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A D V E R T O R I A L HOW���D THEY DO THAT ? Driver Shortages and the Impact on 3PLs D river shortage and retention is one of the most challenging issues in the trucking and third-party logistics industries, and it continues to weigh heavily on executives��� minds. According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the issue moved from the ���fth top industry concern in 2010 to third place in 2011. As of August 2012, the national unemployment rate in the U.S. stood at 8.1 percent, and while some may think that a high number of job seekers would ease the shortage of drivers, there are other factors at play. Some of these include the implementation of the 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA), the aging of the current workforce, retiring drivers, and a lack of quali���ed drivers entering in the profession. The 2010 CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) program that seeks to improve truck safety and reduce accidents with the addition of new rules and regulations. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), a Safety Measurement System (SMS) will calculate the preceding two years of trucking violations and crash data and determine a score in seven safety behavior areas, called BASICs (Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories). These behaviors include: cargo related; controlled substances and alcohol; crash indicator; driver ���tness; fatigued driving (Hours-of-Service); unsafe driving; and vehicle maintenance. With more stringent safety standards rolling out in the trucking industry, it has become increasingly dif���cult to ���nd eligible truck drivers. Furthermore, the retirement of older truck drivers compounded by the lack of quali���ed drivers in the marketplace is making it harder to ���ll trucking positions. ���Somewhere over the next ���ve to ten years, we���ll start to see the impact of an older driver force that is now retiring, and trying to replace that driver force,��� says Charles Bostick, director of transportation and operations at Carrollton, Texas-based Vantix Logistics (a division of McLane). ���Regardless of whom the trucking company is or what type of trucking company, the constraints of the number of quali���ed people out there that are willing to take the driver job is declining rapidly.��� Although there are fewer and fewer quali���ed drivers available for hire, Vantix Logistics addresses the issue by placing an emphasis on increasing driver retention and creating an atmosphere that accentuates the importance of each driver. Some of the ways Vantix establishes a driver-friendly atmosphere is by generating ���exible driver schedules in order to improve the driver���s quality of life and promoting a great work/life balance, as well as working with shippers to maximize trailer loading and www.foodlogistics.com unloading. ���It���s ultimately conveying to drivers how important that driver job is to us and how important it should be to them,��� explains Bostick. ���The values that we believe in when it comes to that portion of our business are making sure we���re putting the right person behind the wheel and supporting them throughout their career here at McLane.��� Vantix Logistics is a top provider of supply chain logistics solutions that is uniquely focused on the food and beverage industry. Vantix ensures that they partner with carriers with similar goals and ambitions with respect to driver hiring, driver retention as well as being well versed in the importance of food handling. Having superior carrier relationships is not only important in an economical sense, but also important for customer contentment. ���We must continue to provide that capacity for our customers,��� says Bostick. Vantix has over 3,000 carriers that allow them to provide customizable solutions at competitive rates for managing a company���s transportation needs. Vantix also provides a high level of food security and punctual delivery. The company has a comprehensive familiarity with respect to the strategies and processes that impact the food and beverage supply chain. ���This long standing expertise has allowed Vantix to educate its carrier partners on the importance of food security and product integrity,��� says Bostick. And, the company is ���focused on delivering the very best product for its customers.��� In addition, partnering with Vantix can leverage a customer���s volume and professionally handle a food or beverage customers supply chain. When it comes to cost competitiveness, Vantix��� services can help food and beverage customers save money, no matter their size. ���Small- to medium-sized shippers should be able to use the volume leverage of our network both truckload (TL) and less-thantruckload (LTL) to reduce their overall transportation cost,��� states Bostick. ���They should also be able to expand the distribution of their products, thus increasing their revenue. Vantix��� services will also help the small- to medium-sized shipper reduce transportation costs through improved service, reduction of service penalties, ���hot shot��� or spot market cost reductions.��� Vantix also helps its customers develop transportation models in order to lower freight costs while also providing quality service for food and beverage customers. www.vantixlogistics.com Tel: 800-737-5423 Fax: 972-364-2712 FOOD LOGISTICS ��� NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 51