Knowledge-sharing is an integral part of the value chain that exists in the SA trucking industry and in the tough economic climate we face today, operators should mine this resource as extensively as possible. Paul Collings explores some of the rich veins of expertise available to transport operators to assist them in the effective day-to-day running of their fleets. There are many others. Use them.

Today’s trucking industry is an amalgamation of disciplines, products and services that constitute a complex ‘value chain’ beginning with the OEM (truck and trailer manufacturers), finance and insurance houses, fuel and lubrication vendors, brake and tyre suppliers, telematics developers etc, and carrying through to the operator rendering haulage services to a client base.

Beyond the purchase of the vehicle itself, this value chain constitutes a ‘tool kit’ that enables operators to improve business efficiencies by lowering operating costs, reducing on-road risk and improving turnaround times – all ultimately helping to boost bottom-line performance. Apart from the products that make up this ‘tool kit’, a rich vein of expertise is available to transport operators to assist them in the effective day-to-day running of their fleets.

is an integral part of the value chain and in the tough economic climate we face today, operators should mine this resource as extensively as possible.

By breaking the value chain down into its component parts, operators can pinpoint where areas of weakness lie within their business and thereafter, seek help from ‘those in the know’, namely, their suppliers. The commercial trucking industry prides itself on the strong working relationships that exist between suppliers and customers. It is the sharing of knowledge within these partnerships that enables the industry (and the economy in general) to grow.

With the value chain comprising a set of interlinked products and services (including sound advice) designed to give operators the necessary competitive advantage to survive in tough financial times, let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients and what each has to offer in the way of ‘recession proofing power’.