Blazo Gjorev’s career in transportation illustrates the need for strategic thinking in a tough economy  

Blazo Gjorev’s work shows the value of reassessing when economic times or industry changes require change.

NAPLES, FLORIDA, May 28, 2022 — In an economic downturn, the transportation industry is often hit by multiple challenges in quick succession, and how these challenges are responded to help determines which businesses will survive and which will fall. Industry leader Blazo Gjorev has experienced many unique challenges during his career, and this career illustrates the need for critical, growth-minded thinking when facing complex issues.

Blazo Gjorev’s career and rebuilding

For many companies, tough economic times require a reassessment of an entire enterprise, and Gjorev experienced this first-hand after acquiring a highly respected refrigerated transportation firm in the late 2000s. The business was previously experiencing financial difficulties, and an economic downturn was in progress nationally. Through strategic restructuring and learnings, the company was brought back from the brink of ruin with restored financials and its 50-year reputation intact. After the successful rehabilitation, the company was sold to another refrigerated trucking firm.

Gjorev helped effect this turnaround in an economic time, not unlike the present. Fuel costs were up, consumer prices spiked, and the market was still responding to a massive financial crisis. The keys to successful response have not changed and remain best practices in both market dips and upswings.

Plan ahead

While the U.S. economy is facing unique challenges in 2022 due to a variety of factors and requires immediate action by many companies, successful trucking firms were planning ahead for market changes prior to the problems developing. How? By staying focused on efficiency and identifying areas where the business can maintain profitability in a variety of economic situations.

Blazo Gjorev has always maintained a focus on optimizing logistics. When a company is operating as efficiently as possible heading into a recession or downturn, it is in a better position to survive and potentially thrive. It is also capable of reevaluating positions and options more quickly as basics, such as personnel, supply chain, and routing, are already streamlined.

Diversify

Transportation companies with a diversified income stream are better able to respond and maintain revenue in an economic shift. Diversity can look like expanding into varied regions, acquiring firms already operating in different areas, or exploring new services. Blazo Gjorev’s transition from temporary truck driver to business owner to consulting with other companies illustrates the importance of maximizing opportunities for growth.

Consolidate

While it may seem the opposite of diversifying, consolidation is actually an exercise in maximizing access and prices through combined buying power and shared learnings.

In his consulting role, Blazo Gjorev helps a variety of smaller trucking firms improve buying power, access to technology, and benefit from operational knowledge that helps enterprises scale. Through consolidation or participation in a network, transportation businesses are often able to reduce costs above and beyond what was possible independently. When costs are rising overall, increased savings helps mitigate the impact.