"I'm fascinated by large lorries"

40 tons on the road, the horizon in the distance and the road - always straight ahead. Lorry transportation plays an indispensable role in functioning logistics. But just as drive technology has evolved in recent years, the domain and community have also changed. More and more women are venturing into the heavy-duty class. Madlen Lata from TOPREGAL GmbH tells us about the prejudices, whether they are true or not and when a woman has a better overview in the driver's cab. She drives the large lorries throughout Germany and internationally.

How did you come up with the idea of becoming a lorry driver?

Madlen: "This passion developed from a cliché that is more familiar to girls - equestrian sports. I worked in a riding stable for a while and often went to tournaments there. However, it wasn't the riding that fascinated me so much, but how the rider was able to operate her transporter. That inspired me - the handling of the big machine and the elegance with which you can handle such a vehicle. That's what I wanted, I wanted to get on the road, I wanted to drive. So I did a 3-year apprenticeship to become a lorry driver. I love being my own boss on the road, the feeling of freedom when I'm driving, the open road in front of me that keeps pulling me along. No office can offer me that."

How was your apprenticeship?

Madlen: "Professionally good, very good in fact, even though I was the only woman. But I don't care about that, I don't categorize people according to whether they are male, female or diverse. It depends on how you treat and respect each other. There was an experience at the time where this respect was lacking. I was assigned to work with a colleague who had somewhat traditional ideas and treated me accordingly. He didn't take me very seriously and didn't trust me with the work and management in and around the lorry, and he showed it. It simply wasn't teamwork and accordingly things didn't run smoothly and purposefully in terms of fulfilling the order - and that's what should be important. I then actively asked to work with someone else. Personal sensitivities hinder good teamwork, and that is particularly important when dealing with heavy machinery and goods."

So there are no differences in the way women work in logistics?

Madlen: "Not directly. From my experience, I can say that women are sometimes a little more patient or thoughtful, which can even be a big plus in some situations on the road or during loading processes. But you shouldn't generalize. A lot depends on the type. As a truck driver, you are on the road with other road users, so you should always be a bit more robust and calm. I once had a tire blow out on the highway. Thank God nothing worse happened. But it couldn't be helped. There's no point in expending energy on tantrums, instead it's important to take all the necessary safety precautions calmly and thoughtfully and support the breakdown service to the best of your ability. Hotheads, whether male or female, are no good on the road. The pressure of deadlines, driving and rest times, finding a parking space and economical driving is great, but selfishness and aggression have no place on the road. But there's a lot wrong when employers put this pressure on drivers, and that's where we need to start."

So you also see employers as having a responsibility?

Madlen: "Yes, of course, but I don't mean that in a negative sense, but in a positive one. Employers who give men and women equal opportunities in the freight forwarding industry, not according to gender, but according to the necessary skills and who keep up with the times, create a wider range and a more diverse spectrum of skilled workers and can act much more flexibly. Fluid logistics works better and more securely when its dynamics arise from good management than when it is based on pressure and threats. Good management and department heads know this and can delegate it practically within the team. At TOPREGAL, for example, we are almost always allowed to set our own driving and rest times. It is important that the goods reach the customer on time. Our tours are very well planned, which means we have less pressure."

Logistics Lorry