**UK logistics sector**: A survey of 170 companies highlights labour shortages, manual processes, and congestion as key yard and dock challenges, while stressing the growing importance of real-time visibility, technology integration, and automation to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Effective management of yard and dock operations is increasingly recognised as a critical factor in optimising broader logistics and supply chain processes. Historically viewed as secondary to transportation and warehouse activities, these operations have now emerged as pivotal areas where inefficiencies can significantly disrupt flow and impact overall performance.
A recent comprehensive survey involving 170 companies drawn from sectors such as retail, grocery, manufacturing, and distribution, with responses mostly from senior executives and managers, sheds light on the prevailing challenges and evolving priorities in yard and dock management. The findings highlight ongoing struggles as well as strategic adoption of technology to modernise these operations.
One of the key challenges companies face is the prevalence of manual work within yards and docks, which 35.9% of respondents identified among their top three operational difficulties. Manual processes contribute to poor coordination and lack of real-time communication, often leading to congestion during peak periods. Indeed, 34.1% of businesses pinpointed yard congestion as a significant issue, where crowded conditions impede efficient trailer parking and movement, cascading into delays throughout the supply chain.
Labour shortages compound operational complexity, a problem cited by 32.4% of respondents. The post-pandemic labour market volatility, characterised by increased wage demands and higher employee turnover, makes recruitment and retention difficult. This shortage influences the ability to maintain smooth operations, especially during busy seasons.
Furthermore, a lack of real-time visibility into yard activities hampers effective decision-making, with 30% of companies noting inadequate operational insights. Delays such as late truck arrivals exacerbate bottlenecks, and without timely information, teams are unable to adjust proactively, resulting in traffic build-ups and missed deadlines.
Technology adoption within yard and dock operations remains imperfect. More than a quarter (27.1%) of surveyed companies reported insufficient technological tools presently deployed in their yards, which elevates operational costs—22.9% flagged increased expenses as a concern. During peak demand, companies respond by strategies including hiring temporary workers (53.8%), modifying production schedules (57.3%), relying on overtime (50.3%), and utilising technology where available (44.4%). When dealing with late carrier arrivals, actions taken include rescheduling and notifying partners (60.2%), allowing buffer time (48.5%), implementing contingency plans (50.88%), and manual adjustments (37.4%).
In evaluating dock and yard management solutions, ease of use is paramount, with 60.6% of companies indicating that intuitive tools significantly increase user adoption. Functional relevance follows closely, given the diversity in yard configurations and operational needs. Vendor responsiveness and customer support are also critical, with 52.4% and 45.3% respectively valuing accessible assistance for troubleshooting and ongoing support.
A prevalent obstacle in technology deployment is the integration of new systems with existing platforms, such as Transport Management Systems (TMS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Nearly half of respondents (47.6%) described integration issues as their main hurdle in technology adoption. Other concerns include limited automation within many tools (38.2%), high maintenance costs (34.7%), and poor scalability to accommodate growing operations (29.4%).
When specifying desired functionalities, real-time visibility leads with 58.6% prioritising access to live yard status. Interoperability with current systems (40.8%), automated dock scheduling (39.6%), and robust reporting and analytics capabilities (32.5%) are also viewed as essential features. Cost considerations influence vendor selection for 58% of companies, though the user experience for truck drivers emerged as a critical factor, with 89% asserting its importance or extreme importance—underscoring the role of driver-centric design in adoption success.
Looking ahead, companies are advised to emphasise tools that enhance real-time operational visibility and incorporate greater automation. Such capabilities promise to accelerate workflows, reduce stress on personnel, and improve efficiency for both on-site teams and drivers.
The selection of dock and yard management systems should consider three main aspects: seamless integration with existing software ecosystems to avoid information silos and operational friction; vendor reliability, ensuring ongoing support, timely updates, and clear service agreements for uninterrupted system functionality; and sustainability. Given logistics’ scrutiny for environmental impact, vendors offering energy-efficient technologies that optimise yard layouts to reduce fuel consumption and track emissions present an added value, supporting both compliance and stakeholder relations.
C3 Solutions highlights these trends and challenges within the sector and positions itself as a partner capable of delivering advanced yard and dock management solutions. In an industry marked by rising labour costs and increasing demand for real-time data, the adoption of modern, integrated tools is becoming indispensable to maintain smooth operations, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability objectives.
The insights from the survey suggest a transition phase for logistics operations where traditional manual methods are being supplanted by digital solutions that improve not only productivity but also driver experience and environmental performance. Companies poised to modernise their yard and dock practices may find leveraging technology partnerships beneficial in navigating this changing landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
