How the courier industry can meet growing demand as e-commerce ramps up

By Lucinda Alfonica, Commercial Manager at Workforce Staffing

South Africa’s postal service has become increasingly difficult to access, with hundreds of branches closing over the years. Most recently, another 92 branches were shut for good. This has placed increasing pressure on courier services within the country, as they have become the only option for many areas. Added to this is the growth of e-commerce, which has seen increased use of couriers to deliver online purchases. Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers can help courier companies to keep up with this rising demand and ensure they can maintain their service levels and effective delivery times.

Ramping up to meet demand

As demand for courier services increases, courier companies find themselves under pressure to hire additional drivers to meet service delivery levels. However, sourcing and vetting drivers can be a complex and time-consuming process, which may lead to shortcuts being taken. The challenge with this is that drivers without the necessary experience and qualifications can prove problematic for several reasons.

From a safety perspective, unlicensed or inexperienced drivers can increase the risk of accidents or injuries. Reliability could also become an issue, which could lead to delayed deliveries, lost packages, and dissatisfied customers. Insurance will not cover drivers who do not have appropriate qualifications and experience, leaving courier companies vulnerable to financial losses in the event of an accident or theft.

In addition, various regulations govern the transportation of goods, including rules around driver qualifications and vehicle safety. If courier drivers are not professionally trained and qualified, courier companies may not be following these regulations, which can lead to fines, legal issues, and damage to the company’s reputation.

A helping hand from a TES

Courier companies need to ensure that their drivers are professionally trained and qualified to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods. A TES provider will assist with sourcing and vetting drivers and crew according to industry standards to ensure that they meet all requirements, including experience, appropriate licenses, and other qualifications. In addition, a TES provider will have an extensive database of skilled and qualified drivers who have experience in handling all types of cargo and travelling to areas which may be deemed “high risk.”

A TES partner will also be able to train the drivers on how to handle high-risk situations and deal with all Human Resources (HR) and Industrial Relations (IR) matters. These components allow couriers to focus on their core competency of distribution. Additionally, a TES provider will ensure that couriers are registered and compliant with certain bargaining councils where required while handling the administration regarding paying over certain levies for these councils.

Flexibility when you need it most

The most significant benefit, however, is the ability to scale up and down according to fluctuating demand. Rather than having to hire and retrench drivers continually, a TES service ensures flexible staffing solutions to help courier companies fulfil orders within tight deadlines and maintain customer satisfaction.

Additionally, a TES partner can provide cost-effective staffing solutions to the courier industry by reducing the administrative costs associated with recruitment and payroll management. This can help courier companies to manage their costs effectively while meeting the rising demand for their services. A reputable and experienced TES provider can assist courier companies to keep up with rising demand by providing flexible, cost-effective, and specialised staffing solutions that can quickly adapt to changing business needs.

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