In any case, that is NOT what the figures show!
5000 extra trucks
The number of companies is rising and the fleet is growing too.
- Belgian transporters have 59,320 trucks on the road, which is 5,000 more than four years ago.
- The number of bankruptcies in the sector fell from 254 in 2012 to 163 in 2015.
- And employment has grown in recent years: the sector now accounts for nearly 94,000 jobs, which is 8,000 more than in 2006.
Lode Verkinderen of Transport en Logistiek Vlaanderen does not deny that the economic recovery is bringing new oxygen.
"1 percent growth in the economy means 1.5 percent growth for the transport sector."
Make the difference!
Companies such as DBT and S'Jegers only work with Belgians or foreigners on a Belgian contract.
And they are not doing badly. S'Jegers has already bought 24 new trucks this year, and still has an order for 20 vehicles outstanding.
"Those who look for a niche do manage to survive."
"Customers are becoming ever more demanding and know how to appreciate the difference in quality with the Eastern Europeans," says Karl S'Jegers.
The transport company Trafuco from Schelle grew by 35 percent last year, to a turnover of 39 million euros.
"Transport is in a growth market," confirms CEO Marc Van den Broeck. "I expect that even more jobs will be created in Belgium."
"How do we make the difference? With honesty, openness and punctuality."
In Eastern Europe too, wages are rising. Those drivers are no fools. When they hear what our people earn, they too bang their fists on the table.'
12/05/2017
Source: De Tijd