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Month: March 2019

Purchase Option Now Available on Hand Pallet Wrap System

Posted on by David Priestman

Kite’s 5×5 pallet wrap system, one of the UK’s safest ways of reducing health and safety issues associated with hand wrapping pallets, is now available to buy in bundles on the Kite Packaging website.

The employee-owned business has introduced new hand stretch bundles which will help save its customer’s time and money thanks to their operational efficiency boosting qualities. This hand wrapping system is particularly useful for businesses looking to boost their green credentials and reduce their use of plastic as it reduces the amount of pallet wrap used by up to 60%.

The 5×5 pallet wrap dispenser, which was previously only available on a rental basis, can also now be purchased as a permanent addition, meaning businesses no longer have to enter into a contract.

Ergonomically designed to improve comfort and efficiency, these hand held pallet wrap systems allow operators to walk forward around pallets in order to dispense the film in a natural position with no bending or stretching required. This combined with its pre-stretch gears that release film at the optimum elastic point, ensures a reduced risk of any health and safety issues that can arise.

One in Five Driver Seats Unfilled in European Road Transport, Says IRU

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

The European road transport sector is facing the most acute professional driver shortage in decades, a new report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has found.

The report is based on insight from stakeholders across the European transport industry and drawn from two surveys conducted by IRU.

Polling of IRU members and associated organisations in Europe from October 2018 to January 2019 revealed a visible driver shortage of 21% in the freight transport sector and 19% in the bus and coach sector. The problem is accelerating, with the shortfall predicted to reach 40% in both sectors as demand grows in 2019.

According to IRU’s research:
· 57% of male drivers and 63% of female drivers believe the poor image of the profession is stifling recruitment.
· 79% of drivers believe the difficulty of attracting women to the profession is one of the top reasons for the driver shortage. This is underlined by data from the International Transport Forum, showing female drivers make up just 2% of European road transport drivers[1].
· 70% of drivers aged 25-34 believe the difficulty of attracting young drivers is one of top reasons for the driver shortage.
· Amongst drivers, 76% believe that working conditions, and 77% think long periods away from home deter many from entering the profession.
· The industry also suffers from an ageing labour force. In Europe the majority of freight transport sector companies are employing drivers whose average age is 44 years old, while in the passenger transport sector the average age of their employed drivers is 52 years old.

Some highlights from the report:

· In the UK, the country’s exit from the European Union arrives just as its shortage of drivers is estimated to be growing at a staggering rate of 50 drivers per day.[2]
· The average driver age in Germany is now over 47, meaning that some 40% of the truck and 55% of bus driver workforce is expected to retire by 2027, creating a shortfall of around 185,000 drivers.
· In Belgium, bus operators estimate that the needs of the industry will require them to hire 28% more drivers than levels in 2018, resulting in a driver shortage of almost 50%.
· In Norway truck companies estimate that their demand for drivers will increase by 12% in 2019. Combined with the 22% vacancy rate identified in 2018, this will increase their driver shortage to 35%.
· Truck companies in Romania faced a driver shortage of 37% in 2018 and indicated that 32% more drivers would be needed for growth in 2019, creating a driver shortage of almost 70% if the problem is not addressed.

One in Five Driver Seats Unfilled in European Road Transport, Says IRU

Posted on by David Priestman

The European road transport sector is facing the most acute professional driver shortage in decades, a new report by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has found.

The report is based on insight from stakeholders across the European transport industry and drawn from two surveys conducted by IRU.

Polling of IRU members and associated organisations in Europe from October 2018 to January 2019 revealed a visible driver shortage of 21% in the freight transport sector and 19% in the bus and coach sector. The problem is accelerating, with the shortfall predicted to reach 40% in both sectors as demand grows in 2019.

According to IRU’s research:
· 57% of male drivers and 63% of female drivers believe the poor image of the profession is stifling recruitment.
· 79% of drivers believe the difficulty of attracting women to the profession is one of the top reasons for the driver shortage. This is underlined by data from the International Transport Forum, showing female drivers make up just 2% of European road transport drivers[1].
· 70% of drivers aged 25-34 believe the difficulty of attracting young drivers is one of top reasons for the driver shortage.
· Amongst drivers, 76% believe that working conditions, and 77% think long periods away from home deter many from entering the profession.
· The industry also suffers from an ageing labour force. In Europe the majority of freight transport sector companies are employing drivers whose average age is 44 years old, while in the passenger transport sector the average age of their employed drivers is 52 years old.

Some highlights from the report:

· In the UK, the country’s exit from the European Union arrives just as its shortage of drivers is estimated to be growing at a staggering rate of 50 drivers per day.[2]
· The average driver age in Germany is now over 47, meaning that some 40% of the truck and 55% of bus driver workforce is expected to retire by 2027, creating a shortfall of around 185,000 drivers.
· In Belgium, bus operators estimate that the needs of the industry will require them to hire 28% more drivers than levels in 2018, resulting in a driver shortage of almost 50%.
· In Norway truck companies estimate that their demand for drivers will increase by 12% in 2019. Combined with the 22% vacancy rate identified in 2018, this will increase their driver shortage to 35%.
· Truck companies in Romania faced a driver shortage of 37% in 2018 and indicated that 32% more drivers would be needed for growth in 2019, creating a driver shortage of almost 70% if the problem is not addressed.

Sales for UK and European Road Haulage Firms on the Rise

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Road Haulage firms in the UK have seen a 1.6% increase in sales growth over the last year, according to new analysis.

New data released by Plimsoll Publishing Limited – a leading provider of company and market specific financial analysis – reveals that average sales growth for road haulage companies in the UK has reached 3.5% for the current year.

This represents an increase of 1.6% compared to last year, when average sales growth sat at 1.9%, indicating moderate growth in the sector. However, sales have some way to go to reach the high of 8.9% industry average sales growth recorded in recent year

Whilst the figures are higher than those for UK business more broadly – average sales growth for the UK as a whole currently sits at 0.4% – road haulage firms trail behind their continental counterparts in France, Italy and Spain.

Spanish road haulage companies saw the highest growth in average sales, increasing from 1.8% last year to 4.9% for the current year.

In Italy, average sales growth for road haulage companies sits at 4.4% for the current year. Meanwhile in France it is 4.3% – still some 0.8% higher than UK road haulage firms.

Related UK industries have also been witnessing increases in average sales growth. Over the past year, the Cargo Handling Services industry has seen a rapid increase of 6.3% in average sales growth, up from 2.4% from last year to 8.7% for the current year.

Average sales growth in the Freight Forwarding industry has risen 5.5% over the last year, increasing from 1.9% to 7.4% for the current year. Meanwhile average sales growth for Bonded Warehousing sits at 5.2%, up 1.8% compared to the previous year.

In comparison, in the parcel delivery services industry growth remains more of a mixed picture. Average sales growth for courier firms for the current year is 4.9%, up from 0% for the previous year. However, average sales growth for Same Day Couriers sits at 0.3%, only marginally higher than the 0% growth recorded last year, demonstrating the ongoing challenges the industry faces.

Sales for UK and European Road Haulage Firms on the Rise

Posted on by David Priestman

Road Haulage firms in the UK have seen a 1.6% increase in sales growth over the last year, according to new analysis.

New data released by Plimsoll Publishing Limited – a leading provider of company and market specific financial analysis – reveals that average sales growth for road haulage companies in the UK has reached 3.5% for the current year.

This represents an increase of 1.6% compared to last year, when average sales growth sat at 1.9%, indicating moderate growth in the sector. However, sales have some way to go to reach the high of 8.9% industry average sales growth recorded in recent year

Whilst the figures are higher than those for UK business more broadly – average sales growth for the UK as a whole currently sits at 0.4% – road haulage firms trail behind their continental counterparts in France, Italy and Spain.

Spanish road haulage companies saw the highest growth in average sales, increasing from 1.8% last year to 4.9% for the current year.

In Italy, average sales growth for road haulage companies sits at 4.4% for the current year. Meanwhile in France it is 4.3% – still some 0.8% higher than UK road haulage firms.

Related UK industries have also been witnessing increases in average sales growth. Over the past year, the Cargo Handling Services industry has seen a rapid increase of 6.3% in average sales growth, up from 2.4% from last year to 8.7% for the current year.

Average sales growth in the Freight Forwarding industry has risen 5.5% over the last year, increasing from 1.9% to 7.4% for the current year. Meanwhile average sales growth for Bonded Warehousing sits at 5.2%, up 1.8% compared to the previous year.

In comparison, in the parcel delivery services industry growth remains more of a mixed picture. Average sales growth for courier firms for the current year is 4.9%, up from 0% for the previous year. However, average sales growth for Same Day Couriers sits at 0.3%, only marginally higher than the 0% growth recorded last year, demonstrating the ongoing challenges the industry faces.

Routing Software Transforms Door and Window Deliveries

Posted on by Paul Hamblin

Origin Global, the manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors and windows, is to transform its delivery and service operations by deploying advanced route optimisation, delivery management and customer experience technology. Supplied by Maxoptra, the intelligent cloud-based solution will integrate with Origin’s web ordering system and Sage ERP software to provide seamless and real-time visibility from order to delivery.

Origin Global exclusively designs and manufactures windows and doors, to a customer’s bespoke specification, at its facility in High Wycombe. A mixed delivery and service fleet, fitted to accommodate bulky goods, completes between 150 and 400 orders a day. A cornerstone of the business, ‘on-time-in-full’ (OTIF) delivery is paramount for maintaining customer service levels.

“Prior to the implementation of Maxoptra, we operated two separate planning systems for the same fleet,” commented Lee Ann Mounter, Director of Special Projects at Origin Global. “Each system had manual routing and there was no visibility between systems which made it difficult to coordinate schedules.”

As part of a major project to overhaul its delivery and service operation, Origin undertook a comprehensive review of available solutions including a full functional evaluation of three shortlisted options. Maxoptra scored consistently highly, outperforming all the other software and Origin rated Maxoptra at 98 per cent for technical functionality.

“Maxoptra offered the best functional fit for our requirements,” continued Mounter. “The team presented the software features very well and showed a thorough understanding of our business.

“A cloud-based solution with an open API, Maxoptra integrates directly and easily with our existing systems, giving us seamless and real-time data transfer and end-to-end visibility from point of order to delivery,” she continued.

“The team at Maxoptra has been caring, professional and knowledgeable from day one. They have worked alongside our Logistics Team to ensure the project was delivered on-time and have helped us deliver our primary objectives.”

In addition to supporting Origin’s OTIF objective and boosting customer service levels, it is hoped the use of Maxoptra will also realise a reduction in delivery costs with reduced mileage and less reliance on hired vehicles and drivers. The company is also keen to minimise the impact of its mobile operation on the environment.

“The vast experience of the support and delivery team has been instrumental in us transitioning smoothly to the new system and I am confident we will continue to realise additional savings and benefits as we move forward with Maxoptra,” Mounter concluded.

Routing Software Transforms Door and Window Deliveries

Posted on by David Priestman

Origin Global, the manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors and windows, is to transform its delivery and service operations by deploying advanced route optimisation, delivery management and customer experience technology. Supplied by Maxoptra, the intelligent cloud-based solution will integrate with Origin’s web ordering system and Sage ERP software to provide seamless and real-time visibility from order to delivery.

Origin Global exclusively designs and manufactures windows and doors, to a customer’s bespoke specification, at its facility in High Wycombe. A mixed delivery and service fleet, fitted to accommodate bulky goods, completes between 150 and 400 orders a day. A cornerstone of the business, ‘on-time-in-full’ (OTIF) delivery is paramount for maintaining customer service levels.

“Prior to the implementation of Maxoptra, we operated two separate planning systems for the same fleet,” commented Lee Ann Mounter, Director of Special Projects at Origin Global. “Each system had manual routing and there was no visibility between systems which made it difficult to coordinate schedules.”

As part of a major project to overhaul its delivery and service operation, Origin undertook a comprehensive review of available solutions including a full functional evaluation of three shortlisted options. Maxoptra scored consistently highly, outperforming all the other software and Origin rated Maxoptra at 98 per cent for technical functionality.

“Maxoptra offered the best functional fit for our requirements,” continued Mounter. “The team presented the software features very well and showed a thorough understanding of our business.

“A cloud-based solution with an open API, Maxoptra integrates directly and easily with our existing systems, giving us seamless and real-time data transfer and end-to-end visibility from point of order to delivery,” she continued.

“The team at Maxoptra has been caring, professional and knowledgeable from day one. They have worked alongside our Logistics Team to ensure the project was delivered on-time and have helped us deliver our primary objectives.”

In addition to supporting Origin’s OTIF objective and boosting customer service levels, it is hoped the use of Maxoptra will also realise a reduction in delivery costs with reduced mileage and less reliance on hired vehicles and drivers. The company is also keen to minimise the impact of its mobile operation on the environment.

“The vast experience of the support and delivery team has been instrumental in us transitioning smoothly to the new system and I am confident we will continue to realise additional savings and benefits as we move forward with Maxoptra,” Mounter concluded.

Posted in Uncategorised

Carousel Acquires BDA to Seek Aftermarket and Tech Dominance

Posted on by David Priestman

Carousel Logistics has acquired time-critical logistics company BDA Logistics Innovation (BDA). The deal increases the Carousel group’s European coverage, and sector experience.

Carousel says the deal supports its mission to become the number one choice for high performance industries in the high-value, time critical aftermarket parts services sector. The acquisition is also described as “a major milestone” for Carousel, as it continues to extend its European service and technology platform, Gateway.

The combined group now offers clients a wider service portfolio and through dedicated air-bridges an extended network servicing the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK.

It is Carousel’s third acquisition since 2016 and will increase company revenue by more than 50 per cent, it says. The deal is the largest in its history, part of its buy, build and partner strategy since receiving investment from private equity firm Livingbridge in 2013.

BDA will be integrated and rebranded as Carousel to reflect its position within the wider group of companies. Kevin Turner will remain as Managing Director of the air-bridge division and BDA’s operations, locations and account management teams, will remain unchanged.

 

Carousel Acquires BDA to Seek Aftermarket and Tech Dominance

Posted on by David Priestman

Carousel Logistics has acquired time-critical logistics company BDA Logistics Innovation (BDA). The deal increases the Carousel group’s European coverage, and sector experience.

Carousel says the deal supports its mission to become the number one choice for high performance industries in the high-value, time critical aftermarket parts services sector. The acquisition is also described as “a major milestone” for Carousel, as it continues to extend its European service and technology platform, Gateway.

The combined group now offers clients a wider service portfolio and through dedicated air-bridges an extended network servicing the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK.

It is Carousel’s third acquisition since 2016 and will increase company revenue by more than 50 per cent, it says. The deal is the largest in its history, part of its buy, build and partner strategy since receiving investment from private equity firm Livingbridge in 2013.

BDA will be integrated and rebranded as Carousel to reflect its position within the wider group of companies. Kevin Turner will remain as Managing Director of the air-bridge division and BDA’s operations, locations and account management teams, will remain unchanged.

 

E-Commerce “Putting Logistics Firms in Race to the Bottom”, Conference Told

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The retail sector – and the logistics companies that serve it – risks becoming involved “in a race to the bottom” as it struggles to satisfy the demands of online consumers for low priced goods as well as cost-free and virtually immediate order fulfilment.

That was the stark warning that emerged from a panel discussion that took place at the UK Warehousing Association’s (UKWA) recent annual conference during which representatives from retail giants John Lewis, Urban Outfitters, Dixons Carphone and Pentland Group considered the threats and challenges their organisations face in the digital age.
One member of the discussion panel stated that, quite simply, the rise of e-Commerce has put many retail companies on “the road to less and less profit.”

Peter Ward, CEO of UKWA, commented: “From the comments made, there seems to be a realisation that, for many retailers, the current online order fulfilment model is not sustainable and some recalibration of consumer expectations is essential.”

He went on: “But, of course, the ‘Digital Genie’ is out of the bottle and the retail sector’s ongoing need to service today’s technology-enabled consumer means that the logistics industry is under greater pressure than ever before to develop new working practices and adopt technology-led solutions that allow it to keep pace in the digital age. And, while our industry has always been robust, resilient and shown a ready willingness to embrace change, the fact is that any company choosing to ignore or failing to engage with the new world of logistics faces a very real risk of being left behind forever.”

The event took place over two days in March at Chester and a diverse speaker programme delivered presentations on topics ranging from Brexit to Cyber Security.

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