Trucking Shortage Affecting Shipping Speed

Two of the biggest concerns for any company that moves freight via trucks are driver shortages and the inability to get product to your customer. Unfortunately, that specific scenario has already occurred right here in the US of A. While this has not been a major issue yet for us here at Pine River Bedding, it is something that we felt all of our customers should be made aware of.

According to an article on trucks.com, the United States is expected to have a shortage of approximately 50,000 drivers by the end of 2018.  If unemployment continues to stay low, then the situation could get much worse in the longer term as well. According to the article previously mentioned:

"In its annual survey, the American Transportation Research Institute found that motor carriers and the industry in general are most concerned about a lack of qualified drivers to carry the nation’s freight.

The institute, or ATRI, released the survey results Monday on the second day of the American Trucking Association’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Fla. ATRI is the research arm of the trucking trade group. In a separate report released at the conference Sunday, the ATA said the driver shortfall could reach 50,000 positions by the end of this year and if trends hold, will grow to more than 175,000 by 2026."