Perspective

The biggest change in the recruiting process for drivers and technicians is more emphasis on aptitude and attitude, says Kari Beeson of Transervice Logistics Inc.

Diversity is a core tenet of any high-performing team, and its importance is heightened the faster a company grows. This is especially true in the logistics and freight-matching world, says Lily Shen of Transfix.

From Randy Guillot: The business of moving freight is all about connection. The connection between shipper and carrier, between driver and vehicle, between technician and engine — all of these are critical.

ATA President Chris Spear: Throughout our lives, we rely on a multitude of goods and services to prosper as individuals and as a nation. But no industry is more central to that story than trucking.

Barry Pottle writes: One of the things I’ve learned about trucking is you need to appreciate the journey. It was a lesson I took to heart at 18 when I started my career in this industry as an owner-operator, and one that served me well in my time as American Trucking Associations chairman.

As more and more vehicles with autonomous components enter the transportation landscape, the issue of repair and maintenance for those systems becomes more important for trucking fleets.

Rising insurance premiums are a perennial stress for many motor carriers, many of which are now installing telematics systems with the latest safety technologies to mitigate cost increases.

As Congress and the FMCSA weigh programs to put young drivers on the road, now is the perfect time to consider how the trucking industry can use intrinsic rewards and technology to attract recruits.

The trucking industry’s shortage of drivers and high turnover rate make it hard for many regional and over-the-road carriers to recruit and retain qualified candidates, but there is a system carriers can adopt that will help them attract and keep good drivers who fit their company’s requirements, and culture.

As shippers strategically prepare for the future, it’s worth asking how they will value logistics. Will logistics be a source of competitive advantage or a reliable utility?