Is the trucking industry on the verge of change?

The Mid-American Trucking Show (MATS), which was held over the weekend in Louisville, Kentucky, is an annual trade show that started in 1972. For over 40 years, the event has been a forum for the heavy-duty trucking industry, providing face-to-face interaction between industry representatives and trucking professionals. These individuals talk shop and discuss best practices, as well as unveil new ways that improve the industry in the future.

One of those that debut this year is a new campaign from ACT 1 called "Trucking Moves America Forward." According to the industry website, Go By Truck News, the goal of this plan is to market the industry to potential new drivers, explain to the general public the importance of trucking within their daily lives, show how it impacts the economy and give lawmakers some things to think about when it comes to trucking legislation.

There is a group of individuals behind this marketing push, led by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Todd Spencer, the executive vice-president of OOIDA, told the news source that there is a great story to tell and the ads will reach out to the public because "America moves by truck."

Kevin Burch, the president of Jet Express and vice chairman of Trucking Moves America Forward, wants the campaign to bring all facets of the trucking industry together including owner-operators, company drivers and unionized and non-unionized drivers.

"We need to show exactly how passionate we are. America is not going to move unless we have professional drivers," said Burch. "It's imperative we understand how we are all connected and work together."

He added that the biggest goal of the campaign is to recruit new quality drivers. The shortage that the industry is facing is expected to top 1 million over the next decade. Spencer said that there will always been a need for trucks and if companies do not have the best on the road they will suffer for it.

Trucking gets more fuel efficient

This push for new drivers comes as the industry is also trying to improve how fuel efficient their vehicles are. To see how outside the box some companies are getting, look no further than Walmart's new WAVE. 

This radical redesign of the front cab, the WAVE (Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience) was reviewed in a recent article from Wired. It is a concept truck that could be the future of long-haul freight.

It looks like a traditional cab was smashed together with a Corvette. However, the lower profile makes it 20 percent more aerodynamic than standard rigs. It is also towing the first 53-foot carbon fiber trailer. Inside, the driver looks more like they are at the controls of F1 car or a fighter jet as they are seated in the middle of the cab. They are flanked by LCD displays. The turbine-powered battery-electric hybrid drivetrain and combustion engine can run on diesel, natural gas or biodiesel.

"It may never make it to the road, but it will allow us to test new technologies and new approaches," said Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon.

The trucking industry is a critical part of many businesses and the future looks to have some changes on the horizon. With the help of local third party logistics firm, any company will be able to meet current challenges and adjust to the future.