IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto is preparing to retire after more than 30 years dedicated to the road transport industry. In a retrospective look at his three-decade career, de Pretto outlines the profound changes the sector has undergone while simultaneously grappling with many of the same persistent issues. His tenure, which began with joining the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in 1995, has spanned a period of immense technological advancement and shifting global trade dynamics.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, de Pretto's reflections underscore the continuous need for adaptability in road logistics. The sector's resilience, despite facing recurring challenges such as driver shortages, regulatory shifts, and infrastructure demands, means that road transport remains a critical component of the global supply chain. Understanding these long-term trends can help forwarders anticipate future disruptions and plan more robust inland strategies, ensuring reliable delivery for their clients.
