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Why The Trucking Industry Are Heroes of The Pandemic
Without any doubt, many industries have suffered during this time of the CORONA–19 pandemic, not the least of all the trucking industry. The fact, however that many industry players and even small businesses have survived and some even thrived through this period is testament to the resilience and determination of the men and women who serve them.
More than just surviving the pandemic, the trucking industry has had to put up their hands to volunteer to continue their services even at critical times like the start of the first wave and now again with a second wave.
Risking their lives
This has often been at risk of their lives. Drivers are not always just isolated in their vehicles, but also interacting with others at pick up and drop off points and on the road at truck stops etc. It means that all the people serving these areas of contact have been heroes of the pandemic because without them essential supplies simply would not have been made available to the medical fraternity or the public.
Adapt or die
Like many other businesses all facets of the trucking industry needed to adapt to these new circumstances to survive and deliver. Health and safety protocols were greatly heightened and rapidly put into place.
In many cases, shifts had to increase for Drivers and this is in itself a great risk factor. Many Drivers were out there going far above and beyond their normal line of duty whilst being worried about their families and their survival.
An industry of resilient people
It takes an industry of highly resilient people to not only serve but even shine regardless of the circumstances they may be facing. It is because of the metal of this industry that when floods have occurred or any form of a natural disaster; when roads are clogged with an overflow of traffic as in public holidays; when the risks on the road of higher volumes of traffic increase immeasurably; when industry rivalry resulted in torching vehicles and now when fighting the forces of a pandemic to keep people alive – these men and women simply endured and continued to serve their country.
Where to next
Sadly as we entered 2021 the circumstances being faced by the industry have not changed or improved much. After a short period of respite that allowed us to come up and breathe for a while, we were sucked under the water again by the second wave of this scourge.
All that we can do is to be more of the same kind of heroes we have been all along. Easier said than done of course, but the trucking industry in South Africa is made of stern stuff.
What comes to mind are the words of our former President Mandela, a shining example of resilience, when he said “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but to triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
All we as an industry can do is fight our fear and get on with it – and that’s exactly why the trucking industry are heroes of the pandemic!
The truck manufacturers that care
As a company that has been building, selling and servicing great vehicles for this industry for many years FAW is very proud to be a part of it and will always be there to support all who need us.
Contact us if you want to learn more about our new and premium pre-owned vehicles and excellent after-sales warranties, servicing, parts and technical and Driver assistance.
Be careful – stay safe – and thank you for being the heroes that you are!
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Trends in the trucking industry going into 2021
Without any question, 2020 will be looked back on as a year full of surprises and challenges – as much for the trucking industry as any other. COVID-19 turned everything on its head and brought challenges many of us had never previously faced.
As a result, we saw many heroes emerge in the trucking industry. While many were safely holed up in their homes during the level 5 lockdown, many truckers, like the medical fraternity, were out in the front line delivering emergency supplies at risk to their own wellbeing.
The virus and the many other challenges the local industry faced as the year progressed were a stark reminder that the only thing certain is that nothing is certain – and that Truckers and the industry, in general, are resilient and committed to delivering at any cost.
Now as we hurtle into 2021 we are still facing the COVID scourge, with even a new strain to contend with, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and that’s where we need to keep our eyes fixed.
Global trends are always of interest to South Africans as we largely take our lead from international counterparts and follow accordingly. Most of these trends are expected to be mirrored in the South African trucking industry too…
Global trends for 2021
According to Linchpin, one of the premier US trucking online publications “Industries all over the world are experiencing rapid development owing to the incredible application of technology that is now being experienced. Corporate offices are beginning to employ a number of software programs to help make their operations more efficient and streamlined. Trucks that are being used are now being equipped with far better technology than ever before, and more trucks are beginning to incorporate ‘smart’ technology to improve the functionality of the vehicle.”
The trucking industry will, as in 2020, experience a lot of upheavals and sadly some losses like a significant drop in the retail industry causing many trucking companies to fold without enough loads to service this market. This is likely to result in a significant number of mergers, with larger companies buying in smaller counterparts for specific services. The upside is that an upturn in the markets is expected to save many companies who may otherwise have had to fold. Let’s hold thumbs for that one!
Other trends will include: price fluctuations dependant on market demand; continued growth of e-commerce which relies pretty heavily on hauliers – which can improve things for truckers; Fuel prices as always are likely to rise, but the good thing about this is that there will be more eco-friendly options available to truckers, so sustainability responsibility is something that the trucking industry will need to take into account.
Local trends
That last point is in fact one of the major issues being addressed on a local level as COVID-19 has shown us that with less vehicle on the road our carbon footprint can be significantly reduced. No doubt we will face pretty much the same challenges as we faced in 2020, including industry rivalry for areas where the business is shrinking and of course managing the pandemic responsibly to ensure personnel safety.
FAW will still lead the way
One trend that seems to emerge every year is that FAW leads the way when it comes to the best deals on all new and premium pre-owned Freight carriers, Truck Tractors, Tippers and Mixers.
As always we will offer excellent warranties, service and after-sales services like parts, Driver and technical training, vehicle servicing and more. Contact us directly or visit a dealer near you to become one of the ‘FAWmily’ and align yourself with one of the best trends in the trucking industry going into 2021!
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Great trucking advice – when accidents happen – part 2
It is, unfortunately, a reality that many truckers are involved in accidents and in our first part of this article we spoke about the various ways you can take precautions, both from a safety and legal standpoint if you are.
The other reality is that just by the nature of your job and the fact that Truckers spend most of their lives on the road, that they are often the first on the scene of the accidents of others.
The following advice applies to this kind of situation and not all of it is compulsory by law but we must remember that, as Truckers, we usually represent either the company that employs us or our own business. Either way, we will gain both morally and in reputation if we take all these steps to try to assist others both physically and/or legally if we are witnesses.
Pull off the road
Whether you witness the accident or not and have already stopped, even if you think it may prevent the other vehicles still on the road from being run into, don’t stay in the road. It will just put your vehicle in danger of being hit.
Pull off the road, turn you hazard lights on and place your hazard warning signs (you should always be carrying at least 2 of these in your vehicle) in the middle of the road at a good distance apart to ensure oncoming traffic cannot run into the other vehicles.
Call for help
Even as you run to the scene to survey the situation call your cell emergency service or 10111 to get the authorities to the scene ASAP. If you have a medical kit in your vehicle take it with you.
Assist medically – only if you can
If you see that anyone is badly injured do not move them unless they are in great danger if not moved. Immediately call for an ambulance. Only assist with basic medical assistance or CPR if you have taken any sort of first aid or a CPR course. We strongly advise that, due to the nature of their work, all Trucking companies should arrange for basic first aid and CPR courses for Drivers.
Comfort any injured people as best you can – remember shock is almost always the first response in an accident so give a blanket to a badly injured person and try to calm all parties – don’t get involved in arguments about how it happened. Be the calming influence.
Stay on the scene
Even if you didn’t witness the accident, but were the first to arrive, your testimony could be very important from a legal standpoint and in this way you can assist with the correct assessment of the accident and ensure justice is done.
If you are the only one able to do anything, while you wait for help take photographs of the scene with your phone. These too can be invaluable evidence. Stay on the scene until help arrives and honestly answer whatever questions the authorities may have.
The Great Trucking manufacturer that assists where we can
FAW South Africa is a company that build trucks in South Africa for Africa. We have all our Trucking companies’ and their Drivers’ best interests at heart and we hope these advice pieces are helpful to both. Watch this space for more great Trucking advice regularly.
Our range of brand new and premium pre-owned Freight Carriers, Truck Tractors, Tippers and Mixers all with extensive warranties and 24/7 backup service are the pride of many of our countries top Trucking, logistics and contracting firms, so contact us today to talk about your special requirements or directly find a dealership near you.
Stay alert on the road and always stay safe!
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Brawn And Beauty Combine To Pay Tribute To An Exceptional Female Entrepreneur
When local company Magnum Sand and Stone, received the latest of their already extensive fleet of vehicles from FAW S.A, it was something to behold. A massive ‘rosy pink’ coloured 33.420FT truck and trailer combination that gave a completely new meaning to the term ‘pink power!’
This vehicle represented, not only a special gift to a very valued client, but because it was delivered in National Women’s month in South Africa, the empowerment of women everywhere. The name of the vehicle – June – The woman recipient – June Jenkins, the heart and soul of this successful Alberton based family business.
A great partnership
FAW S.A, and in particular dealership FAW Isando, had once again gone the extra mile for this very special client with whom there has been a relationship spanning some 18 years. It was, in fact, a symbolic gesture by husband and owner Ian Jenkins, to mark June’s Birthday and pay tribute to this remarkable woman and loved ones she has lost along the way.
The Magnum Sands Slogan ‘’The Sky is the limit’’ is a testament to the company’s growing commitment to succeeding in the highly competitive South African construction industry. FAW SA and FAW Isando are honoured to be a part of this success story and with the accolades that June bestows upon them, confident that the meaningful relationship will continue to flourish in the years to come.
“The support from both an aftersales and sales perspective is fantastic” enthuses June “and in our industry, your relationship with your supplier is of paramount importance – and above all communication is everything.’’
Inspirational words
In celebration of Women’s Month, we asked June what advice she would offer aspiring businesswomen operating in or entering the market today – ‘’Surround yourself with the right people, people that you trust and those who have the company’s best interests at heart. Like our businesses’ relationship with FAW, a business is like family, it takes trust, commitment and a passion for what you do to ensure success’’
When next you see a ‘rosy pink’ 33.420FT truck and trailer turn the corner – trust your eyes – it’s just a symbol of the great power of brawn and beauty combined.
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Great Trucking Advice – When Accidents Happen Part 1
We have, in a few of our articles, given some pretty solid advice on how Drivers can try to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, sometimes accidents do happen to you, even if it’s not your fault.
Additionally, being on the road all the time means the chances are pretty good that you may be the first to come across the scene of an accident that has occurred with others.
In both cases, certain procedures can be followed which will enable you as Driver, in the case of your own accident to conduct yourself well whilst reducing liability – and in the case of another’s accident, enable you to be of assistance or even save another person’s life!
In this first part of a 2 part article, we deal with correct procedures in terms of you being involved in an accident. This is only applicable to a minor accident where you have not been severely harmed or made unconscious.
The series of events that should take place is as follows…
Take a deep breath
You must be as calm and clear as possible, so take a deep breath and be sure you are thinking clearly. Check if you have been injured in any way. If you feel intense pain it is critical to remain where you are and wait for assistance.
If you are fine and can easily pull the vehicle to the side of the road then do so. If however, you feel it is important that the vehicles remain where they are to prove what happened in the accident then leave the vehicles where they are until the traffic authorities arrive.
Secure the scene and Call for assistance
Alight from the vehicle cautiously and where another vehicle is involved, check if the other driver is ok. Call for medical assistance if any emergency assistance is required (usually 10111 or 112 when calling from a mobile phone). The next thing to do especially if either of the vehicles is in the road is to put your reflector signs out so motorists approaching from both sides are warned.
Then call the police to the scene so they can make notes on the nature of the accident. Following that, if you are driving for a company, notify them. There is a good chance that your company will have trained you in a procedure that they want you to follow, so adhere to that. This article is really more for the SME guys who may not have a formal procedure to follow.
Be aware of legalities
It is important that you say nothing incriminating to the other Driver. Even an ‘I’m sorry’ could go against you in a legal situation, so it is better to remain calm, neutral and simply exchange details whilst you wait for the police to arrive.
Remember you still represent your company no matter what the cause of the accident, so try to keep the whole procedure as dignified as possible. Look for witnesses if there are any and perhaps just get their details too. It will be up to the police to get a statement from them.
Take photos
Particularly if you believe the accident was the fault of the other Driver, take pictures with your cell phone. Take as many as possible. Whether you are with a company or running your own business this photographic evidence can be invaluable in an enquiry into the accident.
If it is just a small bumper bashing, just get the vehicle off the road, take the other Driver’s details and pictures and ensure the accident is reported at a police station writhing 24hrs to obtain a case number to forward your insurance.
Assisting Drivers with great advice and vehicles
We hope this kind of advice is useful to our Trucking companies and their Drivers – watch this space for part 2 on assisting others when alighting upon an accident.
FAW South Africa build great Freight carriers, Truck tractors, Tippers and Mixers, brand new with excellent warranties and service plans, or premium pre-owned. Our vehicles are built by South Africans for Africa so connect with a dealer near you and check out our great range.
Stay safe on and off the roads – and hopefully accident-free!
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Great Trucking Advice – The RIDES That Can Cause a Fatal Accident
Finally, we have moved to level 2 of the lockdown regulations, and we can get back to work. For Truckers, this is a great relief, for although some heroically continued delivering emergency services during the pandemic, many were out of work.
So as we get back to normal, we felt it was necessary to deal once again with one of the other high causes of death, and that is road accidents. Unfortunately due to the size of the vehicles that they drive and a few other work-related causes, Truckers are involved in a very high portion of the deaths on our roads.
The fatal RIDES
The word RIDES is easy to remember, and therefore we chose to use it to help our Drivers remember the 5 main causes of accidents amongst Truckers. Some believe it is great advice as if you can avoid these common trucking-related issues we could have far fewer deaths on our roads – and far fewer Truckers deaths too!
R is for Right of way
Simply refusing the right of way to other vehicles is a major cause of trucking accidents. Even if the other car doesn’t have the right of way remember if you see they are taking the right of way, you are the bigger vehicle, so be the bigger person and just let them go. It’s better to be frustrated than haunted by a fatal accident.
I is for Impairment – Physical and mechanical
Any form of physical impairment can have dire consequences. We have spoken of these often when talking about trucker safety. The biggest one is fatigue due to driving too many hours without rest. Remember by law; you are protected against having to drive unreasonable hours. Alcohol or drugs or even medicines like cough mixtures that make you drowsy can all be a hazard.
The impairment of vehicles is also a common cause of trucking fatalities. Poor brakes, tyres, or vehicles that are simply not roadworthy can all be causes of accidents on the roads.
D is for Distractions
So many Truckers have lost their lives or caused others to lose their lives through simple distractions. There are laws against using cell phones on the road, but some drivers are caught texting while driving despite this, and this is now a common cause of accidents.
According to research into the distractions that cause the most accidents, these also include “writing something down, using a calculator, looking at a map, reading, personal grooming, reaching for an object and eating!”
Remember there are only two places for both eyes to be at every moment of the journey – fixed on the road ahead, and momentarily (when it is safe to do so) in a rear-view mirror.
E is for the Emergency lane
Another alarming statistic is of the number of accidents that are caused by drivers, either being parked dangerously in an emergency lane (on a blind rise or just around a corner) or emerging too quickly from an emergency lane because they are simply tired of waiting to be let back onto the road.
S is for Speeding and stopping distance
Simply speeding and not calculating the distance you need to be travelling away from the vehicle in front of you is a common cause of death for all road users. Still, for Truckers, it is exceptionally dangerous.
The size of the vehicle dictates that the stopping distance needs to be far greater than in a normal car. It is estimated that when travelling at just 100km per hour, a truck, no matter how good its brakes, needs 50% more stopping distance!
The trucking company that cares
FAW South Africa builds solid, safe vehicles for dependable Drivers, and we really do care that all our Drivers are safe on our roads. We also recognise the need for a dealer network that is capable of providing only superior and professional sales and after-sales support to its customers.
So, contact a dealer near you and check out our website for our full range of excellent new and premium pre-owned vehicles. Stay alert and especially stay safe on the road!
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7 Attributes of a Truly Professional Trucker
It’s true to say we live in a stressful world. Coronavirus, the high pressures of work and for the professional Trucker, ever-increasing traffic particularly in ever-burgeoning urban areas. A trip from Johannesburg to Tshwane for example used to have a fair stretch of country road along the way, now it is a busy four-lane highway – jam-packed most of the day.
It is an ever-changing world from a technological point of view too, and the high tech logistics that are employed today may make many Truckers feel like they are just numbers being moved from pillar to post.
Within the Industry as many Drivers know, there is a new breed of Truckers, who may have forgotten the essentials of what constitutes a real professional. It’s not enough to be able to deliver the loads to the right place, and on time, there are ethics and a certain demeanour that only true professionals adhere to and exhibit.
From the time they collect their load, all along the way and when the load is safely delivered there are 7 attributes of a truly professional Trucker…
- They always have a smile on their faces
At the collection point, amongst all their colleagues and the Trucking business’ clients, if the Driver is employed by others, the true professional has a smile on their face and a good word to impart to all they meet. If you are not generally happy, then possibly you simply chose the wrong career, and even in tough times, a cheerful approach will always benefit others.
- They give way to others
It may be hard to do for many Drivers, but the true Professional knows there is always time to be polite. They will wait for other trucks to go ahead when leaving the truck stop and give way for others to go before them as they pull into truck stops and their final destination. Always remember you are driving a large vehicle that takes a little more time to manoeuvre – so have some patience.
- They will let others pass
This politeness should extend to the open road too, allowing others to pass whenever you sense that they are impatient, but obviously if it is safe for them to do so. It’s better to slow down a bit and let someone go by than to have them threatening an accident by hanging closely on your tail!
- They will ignore the rudeness of others
You will always recognise a true professional by the way they’re simply not bothered by others who are being rude. They know they are driving and behaving correctly, and if others are incensed because they are impatient, they know it is simply part of the job description to ignore them. Remember a cheerful smile and a wave will completely disarm someone giving the finger!
- They will always help others
The professional will stop to help a fellow Driver in distress, or even a member of the public if they deem it safe to do so. Sadly we do live in a time that as a Driver you need to assess if it is safe to stop, especially if you are a female Driver. If not, at least radio for help on their behalf.
- They are always the true professional
The true professional is someone who assumes their role proudly and does not waiver from it whatever their personal circumstances may be. If your company has given you a uniform to wear, then wear it proudly. Remember these 4 ‘D’s of a real professional – Dress well, Drive well, Deliver on time and Don’t ever let your fellow drivers down!
- He takes pride in the vehicles he drives
A truly Professional trucker always takes pride in their vehicle, looking after it and assuring it is still in great shape. That’s why we at FAW take such great pride in the vehicles we manufacture and supply.
We are South Africans who make the best there is for Africa, and our impressive range of new and used Freight carriers, Mixers, Truck Tractors and Tippers offers the highest quality vehicles available anywhere. All come with excellent warranties and 24/7 after-sales service.
Check out our current special offers, visit one of our countrywide dealers or contact us directly for free advice and quotations. Remember always to be a true professional – and be safe out there!
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Female Truckers are growing stronger on the SA Trucking scene
August is National Women’s Month in South Africa, and we celebrate our National Woman’s Day on Aug 9th. It is a time when women proudly celebrate their efforts towards attaining gender equality, and men salute them for all that they are to society in every aspect of life.
When we celebrated International Women’s Day in March, the theme was to create gender equality and women everywhere were encouraged to do this by empowering themselves and their Sisters. This meant being educated and skilled enough to stand with heads held high in a predominantly man’s world.
It is a sad indictment of our South African society that 2/3 of the jobs lost due to the pandemic were those of women, many of whom are the main breadwinners in their family.
A fresh young approach to Trucking
Ironically it is also International Youth Day on August 12th and young females, far better educated and emancipated than in previous years, are seeking jobs in many areas, some of which were primarily the domain of men. One of these, of course, is trucking and not so long ago female Truckers in South Africa were almost unheard of.
In the USA Truckers call each other ‘good buddy,’ and the question is will you be a ‘good buddy’ to your female counterparts when female Truckers are growing stronger on the SA Trucking scene? There’s certainly plenty to go around so men need not feel threatened either. The demand for truckers is high, but the employment rate for women is low.
A News 24 report had this to say ‘Statistics from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) earlier this year revealed that South Africa has startlingly low rates of employed women at 50.9% of the female population aged 25 to 54. Alongside this, reports that South Africa needs at least 15 000 new professional truck drivers every year only points to the importance for women in trucking to be prioritised as a growing requirement.”
Opportunities are emerging
Fortunately, opportunities are emerging, and there are a number of Driver academies available for women who wish to become Truckers. Three years ago women active role players in the transport and logistics field came together to launch the Emerging Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA). The aim of the association – officially launched in Sandton, Johannesburg – was to help bring on transformation in the industry. The leading women sought to create an environment where emerging and upcoming role-players could also succeed and form part of the thriving field.
Always leading by example
One of South Africa’s leading truck manufacturers and suppliers, FAW, always in the thick of whatever is driving the transport industry, has an excellent Driver training program, open to all races and genders.
This is part of our Total Quality care program ensuring aftersales service across the board. Sadly, not all these can be provided during the pandemic, but we, like the rest of this great country of ours, do believe that this shall pass and we will once again be able to assist in all areas.
In the meantime contact us to learn more – and contact one of our countrywide qualified Dealers to assist you with the purchase of one of our high quality new or used vehicles.
We salute women throughout the country at this time and sincerely hope that all our male truckers too will wholly support our female trainees and Truckers of the future. Travel safe!
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Trucker safety tips – what you’re watching could save your life!
As always we want to praise the many Truckers who continue to operate throughout the pandemic, as it is still very real and we have a long way to go before it is over.
We posted what we hoped were some useful articles on Driver safety in relation to dealing with COVID-19, which now that we have entered phase three and things are beginning to normalise, we hope Drivers are still practising.
We feel it is time to move on now though and talk about a safety issue that every Driver should be very aware of all the time – and that is that what you’re watching could save your life!
Yes, the eyes are your most valuable asset when it comes to being a professional Driver and little wonder that after hours of concentration, it is the eyes that grow most weary. So, let’s take a look at a few essential safety practices relating to what you are watching when on the road.
Distraction
As all Drivers know, one of the largest cause of accidents is through taking your eyes off the road. It only takes a minor distraction and a split second to stop looking straight ahead. The golden rule of thumb is if you need to do anything that you can’t do while still looking straight ahead at the road – then don’t do it.
The cell phone has become one of the biggest distractions and exactly why its usage whilst driving is prohibited!
Be far-sighted
Not only keep your eyes on the road but look and think ahead as far as possible. Observe off-ramps, roadworks, other vehicles driving poorly etc. Also, look for low bridges or low hanging wires. Remember that anything that doesn’t look quite right could be trouble. Rather be suspicious than complacent.
Glancing around is important
Remember, you can glance around. In fact, it is necessary to check your wing and rear-view mirrors constantly. Always know who’s behind you or might be trying to overtake. Also always look for an escape route if you sense trouble. If you see a car ahead coming the other way trying desperately to overtake – rather pull back and pull over to ensure if he overtakes at the wrong time, you will not be in his path.
Make space
Always keep a good space between you and the Truck or car ahead, ensuring you have better visibility and a better chance to brake on time. In fact, try if you can to keep this safety distance all around you. If the car behind you is right up your rear then just let him pass and hope the next guy will know the rules of the road.
Check your gauges
Again, just with a glance, keep an eye on the important info you can get from your front panel gauges, your GPS and even have a weather gauge to warn of inclement or dangerous conditions. These all have functions to warn you of issues and advise on better routes etc.
Be looking good
While your eyes are on the road, many other Driver’s eyes will be on your FAW freight carrier, Truck tractor, tipper or mixer – all rugged vehicles built in South Africa for Africans.
Our current special is a 6.130FL for only R239 000 excl. VAT. (Chassis Cab only). Which means – this 3,5 ton workhorse, complete with a Cummins engine and an optional 3year/180 000km Service Plan, could be yours for the price of a 1 ton!
Contact us today to learn more – and always be safe out there!
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Getting back on track for Truckers after the pandemic
As things get back to normal post-pandemic, there are a lot of Truckers and small trucking businesses that are taking strain from possibly long periods of not working. Sure, we had plenty of Trucking heroes, who continued to deliver emergency good throughout the pandemic, but it was not the case for every business.
Some smaller trucking companies, like one man carriers, now have to struggle to get back on track, and some individual Drivers will have had to take pay cuts. This article deals with both and talks about getting back on track for Truckers after the pandemic.
Getting your small business back on track
Of course, every business is different and will have been affected differently, but here, in essence, are the three phases of getting back on track after the storm has passed…
Review the damage
Do some damage control. Check what losses you have incurred, income, staff, clients etc. Be thorough and make sure your financials are right up to date, so you get an accurate report.
Go back to your original business plan. Did you have any contingency built in to help you through such times? Most businesses are encouraged to have at least a few months income available for just such times.
Redirect your operations
Look into whether you need to get some financial assistance. There has been quite a lot available during this period, and this article may help – relief and advice for SMMEs weathering the storm. Also, decide on where you will go from here from a structural point of view.
Can you change the operation to be more effective on less budget? There have been the advantages of lowered petrol prices and some businesses selling stock very cheaply. Can you benefit from these and how?
Reset your goals for the future
Now reset your goals and create a definite timeline for when you expect to be back to where you were pre-pandemic. Stick with your new budgets and plans and ensure you build in some contingency plans for any future upheavals.
4 point plan for Drivers who took pay cuts
For those Drivers who, due to the difficulties their companies are facing, have taken pay cuts, here is a simple 4 point plan to help deal with it and soften the blow…
- Re-adjust your budget – prioritising your most important expenses and cutting non-essentials
- Negotiate with creditors. Almost all creditors are extremely flexible at this time and will allow a more extended period to pay
- Look into other sources of income – i.e. talk to your family and look around for interest-free or low-interest loans
- Look into possible other ways to earn money – is their part-time work you can do – or maybe a home-based product you could sell at a market in your spare time?
FAW will be with you
Whatever your circumstances, FAW, with advice pieces like this one, our Total Quality Care initiatives and assistance and an impressive range of new and used vehicles, many offering the lowest cost per ton available anywhere, will always be there for you.
Contact us, or find a dealership near you for all the advice you will need on your next purchase of any of South Africa’s finest Freight carriers, Truck tractors, Tippers and Mixers. Like every other dark cloud, even COVID-19 will eventually pass and given time and the high resilience always shown by our people; we will get back on track – so stay positive and stay safe!