Leverage the ties with all chemical logistics stakeholders to face the transport and logistics challenges of today - Article Part 1/3
ECTA European Chemical Transport Association
ECTA speaks for the chemical transport industry to all its stakeholders
ECTA MANAGING DIRECTOR JOB - LinkedIn ARTICLE 1/3
Today Chemical Transport and Logistics are going through the eye of a perfect storm and this storm is not over yet. Transport forms the lifeline of chemical deliveries to customers however providing a reliable delivery service becomes a nearly impossible task for ECTA members due to numerous risks and issues like driver shortages, increased fuel prices, UA-RU crisis, low rail transport reliability, to just name of few. In addition, future chemical transports need take into account the EU green deal, the EU Mobility package and Digital Act regulations and all ingredients are present today to rethink how ECTA, as a road and intermodal carriers community, will deliver chemical transport and logistics services in the future.
Given this stormy weather context, the job of an ECTA managing director is more challenging and demanding than ever before. It combines safety, sustainability, compliance, integrity, social responsibility values into one function. It’s a job of active participation and active listening to a community of stakeholders and where you can feel, sense and balance many thoughts and ideas. It allows you to crystallize and gain new insights on the most imminent topics. So is the solution of future transport and logistics services one where collaboration and partnerships across a broader logistical network. Some call it a collaboration network, other name it an ecosystem with carriers, shippers and customers. To become successful, carriers and shippers need to be able to discuss their specific transport needs, risks and issues together with their end customers and start to re-organize the transport flows completely different.
Unfortunately, many transport and logistics stakeholders are today not yet in that new collaboration and partnership mindset where ESG priorities are typically balanced with cost and service. On the contrary, many procurement professionals continue to base their logistics services decisions on a simple “cost to serve” tender spreadsheets and there is plenty of ECTA work to do to further create the “awareness for a change” towards partnership networks.
Recommended by LinkedIn
---
The next focus area of the ECTA managing director job will be explained in part II however feel free to already leave any comments now.
Peter Devos
ECTA Managing Director
Consultant, owner at FrancISO Management Support
2yShocked to read that transport & logistics companies are still not a valued stakeholder in the "ecosystem". This, plus the fact that "costs to serve" is probably still the norm i fear we won't move any further in todays challenges in relation to GHG, environment etc.