Radu Dinescu, Secretary General of the National Union of Road Hauliers form Romania, one of the most vocal critics of the officials' impassive attitude towards the difficulties faced by transport businesses, was kind enough to answer our questions about the problems presented to the authorities.
RBT: What would be hauliers' most serious problem this year?
Radu Dinescu: The decrease in the number of orders and of the cargo volume. When there's less cargo available, there's also an overcapacity, meaning there are more trucks than needed and obviously some are left with no orders. There is a fierce battle for survival going on, in which the ones who can adapt to the existing conditions are to win.
RBT: The UNTRR approximated that, at the national level, of the over 25.000 freight operators and the 5.000 passenger transport operators, about 20% could go into bankruptcy this year. What strategies might save these companies form breakdown?
Radu Dinescu: Some may try to use a strategy, while for others it is too late... Even a very solid company, with excellent business plans, with maximum insurances, when caught on the wrong foot in terms of investments, is likely to be in some very difficult situations. So, if the market catches you, it cuts the branch from under your feet and you may lose your income at the time that you must hand out piles of money.
As a strategy, firstly the company should try to define strong, long-term partnerships with customers. The ways to do that are very different. I think that in any field, the market is the most important: if you have a market, meaning that you have customers, and if you deliver a service that is appreciated by those customers, then you can take up almost any business in any area. Otherwise, if you do not have customers, neither the best equipment nor the best organization will do any good.
