Rising oil prices are impacting not only on fuel costs, but also tyres, lubricants and any product manufactured from an oil base. Rising steel demand is affecting cost and availability of spare parts – even new vehicles.  

To cap it all, endemic skills shortages are being exacerbated by the introduction of the Transport Working Time Directive (soon to be followed by the Training directive, Digital Tachographs, and revised Drivers hours Rules) with all of the wage cost implications.

Customers continue to resist price increases, and so maintaining profit margins continues to be a key focus for all operators.