Drivers, subbies, rates...
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Key aspects of transport life aren't getting any easier, as May's Trucking Britain survey reveals By Justin Stanton NEW DRIVERS, suitable subcontractors and new work at the right rates: these are just some of the elements that are crucial to a successful transport operation. They were also the focus of last month's Trucking Britain, proving once again that transport isn't getting easier.
Across those three elements, only 6% of operators said it was either much less difficult or slightly less difficult to find suitable subcontractors (see table) last month. Only 11% have found it easier to find new work at the right rate, and just 12% reported reduced difficulty in finding new drivers.
Finding new drivers was more difficult for nearly half the respondents (44 To), with the greatest difficulty experienced by operators with 10 trucks or fewer: 47% of them suffered greater difficulty, compared with 38% of operators with more than 50 trucks. Operators serving the construction sector found it especially tough: 65% of them reported it was not as easy to find new drivers.
One respondent told us: "Driver availability is proving more difficult than a year ago, younger drivers are very thin on the ground and we are receiving fewer enquiries in general, even though we have started advertising on a wider scale."
Subcontractors are essential for all types of operations, especially those subject to extreme peaks and troughs in demand.
It's disappointing that 41% reported increased difficulty in finding suitable subbies, with one respondent noting: "A lot of oneman-b ands who were reliable have been put out of business by either bigger companies or by running costs."
Overwhelmingly, the most difficult thing to find is new work at a good rate: 60`)/0 reported increased difficulty.
Those most likely to have experienced difficulty were logistics and contract distribution firms (69%) and operators in agriculture, forestry and fishing (75%).
One respondent highlighted the common conundrum known to all operators: "Customers expect more but want to pay less as the supply chain gets squeezed from both ends. The big question is: do you walk away from contracts you know will be poor or take them on hoping to improve rates as you develop a relationship?"
Another revealed: "New work is coming in but the additional requirement to win this new work, e.g. timed deliveries, has increased dramatically."
But it's not all gloom, as one respondent reported a silver lining: "We must be out of recession as there is so much work about now, we cannot keep up."
Turning to the future, we also asked operators their initial thoughts on the European Commission's (EC) plans for fuel-efficient, streamlined trucks (CM 18 April).
Judgment is reserved: only 17% said the EC's plan isn't a good idea, while 43% think it a good idea and 40% are undecided.
Those against the plans noted that UK roads aren't equipped for such vehicles, while one respondent contested the EC's logic: "I have not seen any evidence that the current cabs available are deemed unsafe.
"All this would do is increase the costs and reduce the payloads of operating a vehicle. There's also the increased cost of purchasing the vehicle in the first place. Units/ cabs should be left alone." • • Go to commercialmotor.com/ truckingbritain to take part in this month's survey. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win £100.
HOW ARE YOU FINDING THE AVAILABILITY OF: New Suitable New work at drivers? subcontractors? a good rate?
Much less difficult 6% 1% 1% Slightly less difficult 6% 5% 10% About the same 38% 36% 22% Slightly more difficult 27% 26% 30% Much more difficult 17% 15% 30% Don't know/not sure 6% 17% 8%