Supply chain disruptions are being heightened by an ongoing shortage of truck drivers. The American Trucking Association says it’s down about 80,000 drivers right now, a record high. This is a trend seen right here in the state of Alabama.
“While there’s a supply and demand issue with products right now in the grocery store, there’s also a supply and demand issue with drivers, we have several empty trucks we’re trying to fill now and all our competitors are in the same boat so we’re really struggling to find help right now,” said Tommy Neely, President of Ross Neely Systems Inc.
https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/trucker-shortage-continues-to-impact-birmingham-businesses/
Costello said the driver shortage improved in 2019 as the industry attracted more drivers and freight levels remained stable. However, with the current freight demand, the need has jumped by 30% over 2020 levels.
“This is somewhat pandemic-related; we didn’t train enough drivers,” he said. “It’s the traditional things we’ve been talking about for the last two decades. It’s the high average age of drivers, not enough females, lifestyle, and then you throw in some things that have exacerbated it.”
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-industry-now-short-80000-drivers
“While there’s a supply and demand issue with products right now in the grocery store, there’s also a supply and demand issue with drivers, we have several empty trucks we’re trying to fill now and all our competitors are in the same boat so we’re really struggling to find help right now,” said Tommy Neely, President of Ross Neely Systems Inc.
https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/trucker-shortage-continues-to-impact-birmingham-businesses/
Costello said the driver shortage improved in 2019 as the industry attracted more drivers and freight levels remained stable. However, with the current freight demand, the need has jumped by 30% over 2020 levels.
“This is somewhat pandemic-related; we didn’t train enough drivers,” he said. “It’s the traditional things we’ve been talking about for the last two decades. It’s the high average age of drivers, not enough females, lifestyle, and then you throw in some things that have exacerbated it.”
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-industry-now-short-80000-drivers