Temporary rethink
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Changes in distribution and working patterns are causing operators to think again about hiring temporary labour, according to the contract driving company Overdrive.
During the past 18 months, says Overdrive, demand for its temporary drivers has increased substantially and is now running at its highest-ever level. The increased interest is mainly from major "blue chip" own-account companies and hauliers with dedicated distribution contracts. Overdrive reports that there has also been a change in attitude among Britain's manufacturers towards a "just-in-time" approach to distribution and deliveries, with a growing demand for more flexibility. "Companies now view temporary drivers as a practical option to taking on more staff," claims Overdrive.
Overdrive currently has some 6,500 drivers on its books and predicts that there will be "no let-up in demand during 1988".
Its optimism certainly appears to be echoed in its latest survey of job prospects in road transport for the next three months, which reveals that although the first quarter of the year is "traditionally flat", 29% of employers in the road transport industry say they have plans to increase their staff, compared with 32% last quarter and just 8% a year ago. Job cuts are now forecast by only 3% of employers — a marked drop on both the last quarter (8%), and the same period last year (13%).
Overdrive says the upward trend in job prospects is more dearly seen in the proportion of employers increasing their staff compared with those cut ting back. The balance in road haulage currently stands at +26, indicating that more employers are creating jobs than axing them. This is ahead of the last quarter (+24), and a big increase on 12 months ago, when it was a depressed —5.
The company says "the positive prospects in road transport reflect the optimism of the services sector in general." In the distribution sector the balance stands at +17, down slightly on the last quarter (+22) — but way up on the same period last year (+2).