"Actually, it was my best friend who "infected" me with the diesel virus after military service." For Oliver Tesar, 54, it's not a virus but a passion, a passion for truck driving with everything that comes with it.
But it's not just a passion, it's also part of his genes, as he remembers: "My grandfather had a wagon shop. Of course, that doesn't exist anymore today. But that fascination for large machines and vehicles already emerged from that." It seems like the profession of a truck driver was ingrained in him from birth.
A Changing Professional Landscape
From the 90s until 2012, Oliver Tesar was behind the wheel. He talks about earlier times in a way we generally speak about the "good old days". About times when as a truck driver, if there were delays with the customer in Southern Italy or Southern Spain, you simply unhitched and went to the sea. "You just spent the day with your toes in the sand" - whether it took three or four days was your own decision.
"Today, that's no longer possible. Today, efficient tools like BlueLOGICO help us to send orders to drivers, check where the vehicles are, find out how long it takes to get from A to B, how much toll is to be charged, and many other features that make life easier for us as dispatchers and for our drivers. By seeing all these details on the screen, we become more efficient, we can use our fleet much more effectively, and also inform our customers better about deliveries. All our customers appreciate these advantages, as they can plan and schedule better, knowing exactly when we will arrive with our delivery. We can also guide our drivers to new construction sites or immediately see how much remaining driving time is available for the next assignment.
The Daily "Tetris" Game
Two years ago, the Lower Austrian joined Baumit in Peggau and is responsible as a dispatcher for a fleet of 20 vehicles at 3 locations. To be successful in dispatching, innovative tools are needed, but also passion and determination to carry out all the delivery requests of customers and colleagues at the plants economically and on time. This is often like "Tetris" - where at the end no stones must be left over.
An unplanned challenge often arises, and here one must keep a cool head and find solutions quickly. "It also often requires a good deal of diplomacy," says Mr. Tesar - and of course, daily, fast, and clear communication with the truck drivers is self-evident.
Not every driver can be given the exact same tasks. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of his employees. Moreover, he appreciates and supports his employees and strives to find the best solution for all parties involved, which is evident in every word. "As a truck driver, you are often a lone fighter. Of course, you also meet other drivers and occasionally arrange joint breaks for exchanging experiences. At Baumit, I am part of a large team - and when you realize at the annual Christmas party with your colleagues by your side: Another year, successfully completed together: that is the best feeling."
Keeping an Eye on the Industry
When asked if he ever regretted his decision, Mr. Tesar hesitates briefly but then replies clearly: "No, I have never regretted the decision. It's nice to be part of our large team, and it's nice to know every day that our efforts to deliver the desired building materials on time are significant and important for the success of our company."
Mr. Tesar also wants to emphasize that there is often a lack of understanding for the valuable work of truck drivers in our society and that it will be necessary to increase the attractiveness of this profession in the future so that enough young people and career changers choose this profession to continue delivering daily necessities on time.
It is this desire that makes him content every day, happy to go home and get up early in the morning to continue where he left off the day before.
