While transport companies working for supermarkets are struggling with undercapacity, logistics service providers in the hospitality industry are experiencing overcapacity. Branch organisations such as TLN and evofenedex want to connect those companies free of charge, in order to match supply and demand.
Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), VVT, FNV Transport en Logistiek, CNV Vakmensen and evofenedex are joining forces to support the sector with smart solutions to ensure business continuity. The organisations say they welcome the promised government support. "But more is needed," they write in a statement. "It is of great importance that as many employers as possible are able to continue their businesses and, as a result, employees can keep work and income. In this regard, we are looking for concrete and practical solutions."
Working together through STL
One such solution is linking supply and demand. Through the mobility centre at the Transport and Logistics Sector Institute (STL), companies can place their call. STL brings the resulting supply and demand together free of charge. Companies and employees can register at www.stlwerkt.nl/wijhelpenelkaar.
The industry associations say the mobility centre is one of the first steps to safeguard employment in the sector. Other initiatives are still in the pipeline.
ACM relaxes competition rules
Earlier, watchdog ACM revealed that the corona crisis meant that it was more lenient on competition rules. Supermarkets can inform each other about stocks and logistics service providers are allowed to cooperate to get food transported. "These are special circumstances that call for special solutions," said board chairman Martijn Snoep. "But do not go further than necessary to defuse the crisis."
