies need to make on-the-fly adjustments and rapid transition just to remain competitive and in order to stay with the ever-growing demands of the customers. Therefore, it is worth noting that trucking companies that aim to provide premium products like Isuzu trucks here in the Philippines need to make a few changes with how they run their business.
Even though the industry continues to change and make huge shifts, the trucking industry still seems to be growing at a very high rate which means that you also now have more competition than ever before. Unpredictable standards and a price war to stay competitive; the trucking industry just keeps changing, and here’s how your business should too:
Invest in Better Truck Drivers and Management
Because the gap between the demand for good truck drivers and the available supply keeps widening, you should expect the possibility of manpower agencies lowering their standards in order to fill these voids. Once upon a time, driving a truck used to carry a certain prestige, but today, we know that it has not been that way for quite a long time.
This is an issue that does not appear to be getting any better, so it is up to you to be more meticulous in hiring truck drivers and operators; or better yet, invest in the improvement of the ones that you already have.
While there are a lot of reasons for this decline, probably the biggest contributor, other than the tightening economy as well the growth in demand, is the exit of a large portion of the workforce. In other words, once veteran truck drivers retire, they are taking their leadership and mentorship along with them. Before this happens, make sure that there is a program in place in your company where veteran truck drivers show the newbies the ropes. This way, the old-timers can impart crucial knowledge and insights to the next generation before they exit the workforce.
Keep up With the Latest Technology
Technology is changing the trucking industry on several different fronts. These advancements have obviously improved the shipping and manufacturing efficiency of many items. Just take a look at what supply chain and logistics giant Amazon has been doing over the years to get an idea on how big of an impact these advancements in technology have made to online commerce.
It might be finally time for you to incorporate a system of digital quality controls and management and take and take advantage of this influx of traffic and commerce that the trucking industry has had.
In addition to the point made above about the aging truck driver workforce, you can even implement a program where you have your younger drivers teach the older ones about the newer technology. This way, they can remain competitive and a valuable asset in your company even if they are older.
The industry has adopted new innovations like electronic logs and communication, so keep up with the latest technologies and make sure that your trucking company doesn’t get left behind.
Upgrade Your Truck Fleets
Looking at the big picture, you can see that the automobile industry as a whole is experiencing a transition of its own because of growing demands and outside pressures by consumers. In this day and age, a company being called “green” or even “eco-friendly” is no longer enough.
The actions of your trucking company must be able to stand on their own, which is why you need to replace the underperforming trucks in your fleet with cleaner and much more efficient counterparts. In addition, because the trucking industry is also experiencing a much more tightened standard for emissions, your company is going to have to invest in cleaner and more fuel-efficient truck models.
Place Emphasis on Training
Lastly, one huge change in the trucking industry you should be able to adapt to is the requirement for enhanced training. Over the years, there have been all kinds of news about truckers falling asleep behind the wheel, engaging in road rage with other motorists, and even getting charged with DUI.
All of this has impacted the trucking industry negatively which is why government regulations and companies require drivers to have more training behind the wheel. In addition, drivers must now also pass a more rigorous commercial driving license exam. Make sure that all of your truck drivers, operators, and managers adhere to these strict guidelines because the reputation of your company all falls on their shoulders.
Key Takeaway
The need for transporting goods around the country and all over the world is not going to go away any time soon. The industry relies on trucking companies that are quick, have high-capacity, and provide a reliable delivery service. So as long as you do your best to keep up with the changes and keep your Isuzu trucks in the Philippines in tip-top shape, you don’t have anything to worry about.
