A line has been used frequently, relating to the theme of change as it applies to the Australian road transport sector.
Some experts refer to the transformation besieging our industry as the most significant revolution in transport history.
They’re referring, of course, to the evolution of alternate powertrain technology and the shift away from our centuries-old love affair with internal combustion engines. I must say, though, that I was a little taken aback when I first heard that line.
That said, when you take a moment to look at the trajectory of human ‘mobility’ more broadly, this assessment isn’t too far off the money.
There’s little doubt this seismic shift is underway, and understandably, the new and the unknown garner more column inches in the press. But what about the ‘here and now? ‘ How are transport operators going about their business right now, and how are they getting the best results from their tools of trade?
The 2024 Isuzu Future of Trucking Report sought to ponder exactly those queries among the wide range of topics covered. Interestingly, for people like me—employed to keep trucks on the road—the report has also highlighted some developing trends in the trucking service and maintenance space.
We’ll crunch some of those findings shortly, but first, some geographical context.
The land of plenty
Having worked on, in, and around trucks for a long time, I’m perpetually surprised at how harsh the Australian operating environment can be on the capital equipment we employ to ‘get the job done.’
The vast distances, unforgiving climate, road conditions and an ever-growing freight task make this country a unique and, at times, utterly unforgiving place to make a buck in the road transport business.
Put simply, and from a maintenance perspective, we need to be ‘on our game’ down here in Australia for various reasons.
From our comprehension of and adherence to compliance obligations to realising the efficiencies of regularly scheduled maintenance (not to mention where to get that work done) – they all contribute to increased productivity and, ultimately, more cash in the back pocket.
Non-negotiables
Our local Chain of Responsibility obligations, or CoR, is the holy in this heady mix.
Part of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), CoR involves identifying risks involved in both on- and off-road activities, evaluating them, and, where possible, eliminating them.
Isuzu’s research confirms that Australian operators are doing a decent job of this, with 70 per cent of truck-dependent businesses having effective CoR strategies firmly in place. This is an encouraging foundation, but as with anything, there’s always room for improvement.
Analysing the data further, we can see that some smaller operations still need to grapple meaningfully with compliance. Specifically, the ‘owner-driver’ sub-group surveyed in the report revealed the lowest levels of awareness and planning for their CoR responsibilities.
We must collectively address compliance as an industry for many safety-centric reasons if we continue to grow and prosper under current economic conditions.
One apt example is the attraction and retention of talent within our ranks. A compliant, safer, and more appealing work environment equates to recruiting and retaining quality candidates – it’s a simple formula but one we must continue to adopt.
Smarter trucking
Findings relating to servicing and repair preferences build on the broader compliance theme.
Encouragingly, the report suggests that the vast majority of significant repair work within the Australian truck park is undertaken by OEM truck dealerships rather than third-party workshops or on-site. This is an important point.
For reasons of technical and product-specific know-how, as well as overall product knowledge, Australian operators are looking for lasting repair solutions that will reduce downtime and increase efficiencies.
An important aside in these findings is that the repair preferences of the National Fleet Operator subgroup (50+ trucks) are further influenced not only by the quality of workmanship (65%) but also by the quality of customer service and support (65%). The importance of workshops having the latest technical information and diagnostic tools also attracted substantial support within this group, at 65%.
All these preferences point to an Aussie operator with a firm grasp of the total cost of ownership (TCO) equation. They are looking for providers that can deliver the whole package from procurement to the completed lifecycle of a piece of equipment.
The report confirms, too, that this overarching sentiment extends through to issues such as the proximity to and location of servicing dealerships and a strong preference for genuine OEM parts and componentry.
Onwards and upwards
As has always been the case in the world of aftersales and service support, a range of factors are at play, all against the backdrop of a highly demanding operating environment.
Of course, the other side of this story is the unprecedented rate of technological change we’re currently experiencing—a change that will present a unique set of challenges in the world of aftersales.
What we should take solace in, and what the latest Future of Trucking data confirms, is that Australian road transport operators are well-informed, proactive in their approach and generally well-positioned to respond, adapt and succeed.
Given Australia’s dependency on road transport within almost every industry imaginable, our ability to harness the best thinking, strategy, and, indeed, the best people will enable us to continue to ‘get the job done’ right now and well into the future.
