Running a haulage business is about more than just transporting goods from point A to B. It’s about adapting to a changing transport industry, where the right technology and innovations enable safe and efficient transportation – always with people at the center. At the same time, the industry faces increasing transport volumes and a significant driver shortage. So how are haulage companies preparing for the future and tomorrow's demands?
Commitment and Development Across Generations
In Skurup lies the family-owned company Ekdahl Miljö, where Linus Ekdahl, the grandson of the company’s founders, works as the HR Manager. With a background in behavioral science and a strong interest in sports and health, Linus has always focused on people. When the pandemic hit in spring 2020, Linus had just finished his studies and faced challenges finding a job in the sports and nonprofit sector, so joining the family business felt like a natural step. He took over some of his mother Ingela Ekdahl's responsibilities and has since worked to develop and future-proof the company’s focus on employee well-being and work environment.
Originally, when the company started in 2012, the focus was on environmental transport. Construction waste and glass recycling were transported for municipalities, businesses, and private individuals. Over the years, the business has grown and diversified, but the commitment to sustainability and efficient logistics has always been a consistent theme.
The Future of Transport Is Driven by People and the Right Technology
Ekdahl Miljö's investments for the future are built on a balance between human resources and technological innovation. By using modern systems that facilitate drivers’ work, both the work environment and efficiency are improved. “Safety and sustainability are not just buzzwords for us – they are our business model. We use products and systems that make our employees' jobs easier while taking responsibility for the environment and road safety,” says Linus.
Straight Talk and Full Trust
Linus emphasizes that transparency and accountability are at the core of Ekdahl Miljö’s work culture and success. “We have full trust in our employees. Each person contributes their professional expertise and experience, and we do our best to create a work environment where everyone can grow and take responsibility,” he says.
To help onboard new employees and share knowledge, Ekdahl Miljö has introduced a mentorship system, where new team members are paired with a mentor who shares their job role. “It gives the new hire a sense of security, and the mentor gets to contribute their expertise and experience. We’ve noticed this approach helps us quickly integrate new colleagues into the business. It’s a win for everyone,” Linus adds.
The Right Skills for the Future
The transport industry is rapidly changing and requires new competencies. Ekdahl Miljö actively invests in skills development. In addition to mandatory training such as the Driver Qualification Card (YKB), employees are regularly offered courses to strengthen their skills and contribute to the company’s development.
Retaining Employees in a Competitive Industry
Creating an attractive workplace is key to retaining skilled employees. According to Linus, it's about offering the right support, opportunities, and a safe work environment. “We ensure that our employees receive the support they need from managers and colleagues, clear feedback on their performance, and functional work methods and tools. Job security and the ability to influence their work are also essential,” he says.
Maintain, Repair, and Optimize
The company embraces a circular economy approach by reusing resources as much as possible. Vehicle rebuilds, maintenance in their own workshop, efficient route planning, and eco-driving are all parts of a strategy aimed at minimizing both costs and environmental impact. Investments in alternative fuels are a given, and the goal is to continually raise the lowest standard.
Safety at Every Level with Technology as Support
For Ekdahl Miljö, safety isn’t a one-time effort – it’s a fundamental part of the entire operation. The drivers and their vehicles are the heart of the haulage company, and ensuring they can do their jobs safely and efficiently is the top priority. That’s why the company works with a clear zero-accident vision.
“Our goal is for every employee to come home from work in good shape every day,” says Linus. To ensure this, continuous work is done to improve the work environment through risk assessments, preventive measures, and regular follow-ups. A large part of the safety efforts also involves technical solutions. Ekdahl Miljö invests in modern driver assistance systems and products and trains drivers to minimize risks in daily operations.
“We use, among other things, VBG Driver Assist, a driver assistance system that makes trailer coupling easier – not only simplifying the work but also improving safety for our drivers,” Linus explains.
Creating a safe work environment isn’t just about routines and risk assessments – it’s also about using the right technology. Ekdahl Miljö actively chooses products and systems that enhance road safety. With solutions like VBG Driver Assist, drivers' work becomes easier and safer, while the risk of injuries and downtime decreases – something Richard Person can confirm. “I use it as a safety measure and complement to cameras and mirrors.”
In an evolving industry, Ekdahl Miljö puts people first and tests innovative technology to create a safer, more sustainable, and more efficient transport sector.
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