4 January, 2022

Transaid releases additional places for Cycle Malawi 2022

Posted on 4 January, 2022 by David Priestman

Transaid has released nine places on its highly sought-after Cycle Malawi 2022 challenge, which will take place from 1 – 9 October, and is inviting riders from across the transport and logistics industry to register their interest quickly, to avoid disappointment.

Those signing up will join a group of 36 cyclists already confirmed for the event, which was sadly postponed in 2020.

The epic two-wheel adventure will take cyclists across the country commonly known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, thanks to the kindness and friendliness of its people. It will mark the international development organisation’s 10th African cycle challenge and includes five days of riding – plus the ultimate opportunity to discover Malawi away from the tourist trail.

Florence Bearman, Transaid’s Head of Fundraising, explains: “Moving the dates meant some of the original group are unable to take part, so we’re opening those places and expecting demand to be very strong. After two years of limited travel for many, we believe the attraction of cycling through rural Africa is going to be huge!”

Helen Tattersall, Head of Vehicle Accessories for Brand Licensing at Michelin Lifestyle, says: “I signed up with a group of colleagues back in 2019, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’ve got unfinished business in Malawi, and we can’t wait to get on our bikes. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to be part of something really special, with teams from across the industry coming together to raise vital funding for a very special charity.”

Over the years Transaid has delivered both access to healthcare and professional driver training programmes in Malawi, the most recent of these involving bicycle ambulances as a simple, yet highly effective, lifesaving mode of transport.

Bearman adds: “So far as New Year’s resolutions go, committing to get bike-fit is a great place to start! Southern Malawi is a truly spectacular location; and this is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see great swathes of the country from the saddle.”

Riders will cover an average of 60 miles per day and the route is graded as challenging. The penultimate day’s riding includes an afternoon tackling the Zomba Plateau, a stunning table-like mountain which soars to more than 2,080m and presides over the surrounding area.

To register your interest in a place on the challenge, or to request a registration pack, please contact Florence Bearman, Transaid Head of Fundraising by email to florence@transaid.org

Those signing up for a place on Cycle Malawi 2022 will be asked to pay a £349 registration fee, and to commit to raising a minimum of £3,800 for Transaid. Entries are welcomed from both individuals and teams.

Transaid releases additional places for Cycle Malawi 2022

Posted on 4 January, 2022 by Keith McKinley

Those signing up will join a group of 36 cyclists already confirmed for the event, which was sadly postponed in 2020.

To register your interest in a place on the challenge, or to request a registration pack, please contact Florence Bearman, Transaid Head of Fundraising by email to florence@transaid.org

DENSO scanner offers ‘highest reading performance’

Posted on 4 January, 20224 August, 2025 by David Priestman

RFID technology does not just exist since yesterday, but especially now it has a major impact on the profits and losses of companies, for example in retail and logistics. RFID tags that are attached to goods can be read with mobile computers in such a way that real-time results for transactions, stock levels or the order history of customers are displayed.

With the SP1, DENSO WAVE EUROPE has already launched an RFID scanner that turns simple smart devices into high-speed UHF RFID scanners. Now the experts in mobile data collection go one step further and accelerate processes even more with the new Autopilot function for the SP1.

“The newly developed technology scans tags even faster and more completely than before,” says Dirk Gelbrich, General Manager Technical Department at DENSO WAVE EUROPE. “Compared to the previous SP1, companies can reduce their inventory time by up to 50%.”

The SP1 RFID scanner offers the highest reading performance in the industry.

A study from the University of Leicester found that RFID improves inventory accuracy by more than 25%. While the accuracy was around 65-75% before the technology was used, it was increased to 93-99% with RFID.

“The almost self-explanatory SP1 Autopilot provides decisive support for employees in retail and logistics. The reading mode adapts automatically to the situation, meaning that the highly sensitive tags are scanned first, followed by the difficult tags. This saves a lot of time when taking inventories,” explains Gelbrich. The ergonomically designed handle and the low weight of only 400g make the SP1 RFID Scanner an ideal companion for processes.

The pairing between the SP1 and a smart device is quick and easy: fastenings or quad locks on the SP1 ensure that DENSO devices, such as the BHT-1800, but also smart Android and iOS devices, can be connected easily.

“The connection itself is made by reading a QR Code on the SP1 and by using the Connection App”, Gelbrich explains the automatic Bluetooth pairing. While users were able to scan up to 700 tags per second from a distance of up to 13m, they can now scan up to 1,000 tags per second with the Autopilot function for the SP1. The RFID scanner thus covers an area of up to 530 sq m – a great advantage for warehouse management and inventories.

The new Autopilot has been available since software version 1.14. The OS and SDK of older devices can be updated with an upgrade. DENSO WAVE EUROPE offers the latest software version as a download on its QBdirect website.

Tesco rolls out electric articulated HGVs

Posted on 4 January, 202229 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Tesco is launching the UK’s first commercially used fully electric heavy freight articulated trucks. Two new 37 tonne DAF electric vehicles will transport food and other products from Wentloog rail terminal outside Cardiff to Tesco’s distribution centre in Magor, Wales, in partnership with logistics and international freight forwarding company FSEW.

Heavy goods vehicles make up around 16% of the UK’s domestic transport emissions and addressing this can play a significant role in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions. Despite significant advances in battery technology and charging infrastructure for smaller vehicles, there hasn’t been a commercially viable solution for electric haulage and distribution until now.

These first two lorries will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy, removing 87.4 tonnes of CO2e per year. To power the new service FSEW has installed charging points at its site in South Wales that provide enough energy to power these large vehicles for 100 miles before needing to charge again. At around 30 miles each way the Wentloog-Magor journey is an ideal location to understand the potential and range of these lorries for use throughout the UK and elsewhere in Tesco’s fleet.

By demonstrating that electric HGV transportation is commercially viable, this service will contribute to encouraging wider investment in technology and innovation that will support the haulage sector’s efforts to reduce emissions and air pollution. It will also contribute to Tesco’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions in its own operations by 2035, and FSEW’s work to replace more than 40 diesel vehicles with low-carbon alternatives and switch to fleet-wide zero-emissions transport operations by 2025.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO said: “Tesco’s distribution network is one of the largest in the UK and plays an important role in our efforts to become net zero in our own operations by 2035. We’ve already made progress by starting our switch to electric home delivery vans and rolling out electric vehicles charging points for our customers. I’m excited that Tesco can also lead the way in electric haulage innovation, helping to tackle this last source of road transport emissions with the support of FSEW.”

Jason Watts, Distribution Centre Manager, Tesco Distribution Centre Magor, said: “We all want to do what we can for the environment so we’re proud that Magor and Wales was chosen to be the first location to use these zero emissions lorries. It’s always exciting to get new kit and we can’t wait to try these lorries out in our busy operation.”

Geoff Tomlinson, FSEW Managing Director, said: “This is a landmark day for us here at FSEW, representing a major step forward in our commitment to providing zero emissions transport freight services. Together we are working to create a cleaner and greener logistics experience. This is transformational for the UK’s commercial and retail industries and is just the start of our work to supply electric heavy freight vehicles to customers such as Tesco.

“Setting the industry standard is important to us which is why we also have plans underway to create an eFreight hub in Cardiff which will include a low carbon fuel facility for the use of all freight providers and commercial and municipal operators and are also launching this month two further trucks running on 100% renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use.”

Tesco rolls out electric articulated HGVs

Posted on 4 January, 20227 August, 2025 by David Priestman

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett resigns

Posted on 4 January, 2022 by David Priestman

Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), has resigned having spent seven years in the job.

Although the RHA hasn’t released a statement on Burnett’s departure, the story was broken last month by transport magazine Motor Transport. RHA national chairperson Moreton Cullimore is reported to have said: “The RHA’s membership has grown significantly and our profile as an association has increased considerably.

“On behalf of the RHA board of directors and all the RHA employees I would like to thank him for everything he has achieved and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Burnett said: “After seven unforgettable years as the RHA’s chief exec I have decided it is time for me to step down. It’s been a challenging time for so many reasons and I have given all my energy to representing our members and the industry as a whole, but now feel ready for a new challenge. I’m incredibly proud to have led the transformation of the RHA during my time here, creating the strong and diverse association we see today.

“None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the RHA staff and support of our members. Thank you.”

Burnett joined the RHA in 2014 from Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, where he’d been the MD, and prior to that he’d spent more than 10 years at Wincanton.

Burnett left the RHA on 31 December 2021