The logistics sector had a fine year, but cannot match the rest of the SMEs. Turnover and profits in the sector rose less sharply than the SME average, according to figures from accountants' organisation SRA.
Turnover of SMEs grew by 8 per cent last year, a numerical analysis of 18,000 annual accounts shows. This growth can be attributed to a booming economy. Profits also increased (+15.5 per cent in 2017), although not as fast as in previous years. This is said to be largely due to rising personnel costs at SMEs.
Logistics turnover and profit growth
Logistics also saw turnover growth in 2017. This rose by 4.4 per cent, according to SRA. This is a stagnation compared to last year, when growth was 5.6 per cent. Profit before tax rose by 14.3 per cent in 2017. This is a sharp improvement on a year earlier, when the result before tax rose by 6.3 per cent.
With these figures, logistics is not growing as fast as the SME average. Nevertheless, it is notable that in logistics, a large proportion of logistics companies (70 per cent) saw their turnover increase or stabilise. Moreover, 56 per cent of entrepreneurs saw profits stabilise or increase. In 2016, this was still 46 per cent.
Tightness in logistics labour market
Logistics, like other industries, is also experiencing the drawbacks of the booming economy. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable staff for a growing number of vacancies. The UWV reports that there is a shortage of drivers in almost all regions in the Netherlands. This is partly due to a growth in goods transport and partly to an ageing population. To cope with the shortage in the labour market, entrepreneurs should cooperate efficiently and innovate, the report says.
