Logistics Needs Months to Make a Successful Brexit
Business must be allowed sufficient time to prepare for whatever Brexit agreement is reached between the EU and UK, according to FTA, the business group representing the logistics industry. As the latest round of talks between the two sides concludes with no progress announced, and indications given that there may not be a formal agreement […]
Technology Hat-Trick Brings Business Boost for Bibby
The adoption of a hat-trick of compliance technologies by one of the country’s leading logistics services suppliers has seen efficiencies enhanced across its entire network. Bibby Distribution, which operates across more than 50 locations nationwide, has introduced a state-of-the-art software system as part of a longer-term strategy to further streamline its business – and one […]
Descartes Is Taking Back Control of Customs Clearance
While the topic of Brexit has taken somewhat of a backseat over recent months with the impact of Covid-19, we remain in the period of transition as the formal trade deal is yet to be agreed upon. As the date for potentially extending the transition period approaches on the 30th June ahead of the final […]
We Need to Keep Delivery Hours Extension
The continued extension of delivery hours is vital to support the nation’s economic and societal recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, according to FTA, one of the UK’s biggest business groups. With ‘non-essential retail’ opening from 15 June 2020, and the government’s active travel plans coming to fruition, continued flexibility in delivery times will be essential […]
Speedy Sees 200% Increase in Medical Consignments
National Courier Speedy Freight, has announced a 200% increase in the movement of medical related consignments since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March this year – covering 150,000 miles across the country. The goods include national transportation of vital PPE equipment, including protective masks and gloves to key NHS and care workers. Speedy Freight has […]
Key Workers and Their Work Must Remain ‘Key’ After Covid-19
At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, politicians were quick to acknowledge the key role that logistics workers play in the ongoing health of our economy. Yet as businesses start to re-open after lockdown, FTA, the business group representing the logistics sector, is concerned that this recognition of the industry’s role has been forgotten for […]
InPost & Contact-Free Collections and Returns
Parcel locker provider InPost has announced a partnership with South Western Railway (SWR), Europe’s largest rail commuter network, to install its automated ecommerce lockers at 40 stations across its rail network. The first phase of the roll-out has now commenced and will see InPost deploy its collection and return lockers – which can be accessed […]
Northern Ireland Logistics Needs Brexit Implementation
FTA, the business group speaking for the UK’s logistics sector, is calling for government to request an implementation period for whatever Brexit agreement is reached at the start of 2021, to enable the industry to adopt and adapt to new trading practices with the EU. This must include consideration of how the Northern Ireland Protocol […]
Firms Can Now Maintain Social Distancing When Drug Testing
Transport and logistics firms have been busier than ever during the COVID-19 lockdown – with the sector recruiting thousands of new drivers and warehouse staff to handle increased home delivery demands. Despite rapid recruitment and operational challenges, the industry still needs to follow drug policies and testing processes to ensure fitness for duty, and protect […]
TPN Signs a Top-Class New-to-Networks Member for Leicester
TPN – THE Pallet Network, has signed new-to-networks Markfield-based Central Logistics Solutions (CLS) to cover Leicester postcodes. The company, which boasts clients such as Amazon, Network Rail, Travis Perkins, Toyota and BMW, says joining a pallet network was the next natural stage of the company’s evolution. The directors did exhaustive research to find the best […]
Confirmed Euro Bus Expo postponed until next year
Euro Bus Expo organiser Diversified Communications UK has confirmed that this year’s event has regrettably been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The UK’s only dedicated trade show for the coach, bus and mini vehicle sector will now be held on 26-28 October 2021 at the NEC Birmingham. The coach and bus industry […]
HSE Lifts Red Tape to Kick Start Logistics Safely
With logistics movements key to the future recovery of the UK’s economy, FTA, the business organisation that speaks for the industry, has campaigned successfully for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to amend its RIDDOR reporting guidance to avoid penalising businesses unfairly as they restart or scale up their operations under the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the […]
Acorn Awarded Principal Contractors Licence
Acorn’s Rail division has become the first Welsh SME in 2020 to receive a Trackside Principal Contractors Licence from Network Rail. Principal Contractors License is a requirement over and above CDM (Construction, Design Management), and whilst Principal Contractor requirements are specific to Network Rail it is deemed the gold standard within the rail industry, and it […]
NHS Foundation Trust Receives Remote Van Excellence
FTA, the business group representing the logistics sector, has awarded QE Transport (QET) of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust with Van Excellence Operator Certification, the first van fleet operator to receive certification remotely under COVID-19 physical distancing rules. Van Excellence, an industry-led scheme promoting the safe, sustainable and efficient operation of vans, recognised QET’S commitment to keeping its drivers, […]
Toyota Brings Flexibility to Car Buyers with Online Offering
Toyota has incorporated a comprehensive online car retail function within its toyota.co.uk website. The end-to-end offering allows customers to choose the exact new car model, specification, powertrain and colour, as well as value a trade-in for inclusion in a purchase and arrange a finance package – all completely remotely, whether at home or on the move. […]
Logistics Needs Support from Scottish Local Authorities
The failure of several local authorities in Scotland to include the needs of logistics in their active travel plans will be detrimental to the country’s ability to recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to FTA. The business group, which represents the logistics sector, is urging government to ensure any active travel plans produced by […]
FTA Offer Free, 1-to-1 Supply Chain Consultancy
15 minutes may not seem a long time, but in just a quarter of an hour, you could walk a mile, write a letter or clear out some clutter. But how about reviving your business, particularly after dealing with the rigours of the COVID-19 pandemic? Businesses in the logistics sector are being offered a free […]
Logistics Urges Negotiators to Progress in Brexit Talks
As the latest round of Brexit negotiations gets under way between the UK and EU next week (1 June 2020), the leading business group representing logistics is urging officials to prioritise the needs of the industry on both sides of the Channel in the talks, in order to make progress and protect the UK/EU supply chain. “It is of paramount importance […]
American Airlines Increases Cargo-Only Service
At American Airlines, caring for people on life’s journey is our purpose. In times of need, American is there for the communities we serve around the globe. The airline is expanding its cargo-only operation this month to provide 126 weekly flights to 15 cities in U.S. and Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. American is increasing […]
Maxi Haulage Partnership with Goodyear Total Mobility
Goodyear is delighted to announce a three-year partnership with Maxi Haulage Ltd. As part of this deal, Maxi Haulage Ltd will be supplied with premium tyres from the KMAX GEN-2 range, and be supported by TruckForce, under the Goodyear Total Mobility offering. Maxi Haulage is a leading provider of haulage, distribution and logistics services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 45 […]
International Logistics Expert Says He Believes Businesses Will See Government’s Transition Period Stance as Irresponsible
An international logistics expert has said he believes British businesses will see government statements that it will not seek to extend the UK’s post-Brexit transition period, despite the covid-19 crisis, as irresponsible. Adam Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, was reacting to comments in recent days by trade secretary Liz Truss, chief Brexit negotiator […]
FTA Sets Out Industry’s Priorities for Northern Ireland Protocol
One of the UK’s biggest business groups, FTA, has today (30 April 2020) launched its Northern Ireland Protocol Policy Report, a document to highlight the key measures its members from across the logistics sector believe are needed to keep trade between Northern Ireland (NI) and Great Britain (GB) moving as efficiently as possible once the Brexit transition period concludes on 31 December 2020. Seamus Leheny, Policy Manager for Northern Ireland at FTA comments: “Logistics is an adaptable and […]
3PL Keeps Going to Meet Growing Demand
A North West order fulfilment provider is keeping its fulfilment warehouses open during the coronavirus crisis to support its customers offering essential products as online demand continues to grow. 3PL, whose headquarters are in Wigan, will continue operating with a reduced workforce to ensure that the supply of baby products, health, household, and personal care […]
FTA Strengthens Team with New Transport Advisor
FTA has announced the appointment of Becky Martin as Senior Transport Advisor within its Member Advice Centre (MAC) to assist the team in supporting logistics businesses through the Covid-19 outbreak. A unique membership benefit, FTA’s MAC provides expert advice and answers to member questions on legal, technical and operational matters, on topics such as Brexit, Covid-19, drivers’ […]
CalMac Donates On-board Offerings To Food Banks
With the shut down of its retail outlets due to the Covid-19 crisis, CalMac has decided to donate food that’s shortly going out of date to local food banks. Staff from the west coast ferry operator are currently sifting stock and anything with a sell by date within three months will be donated. The type […]
STILL Supports The Production Of Disinfectants At Grönwohlder
In the global effort to fight the corona virus, basic materials for medical care are urgently needed. The Grönwohlder brewery is therefore now producing disinfectants at their production facilities. In support of this commitment, the Hamburg intralogistics company STILL is providing an electric forklift truck free of charge for the company logistics. Thousands of litres […]
Vans Holding Up More Strongly Than Cars in Downturn
Booming home deliveries and urgent vehicle replacements by tradespeople and essential workers are dramatically changing the shape of motor retail sales during the coronavirus crisis. Figures released by the online car marketplace BuyaCar.co.uk reveal that van sales in March increased 20-fold as a proportion of total vehicle sales on the platform. Searches for vans and […]
ShopFTA Celebrates 50 Years As Trusted Supplier To Industry
FTA, the only business organisation representing all of the logistics sector, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its shop today (02 April 2020). Launched in 1970, Shopfta has evolved with the needs of logistics businesses to provide a one-stop shop for compliance and safety products across multiple modes of transport. Samantha Law, General Manager of […]
More Than 150,000 Logistics Workers Engage With FTA Logistics Helps Logistics Campaign
FTA, the business organisation representing the logistics sector, has launched #LogisticsHelpsLogistics, a social media campaign to help businesses keep goods and services flowing, by filling shortfalls of staff or identifying vehicles with capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. By posting jobs or requirements for support on social media, using the campaign hashtag, more than 150,000 logistics […]
Joint Statement on COVID-19 from European Associations
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 a pandemic and governments worldwide have taken wide-ranging measures to contain the spread of the virus. The transport sector has a crucial role to play in the supply of goods, in particular medicines, medical devices, food and other es- sential commodities needed to […]
Businesses Must Stick to Hygiene Laws to Keep Safe
FTA, RHA and Unite, the three business groups representing transport sector workers, are calling on those using the services of these workers to ensure that adequate hygiene facilities, including hot and cold running water, are available to all drivers and warehouse operatives delivering to, or collecting from business premises. In a joint statement, David Wells […]
Joint Statement: COVID-19 – Transport Keeps Us Going
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 a pandemic and governments worldwide have taken wide-ranging measures to contain the spread of the virus. The transport sector has a crucial role to play in the supply of goods, in particular medicines, medical devices, food and other essential commodities needed to overcome this crisis. The transport […]
FTA Comment on Suspension of HGV Testing in NI
Speaking about the announcement on the suspension of HGV testing in Northern Ireland, FTA’s NI Policy Manager, Seamus Leheny said: “Today’s (23 March) announcement of the suspension of HGV testing in Northern Ireland as a result of the coronavirus is a pragmatic one, which gives logistics operators some certainty about their ability to operate in […]
Statement on Suspension of London Congestion Charge and ULEZ
Commenting on the announcement from City Hall, Natalie Chapman, Head of Urban Policy at FTA, the business group which speaks for the logistics sector, said: “The suspension of the Congestion Charge and the ULEZ is welcome news for our sector, charged as we are with keeping the capital stocked with the vital supplies it needs […]
Pallet Networks Join to Supply Emergency Critical Services
The UK’s eight pallet networks have joined together, says the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), to offer their services for the movement of emergency supplies for critical services. The UK’s pallet networks are uniquely placed to ensure timely and reliable supply of emergency goods to anywhere in the UK. Between them they have 30,000 employees, […]
Fuel Duty Derogation Help UK Logistics Industry Fulfil Role
The Association of Pallet Networks (APN), representing eight pallet networks and almost 800 UK hauliers, is calling on government to suspend fuel duty for the logistics industry with immediate effect. Like most businesses, haulage firms are currently suffering substantial disruption, unpredictable order patterns and diminishing demand from many customers – yet these operations must continue […]