Log truck transportation challenges and innovative solutions: evaluating the perspectives of truck drivers, logging business owners, and foresters

Knight, Carley R. D.; Bolding, M. Chad; Conrad, Joseph L.; Barrett, Scott M.

doi:10.1080/14942119.2023.2273123

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, challenges with labor, fuel prices, and mill quotas have negatively impacted these wood suppliers' profitability and long-term sustainability (Conrad et al 2024). Furthermore, the ongoing escalation of hauling costs, influenced by the surge in insurance premiums and fuel prices (Conrad 2022;Conrad et al 2024), imposes strain on the transportation segment of the supply chain (Knight et al 2024). These challenges are compounded by substantial capital costs incurred by wood suppliers.…”

Section: Operational Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs and efficiency for wood suppliers in the Southeastern U.S.: a case study of Timber Resource Analytics and Contract Tracking software

Miller,

Bolding,

Conrad

et al. 2024

J.For.Bus.Res.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The southeastern U.S. forest industry serves as a crucial source of raw materials for construction and paper production for the global economy. However, this industry faces persistent challenges in wood supply chain management, often centered around logistical inefficiencies and administrative burdens. Additionally, increased operational overhead, due to rising costs, has exerted strain on the business success of wood suppliers. Administrative procedures and record keeping have traditionally been a labor-intensive process for this sector of the wood supply chain. However, technological solutions, such as new wood flow and logistics management software, can enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these procedures. This research investigated the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs for southeastern U.S. wood suppliers. Utilizing a case study approach, we compared administrative time and cost savings of software users and non-software users, to determine potential financial benefits of software adoption. The research design centered on gathering insight from both user groups, through individual interviews, allowing for a comparative analysis of the software’s efficiency metrics. Results indicated that wood suppliers who utilized software saved an average of 43 hours per week on administrative tasks, resulting in estimated annual savings of approximately $62,000 United States dollars (USD). The greatest reported time and cost savings were attributed to scheduling jobs and organizing information. Adoption of wood flow logistics software may result in additional monetary savings through increased efficiency in administrative procedures and communications. These research findings will be useful to wood suppliers interested in improving operational efficiency and reducing administrative costs.

show abstract

Section: Operational Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs and efficiency for wood suppliers in the Southeastern U.S.: a case study of Timber Resource Analytics and Contract Tracking software

Miller,

Bolding,

Conrad

et al. 2024

J.For.Bus.Res.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Log truck crash rates associated with 43-t weight permits in Georgia, USA

Conrad,

Bolding

2024

International Journal of Forest Engineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Logging Business Challenges in the US South and Lake States

Conrad,

Blinn

2024

Journal of Forestry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Logging businesses are the critical link between forest management and the forest products industry. Through analysis of data from logging business owner surveys, contacts with trade associations, and personal contacts, six challenges facing logging businesses in the US South and the Lake States were identified: logging business consolidation, demographics and labor availability, changing markets, rising costs, timber transportation, and impacts from COVID-19. The impact of each challenge was summarized using data from peer-reviewed journal articles, trade publications, and federal databases. Although loggers are accustomed to fluctuations in their business environment, overcoming all of these challenges may have a profound impact on the logging sector and thus the wood supply chain. Owners may not be able to address all of these challenges without support from forest industry as well as logging and forestry trade associations who may be positioned to develop programs and advocate for the sector as a whole. Study Implications: A vibrant logging sector is essential to ensure forest management prescriptions are implemented and forest products mills, important economic drivers in rural areas, receive a consistent supply of raw material. In the short term, it is essential for logging business owners and procurement foresters to better understand logging costs and be quicker to negotiate adjustments when costs rise rapidly, as they did during 2020–2023. In the long term, individual logging businesses, forestry and logging trade associations, and forest industry should collaborate to address labor challenges and advocate for any needed policy changes.

show abstract

Log truck transportation challenges and innovative solutions: evaluating the perspectives of truck drivers, logging business owners, and foresters

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

Evaluating the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs and efficiency for wood suppliers in the Southeastern U.S.: a case study of Timber Resource Analytics and Contract Tracking software

Evaluating the impact of wood flow management software on administrative costs and efficiency for wood suppliers in the Southeastern U.S.: a case study of Timber Resource Analytics and Contract Tracking software

Log truck crash rates associated with 43-t weight permits in Georgia, USA

Logging Business Challenges in the US South and Lake States

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About