DC Velocity - August 2018

inbound

Attendees at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ (CSCMP) Edge supply chain conference in Atlanta last year probably went expecting a sedate, buttoned-up affair. But that notion was put to rest during the opening reception when several musically inclined members hopped on stage and unleashed a torrent of hot guitar riffs accompanied by vibrant vocals.

The rocking tunes were provided by “CSCMP Unchained,” a volunteer band of amateur musicians, all of whom hold day jobs in the supply chain. Now, CSCMP is looking to revive that impromptu jam band for the 2018 Edge conference, which kicks off Sept. 30 in Nashville.

If you’re a logistics pro who can carry a tune, CSCMP wants you! The band is specifically in search of a rhythm section, horn or brass players, and singers. If you can contribute your skills on drums, guitar, bass, sax, trumpet, trombone, keyboard, vocals, or percussion, fill out CSCMP’s online survey (http://survey. constantcontact.com/survey/a07efjow0rljjlwyv8i/a011mjjom- tok3/questions) by Aug. 15.

CSCMP says the band’s performance will probably take place in a local venue after conference hours on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday of the conference week.

Back on the “unchained” gang?

As fleet operators grapple with the challenge of stratospheric turnover rates, one driver retention specialist has released a report that offers new insights into the problem. The study, by Stay Metrics, a driver training and retention solution provider, takes a deep dive into a specific aspect of driver “churn”: early turnover—defined as a departure within the first year of employment. It’s a bigger problem than you might realize: More than 70 percent of driver turnover occurs within the first year of employment, with 35 percent happening in the first three months, the company says.

To gain insight into which drivers are most likely
to make an early exit and why, company research-
ers analyzed data collected from more than 100
trucking companies and 62,000 drivers. Among
other factors, they examined driver demographic
characteristics, work histories, and attitudes to
determine what, if any, attributes the early-leavers
shared. Among the key findings:
The report, “Is Early Turnover Damaging the
Business? How and What Can We Do to Stop It?,”
is available for free download on the company’s
website. To obtain a copy, go to http://staymetrics.
com.

Study offers insight into “early
driver turnover”

Visit any warehouse or DC yard and you’ll hear the sounds of the supply chain at work: rumbling truck engines, rattling pallets, and the steady beep, beep, beep that signals a vehicle has shifted into reverse. Backup alarms have been compulsory on large vehicles since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first regulated the safety devices in

1979. But some critics now say the beepers have become ineffective, since pedestrians often ignore the noise pollution and some truckers rely on the alarms instead of safe driving techniques.

Commercial safety device supplier Brigade Electronics says it has found a better way. The Portland, Ind.-based firm has developed the “bbs-tek White Sound” reverse alarm, a backup warning system that uses a “shh-shh” form of white sound that is similar to breaking waves. This enables the listener to instantly locate where the sound is coming from, according to the company. Though quieter than the classic backup alarm, the sound is more directional and gentler on the ear, Brigade Electronics says.