Among the problems the industry is facing is the “extreme difficulty” in attracting young people into the commercial vehicle repair and maintenance industry, said Mary-Beth Kellernberger, global aftermarket program manager and senior consultant with Frost & Sullivan’s North American Automotive and Transportation Practice, in her address to the recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week.
Frost & Sullivan is a business research and consulting firm.
Among the reasons she noted for this is that the work is more difficult, requires physical strength and is dangerous due to, at times, to “very challenging working environments.
“The other industry that has a more severe technician shortage is the collision and repair industry because that work is even more challenging,” Kellernberger said.
Once commercial vehicle technicians are brought on board, the next challenge is to keep them motivated, she said.
Because vehicle manufacturers are coming out with new models, brands, componentry and systems, it is “important to encourage technicians to keep learning and become experts in particular makes and systems, all of which increases their value,” said Kellernberger.
At the same time, though, technicians also need to become skilled across many brands and makes.
She predicted that the number of service locations, especially with independent shops, will decrease over time. Among the reasons for this: OEMs are getting a stronger hold on their technology and the increasing investment being required in maintenance and repairs tools, equipment and technology.
Further, Kellernberger anticipates that maintenance outsourcing will grow because it is becoming less cost effective for fleets to have their own technicians.
