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Month: August 2025

Logistics UK CEO Steps Down

Posted on by Will Priestman

David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK will step down from his role at the end of July. Wells notified the President early in the new year of his intention to step down and a process is underway to find his replacement.

Wells who joined Logistics UK in 2009 as Finance Director became Chief Executive in early 2015 and has made significant changes to the business group during his ten years in the role. These include an organisational rebrand, from the Freight Transport Association to Logistics UK in the summer of 2020 and the adoption of a new corporate strategy. This has seen the organisation grow its influence and authority significantly with government and other opinion makers, as well as increasing total membership numbers to an all-time high of 21,600 by spring 2025.

“David has steered the organisation smoothly through a decade of significant change, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and issues at the UK’s borders, with a calm focus that has inspired the team,” says Logistics UK President Phil Roe. “He has the ability to engage with everyone, from the most junior member of staff to those at the highest levels of government, with empathy and enthusiasm, and has always prioritised the needs of our members above all else.”

“Thanks to his stewardship, Logistics UK is now regarded as one of the country’s leading business groups and he should be proud of the legacy he leaves for his successor. On behalf of all our staff and members, I’d like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him every success in his next challenge”.

A familiar face at industry and parliamentary events, Wells received an OBE in 2022 for his services to transport and logistics.

Wells commented that, “Ten years at the helm of this fantastic organisation serving an amazing industry have flown by. At some point it is right to hand the baton to the next leader to take the organisation forward with fresh ideas and energy. I want to thank my wonderful colleagues and members for all they have done in support of our mission to see the sector recognised as the vital economic infrastructure that serves everybody, everywhere, every day. We’ve made great progress in the last ten years but there is still a great deal to do and I’m sure the next leader will enjoy and rise to the challenge”.

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

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https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/asset-alliance-group-makes-senior-appointment/

 

AI Fleet Platform Launches in UK

Posted on by David Priestman

Motive, an AI-powered Integrated Operations Platform, today announced its launch in the United Kingdom. With the opening of a new London office and the appointment of regional vice president, Nyanya Joof, Motive will bring its AI-powered solutions for Driver Safety, Fleet Management, and Workforce Management to businesses in the UK with complex physical operations. The company’s expansion builds on its North American adoption and supports fleets across industries such as transportation, construction, field services, energy, utilities, and the food and beverage sector.

“Motive’s mission is to empower the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer and more productive,” said Shoaib Makani, CEO and Co-founder of Motive. “We’re excited to bring that mission to the UK at a time when AI can make a meaningful difference — helping businesses reduce road collisions, lower costs, automate manual work, and accelerate the transition to more sustainable operations. Our platform is already delivering measurable results around the world, and we look forward to unlocking that same value for businesses in the UK.”

Businesses with fleets face growing challenges, including a projected shortage of 200,000 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers over the next five years; rising fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs; and heightened road casualties following nearly 130,000 incidents in 2024 alone. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to improve sustainability and transition to electric vehicles (EVs), while managing outdated, siloed systems that limit operational visibility and agility.

To help address these difficulties, Joof will lead Motive’s regional strategy, hiring, and go-to-market (GTM) execution. With over 15 years of experience scaling GTM teams across Europe, including leadership roles at WeWork, she will oversee how Motive supports UK customers with tools designed to address their most urgent safety, workforce, and cost-related challenges.

AI-powered platform helps businesses in the UK:

• Protect workers, improve safety, and boost morale: Motive’s Driver Safety solution, including its use of precise AI accuracy, detects risky behaviours, such as mobile phone use and stop sign violations, to help prevent accidents before they happen. Businesses can exonerate drivers, reinforce safety standards through real-time coaching, and recognise safe driving, ultimately improving retention and morale.

• Optimize spend: Motive’s Fleet Management solution helps businesses reduce insurance premiums, lower maintenance spend, and improve fuel efficiency. Its AI-driven visibility into vehicle health, routing, and utilisation supports faster decision-making and more efficient operations — delivering measurable savings.

• Save time and increase productivity: Motive’s Workforce Management solution automates manual tasks such as scheduling, time tracking, payroll, training, and documentation, reducing administrative overhead and freeing teams to focus on higher-value work. The Motive Driver App also simplifies roadside inspections and compliance documentation, removing the need for paper-based systems.

• Navigate the green transition: Motive helps businesses adapt to rising regulatory and sustainability demands, such as the UK’s 2030 Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate by managing the shift to EVs with tools tailored for mixed-fleet environments. Its EV forecasting software, fuel-efficient routing, and digitised workflows enable teams to plan vehicle charging, optimise routes, and reduce downtime. EVs can cost up to 25% more to repair and take 14% longer to service than petrol vehicles, making Motive’s predictive maintenance and AI-powered safety capabilities critical for reducing electrification costs and maintaining fleet readiness. These capabilities are further strengthened by Motive’s recent acquisition of InceptEV, an advanced battery intelligence software startup.

“Motive’s AI-powered platform is transforming how we manage fleet safety across parts of our U.S. operations — giving us the opportunity to prevent collisions, protect drivers, and respond faster with near real-time insights,” said Zach Spengler, Director of EHS at ABM Aviation. “There’s clear potential for businesses in the UK and beyond to benefit from the technology to enhance safety, streamline maintenance, and improve fuel efficiency at scale.”

Sectional Doors Support High-Security Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

The B4 Development at Manchester Airport, delivered by McLaren Construction Group, is a key part of the airport’s £1.3 billion Transformation Programme. ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems was proud to supply Secured by Design sectional doors and integrated loading bay solutions to support this high-performance logistics facility.

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems is proud to have contributed to the successful completion of the B4 Development at Manchester Airport, a key milestone in the airport’s wider £1.3 billion Transformation Programme. Delivered by McLaren Construction Group, this major logistics and cargo development required industrial door and docking solutions that meet the highest standards of efficiency, security, and durability expected at one of the UK’s busiest transport hubs.

As part of the project, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems supplied and installed 11 Crawford OH1042P Level Access Overhead Sectional Doors. These doors, certified under the Secured by Design (SBD) initiative, provide enhanced security along with excellent thermal insulation. Depending on door width, each opening features a single row of three or four Secure by Design certified rectangular vision panels, integrated within aluminium frames. All doors were finished externally in RAL 9003 white, in line with architectural specifications, and fitted with vertical lift track configurations to maximise internal space.

Each of the loading bays within the B4 Development was equipped with a complete suite of loading bay solutions. This includes OH1042P SBD dock doors, which match the security and vision panel specifications of the level access doors. To support efficient and safe loading operations, DL6010S dock levellers were installed. These heavy-duty units offer a 60kN load capacity and feature a hydraulic swing lip design, with a vertical working range of +570 mm to -350 mm.

Sectional industrial Doors

To ensure a tight weather seal and optimise energy efficiency, each bay was also fitted with ASSA ABLOY DS6060P dock shelters. These units feature self-adjusting roof frames and durable double-layer polyester curtains, designed to accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes while shielding personnel and goods from the elements. The comprehensive bay solution also includes heavy-duty dock buffers, integrated dock lights and traffic light systems for enhanced safety, and wheel guides to aid vehicle alignment during reversing.

In addition to dock and access equipment, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems supplied seven SR2-rated hinged steel personnel doors. Certified to LPS 1175 standards and fully compliant with Secured by Design requirements, these doors offer robust, tamper-resistant access control for secure pedestrian entry.

Heathrow Expansion Would Boost Air Cargo

Posted on by David Priestman

For many years, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has supported expansion at Heathrow Airport. Yesterday’s announcement of the new runway plans will not only increase passenger capacity at Europe’s busiest airport, but improve air freight links and opportunities as well.

Steve Parker, BIFA Director General said: “Over the past decades, successive UK governments have shown a singular lack of vision in the face of a massive surge in air transport and consequent pressure on existing airport infrastructure in the south east.”

In response to the proposals that have now been submitted to the government, Parker added; “It is for government, not BIFA, to comment on the viability of the proposals put forward. BIFA members, who facilitate a significant proportion of the UK’s visible international trade through gateways like Heathrow, just want to see the government abide by its objective to enable the delivery of an operational third runway by 2035.

“That will require swift decisions on the proposals that have been submitted, in order for applications for planning consent to come forward in time to enable decisions to be made this Parliament. BIFA’s hope is that if that is achieved, we may finally see the start on a long overdue expansion of UK aviation hub capacity.

“It is now time for everyone, including politicians of all parties, to pull together in the national interest and support the bold plans to expand and improve airport infrastructure at Heathrow in order to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s most important aviation hub.”

Whilst BIFA has been waiting for news about a third runway, it has focused on the airport’s cargo development. On behalf of members, the trade association is already working closely with the airport to support its ambitious plans to deliver a fundamental change to the way cargo operates at the gateway.

The latest plans and software enhancements were revealed last October. These plans would mean a significant redevelopment of the cargo estate set to commence in the next two to three years, as the airport looks to accommodate rising demand, modernise some ageing first-line cargo handling facilities, and improve cargo flows and efficiency.

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