WAREHOUSE SPACES BEING HOARDED

Logistic firms are being forced to create new options for themselves to deal with the shortage of warehouse spaces, including “building multistory facilities and choosing locations farther from coastal ports.” The shortages across the US are coming from many companies stockpiling goods to hedge against supply chain issues, leaving hardly any space for others to stash their merchandise. Robert Thornburgh, the chief executive of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, says “there is limited inventory of industrial space. It is almost evaporating before your eyes, if you are even lucky enough to know about it.” Read more…

COVID-19 DRIVING PERSONNEL INTO THE TRUCKING SECTOR

While there’s a lot to be said about the global pandemic driving truckers out of the industry, there are also cases of the pandemic bringing new personnel into the sector as well. For instance, former nurse Leah Gorham says that COVID-19 made conditions “unbearable, unsafe and caused low morale amongst staff.” She wanted to find a career where she had job satisfaction, general happiness and safety, and was soon able to find these qualities by following in her boyfriend’s footsteps and becoming a truck driver. Read more…

MARIJUANA TESTING LEADING TO TRUCKER SHORTAGE

A top Wells Fargo analyst believes that there’s more to blame than just the COVID-19 pandemic for rising costs and driver shortages in the transportation industry — “federal marijuana criminalization and resulting drug testing mandates” are a part of the issue as well. While marijuana is legalized in some states, it remains illegal in others, henceforth mandating federal drug testing for all truckers.  Read more…