Atlanta — A full 25 percent of companies identified poor load optimization as a primary contributor to rising delivery costs, while 40 percent reported that outbound trucks depart with less than 90 percent capacity utilization. These are findings from Ortec B.V.’s latest industry survey and show how inefficient load optimization is a persistent challenge for many organizations.
The survey highlights how maximizing truck capacity is becoming a major priority, as businesses navigate fluctuating fuel prices, increasing demand for faster deliveries, and mounting pressure to reduce carbon footprint. Nonetheless, organizations continue to struggle with key barriers to efficient load planning. Additionally, when asked about the biggest obstacles to optimizing truck loads, respondents cited inadequate load planning software, order processing delays, and lack of real-time visibility into warehouse operations as top concerns.
The impact of these inefficiencies is considerable, with nearly 30 percent of companies reporting that more than a quarter of their outbound trucks leave without being at least 90 percent full, resulting in wasted fuel, higher costs, and unnecessary environmental impact. Furthermore, 22 percent of respondents stated that inefficient truck loading directly affects their ability to meet last-mile delivery commitments, further compounding logistics challenges.
Despite these issues, many companies are still in the early stages of leveraging technology to improve load optimization. Ortec’s findings reveal that while 25 percent of organizations have successfully implemented AI-powered load planning solutions, a significant portion is still relying on manual processes or outdated software, leaving room for improvement. With increasing adoption of automation and AI in logistics, businesses have a major opportunity to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline delivery operations by investing in advanced load planning technologies.
“Our survey results confirm what we’ve seen across the industry—many companies are leaving money on the table due to inefficient load optimization,” says Mat Witte, CEO of Ortec Americas. “By utilizing AI-driven planning solutions, businesses can ensure better truck utilization, reduce empty miles, and improve delivery accuracy, ultimately leading to cost savings and greater operational efficiency.”
