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New transport work is harder to find for the right rate
Page 12
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justin.stantoniarbi.co.uk OPERATORS ARE finding it harder to secure new work at an acceptable rate than they did a year ago, according to last month's Trucking Britain Out of Recession survey.
A total of 57% said they were finding it either much more or a little more difficult to secure new work compared with 12 months ago; just 12% found it either a little or a lot easier a year on.
Two-thirds of operators with small fleets (one to 10 vehicles) reported difficulty. but less than half (47%) of the largest fleets (51 vehicles or more) agreed.
This is a clear sign that the majority of transport customers remain as vigilant as ever about the rates they pay — and that operators who are on the knife-edge between survival and collapse are continuing to offer ridiculously low rates, making life tougher for everybody else in turn.
Driver shortages apparently eased. with 34% reporting that new drivers were easier to find than 12 months ago. ibis could be for a number of reasons: more efficient operation (a leanness borne of surviving the recession) means that operators have fewer vacancies to fill: and clearly the number of company collapses has left a great number of skilled drivers looking for new employers. Clearly, it could also be that some operators are having such a tough time. or their volumes so reduced, that they have little or no need for new drivers Also, the impact of exchange rates on the cost of new vehicles and the shortage of quality used vehicles mean that operators have found it generally more difficult to refleet at an acceptable price corn pared with a year ago. A total of 39% reported an increase in difficulty in finding new vehicles at the right price. while 38% found used vehicles at a fair price more diflicult to get hold of.
"lbe experience was universal, no matter what type of business, size of fleet or which primary sector served.
And finally, it will come as no surprise that just 9% of Trucking Britain respondents found finance for capital expenditure easier to come by than they did a year ago. More than a third (36%) founc capital harder to access, while E similar percentage (35%) reporter little or no change.
Again, this experience wa universal, no matter what type of business, size of fleet or primary, sector served.
• The next 'Ducking Britain Out Of Recession survey is now online. Go to www.roadtransport.comi britain to take part.