As the industry recovers from a major pandemic, with most companies trying to reset, automation, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will enhance logistics processes significantly.According to Filip Van den Heede, managing director: UD Trucks Southern Africa, f leet operators around the world are realising the value of smart logistics features in their equipment – features that improve fuel ef f icienc y, payloa d ef f icienc y, safet y, productivity, and connectivity.“The use of technology will enable better management of increased volumes and delivery expectations, with more efficient resourcing,” he told Freight News.UD Trucks, which is committed to finding solutions that will strengthen its customers' businesses, launched its Euro 5 trucks in South Africa ahead of regulations. “As we work towards achieving bigger and more attainable sustainability goals, we continue to increase our trucks' contribution to customers' logistics chain development,” explains Van den Heede.The new Euro 5 trucks for the heavy-duty and medium-duty sectors were unveiled in the second quarter of this year. “In South Africa, we have been on this journey since 2020 when we introduced the Euro 5 Quon, a bold step towards bettering the planet. All of these upgrades lower the vehicle's environmental impact and retain the advantages of previous models while improving uptime, efficiency, and optimising the total cost of ownership.”Van den Heede said rising fuel costs remained one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics sector at present. “Fuel costs make up a significant portion of f leet operating costs. Due to volatile fuel prices, f leet owners must maximise fuel efficiency and reduce overall fuel consumption to minimise operating costs,” he said. “Fuel wastage can be prevented by planning the most economical routes and clamping down on errant driver behaviour.”Another challenge is driver shortages. “In the last decade, the trucking industry has faced an acute shortage of drivers. The challenging working conditions on the road make it difficult for companies to hire and retain drivers. Safety, lack of physical activity, irregular schedules, and fatigue are particular hazards faced by long-haul drivers.”This made it critical for operators to look at solutions to improve driver safety. “Fatigue, stress, speeding, unfamiliarity with routes, distractions from smartphones, extreme weather, and unforeseeable traffic conditions can all affect driver safety,” said Van der Heede. “The prevention of accidents is essential for driver safety, as well as for reducing downtime and reducing expenses like repair costs and vehicle write-offs.”According to Van den Heede, the tough economic climate will continue to increase the cost challenge for most countries, especially South Africa with its high exchange rates. External shocks like the pandemic and the more recent war in Ukraine would also continue to impact.“Organisations will have to put in place stricter measures to control internal costs unaffected by macroeconomic factors. To do more with less, companies must adopt technology faster, be more agile, and be more innovative. Companies will need to be proactive and have health and wellness programmes in place, aimed at ensuring they have a healthy and able workforce.”Restructuring the logistics industry for the better involves several elements, said Van den Heede.“Creating a safer and more comfortable work environment for truck drivers, providing support to female truck drivers, and motivating truck drivers to develop their skills. Reducing environmental impact is also of utmost importance.”Companies, he said, would need to pursue better fuel efficiency while driver training needs to be at the forefront.“I believe that transformative innovations in automation and electromobility are key to overcoming challenges of the acute driver shortage, e-commerce boom, and the need to lower our environmental impact,” he said.
