Top priorities for US freight businesses this quarter:
- Vehicle upkeep: 20%
- Managing financial pressure: 17%
- Adopting new technology: 16%
- Staffing retention & recruitment: 14%
Staffing issues are neglected despite being biggest pain point
Staff retention and recruitment is one of the lowest priorities for US freight businesses this quarter, as just 14% of respondents say they are focusing on staffing issues.
However, workforce shortages are also the most common pain point among US freight companies, with 24% of respondents citing staff shortages as their main pain point.
Why are labor shortages taking a back seat?
Freight businesses are feeling the strain from escalating operational costs, including recent diesel price surges, combined with the need to build resilience against unpredictable events, such as extreme weather.
Each of these operational costs can consume resources, leaving less capacity for US freight business to tackle long-term strategies required to effectively address the workforce crisis.
The most popular approach to staff retention and recruitment within US freight businesses is through increasing driver compensation and benefits (50% of companies prioritizing staffing stated this). But the more money spent on operational costs, the less money businesses have to recruit and retain staff.
Vehicle upkeep is the top focus this quarter
Tech.co asked 264 professionals in the US transport and shipping industry which priority they are focusing on the most this quarter.
20% of respondents said vehicle upkeep is their main priority – the highest figure and top focus for this quarter among US freight businesses.
Why is vehicle upkeep the top priority?
The need to keep vehicles in good condition could be due to businesses wanting to minimise new vehicle acquisitions, especially as ‘managing financial pressures’ is the second-highest priority for US freight firms this quarter.
Of the US freight businesses who are prioritizing vehicle maintenance, a staggering 75% say they carry out ‘preventative maintenance’ – the most popular form of vehicle upkeep.
The better the condition of a car, the less likely it will need to be replaced. Focusing on improving current vehicles could prevent costly purchases further down the line.
Tech.co’s Editor, Jack Turner, comments: “While there’s no doubt that vehicle maintenance is key to managing a healthy and successful fleet, neglecting staff shortages in order to do so could be a case of ‘kicking the can down the road’. Vehicles need attention and maintenance, but they also need someone to drive them. Investing in recruitment is a persistent requirement for those businesses looking to grow. “
