Mainebiz

V O L . X X I V N O. X X V M aine's trucking industry is booming, helped by a strong economy and industries with an increased need for trucking services. But there's one serious impediment to trucking's continued growth. "e driver shortage is the very No. 1 issue in the trucking industry right now, bar none, hands down," says Brian Parke, president and CEO of the Augusta-based Maine Motor Transport Association. Two of Maine's biggest trucking companies, both based in Bangor with additional facilities elsewhere in and out of Maine, are on the lookout for drivers. Hartt Transportation could use 55 to 60 more in Maine and more in other regions, up to 100 overall. Pottle's Transportation could use five or six more. Pottle has 230 drivers and 183 tractor-trailers in Maine and South Carolina. "We need to be able to fill our trucks and continue to grow, because the busi- ness climate in Maine, over the last few years, has grown tremendously, with more businesses opening up, expanding and having the need for us to provide our services," says Hartt President Jeff Castonguay. "e problem is, we can't find enough qualified drivers. e other big issue is lack of mechanics. We have to make sure our equip- ment is well-maintained." Smaller companies, like R.F. Chamberland in St. Agatha in northern Maine, also face short- ages. Chamberland has 85 drivers and 60 tractor-trailers. "e smaller guys are having a harder time finding truck drivers," says President Mark Chamberland. "ere's not a big pool of people in Aroostook County." Stuff to move e shortage of drivers and mechanics is tied to demand for trucking services, and that is a product of a strong economy. "e economy is doing better and, when the economy does better, there's more freight to move," explains Parke. "Right now there's a capacity crunch. Manufacturers and retailers, and even tourism to a smaller extent, are seeing they've got stuff to move and there are fewer drivers." Maine's situation reflects the nation's. By 2026, the nation will need 175,000 more drivers, according to the state trade association. Industry growth can be seen in Hartt's evolution. In 2000, when Castonguay came on, the company had 65 drivers. Today, it employs 275 in Maine and 440 full-and part-time drivers P H O T O / JA S O N PA I G E S M I T H F O C U S Barry Pottle, president and CEO of Pottle's Transportation, expects to hire more drivers and is also increasing driver pay. O C T O B E R 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 14 A STATE DEPENDENT ON TRUCKS FACING A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS B y L a u r i e S c h r e i B e r

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