2014 to experience an increase in trucking

There is an interesting side effect that comes into play when talking about the increase in online shopping. This has nothing to do with less customers going into the store, but rather an impact on the shipping and logistics industry.

With the increase in online shopping, the need to get products from point A to point B becomes more important than ever. Organizations need to make sure they have the right systems in place from warehousing to inventory to tracking deliveries, ensuring every shipment is handled properly.

A recent article from Supply Chain 247 featured interviews with several different industry experts and they all agree that 2014 will see an increase in the number of trucks on the road. According to Bob Costello, the chief economist for the American Trucking Association, there will be an increase of between 2.3 and 2.7 percent in the number of loads this year. This will continue a turnaround that was started less than a year ago.

John Husing, a Redlands-based economist, said the main reason for this is because of the recovering economy.

"The U.S. economy is continuing to recover, albeit slowly, and you can anticipate … the sheer volume of retailing to go up," Husing said. "That will drive the trucking industry, especially west of the Rockies, and the sector will continue to grow and add jobs."

To be ready for this increased demand, organizations would be wise to partner with an experienced third party logistics and shipping provider that can help meet growing challenges.