TSL Sector Enters the Most Challenging Quarter of the Year
- Oprac. M.K.
- Kategoria: English zone
More than one in two carriers (57%) in the TSL sector generate their highest revenues and issue the largest number of invoices in the fourth quarter, according to a study by Malcom Finance. However, on the eve of the most active season, industry sentiment has weakened. The business climate index in transport and warehousing fell to –0.4 in August 2025, confirming a downturn in confidence. Data from Malcom Finance also show that payment delays are among the main burdens for the sector.
Q4 – Peak Season of Activity
More than half of TSL carriers (57%) declare that the fourth quarter is the period of their highest revenues and the greatest number of issued invoices, according to a survey commissioned by Malcom Finance. Data from the Czech fintech confirm that this is the time when orders accumulate and revenues increase.
The year-end accumulation of orders is an opportunity to build a financial buffer. At the same time, operating costs rise sharply – from fuel and tolls, to wages and fleet maintenance. This means that businesses are entering the most demanding period of the year, when financial liquidity is crucial to meeting market expectations and maintaining operational stability - emphasizes Marcin Wawrzkiewicz, Country Manager at Malcom Finance in Poland.
Confidence Weakens
Meanwhile, data from Statistics Poland (GUS) show that sentiment in transport and warehousing weakened in August. The business climate index fell from +1.1 points in July to –0.4 points in August 2025. This indicates that companies are approaching the coming months with greater caution. The decline in sentiment is tied to real challenges: payment delays and rising operating costs. According to Malcom Finance, the vast majority of carriers receive between one-quarter and one-half of their receivables late, and more than one-third of respondents believe that untimely payments from contractors significantly affect their company’s condition. This adds further strain at a time when the scale of operations in the fourth quarter grows sharply.
Financing as a Condition for Stability
Over 40% of carriers believe that access to external financing is essential for stability. Transport and logistics companies, more than other SMEs, tend to operate on a month-to-month basis without being able to build sufficient financial buffers for tougher times. In this context, tools that ensure liquidity and relieve entrepreneurs of payment gridlock risks gain importance. Factoring not only provides immediate access to funds but also transfers responsibility for monitoring and collecting receivables to the financial institution.
Source: Malcom Finance