How Important are Truck Drivers to our Supply Chain?

The global supply chain is an expansive and complex network of organisations, resources, activities, and processes that all play a role in moving goods from manufacturers to consumers. When it is in full working order, the transport of goods  is seamless and efficient. By contrast, when there are any issues with it, even local ones, the impact can quickly become both wide-ranging and severe. Truck drivers are fundamental to the operation of the global supply chain.

Here, FleetEx share their insight into the importance of truck drivers and the supply-chain that we all rely on so heavily, sometimes without even realising.

Understanding the supply chain

Although the commonly-used term is supply chain, it would be more accurate to think of it as a supply network. The overall supply network is made up of numerous individual supply chains that cross and link with each other at various key points.

The key hubs in this supply network are suppliers, manufacturers, fulfilment centres/warehouses, distributors, retailers and certain government agencies (such as customs). Logistics businesses play a key role in managing the connections between them and truck drivers are the people who actually make the connections.

While the main role of truck drivers is to move physical goods from one place to another, they also play a role in moving information. For example, if a truck driver has to take a consignment across international borders, they will usually manage the paperwork for it.

Importance of effective supply chain management

The COVID19 pandemic clearly highlighted what can happen when a supply chain does not work effectively. In that case, the issues were caused by bad luck more than ineffective management.

It did, however, raise awareness of the fact that longstanding approaches to supply-chain management might not be suitable for the modern world. In particular, it highlighted the potential risk of being so heavily dependent on China as a manufacturing hub.

At the same time, it’s worth noting that the reason China was so popular as a manufacturing base is that it was (and is) a very cost-effective option. Cost control is vital across all industries. It is, however, arguably particularly important in logistics, where businesses frequently operate on the finest of margins.

Advances in technology are helping to reduce (or even eliminate) some of the costs involved in running a logistics business (particularly administrative ones). They are particularly useful for optimising processes. This helps to minimise lead times and, hence, improve customer satisfaction.

The main technological advance is the internet of things (IoT) or “smart devices.” These technologies serve many purposes including enabling automation, providing real-time data and helping with forecasting. Technology is also facilitating collaboration and coordination among supply chain partners.

The crucial role of truck drivers

Air, ship and rail freight all have their uses. Trucks, however, can literally and figuratively reach places they other types of freight cannot serve. Trucks, at present, cannot run without drivers. Even if driverless vehicles become mainstream in the future, trucks will still need human supervision. That means the role of the truck driver will change but will probably still be as important as it is now.

Regardless of whether a driver is in a cab or at a desk somewhere, they usually have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that goods arrive where and when they are expected. Company drivers may have routes planned out for them. They will, however, often have to update those routes to reflect updated circumstances such as road closures.

Similarly, once truck drivers are on the road, they have primary responsibility for their vehicle. Company drivers will have a backup but will usually still be expected to resolve issues on their own as much as possible. This is simply for reasons of time and practicality. In other words, the more a truck driver can do themselves, the quicker they can be rolling again.

This means that truck drivers typically need a combination of problem-solving skills and some level of mechanical skills. At a minimum, they will be expected to be able to replace parts that can wear out on the road (e.g., brake pads) and top up consumables (e.g., oil).

The non-driving aspects of truck driving

Although driving and its related activities are at the core of a truck driver’s role (hence the name), modern truck drivers actually have to oversee a wide variety of tasks. Firstly, they often have to manage the loading and unloading of cargo.

In some instances, they may simply oversee the work of other people. In others, they may have to load and unload the goods themselves. This means that they need a certain level of physical strength as well as knowledge of proper handling procedures. They may also need to know special procedures for various types of cargo.

Undertaking administration

It’s becoming increasingly important for truck drivers to be comfortable with technology. In particular, they need to be able to use it to complete administrative tasks. These can include demonstrating compliance with safety procedures, keeping track of inventory or dealing with customs.

Customer service

Truck drivers need solid interpersonal skills as they need to work with end customers. They may also need to work with other relevant third parties such as customs officials. Long-distance truck drivers may need to do this in a foreign language or with a person who speaks English as a foreign language.

As a part of this, they need to be flexible enough to fit into many different working/operating environments. For example, they may go from dealing with a customer that has a very relaxed working environment to one that is much more formal. They may also need to handle environments that have particularly high safety requirements.

Challenges faced by truck drivers in the supply chain

The main challenge faced by truck drivers in the supply chain is the fact that they need to be highly self-reliant, in some cases for extended periods. At the same time, however, they also need to be able to work well with other people (such as customers).

This combination can be mentally draining so it’s vital that modern truck drivers understand how to take care of their mental health. Since mental health depends partly on physical health, truck drivers also need to be able to take good care of their bodies.