Each year we face challenges in the roofing industry.\u00a0 \u00a0Weather, pricing, competition, the economy and the list goes on and on with the challenges we face.\u00a0 \u00a0I have been in the roofing business now for over 20 years and for the first time trucking and delivery of our materials will be one of the biggest challenges this year and for the foreseeable future.\u00a0 \u00a0Many manufacturers are beginning to publish documents sharing this information with their customers.\u00a0 \u00a0Duro-Last I am sure will soon follow the trend and be notifying our customers of the many issues nationwide.\u00a0 \u00a0Until you dig into the statistics it is hard to understand and once you read the facts the severity of the trucking shortage is mind blowing.\u00a0 \u00a0As recent as last year the trucking shortage had gotten to the point that there were 18 available loads for every flatbed truck in America.\u00a0 \u00a0This Spring Carlisle sent out a Bulletin to their contractors informing them that the shortage had now grown to the point there are 111 available loads for every flatbed truck.\u00a0 \u00a0In a more recent publication from the trucking industry truckstop.com has reported there are now 140 available loads for every flatbed truck and 40 available loads for every enclosed truck in America.\u00a0 \u00a0What this means to the construction industry are delays and increased shipping costs.\u00a0 \u00a0Now that truckers have so many options they are choosing the more desirable and profitable loads.\u00a0 \u00a0Deliveries that are set up and scheduled can now be dropped when truckers find a more desirable shipment.\u00a0 \u00a0Monday and Friday deliveries that may keep a driver away from home on the weekend are now even harder to fill. So the challenge is here and is not going away any time soon.\u00a0 \u00a0The predictions from the shipping industry are grim as there are few drivers entering the industry even with salaries now climbing into the 6 figures.\u00a0 \u00a0There are currently more drivers retiring from trucking then new ones entering the industry so the future is not promising.\u00a0 \u00a0In reality the only thing that solves this problem is a lessened demand for trucking and that would only come from a downturn in the economy and a decline in the construction market.\u00a0 \u00a0Flatbed trucks are mainly used for the hauling of construction materials, so we will be the ones to struggle from this trucking shortage.<\/p>\n
So what can you do and what can we do?\u00a0 \u00a0Order with as much lead time as possible so we have time to find carriers for the loads.\u00a0 \u00a0Combine as many loads as possible to maximize the space used for each load which will help minimize your shipping costs.\u00a0 Enclosed trucks are easier to find and cheaper right now so if possible see if your load can be shipped in an enclosed truck.\u00a0 \u00a0Be patient and please know we are very aware of this issue and working to try and find solutions.\u00a0 \u00a0With the demand there are certainly issues with on time arrivals and drivers that are less than spectacular, so be patient and let us know when you have problems so we can help resolve the issues.\u00a0 \u00a0Thanks in advance for your patience and understanding as we work to get through these logistics problems.<\/p>\n