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Day: 8 March 2022

Research identifies warehouse worker shortage

Posted on by David Priestman

New research has shown which areas of the UK have been hit hardest by the skills crisis engulfing the transport and logistics industry.

The continued e-commerce boom, and a reduction in EU labour availability, has left many firms struggling to find enough warehouse operatives to meet high customer demand – but analysis by Mintsoft shows that some regions are faring worse than others.

According to the research, London tops the list for the highest number of unfilled vacancies at 233, according to live jobs board data compiled on 21st February 2022.

Next was Bristol with 219 roles available, followed by Birmingham (188) and Northampton (146).

Commenting on the findings, Rob Hodgson, WMS and E-commerce Fulfilment Expert at Mintsoft, said: “Anyone who works in the industry knows how difficult it’s become to recruit operatives but our data sheds light on the regional discrepancies. Competition for skills is particularly fierce in the capital, perhaps because it’s traditionally been home to EU nationals who have now left.

“The pandemic has changed consumer buying behaviour forever, which will continue to drive demand in the e-commerce and 3PL sector. While this is clearly good news, it puts immense pressure on businesses, especially SMEs, to deliver – at a time when increasing a headcount isn’t an option.

“3PLs recognise this and are increasingly investing in their warehouse operations in order to make better use of their existing resources.”

The 20 locations with the biggest shortage of warehouse operatives were as follows (Ranking-Location-Number of warehouse operative roles):

1-London-233

2-Bristol-219

3-Birmingham-188

4-Northampton-146

5-Leeds-129

6-Nottingham-125

7-Milton Keynes-122

8-Leicester-117

9-Manchester-101

10-Coventry-98

11-Bedford-90

12-Sheffield-86

13-Swindon-80

14-Peterborough-77

15-Doncaster-77

16-Stoke-on-Trent-73

17-Bradford-71

18-Exeter-70

19-Warrington-70

20-Derby-69

Clare Bottle, CEO at the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), adds: “Today’s market is tougher than ever before for the warehousing sector. Labour shortages are no longer limited to the Christmas peak trading period nor are they restricted to warehousing’s famous ‘Golden Triangle’ in the East Midlands.

“In light of the failure of Government to recognise or even mention the role of warehousing and logistics in last month’s Levelling Up white paper, this research is particularly timely, providing an important evidential basis for UKWA’s continued representation to policymakers for more support in the face of critical labour shortages.

“Indeed, a recent poll of our members confirmed that labour shortages are the number one concern for 2022 and our National Conference this week (8-9th March), will focus on the theme of Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today.”

For more information about this research, CLICK HERE

 

Research identifies warehouse worker shortage

Posted on by David Priestman

New research has shown which areas of the UK have been hit hardest by the skills crisis engulfing the transport and logistics industry.

The continued e-commerce boom, and a reduction in EU labour availability, has left many firms struggling to find enough warehouse operatives to meet high customer demand – but analysis by Mintsoft shows that some regions are faring worse than others.

According to the research, London tops the list for the highest number of unfilled vacancies at 233, according to live jobs board data compiled on 21st February 2022.

Next was Bristol with 219 roles available, followed by Birmingham (188) and Northampton (146).

Commenting on the findings, Rob Hodgson, WMS and E-commerce Fulfilment Expert at Mintsoft, said: “Anyone who works in the industry knows how difficult it’s become to recruit operatives but our data sheds light on the regional discrepancies. Competition for skills is particularly fierce in the capital, perhaps because it’s traditionally been home to EU nationals who have now left.

“The pandemic has changed consumer buying behaviour forever, which will continue to drive demand in the e-commerce and 3PL sector. While this is clearly good news, it puts immense pressure on businesses, especially SMEs, to deliver – at a time when increasing a headcount isn’t an option.

“3PLs recognise this and are increasingly investing in their warehouse operations in order to make better use of their existing resources.”

The 20 locations with the biggest shortage of warehouse operatives were as follows (Ranking-Location-Number of warehouse operative roles):

1-London-233

2-Bristol-219

3-Birmingham-188

4-Northampton-146

5-Leeds-129

6-Nottingham-125

7-Milton Keynes-122

8-Leicester-117

9-Manchester-101

10-Coventry-98

11-Bedford-90

12-Sheffield-86

13-Swindon-80

14-Peterborough-77

15-Doncaster-77

16-Stoke-on-Trent-73

17-Bradford-71

18-Exeter-70

19-Warrington-70

20-Derby-69

Clare Bottle, CEO at the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), adds: “Today’s market is tougher than ever before for the warehousing sector. Labour shortages are no longer limited to the Christmas peak trading period nor are they restricted to warehousing’s famous ‘Golden Triangle’ in the East Midlands.

“In light of the failure of Government to recognise or even mention the role of warehousing and logistics in last month’s Levelling Up white paper, this research is particularly timely, providing an important evidential basis for UKWA’s continued representation to policymakers for more support in the face of critical labour shortages.

“Indeed, a recent poll of our members confirmed that labour shortages are the number one concern for 2022 and our National Conference this week (8-9th March), will focus on the theme of Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today.”

For more information about this research, CLICK HERE

 

Ukraine conflict to cause significant pressure on pallet supply

Posted on by David Priestman

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has expressed its deep sympathies and support for the people of Ukraine and advised that the conflict in Ukraine is expected to cause significant pressure on the supply of wood, and therefore pallets and packaging, in the coming weeks.

Last year, Ukraine exported more than 2.7 million cu m of sawn softwood timber, a significant amount of this for wooden pallets and packaging manufactured in European markets including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. The country also produced and exported an estimated 15 million pallets, mainly to Europe.

The severe slowdown in the Ukrainian economy and stop in production will have serious direct impacts on countries such as Hungary, Italy and Germany (the three most prolific softwood importers from Ukraine); and also an indirect impact across Europe by unbalancing the market and increasing competition for more limited wood supplies and putting upwards pressure on prices.

Meanwhile, with Russia exporting approximately 4.5m cu m of softwood timber into the EU (with Estonia, Germany, Finland the largest importers) and Belarus exporting approximately 3.1m cu m (spruce and pine combined), Europe will be significantly impacted by trade sanctions that have been introduced against the two countries – which FEFPEB supports.

Some countries source up to 25% of their pallet and packaging timber from the three countries. Alternative timber sources including Scandinavia, Germany and the Baltic States are only capable of covering a small proportion of the shortfall.

Energy supplies have also been severely disrupted, increasing the price of fuel, with growth in the price of petrol of more than 30%, and the cost of a barrel of oil now more than US$110. This, says FEFPEB, will have a “significant impact” on the cost of heat treatment and kiln drying of timber to ISPM 15 standards, on transport and on the overall cost of production – leading inevitably to product price rises.

The above challenges add to existing pressures caused by the ongoing global shipping crisis, labour shortages, low availability and high prices of raw materials – including a severe shortage of steel for the production of nails – and generally disrupted transport flows around the world.

FEFPEB Secretary General Fons Ceelaert said: “The terrible events unfolding in Ukraine have had an immediate impact on industries of all kinds, disrupting vital trade flows, and reducing availability of many different materials and goods. The usual supplies of timber needed for the production and repair of wooden pallets and packaging have had been hit hard, and availability has been significantly reduced.

“Alongside the sizeable ongoing international challenges that already exist in the market, we expect to see a general upward trend in the price of all commodities, including wood. In the meantime, our member associations’ businesses around Europe are working hard to secure supplies from their partners in order to maintain continuity of pallet and packaging production.

“FEFPEB is in close contact with CEI-Bois and the European Commission, with whom we have shared our moral and economic concerns. We will continue to liaise with industry sources and monitor up-to-date information to enable us to keep our membership and the market informed about the very latest developments in this ongoing situation.”

similar news

Logistics in Ukraine: Still Going

 

 

 

Ukraine conflict to cause significant pressure on pallet supply

Posted on by David Priestman

The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has expressed its deep sympathies and support for the people of Ukraine and advised that the conflict in Ukraine is expected to cause significant pressure on the supply of wood, and therefore pallets and packaging, in the coming weeks.

Last year, Ukraine exported more than 2.7 million cu m of sawn softwood timber, a significant amount of this for wooden pallets and packaging manufactured in European markets including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. The country also produced and exported an estimated 15 million pallets, mainly to Europe.

The severe slowdown in the Ukrainian economy and stop in production will have serious direct impacts on countries such as Hungary, Italy and Germany (the three most prolific softwood importers from Ukraine); and also an indirect impact across Europe by unbalancing the market and increasing competition for more limited wood supplies and putting upwards pressure on prices.

Meanwhile, with Russia exporting approximately 4.5m cu m of softwood timber into the EU (with Estonia, Germany, Finland the largest importers) and Belarus exporting approximately 3.1m cu m (spruce and pine combined), Europe will be significantly impacted by trade sanctions that have been introduced against the two countries – which FEFPEB supports.

Some countries source up to 25% of their pallet and packaging timber from the three countries. Alternative timber sources including Scandinavia, Germany and the Baltic States are only capable of covering a small proportion of the shortfall.

Energy supplies have also been severely disrupted, increasing the price of fuel, with growth in the price of petrol of more than 30%, and the cost of a barrel of oil now more than US$110. This, says FEFPEB, will have a “significant impact” on the cost of heat treatment and kiln drying of timber to ISPM 15 standards, on transport and on the overall cost of production – leading inevitably to product price rises.

The above challenges add to existing pressures caused by the ongoing global shipping crisis, labour shortages, low availability and high prices of raw materials – including a severe shortage of steel for the production of nails – and generally disrupted transport flows around the world.

FEFPEB Secretary General Fons Ceelaert said: “The terrible events unfolding in Ukraine have had an immediate impact on industries of all kinds, disrupting vital trade flows, and reducing availability of many different materials and goods. The usual supplies of timber needed for the production and repair of wooden pallets and packaging have had been hit hard, and availability has been significantly reduced.

“Alongside the sizeable ongoing international challenges that already exist in the market, we expect to see a general upward trend in the price of all commodities, including wood. In the meantime, our member associations’ businesses around Europe are working hard to secure supplies from their partners in order to maintain continuity of pallet and packaging production.

“FEFPEB is in close contact with CEI-Bois and the European Commission, with whom we have shared our moral and economic concerns. We will continue to liaise with industry sources and monitor up-to-date information to enable us to keep our membership and the market informed about the very latest developments in this ongoing situation.”

similar news

Logistics in Ukraine: Still Going

 

 

 

Cameroon terminal updates fleet with Konecranes trucks

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Container Terminal Management of the Port of Douala (RTC) has received delivery of five Konecranes Liftace reach stackers and one empty container handler to increase the productivity of its operations. The order was booked in April 2021, and the lift trucks were handed over in a special on-site ceremony in December 2021.

RTC is part of the Port Authority of Douala and has been in charge of managing the terminal on the west African coast since January 2020. Douala is the economic centre of – and the largest city in – Cameroon. It is one of central Africa’s largest ports, also providing sea access to the landlocked regions of Chad, the Central African Republic and the northern area of the Republic of the Congo. RTC is keen to update its multimodal terminal with reliable, modern container handling equipment to increase capacity as demand continues to rise, with an average annual throughput of 370,000 TEU traveling on sea, road and rail. The lift trucks are used for most of the export yard operations and taking care of empty containers.

“Our terminal has been using Konecranes products for years, and they’ve provided outstanding performance,” says Adepi Martin, Chief Operation Officer of RTC. “With the help of their excellent customer service, we’re sure that these new Konecranes lift trucks will help us to maximise our efficiency all the way from landside to quayside, reduce vessel anchorage time and transit time, and improve container truck turnaround.”

“This new delivery shows the level of confidence that RTC has in Konecranes,” says Winfried Lux, Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “We offer durability, reliability and flexibility in both our products and our partnership with them. Local dealer Patterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd. has provided essential support whenever needed and we are pleased to continue working with RTC as they develop their terminal fleet into the future.”

The five new reach stackers are Konecranes Liftace SMV 4532 TCE5s, sturdy 45-tonne lifting machines able to stack up to five containers high. The empty container handler is an SMV 6/7 ECC 90, with a wide mast for the option of stacking six empty high-cube containers or seven standard containers. All six lift trucks feature the ergonomic OPTIMA cabin for comfort and wide visibility, and each vehicle uses a Tier 3 engine to maintain productivity while minimising fuel consumption and emissions.

Included in the delivery are full spare parts packages, ensuring that parts will always be available when needed, eliminating delivery wait times, minimising downtime and allowing easier maintenance planning.

A strong focus on customers and a commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalisation and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy and advance circularity and safety.

Cameroon terminal updates fleet with Konecranes trucks

Posted on by David Priestman

The Container Terminal Management of the Port of Douala (RTC) has received delivery of five Konecranes Liftace reach stackers and one empty container handler to increase the productivity of its operations. The order was booked in April 2021, and the lift trucks were handed over in a special on-site ceremony in December 2021.

RTC is part of the Port Authority of Douala and has been in charge of managing the terminal on the west African coast since January 2020. Douala is the economic centre of – and the largest city in – Cameroon. It is one of central Africa’s largest ports, also providing sea access to the landlocked regions of Chad, the Central African Republic and the northern area of the Republic of the Congo. RTC is keen to update its multimodal terminal with reliable, modern container handling equipment to increase capacity as demand continues to rise, with an average annual throughput of 370,000 TEU traveling on sea, road and rail. The lift trucks are used for most of the export yard operations and taking care of empty containers.

“Our terminal has been using Konecranes products for years, and they’ve provided outstanding performance,” says Adepi Martin, Chief Operation Officer of RTC. “With the help of their excellent customer service, we’re sure that these new Konecranes lift trucks will help us to maximise our efficiency all the way from landside to quayside, reduce vessel anchorage time and transit time, and improve container truck turnaround.”

“This new delivery shows the level of confidence that RTC has in Konecranes,” says Winfried Lux, Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “We offer durability, reliability and flexibility in both our products and our partnership with them. Local dealer Patterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd. has provided essential support whenever needed and we are pleased to continue working with RTC as they develop their terminal fleet into the future.”

The five new reach stackers are Konecranes Liftace SMV 4532 TCE5s, sturdy 45-tonne lifting machines able to stack up to five containers high. The empty container handler is an SMV 6/7 ECC 90, with a wide mast for the option of stacking six empty high-cube containers or seven standard containers. All six lift trucks feature the ergonomic OPTIMA cabin for comfort and wide visibility, and each vehicle uses a Tier 3 engine to maintain productivity while minimising fuel consumption and emissions.

Included in the delivery are full spare parts packages, ensuring that parts will always be available when needed, eliminating delivery wait times, minimising downtime and allowing easier maintenance planning.

A strong focus on customers and a commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalisation and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy and advance circularity and safety.

UK Logistics Technology Firm hits Milestone

Posted on by David Priestman

A fast-growing logistics technology firm from Birmingham, UK is celebrating after hiring its 50th member of staff following two years of tremendous growth.

Wise, founded in 2019, specialises in providing software to improve the self-employment experience within the logistics and last-mile delivery sectors – the business is celebrating this latest hire as it takes the total headcount to 50, officially making it a medium-sized business.

The technology firm, named Digital Startup of The Year at the 2021 West Midlands Tech Awards, provides software to over 250 UK logistics firms helping them to streamline the way that they engage their self-employed workforce. This technology covers everything from onboarding subcontractors through to protecting compliance and payments – this software has been used by over 50,000 subcontractors since its launch in April 2021.

Logistics technology

Hannah Jarrad, People & Culture Manager at Wise, said: “We’re delighted to have hit this major business milestone and to have done it in such a short space of time is genuinely outstanding. As we’ve grown the team across all departments, we’ve worked hard to make sure that we retain our culture of compassion and inclusivity that is at the heart of all of our decisions.

“Like every other business, we’ve navigated the difficult circumstances of the last couple of years carefully and we’re delighted to have been able to obtain Great Place To Work status along the way as evidence of our positive culture.”

similar news

Tech firm ranked as one of UK’s best employers

 

 

 

UK Logistics Technology Firm hits Milestone

Posted on by David Priestman

A fast-growing logistics technology firm from Birmingham, UK is celebrating after hiring its 50th member of staff following two years of tremendous growth.

Wise, founded in 2019, specialises in providing software to improve the self-employment experience within the logistics and last-mile delivery sectors – the business is celebrating this latest hire as it takes the total headcount to 50, officially making it a medium-sized business.

The technology firm, named Digital Startup of The Year at the 2021 West Midlands Tech Awards, provides software to over 250 UK logistics firms helping them to streamline the way that they engage their self-employed workforce. This technology covers everything from onboarding subcontractors through to protecting compliance and payments – this software has been used by over 50,000 subcontractors since its launch in April 2021.

Logistics technology

Hannah Jarrad, People & Culture Manager at Wise, said: “We’re delighted to have hit this major business milestone and to have done it in such a short space of time is genuinely outstanding. As we’ve grown the team across all departments, we’ve worked hard to make sure that we retain our culture of compassion and inclusivity that is at the heart of all of our decisions.

“Like every other business, we’ve navigated the difficult circumstances of the last couple of years carefully and we’re delighted to have been able to obtain Great Place To Work status along the way as evidence of our positive culture.”

similar news

Tech firm ranked as one of UK’s best employers

 

 

 

transport logistic and TIACA organise joint San Francisco event

Posted on by Keith McKinley

From 22 to 25 March 2022, the global air cargo and logistics industry will meet at the 2+2 event in San Francisco. The air cargo sector proved to be a safeguard for global supply chains during the pandemic and secured the supply of important medical and industrial goods. At the face-to-face event, leading industry representatives and experts will discuss the lessons learned from the pandemic and other current topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, and UAVs directly in Silicon Valley. Registrations among exhibitors, visitors and sponsors are already high.

Messe München and the air cargo association TIACA are merging their events for the first time. The 2+2 event will be one of the largest gatherings of experts and decision-makers in the air cargo and logistics industry. A two-day conference programme at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Francisco will feature panel discussions, keynotes, workshops, and presentations.

In addition to the air cargo sector’s experiences and insights from the pandemic, topics such as digitalisation, sustainability as well as gender diversity or UAV technologies will also be discussed. The future of the industry will also be addressed: TIACA board member Steven Polmans, for example, will moderate a panel discussion on the future direction of the association. The subsequent two-day Innovation Journey gives visitors direct and on-site insights at innovation leaders and up-and-coming Silicon Valley start-ups.

The number of exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, and trade visitors is already high and the anticipation is rising among everyone involved. Patrik Tschirch, Managing Director of LUG air cargo handling and Chairman of the Board of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, also sees the advantages of a presence event: “For the globally active air cargo sector, an international gathering is enormously important. Thanks to the promising concept, we are looking forward to the 2+2 event in San Francisco with great confidence.”

An original date for the event in September 2021 was postponed as a precaution due to the pandemic at the time. The current COVID-regulations and the full implementation of applicable protective measures in the state of California allow the event to take place in the usual attendance form.

There will be no restrictions on the number of visitors. Since last November, the United States has allowed foreign citizens to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery recognised by the WHO.

“The TIACA Executive Summit, together with the transport logistic Americas Forum, will once again bring together the key decision makers and experts in the air cargo industry in one place, live and in person. We look forward to a wide-ranging conference programme and accompanying exhibition where current and upcoming air cargo topics will be discussed with a broad audience,” said Steven Polmans, Chairman of the TIACA Board of Directors and Vice President Business Development & Free Zone Regulatory Affairs at Abu Dhabi Airports.

“With the 2+2 event in San Francisco, we can again offer the airfreight and logistics industry an intensive exchange in presence. With various online events, we have proven that such events can also take on other attractive formats. However, personal contact on site is indispensable, especially for an industry like logistics and airfreight with its many diverse and international players. We are glad to be able to offer our guests this opportunity again, while observing all safety precautions,” adds Dr. Robert Schönberger, Head of transport logistic exhibitions at Messe München.

transport logistic and TIACA organise joint San Francisco event

Posted on by David Priestman

From 22 to 25 March 2022, the global air cargo and logistics industry will meet at the 2+2 event in San Francisco. The air cargo sector proved to be a safeguard for global supply chains during the pandemic and secured the supply of important medical and industrial goods. At the face-to-face event, leading industry representatives and experts will discuss the lessons learned from the pandemic and other current topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, and UAVs directly in Silicon Valley. Registrations among exhibitors, visitors and sponsors are already high.

Messe München and the air cargo association TIACA are merging their events for the first time. The 2+2 event will be one of the largest gatherings of experts and decision-makers in the air cargo and logistics industry. A two-day conference programme at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Francisco will feature panel discussions, keynotes, workshops, and presentations.

In addition to the air cargo sector’s experiences and insights from the pandemic, topics such as digitalisation, sustainability as well as gender diversity or UAV technologies will also be discussed. The future of the industry will also be addressed: TIACA board member Steven Polmans, for example, will moderate a panel discussion on the future direction of the association. The subsequent two-day Innovation Journey gives visitors direct and on-site insights at innovation leaders and up-and-coming Silicon Valley start-ups.

The number of exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, and trade visitors is already high and the anticipation is rising among everyone involved. Patrik Tschirch, Managing Director of LUG air cargo handling and Chairman of the Board of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt, also sees the advantages of a presence event: “For the globally active air cargo sector, an international gathering is enormously important. Thanks to the promising concept, we are looking forward to the 2+2 event in San Francisco with great confidence.”

An original date for the event in September 2021 was postponed as a precaution due to the pandemic at the time. The current COVID-regulations and the full implementation of applicable protective measures in the state of California allow the event to take place in the usual attendance form.

There will be no restrictions on the number of visitors. Since last November, the United States has allowed foreign citizens to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery recognised by the WHO.

“The TIACA Executive Summit, together with the transport logistic Americas Forum, will once again bring together the key decision makers and experts in the air cargo industry in one place, live and in person. We look forward to a wide-ranging conference programme and accompanying exhibition where current and upcoming air cargo topics will be discussed with a broad audience,” said Steven Polmans, Chairman of the TIACA Board of Directors and Vice President Business Development & Free Zone Regulatory Affairs at Abu Dhabi Airports.

“With the 2+2 event in San Francisco, we can again offer the airfreight and logistics industry an intensive exchange in presence. With various online events, we have proven that such events can also take on other attractive formats. However, personal contact on site is indispensable, especially for an industry like logistics and airfreight with its many diverse and international players. We are glad to be able to offer our guests this opportunity again, while observing all safety precautions,” adds Dr. Robert Schönberger, Head of transport logistic exhibitions at Messe München.

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