New book gives practical advice on starting a trucking business and keeping it going.
The looming skills shortage and new entrants looking to start but short on experience have prompted finance firm GoGetta Equipment Funding to release an ebook on establishing a freight transport firm.
Aimed at young, prospective owner-drivers primarily but relevant for anyone looking to enter the industry, Starting an owner–driver trucking business seeks to give advice that will also stand them in good stead as their start-ups grow.
The ebook may be used as something of a stand-in for experienced hands that are being lost to retirement.
GoGetta notes that industry analysts IBISWorld’s latest analysis of the industry highlights this loss.
It is one that industry observer and Ferrier Hodgson partner Brendan Richards believes offers opportunities as well as challenges.
“The road freight sector has been staring down the barrel of a skills shortage for a long time, and there is nothing to suggest that this will change anytime soon,” Richards says.
“There probably hasn’t been a better time to look to capitalise on opportunities emerging in the road freight sector.
“For new market entrants with the capacity to capitalise on new technology to drive their referrals and bookings, there is enormous scope to take on the established players.”
For its part, GoGetta sees something of a changing of the guard underway.
“We have noticed a trend that we are actually funding younger people who are new to the transport market as opposed to the traditionally aging population,” leader of business sales Caleb Gunn says.
The 25-page ebook has six chapters with advice from the government, industry and finance sectors on starting a business, getting finance, choosing a truck, finding work, managing finances and staying in business.
The ebook can be downloaded here.