Advance Warehouse Robotics and Automation
Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced the launch of the Manhattan Automation Network, a program designed to speed the development and implementation of modern distribution centre automation and robotics in partnership with leading warehouse automation solution providers. The program is designed to deliver joint solution design, integration touchpoints and implementation approaches between the industry’s leading warehouse […]
Babcock Deliver Solution for First LPG Project
Babcock’s LGE business, the global leader in liquid gas solutions, has secured a contract for the LPG cargo handling and Fuel Gas Supply System (FGSS) for the world’s first newbuilding vessel to use LPG as a primary fuel source. The 86,000cbm carrier, ordered by a leading Asian shipowner, is being built in China and will […]
Rejection of M4 Relief Road Will Damage Welsh Economy
The First Minister’s decision to reject plans for an M4 relief road will cost the Welsh economy hundreds of millions of pounds in lost investment, according to FTA, the organisation representing the interests of the logistics sector. Reacting to the news today (4 June 2019), the organisation is frustrated that plans for a ‘Black Route’, which […]
Valued Occupations Should Be Those with Real Skills
The review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), published this week by the Migration Advisory Committee, ignores the value which workers at all levels of skills bring to the logistics sector, one of UK PLC’s most crucial trade drivers. FTA, the business organisation which represents more than 17,000 businesses across the logistics industry, is concerned […]
Warnings About the Conservative Leadership Contest
An international logistics expert has said the UK’s companies trading with the EU are becoming increasingly worried the Conservative leadership contest could end up damaging their businesses. Adam Johnson, director of Leeds-based Tudor International Freight, said many commentators had suggested the race to succeed Theresa May would effectively waste much of the additional time granted […]
Last Chance to Enter Logistics Awards 2019
Entries to FTA’s star-studded Logistics Awards are flooding in and with just three weeks left to apply, FTA is urging anyone wishing to apply to submit their application fast. Taking place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London on Thursday 24 October 2019, the celebratory reception and gala dinner is the blue riband event in the logistics industry’s calendar. […]
MPs Think the UK Needs a National Bus Strategy
MPs have announced that the bus, which is Britain’s most popular form of public transport, is in ‘steady decline’ due to uncoordinated, fragmented government policy and local funding. To solve this issue, the cross-party Transport Select Committee has called on the Government to create a single national bus strategy, as for rail and strategic roads […]
Skilled Engineer Shortage a Threat to Logistics Industry
More than half (52.7 per cent) of vacancies for vehicle mechanics, technicians and fitters will not be filled in the near future, according to FTA’s 2019 Logistics Report, as the staff shortage within repair workshops and vehicle inspection units hits crisis point. FTA will tackle this issue at its popular Fleet Engineer Conference, taking place on […]
15% of HGV Driver Vacancies Cannot Be Filled
Logistics businesses anticipate that 15 per cent of their current HGV driver vacancies will not be filled due to the nationwide skills shortage, according to a report launched this month. The 2019 Logistics Report, launched by FTA in partnership with Santander Corporate and Commercial, polled the opinions of more than 500 freight and logistics businesses […]
New Exhibitors Get on Board Coach & Bus UK 2019
Coach & Bus UK is back at the NEC Birmingham on 2-3 October with even more new innovations and solutions for the nation’s bus, coach and mini-vehicle operators, as well as new exhibitors, says event organiser Diversified Communications UK. Due to high demand, the biennial event has just 14 stands left to fill. Its comprehensive […]
Testing of Next-Gen Electricity System Launched
The University of Tokyo, Toyota Motor Corporation and TRENDE Inc are to conduct joint testing of a next-generation electricity system (P2P – peer-to-peer – electricity transactions) that enables homes, businesses and electrified vehicles connected to the power grid to trade electricity using blockchain. The test programme will begin on 17 June at Toyota’s Higashifuji Technical […]
DSV Launches a Way to Provide Intelligent Lead Logistics
The objective for DSV is to seek out the most effective solutions through the new supply chain service, which led to the launch of Lead Logistics, a market-changing way of providing intelligent lead logistics – or 4PL – to the world’s leading businesses. It is executed through a new modular logistics outsourcing solution. The modular […]
£1Bn Transformation of Trans-Pennine Freight Route
The Government has unveiled the options for the £1 billion transformation of a key northern freight route, the A66. Linking Penrith in Cumbria with Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire, the A66 is both a nationally important road and a key regional route. As a main route for freight traffic across the UK, pans are being […]
GB Railfreight Has Launched New Felixstowe to iPort Service
GB Railfreight (GBRf) has marked it growth in the intermodal market with the launch of a new service from the Port of Felixstowe to iPort Rail in Doncaster. As GBRf’s 16th intermodal service to date, the service will run five days a week. “I am thrilled to see the beginning of this new service. It […]
Finalists Announced for Van Excellence Driver 2019
Fifteen of the UK’s best van drivers are celebrating today after being shortlisted for FTA’s 2019 Van Excellence Driver of the Year and Young Driver of the Year, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans UK. The awards recognise the unsung heroes of Britain’s economy: the dedicated and highly accomplished drivers keeping all sectors of business trading. The […]
Bristol Port Welcomes World’s Largest Crane
Bristol Port has welcomed the world’s biggest crane, which is part of the critical infrastructure required for the construction of Hinkley Point C. Built by Sarens, the crane will be performing all the heaviest lifts at the construction of Britain’s first nuclear plant for two decades at Hinkley, Somerset. The crane was divided into modules and […]
Government Fails to Deliver Apprentice Reform Progress
Back in 2017 the Government had taken the decision to reform the apprenticeships programme; however since then, it has failed to make the progress it predicted. A new damning report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found the number of apprenticeship starts fell by 26% after the apprenticeship levy was introduced and, […]
Logistics Drivers Are Asking the Government for a Break
A year after roads minister Jesse Norman MP made a commitment to increase the provision of lorry parking places on the strategic road network, FTA is calling on Mr Norman to deliver on this promise after a new survey indicated that drivers believe the situation has actually worsened in the past 12 months. FTA, the […]
Vehicle Technology Theme for FTA’s Fleet Conference
Traffic Commissioner for the West of England, Kevin Rooney will be giving his views on maintaining compliance in today’s technological world at FTA’s popular Fleet Engineer Conference, sponsored by Continental Tyres and Schmitz Cargobull, which is back due to popular demand on 11 June 2019 at the National Agriculture and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) in Stoneleigh, […]
Mone Bros Expands with New Fleet Addition
Four new MAN 8×4 TGS 35.420 BB tippers, equipped with the 12.4-litre straight-six engines producing 420hp and 2.24m wide M cabs, have been acquired by Mone Bros in an expansion attempt. This is the company’s latest MAN addition to the fleet since it moved to the marque in September 2018. Bodied by West Yorkshire based […]
UK Rail Timetable to Change Again After Terrible Year
A new timetable has been announced as rail passengers in the UK endured the worst year on record for delays and cancellations in 2018. The decision to change the timetable on British railways last May brought massive disruptions, especially in the north-west and south-east. Moreover, consumer group Which? brought forward that an estimated 4m hours were […]
Vital Trans-Pennine Upgrade Transforms UK Network
Reacting to the news that the government has launched an open consultation on its plans to dual the trans-Pennine section of the A66, Malcolm Bingham, Head of Road Network Management Policy, at FTA commented: “As the organisation representing the interests of the logistics sector, FTA has been campaigning for the dualing of the trans-Pennine section of […]
Another Successful Commercial Vehicle Show for Hankook
Hankook Tyre UK presented their expanding portfolio of commercial vehicle tyres at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham which took place from 30th April to 2nd May 2019 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). The stand, which again was visited by hundreds of customers and business partners alike, featured a wide range of tyres including […]
Xplore More with Cut-Price Coach Concert Travel
Xplore Dundee’s aiming to become the key transport link between the city and Scotland’s top concert venues. The bus operator’s launching Xplore More – a special concert travel timetable with a budget price and a schedule of great gigs. Managing Director Christine McGlasson said: “We’re offering coach travel to some of the best concerts lined […]
Dundee to Edinburgh Airport Coach Ready for Take-off
Xplore Dundee is saying ‘chocks away’ to its brand new coach service between Dundee city centre and Edinburgh airport. The Edinburgh Airport Xpress will begin operation on Sunday 9th June under the Xplore More banner, with prices starting at £18 for an adult return. The coach will be the first non-stop service from Dundee to […]
FTA Transport Manager Conferences Back for Autumn
FTA’s Transport Manager conference series, sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres, will be back in autumn 2019 at 11 venues around the UK. The conferences, now in their 18th year, will highlight key issues for anyone involved with running vehicle fleets, providing professional advice and helping them remain compliant and up to speed on the latest legislative developments. […]
New UK Bus Managing Director Announced
The newest member of the Arriva Management Board is Paul O’Neil, who is responsible for leading the development of bus operations in the UK. “I’m delighted to be part of the journey that Arriva is on and look forward to working with colleagues to deliver the passenger-focused journeys our customers have come to expect,” said Paul […]
Newcastle Is Against Clean Air Zone Charges
The North East Bus Operators’ Association has announced that it opposes the idea of a clean air zone in Newcastle, which will lead to increased bus fares and some routes being cancelled. Instead, it is backing alternative plans for tolls on three bridges across the Tyne. This means that buses would not have to pay a […]
Ways AI Is Impacting on the Logistics Sector
The logistics industry is ever evolving, one of the major changes being the rise in artificial intelligence, which is inevitably having a major impact across all parts of the distribution chain. Logistic players, both large and small may be left wondering what these changes will mean for a human workforce in the near future. Tony […]
Swinson Transport Deploys Cloud-Based Solution
TrackTrans, a provider of end-to-end transport management solutions, has announced that Midlands-based Swinson Transport has successfully deployed the company’s cloud-based technology to connect drivers, better utilise its fleet of 20-plus vehicles and handle more than 700 deliveries every month. Since installing the TrackTrans system, the family-run business has realised tangible time savings, reduced administrative overheads, […]
UK Women Win in Everywoman Awards!
This year’s everywoman awards in transport and logistics has named Sue Branston, Country Head for Fleet Logistics UK and Ireland, as one of its finalists. The everywoman awards, now in their 12th year, recognise the efforts of woman within the transport and logistics sector in the UK. From freight and rail to retail and architecture, the […]
Leeds Firm Wins £250k Contract
A £250k contract to revamp the 34-vehicle Northern fleet of energy services business Energy Assets Utilities has been snapped up by vehicle fit-out and safety specialist SM UK. The contract will see the company fit out Energy Asset Utilities’ existing Northern fleet with updated storage systems with the aim of increasing fuel efficiency as well as […]
Building the Logistics of the Art Market
The art market is becoming increasingly global, and this has a lot to do with the fact that it is becoming increasingly digital. It is an immense opportunity for galleries, auction houses and art market players as a whole to reach a much wider audience. Looking back, we see that the market has been digitizing […]
Manhattan Enhances Transportation Management System
Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced the latest release of its Transportation Management System (TMS), with improvements to the solution’s robust and proven modeling capabilities, enhancements to carrier connectivity and benchmark rating, and expanded global logistics support. The company also announced that it has been named a Leader in Gartner Inc.’s 2019 Magic Quadrant for Transportation […]
CrossRail Blames Bugs for Potential Delay
Crossrail has blamed software bugs for a potential two-year delay in its mission to zip commuters across London. Chief Executive, Mark Wild, claimed due to the complex work of “knitting together” systems, engineers “don’t know what software bugs” they’ll find. Which delays the entire decade-long project, led by Bombardier and Siemens, even further. According to […]
DPD Launches Electric Delivery Van
DPD is deploying its first electric Mercedes-Benz delivery van in London, ahead of the UK launch. The parcel giant will use 10 eVitos in the UK capital, operating from the all-electric depot which DPD opened in Westminster in 2018. DPD chose the eVito because it is larger than other electric vans, making it more suitable […]