SAPICS recognises role of Truck Test in supply chain efficiency

South Africa’s logistics sector faces mounting pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs and lower emissions, making objective, data-driven truck performance testing more important to fleet operators than ever before. This is why SAPICS, the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management, has officially endorsed Truck Test 2026.

Planning is already well underway for what organisers describe as the largest truck test yet conducted on the African continent. The event – which takes place on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban – will be held from 10 to 12 November 2026.

Truck Test has evolved into one of the continent’s most closely watched commercial vehicle benchmarking exercises. This year’s event will feature some of the world’s leading truck manufacturers including Daewoo, DAF, FAW, Foton, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Powerstar, Scania, Shacman, Sinotruk and Volvo.

Unlike traditional vehicle showcases, Truck Test focuses on real-world productivity and operational efficiency. Participating extra-heavy commercial vehicles are evaluated on fuel consumption and average speed over a defined route, with the data combined into a productivity index designed to reflect actual fleet performance under South African operating conditions.

Recognising the event’s growing value to South Africa’s transport, logistics and supply chain sectors, SAPICS has chosen to endorse Truck Test 2026. For SAPICS, the endorsement aligns closely with the organisation’s broader mandate to strengthen supply chain capability and professionalism across South Africa and the African continent.

Supporting supply chain efficiency

Since its establishment in 1966, SAPICS has focused on advancing supply chain management through education, professional development and industry collaboration. According to SAPICS President Thato Moloi, Truck Test provides valuable insight into one of the most important components of the supply chain ecosystem – transport efficiency.

“Road freight remains a critical enabler of economic activity in South Africa and across the continent. Events such as Truck Test provide objective operational data that can help fleet operators, logistics providers and supply chain professionals make more informed decisions,” says Moloi.

He notes that the transport sector is under increasing pressure to balance operational efficiency with sustainability targets, rising fuel costs and infrastructure challenges.

“Fleet optimisation has become far more sophisticated than simply comparing engine power or purchase price. Organisations are looking closely at fuel efficiency, uptime, total cost of ownership, vehicle reliability and environmental impact. Independent benchmarking initiatives such as Truck Test contribute meaningfully to those conversations,” he explains.

Moloi also believes that the collaborative nature of the event adds to its value. “Truck Test brings together vehicle manufacturers, technology providers, data specialists and transport operators in a way that encourages knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement across the industry,” he says.

Industry collaboration

Truck Test 2026 will once again involve a broad range of technical and operational partners. These include Afrit as the official trailer partner, Bandag as the official tyre partner, Ctrack as the official telematics partner, Engen as the official lubricant and fuel partner, TruckScience as the official data collection and results analysis partner, WearCheck as the official condition monitoring partner and ZF as the official aftermarket partner.

TruckScience will play a particularly significant role in ensuring testing integrity. The company will compile and analyse all participating vehicle data to maintain an objective and transparent testing process.

Veteran industry figure Jayesh “Tiny” Daya has also been appointed Technical Director for the event, adding significant technical expertise and operational experience to the project.

According to Charleen Clarke, Editorial Director of FOCUS, which organises Truck Test, the endorsement by SAPICS reflects the increasing strategic importance of freight efficiency within the broader supply chain environment.

“Truck Test has always been about far more than horsepower or brand rivalry. It is about understanding how commercial vehicles perform in demanding real-world conditions and how those performance metrics influence transport productivity, operating costs and ultimately supply chain efficiency,” says Clarke.

She says the event has grown steadily in stature over the years because the information generated has practical value for multiple stakeholders across the transport and logistics sectors.

“The results are closely watched not only by fleet operators, but also by procurement specialists, logistics professionals and manufacturers themselves. Independent data matters, particularly in an operating environment where every litre of fuel and every operational decision affects profitability,” Clarke adds.

Focus on operational realities

Truck Test’s relevance has increased as transport operators face mounting commercial pressure. Rising fuel prices, pressure to reduce emissions, changing customer expectations and growing demands for operational efficiency have intensified scrutiny on fleet performance.

The event also reflects broader changes within the trucking industry, where telematics, predictive maintenance, fuel management technologies and data analytics are playing an increasingly central role in fleet management strategies.

For SAPICS, the endorsement also reflects the growing recognition that supply chain excellence depends on reliable partnerships across the transport ecosystem. From manufacturers and fleet operators to technology providers and data specialists, the ability to collaborate and share operational insights has become increasingly important in a highly competitive logistics environment.

Moloi believes initiatives such as Truck Test play an important role in strengthening industry standards and encouraging continuous improvement. “South Africa’s logistics and transport sectors operate under extremely demanding conditions. Any initiative that promotes operational efficiency, evidence-based decision-making and collaboration across the value chain deserves industry support.

“Truck Test has established itself as a credible platform that delivers valuable insights for the broader supply chain community. We look forward to seeing which trucks perform best in this year’s test. The results will be studied with great interest by the entire supply chain community,” he concludes.