If you’re a frequent driver on normal roads, you’ve likely already seen your fair share of these HGVs driving right beside you. Many of them are branded with logos splashed across their sides that tell you what they are carrying. Others may have no logo whatsoever, leaving you to wonder what might be inside. In fact, the truth of the matter is that HGVs are quite a common sight when driving on UK roads. It’s often taken for granted that they are going to be surrounding you while driving. However, today, we have 6 important facts that you’ll want to know regarding goods in the UK. Perhaps the most impressive fact is that as much as 98 percent of all of the goods in the UK are moved via an HGV. These goods include food, drink, jewellery, and clothing. The transport of goods has become the backbone of the economy in the UK, and without it there would be few goods in shops and stores. Many products come from overseas; the haulage industry is well aware of this and concerned regarding their trade routes.
Thousands of Jobs
The transportation of goods provides for as many as 600,000 jobs in the UK alone. That translates to 600,000 drivers of HGV in the industry. Interestingly, only a mere 1.2 percent of those 600,000 jobs are female drivers. Sadly, there is a huge need for equality in the workforce. Even with such numbers, there is still a serious shortage of drivers for HGVs and according to the logistics, it’s estimated that there is going to be a long delay in getting those positions filled. As many as 36 percent of those vacancies are remaining vacant while they search for the right person to drive the HGVs and carry out the necessary training including CPC training. As many as 15 percents of those vacancies won’t be filled.
Huge Haulage
With so much resting on the trailers of HGVs and the economy, it’s not at all shocking to learn that haulage is one of the largest employers in the UK today. Drivers aren’t the only ones who are involved in the process; in fact, there are many people that work for haulage companies. There are the people that manage the companies and the warehouses, there are the managers and the transport planners as well as those who load and unload the HGVs. When all the employees are totalled, that can add up to as many as 2.5 million persons that work for haulage companies.
Put the Money Where the Goods Are
Not only is the haulage industry one of the largest employers in the UK, but hauliers are also worth a lot of money in their own right. According to the latest estimates, they are worth approximately £124 billion for the economy of the UK. So, when it’s said that the haulage industry is regarded as the backbone of the industry and economy, it’s not an exaggeration. Haulage can bring in lots of money for the economy of the UK on a daily basis. The numbers are ever-increasing; however, there is much uncertainty regarding Brexit and it only gets worse from there. The experts are very unsure of what the future may hold for the industry.
Age Is Only a Number
There are a variety of demographics that the HGV attracts people from. They come from a wide variety of demographics and there are both male and female drivers. Many of these drivers are former insurance salesmen, and today, they are driving since they’ve left school. The typical HGV driver is 48 years of age. To top that off, 13 percent of those drivers are EU nationals which means that they have no continued guarantee of residency after Brexit.
Heavy Goods Ahead
Today, we know that ‘heavy goods vehicle’ can stand for many things. However, when it comes to the heaviest of heavy, it can be staggeringly impressive. Example: there are approximately 525,500 commercial vehicles on the road today that weigh over 3.5 tonnes. These are only the ones that are registered in the UK. However, that’s nearly the same weight as an African elephant in adolescence. Of those vehicles, as many as 250,000 are being driven by Road Haulage Association which gives them a quality stamp.
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