Which is Harder To Find: Drivers or Trailers?
18 wheel trucks lined up
Manufacturers, supply chain managers, business owners, and shippers around the world are still feeling the supply headwinds facing the trucking industry. While the shortage of drivers has been in the news over the past two years, a lack of trailers is coming for the one-two punch. Understanding the reasons for this shortage and how it can impact your business can help you stay ahead of the problem. Here is some updated information on the driver and trailer shortages plaguing the industry.
Why Is There A Trailer Shortage?
Numbers show that purchasing truckload carriers will be below the normal replacement level during 2021. Order books for new tractors and trailers extend well beyond manufacturers’ capabilities. This hurts the industry in two ways. First and foremost, the inability to meet the demand for new trailers leads to a supply shortage. Secondly, these manufacturers cannot meet the needs for trailer repairs when older trailers suffer damage or need replacement parts.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are unable to refresh equipment. The situation is so dire that experts believe this problem may not be resolved in 2022, meaning it may take until 2023 before real progress is made.
Which Is Harder to Find: Drivers or Trailers?
It’s no secret; there has been a significant driver shortage. This aligns with the labor shortages plaguing every industry in the world. However, experts believe that the driver hiring issues have eased. While there is still a driver shortage relative to pre-pandemic times, it looks as though issues stemming from driver shortages could be resolved in the near future.
Trucking executives say that multiple rounds of pay increases and sign-on bonuses, as well as enhanced benefits, have helped driver recruiting. Driver recruiting isn’t the only issue plaguing the industry regarding labor shortages. Difficulties finding workers throughout all levels, from maintenance techs to office employees, have burdened every company. As it stands, it’s difficult to answer which is more difficult to find between drivers and trailers, but the labor shortage has damaged the industry the most.
What Are the Solutions
We already glossed over one of the solutions to the labor shortage; offering more pay and increasing benefits. Executives believe another solution could be lowering the mandatory age limit. As it stands, you need to be 21 years old to operate a truck. Lowering the age could not only help increase the labor pool, but it could improve driver safety.
Regardless, it may be a while before the driver and trailer shortages ease up, making life difficult for business owners and managers. How can you stay afloat when shipping prices are through the roof? One solution: avoid supply chain disruptions altogether. The best way to do this is by staying local with your logistics.
The Benefits of Working With Trifecta Transport
At Trifecta Transport, we know how stress-inducing dealing with logistics can be. That’s why we work with all of our clients to ensure their logistics needs are handled no matter the needs. Here are some of the benefits of choosing us for your logistics needs:
- Less than truckload – Ship 1-6 skids anywhere in the USA, Canada, and Mexico
- Volume and Trifecta Direct – Discounted rates when shipping six or more skids
- Truckload – Transport full loads, dry vans, flatbeds, refrigerated and more
- Intermodal rail – Reduced truckload cost by up to 30%
- Time Critical – Our expedited team has you covered
- Global GTZship – Quote, book, and track shipments with the most robust freight technology
We use GTZship technology to quote, book, and track shipments, giving you and your team full visibility when managing your logistics and reporting.
We’re Ready to Help
Let our team at Trifecta Transport handle your logistics needs. We provide a wide range of services, so you don’t have to stress yourself out. Contact us today to find out what we can do for your business.
