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Day: 16 August 2022

How delivery firms are approaching personnel for peak period

Posted on by David Priestman

With the UK logistics industry preparing for the busiest time of year, many companies are facing more pressure around ensuring their business and workforce are set for the inevitable annual spike in demand. Recruiting and onboarding new subcontractors has always been one of the main areas of strain for the logistics and courier industry. Typically, recruiting new self-employed delivery drivers involves advertising the role, finding the best-suited candidates, contacting them individually and manually sorting out all required documentation such as driving licences, ID, toxicology, tax and right-to-work documents.

All of this can take considerable amounts of time for business owners throughout the year, but this becomes even more of a burden during peak period when delivery firms need to grow their driver workforce. Now, as we move towards the end of summer, UK businesses are harnessing software to improve their processes around personnel and make sure they’re in the best position to manage this year’s Christmas peak.

In order to maximise efforts ahead of the 2022 peak period, many last-mile delivery firms have now opted to use innovative workforce management technology to streamline their processes around onboarding, payments and much more. This use of cutting-edge technology allows business owners to drastically cut down on paperwork and admin whilst freeing them up to focus on growing their businesses.

These workforce management systems, such as Wise, provide improved clarity to main contractors so that they can see a complete overview of their subcontractors as well as their pipeline of incoming drivers, which is vital at the busiest time of year.

Managing compliance around self-employment is essential for any thriving delivery business and managing everything from contracts to documentation is an integral part of this.

Traditionally, many firms have spent vast amounts of time worrying about everything from IR35 to employment status and potential readiness for an upcoming HMRC audit. Now, with the introduction of user-friendly software, these firms are able to receive expert legal support, sign and share contracts digitally and keep an online record of all documentation ready for any enquiries from the taxman. All of this combines to not only provide stress-relief for the business owners, but means that the subcontractor drivers can be confident that they’re also protected.

Traditionally, self-employed individuals haven’t been able to get some of the perks that are often given to full-time employees. Now, through third party software, many delivery business can offer their subcontractors access to essential products such as accountayc and invoicing support, whilst even getting them access to unique high-street discounts. By providing these different facets to improve the self-employment experience, logistics business owners are able to not only create a more attractive offer than their competitors, but again increase their driver retention rates.

James Orton is Chief Technology Officer at Wise, a tech firm specialising in improving self-employment within the UK delivery sector. He said: “We have seen the key areas main contractors have been struggling with for years in terms of engaging with a self-employed workforce and know how this is only exacerbated during peak period. “Now, with the free Wise platform easing these stress-points for over 250 UK delivery firms, we’re seeing how business owners can not only save time, money and stress for themselves, but create a vastly improved self-employment experience for their drivers at the same time.”

How delivery firms are approaching personnel for peak period

Posted on by David Priestman

With the UK logistics industry preparing for the busiest time of year, many companies are facing more pressure around ensuring their business and workforce are set for the inevitable annual spike in demand. Recruiting and onboarding new subcontractors has always been one of the main areas of strain for the logistics and courier industry. Typically, recruiting new self-employed delivery drivers involves advertising the role, finding the best-suited candidates, contacting them individually and manually sorting out all required documentation such as driving licences, ID, toxicology, tax and right-to-work documents.

All of this can take considerable amounts of time for business owners throughout the year, but this becomes even more of a burden during peak period when delivery firms need to grow their driver workforce. Now, as we move towards the end of summer, UK businesses are harnessing software to improve their processes around personnel and make sure they’re in the best position to manage this year’s Christmas peak.

In order to maximise efforts ahead of the 2022 peak period, many last-mile delivery firms have now opted to use innovative workforce management technology to streamline their processes around onboarding, payments and much more. This use of cutting-edge technology allows business owners to drastically cut down on paperwork and admin whilst freeing them up to focus on growing their businesses.

These workforce management systems, such as Wise, provide improved clarity to main contractors so that they can see a complete overview of their subcontractors as well as their pipeline of incoming drivers, which is vital at the busiest time of year.

Managing compliance around self-employment is essential for any thriving delivery business and managing everything from contracts to documentation is an integral part of this.

Traditionally, many firms have spent vast amounts of time worrying about everything from IR35 to employment status and potential readiness for an upcoming HMRC audit. Now, with the introduction of user-friendly software, these firms are able to receive expert legal support, sign and share contracts digitally and keep an online record of all documentation ready for any enquiries from the taxman. All of this combines to not only provide stress-relief for the business owners, but means that the subcontractor drivers can be confident that they’re also protected.

Traditionally, self-employed individuals haven’t been able to get some of the perks that are often given to full-time employees. Now, through third party software, many delivery business can offer their subcontractors access to essential products such as accountayc and invoicing support, whilst even getting them access to unique high-street discounts. By providing these different facets to improve the self-employment experience, logistics business owners are able to not only create a more attractive offer than their competitors, but again increase their driver retention rates.

James Orton is Chief Technology Officer at Wise, a tech firm specialising in improving self-employment within the UK delivery sector. He said: “We have seen the key areas main contractors have been struggling with for years in terms of engaging with a self-employed workforce and know how this is only exacerbated during peak period. “Now, with the free Wise platform easing these stress-points for over 250 UK delivery firms, we’re seeing how business owners can not only save time, money and stress for themselves, but create a vastly improved self-employment experience for their drivers at the same time.”

Last-mile Logistics Estates in Greater London acquired

Posted on by David Priestman

Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford (pictured) . This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in Croydon and Erith in July.

Comprising more than 360,000 sq. ft. of prime last-mile logistics space, on a total of 17 acres, both estates offer a range of Grade A units and are 100% leased to customers operating in diverse industry sectors including distribution, construction, pharmaceutical and film and television.

Located in two densely populated urban markets, Prologis Central Park (Park Royal) and Prologis Imperial Park (Watford) are strong additions to the UK portfolio, with both benefiting from excellent connectivity to London and beyond. Situated at the heart of Park Royal, the capital’s premier industrial and logistics estate, Central Park was built in 2014 to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Imperial Park was built in phases from 2000 and is well located less than 5 minutes from Junction 5, M1 in Watford, north west London’s principal commercial district.

The purchase of both assets complements Prologis UK’s existing portfolio – expanding holdings at Park Royal and, in the case of Watford, increasing the company’s presence along the southern M1-London corridor. The Watford site in particular adds to a number of successful projects in Hemel Hempstead.

Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “The purchase of these prime urban logistics estates illustrates our confidence in and appetite to grow our last mile offering servicing London and the South East. We look forward to working with new customers across the two parks, all of whom are welcome additions to our business.”

The assets were acquired from Schroders Capital who were advised by Gerald Eve.

Last-mile Logistics Estates in Greater London acquired

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford (pictured) . This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in Croydon and Erith in July.

Comprising more than 360,000 sq. ft. of prime last-mile logistics space, on a total of 17 acres, both estates offer a range of Grade A units and are 100% leased to customers operating in diverse industry sectors including distribution, construction, pharmaceutical and film and television.

Located in two densely populated urban markets, Prologis Central Park (Park Royal) and Prologis Imperial Park (Watford) are strong additions to the UK portfolio, with both benefiting from excellent connectivity to London and beyond. Situated at the heart of Park Royal, the capital’s premier industrial and logistics estate, Central Park was built in 2014 to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Imperial Park was built in phases from 2000 and is well located less than 5 minutes from Junction 5, M1 in Watford, north west London’s principal commercial district.

The purchase of both assets complements Prologis UK’s existing portfolio – expanding holdings at Park Royal and, in the case of Watford, increasing the company’s presence along the southern M1-London corridor. The Watford site in particular adds to a number of successful projects in Hemel Hempstead.

Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “The purchase of these prime urban logistics estates illustrates our confidence in and appetite to grow our last mile offering servicing London and the South East. We look forward to working with new customers across the two parks, all of whom are welcome additions to our business.”

The assets were acquired from Schroders Capital who were advised by Gerald Eve.

Customs Partnership Fulfils

Posted on by David Priestman

Global Reach Logistics Ltd (GRL) is pleased to announce that it has agreed a partnership with CACESA (Compañía Auxiliar al Cargo Express SA) to create an on-site external temporary storage facility. With the growth in E-Commerce and Fulfilment, CACESA has expanded into markets such as the UK to expand its footprint and provide Country solutions to some of those platform sellers from countries such as China.

This has enabled CACESA to draw a strategic relationship with GRL, which is also relatively new to the UK. In partnership, the mutual strengths complement each other to provide GRL customers with an unrivalled experience of expediting goods from origin to destination.

At its Daventry warehouse goods are temporarily held securely and offloaded to the ETSF (External Temporary Storage Facility). Under UK Customs Control, customs clearance occurs before presentation back to GRL outside the ETSF, where the goods are then in free circulation for transfer to the trade.

CACESA’s expansion into the UK market is a testament to its commitment to investing and diversifying its business to complement its strength in the Spanish market. GRL has a strong track record of growing its business and delivering to its customers relatively quickly.

CACESA, through this new partnership agreement with GRL, offering complementary solutions in the area of Customs Clearance, is looking forward to taking the success of both of our respective businesses to the next level.

“Nothing is better than partnering with GRL for their professionalism and wonderful business projection,” said CEO of CACESA, Rodrigo Penas.

“Our new found partnership with CACESA will bring a vast level of customs experience and new perspectives, broadening our ability to adapt to developing market conditions and look for new business opportunities in addition to nurturing our already existing client base,” added Sales and Marketing Director of GRL, Harry Johnson.

Customs Partnership Fulfils

Posted on by David Priestman

Global Reach Logistics Ltd (GRL) is pleased to announce that it has agreed a partnership with CACESA (Compañía Auxiliar al Cargo Express SA) to create an on-site external temporary storage facility. With the growth in E-Commerce and Fulfilment, CACESA has expanded into markets such as the UK to expand its footprint and provide Country solutions to some of those platform sellers from countries such as China.

This has enabled CACESA to draw a strategic relationship with GRL, which is also relatively new to the UK. In partnership, the mutual strengths complement each other to provide GRL customers with an unrivalled experience of expediting goods from origin to destination.

At its Daventry warehouse goods are temporarily held securely and offloaded to the ETSF (External Temporary Storage Facility). Under UK Customs Control, customs clearance occurs before presentation back to GRL outside the ETSF, where the goods are then in free circulation for transfer to the trade.

CACESA’s expansion into the UK market is a testament to its commitment to investing and diversifying its business to complement its strength in the Spanish market. GRL has a strong track record of growing its business and delivering to its customers relatively quickly.

CACESA, through this new partnership agreement with GRL, offering complementary solutions in the area of Customs Clearance, is looking forward to taking the success of both of our respective businesses to the next level.

“Nothing is better than partnering with GRL for their professionalism and wonderful business projection,” said CEO of CACESA, Rodrigo Penas.

“Our new found partnership with CACESA will bring a vast level of customs experience and new perspectives, broadening our ability to adapt to developing market conditions and look for new business opportunities in addition to nurturing our already existing client base,” added Sales and Marketing Director of GRL, Harry Johnson.

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