Draper is continuing to work at full capacity on all shifts and we are able fill all orders. Our lead times and on-time delivery remain excellent. In some areas of the United States, however, deliveries haven’t been coming as quickly this year as in the past.
While that is changing, here are some reasons you may have been experiencing delays.
Fewer trucks, fewer drivers.
The trucking industry is operating at full capacity. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many truck lines went out of business. Those who continued operations have fewer trucks on the road.
In addition, many drivers chose to retire or change occupation, and CDL licensing schools are only now reopening to provide replacements. Freight companies have also been hampered by employee quarantines due to illness or exposure to positive cases.
An increase in demand.
E-commerce is up in 2020 due to more people ordering online. One in three Americans places an online order every week, and e-commerce is expected to set record during the holidays.
In addition, retailers throughout the United States are restocking inventories. Higher rates have caused manufacturers and retailers to configure shipments differently, leading to much more so-called “less than truckload” (LTL) freight than usual.
Air shipment delays.
The trucking industry isn’t the only shipment-related channel seeing delays. Air shipments have also been hampered by the same issues affecting truck lines. There are fewer aircraft flying, and there are fewer pilots as well.
Better news is coming.
While deliveries have been taking longer this year, there are signs that the trucking industry is adapting and shipping more quickly, and freight is moving across the country.
If you are concerned how recovery in the shipping industry will impact your projects, we are here to help! Click here to go to our contacts page and reach out to your Draper representative to place your orders and work on a plan to get your deliveries scheduled as soon as possible!
