8 July, 2021

Transport firm invests £1m in facilities

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by David Priestman

Montgomery Distribution, a member of Palletways, has invested more than £1 million to relocate to a new depot in Rugby. The new depot boasts increased storage to accommodate in excess of 5,000 pallets, as well as closer links to the M1, M6 and A14, which enables easier access to its customers.

Pallet movements at the 24-hour operation have already increased by 100% and Montgomery Distribution expects to increase this to double over the coming months.

Additionally, Montgomery Distribution has also acquired 25 Scania Vehicles and 23 latest generation forklift trucks across its regional depots in Belfast, Leeds, Preston and Rugby.

Steven McBride, managing director at Montgomery Distribution, said: “Despite the challenges of recent times, our logistics services continued and our team worked exceptionally hard to keep vital shipments moving. The current climate places an even greater level of importance on efficient collections and deliveries and is the driver behind this significant recent investment.”

Since launching in 1970 with just one tractor unit, family-owned and -operated Montgomery Distribution has continued to grow and now operates across sites in Belfast, Leeds, Preston and Rugby, with a fleet in excess of 250 vehicles and 900 trailers. Montgomery Distribution became a member of Palletways in 2002 after adding a pallet distribution division, which has grown to become a £20m per year business with operations across the UK & Ireland.

Montgomery Distribution is one of over 115 independent transport providers that are part of Imperial’s Palletways UK network. They benefit from shared expertise and resources from within the group to deliver consignments of palletised freight to market faster and more cost effectively than ever before. The Palletways Group, renowned for its industry-leading IT developments and operational systems, comprises 450+ depots and 20 hub operations, through which it provides collection and distribution services across 24 European countries, including the UK.

Transport firm invests £1m in facilities

Posted on 8 July, 20217 August, 2025 by David Priestman

Pallet movements at the 24-hour operation have already increased by 100% and Montgomery Distribution expects to increase this to double over the coming months.

Additionally, Montgomery Distribution has also acquired 25 Scania Vehicles and 23 latest generation forklift trucks across its regional depots in Belfast, Leeds, Preston and Rugby.

DP World to acquire Imperial

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by David Priestman

Imperial has entered into an agreement with DP World that will see the latter acquire the South African logistics company for an approximate figure of ZAR 12.7 billion (EUR 746 million)

DP World, a global infrastructure-led supply chain solutions provider with 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, is interested in acquiring Imperial and all its businesses to expand its logistics footprint in Africa and Europe. Imperial’s Logistics International business is within the scope of the offer and as such will not be sold separately under this proposed offer.

“This transaction will be value-enhancing for Imperial as our business will benefit from DP World’s leading technology, global networks and key trade-lane volumes, while enabling us to build on our ‘Gateway to Africa’ strategic and growth ambitions,” explains Mohammed Akoojee, Group CEO of Imperial.

“Our Logistics International business and operations are also aligned with DP World’s strategic expansion plans on the European continent. Combining DP World’s world-class infrastructure, specifically its investment and expertise in ports on the African and European continents, with Imperial’s logistics and market access platforms will enable us to offer integrated end-to-end solutions along key trade lanes into and out of Africa and accelerate our position in Europe, driving greater supply chain efficiencies and ultimaately enhancing value for all stakeholders.”

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “We are excited to announce the proposed acquisition of Imperial, which will add significant strategic value to DP World given its attractive footprint and strong logistics solutions capability. Imperial has a significant presence in Africa, a market where trade is expected to grow at more than 2x GDP driven by population growth, accelerated urbanisation and rising middle classes. Imperial’s business strongly complements DP World’s existing footprint in Africa and Europe and will allow us to deliver a fully integrated end-to-end solution to cargo owners across a wider market.”

DP World to acquire Imperial

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by Keith McKinley

Imperial has entered into an agreement with DP World that will see the latter acquire the South African logistics company for an approximate figure of ZAR 12.7 billion (EUR 746 million)

One fifth of logistics workers intend not to commute again

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by David Priestman

Almost one in five logistics workers do not intend to return to the office again post pandemic, largely due to ongoing concerns around infection control on public transport.

As employees across the UK are to set to embark on their return to the workplace following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in July, new research reveals that many commuters are reluctant to return to their place of work in the coming months, mainly due to increased concern over infection control and social distancing on the daily commute.

According to a nationally-representative survey into 2,000 UK workers, conducted by corporate transport specialist Kura, nearly one-fifth (19.1%) of workers in the logistics industry plan to never commute again post pandemic, with regional variations from 10.8% in London to 29.1% in Wales.

The reluctance to return to the workplace stems largely from the travel to and from work, with nearly 60% of workers across the UK admitting that they hold real concerns around the commute post lockdown. This is particularly prevalent for the senior workforce, with Board-level (98%), Directors (85%) and Managers (77%) holding the biggest concerns over the future of the commute.

Kura’s research uncovered that the key root to commuters’ concerns post lockdown is infection control and lack of social distancing on public transport. Across the UK, 36% of workers hold Covid-related concerns with regard to the future of the commute, and this percentage increases to 54.4% for those employees commuting in and around London.

There is a strong cry for help with commuting from employees, particularly Graduates (70%) and Junior Executives (73%). Despite this, the commute is not a priority for the vast majority of businesses across the UK, with just 16.4% of companies expressing desire to monitor or support employees on their commute going forward.

Godfrey Ryan, CEO of Kura, comments: “As Covid-19 restrictions lift and employees are requested to return to the workplace, there will undoubtedly be more thought and consideration given to the regular commute. With increased awareness around factors such as infection control and social distancing, we will inevitably see a shift in the commuting landscape.

“For public transport commuters in particular, the perceived lack of infection control, unreliability of service and overcrowding is hampering employers hopes of an office-based or hybrid workforce post lockdown. As these fears continue to prevent workers from wanting to return to the office, it is time for employers to step up and offer alternative travel support to their employees where necessary.

“It is reassuring to see that the home to work journey is becoming an increasingly important consideration for businesses across London, with 30% expressing a desire to support their employees on the commute. Hopefully we will start to see other regions across the UK follow suit in the coming months, as the capital sets the precedent.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT

One fifth of logistics workers intend not to commute again

Posted on 8 July, 202131 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Almost one in five logistics workers do not intend to return to the office again post pandemic, largely due to ongoing concerns around infection control on public transport.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT

Freightliner secures duel-fuel project funding

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by David Priestman

Freightliner, in partnership with a consortium of specialist suppliers, has been successful in securing government funding to develop a dual-fuel solution for the Class 66 locomotive.

The technology is one of the 30 winners of the latest round of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition announced by the Transport Secretary. Already the safest and greenest mode of ground-freight transportation, the competition has been aimed at making the railways even cleaner, greener and more passenger friendly.

This is the first time that this technology, which is widely used in the road industry, will be applied to the rail freight sector on such an important and widely used class of locomotive. Work commenced on 1st July and will take place over a nine-month period.

The key project partners are Freightliner, which operates over 113 Class-66s in the UK, and Clean Air Power, a provider of innovative clean air solutions for freight. The project is also supported by Network Rail, Tarmac, Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB), Flogas, Carrickarory and the University of Birmingham.

The project will investigate the ability to substitute diesel with both hydrogen and biogas on the Class-66 locomotive which hauls over 80% of freight on the UK rail network and, in doing so, reduce carbon emissions on one of the industry’s most challenging two-stroke locomotives. This will be achieved by retrofitting the Class 66 with Clean Air Power’s precision injection technology, creating a Class 66 that can run on a combination of diesel, biogas and hydrogen.

This sustainable solution will support a programme to decarbonise freight operating companies’ diesel fleets in a cost-efficient manner that does not require significant short-term investment and facilitates operational learning in support of a longer-term fleet replacement programme, potentially using 100% hydrogen fuel.

Exhaust emissions will be assessed in line with the latest RSSB guidance to understand both the baseline conditions and the impact of dual-fuelling for both hydrogen and biogas. Emissions and substitution data is a key output of this project and will be available to RSSB.

All work on locomotives, static testing and emission data collection will be carried out at Freightliner’s vehicle maintenance facility in Leeds, supported by Carrickarory Consultancy and in consultation with RSSB.

“Freightliner is excited to be a key partner in this pioneering decarbonisation project,” said Freightliner UK Rail Managing Director Tim Shakerley. “As the largest freight operator of electric traction, we already have a number of environmentally motivated initiatives underway and are delighted to be working with Clean Air Power and other partners on this additional government-funded project. With decarbonisation high on the agenda, these initiatives will further support the government’s pledge to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”

Dan Skelton, Managing Director of Clean Air Power, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Freightliner and other partners on this project. All parties are focussed on delivering a fully functioning low-carbon, low-emission, hydrogen-friendly Class 66 locomotive.

“Our solution offers a route to viable, long-term decarbonisation and its associated cost benefits, which will be practical to implement and scale. With the know-how and expertise, we share, we’re looking forward to this new and exciting initiative making a real difference.”

Freightliner secures duel-fuel project funding

Posted on 8 July, 2021 by Keith McKinley

Freightliner, in partnership with a consortium of specialist suppliers, has been successful in securing government funding to develop a dual-fuel solution for the Class 66 locomotive.

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