Every year, the number of transport and logistics companies in Belgium keeps growing. All projections show that the transportation of goods by the road will also continue to grow in the following 20 years. The sector thus plays a vital role in the Belgian economy. However, with rising costs, stricter regulations, growing international competition and a tight labour market, the conditions for starting or maintaining a transport business keep getting more challenging. Luckily, transport and logistic companies can count on the professional association Transport en Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) to guide them through these hurdles. Since 1933, TLV is there to support, represent and connect transport and logistics companies, and help them unlock their full potential.
A one-stop-shop
The goal of TLV is to enable transport and logistics companies to become sustainable, profitable, and innovative. To be successful in this, entrepreneurs should be able to focus on running and growing their company, not lose time by administrative processes or trying to work their way through the regulation jungle (the road transport and logistics sector is indeed one of the most regulated sectors).
Transport and logistics companies can therefore count on TLV as a one-stop-shop. TLV continuously educates and informs its members on regulations and hot news in the sector, provides administrative services such as help with getting permits or recuperating VAT and offers products such as transport documents and toll payment solutions.
On top of that, TLV provides personal advice for specific company situations. The TLV staff have a strong expertise in the legal, social, economic, and environmental area. The personal touch is what distinguishes TLV, according to its members.
Representing a vital sector
Despite its undeniable economic importance, the sector is often underestimated by politicians and the general public. And increasingly, the ‘not in my backyard’ principle is what guides policies. The second role of TLV, representing their members, is therefore of great importance.
TLV has always managed to bring the real concerns and ‘on the ground’ experiences of transport and logistics companies to the political arena. They have been successful in protecting their members’ interests in many specific cases, where the experience of TLV led to breakthroughs for the whole sector.
With campaigns on road safety, promoting the professionalization of the sector and enhancing the increased degree of sustainability, TLV is changing the image of the sector.
“Promoting road safety is one of our core values. Next to better road infrastructure and safety technology in the vehicles, raising awareness is just as important. That’s why every year, we visit around 160 primary schools to educate kids on road safety and the blind spot of trucks.”
Assisting in the transition to zero emission
Transport companies have been taking their responsibilities in the transition to ever greener transport operations. In only four years, the amount of cleanest Euro-6 truck vehicles on our Belgian roads doubled to around 85%. The next step is a steady rise in zero-emission vehicles.
Zero-emission trucks powered by batteries or hydrogen are on the verge of a breakthrough. Carriers are ready to switch to these vehicles and are considering operational realignments and building out their own charging infrastructure, or are already doing so.
TLV created a working group to gain more knowledge on greener alternatives. By educating and informing their members and by lobbying for more financial and infrastructural support with the government, TLV aims to speed up this energetic transition.
Promoting digitalization and high-tech
In collaboration with carefully selected commercial partners, TLV stimulates the dissemination of high-tech technologies and digital solutions with its members. Smart technologies and software solutions can make planning and communication more efficient, can reduce emissions and improve road safety. As strong advocate of road safety, TLV encourages trucks being equipped with even more advanced safety systems in the coming years.
