It isn’t news that there aren’t enough qualified CDL drivers. In fact, the American Trucking Association, Arlington, Va., reported the trucking industry needs to hire an average of 90,000 drivers each year. Or, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), Austin, Texas, revealed that driver shortage has been a Top 3 issue in 12 out of the 14 years that ATRI has conducted its industry issues report. But, what the industry doesn’t realize is the affect the shortage has on other industries. It’s at a point where it’s impacting the rest of the supply chain, including the food and beverage industry.
When a truck loaded with produce doesn’t have a driver, or due to lack of drivers, arrives hours behind schedule, more than the restaurant or grocery store anticipating the produce’s arrival are let down. In a restaurant, if the kitchen doesn’t have the produce they need to make their menu, patrons are disappointed and might leave. If a grocery store doesn’t have the produce their customers want, they miss out on immediate sales, and those customers might look elsewhere the next time.