The driver shortage in the trucking industry isn’t a trend; it’s the new normal. Nearly 80 percent of consumer goods in North America are delivered by trucks, but the American Trucking Association (ATA) estimates the industry is short 30,000 professional drivers. That number is estimated to rise to 330,000 by 2020.
According to a survey by National Retail Systems (NRS),
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The truck driver shortage has led to capacity constraints, a nearly 100% active truck utilization and an escalating driver turnover rate. To compensate for the shortage, trucking companies have been forced to evaluate their methods of recruiting, training and retaining drivers.
A driver is more than a person who sits behind the wheel of the truck. Drivers have become the most important customer service representative for companies. They meet with customers, move freight, stock shelves and rotate inventory daily.
In a new special report, Ryder uncovers the issues surrounding the truck driver shortage and changes the industry is implementing to solve the problem. The special report looks into how the driver shortage affects several industries in North America from consumer packaged goods (CPG) to automotive to healthcare– some more than others.
For companies to keep their businesses moving, products on shelves and customers coming through their doors, they need to implement a plan to stay ahead of the driver shortage, developing new programs and enhancing work conditions for their driver employees.
Click below to download the new Driver Shortage Special Report.
