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Month: June 2026

INTRA-LOG Expo expands in South America

Posted on by Will Priestman

INTRA-LOG Expo South America 2026, a trade show focused on intralogistics, warehouse automation and supply chain operations, will take place Sept. 15-17 at Expo Center Norte’s Blue Pavilion in São Paulo. Free registration is open for logistics, automation, supply chain, warehouse, distribution, engineering and IT professionals.

The event is entering its third edition with expanded exhibition space and a broader program for companies evaluating technologies that move, store, track and manage goods inside industrial, retail, e-commerce and distribution operations. The 2026 edition has doubled its footprint compared with last year, with 95% of exhibition space sold, and is expected to gather more than 400 national and international brands and more than 8,000 visitors.

INTRA-LOG Expo was launched in 2024 and drew 4,600 qualified visitors and 200 brands in its first edition. In 2025, attendance rose 35% to 6,228 visitors, with 250 Brazilian and international brands. The 2026 edition will also host the debut of Label & Pack Expo, a parallel event dedicated to industrial packaging, labels, tagging, printing, traceability and technologies applied to the logistics chain.

When we created INTRA-LOG Expo, there was a clear gap in the market… Companies in intralogistics and automation were taking part in several industry events, but they did not have a dedicated environment to discuss what happens inside operations. The show grew because the market needs a focused place to compare technologies, see equipment and systems in operation, speak with specialists and make better decisions.

said Cassiano Facchinetti, managing director of INTERLINK Exhibitions, which organises the event in partnership with Grupo IMAM.

Robotics, automation and live demonstrations

The 2026 program reflects the growing role of robotics, artificial intelligence, connectivity and automated distribution systems in logistics operations across Latin America. At least 20% of exhibitors are from outside Brazil, mainly from Asia, as global technology providers use the event as an entry point into the regional market.

The Robotics & Automation Summit will convene manufacturers and providers of robotic solutions to discuss market growth and applications in warehouses, manufacturing, distribution centers and e-commerce operations. Topics will include autonomous mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, mobile robots, robotic arms, autonomous material handling, automated picking and automated storage systems.

“Robotics is moving from isolated projects to the core of productivity, safety and scalability strategies,” Facchinetti said. “The Summit was created to connect global suppliers with the companies that are now assessing how these technologies can work in real logistics operations.”

A 600-square-meter Arena Tech will feature live demonstrations and equipment interaction. The free conference hub will offer technical sessions led by exhibitors, giving decision-makers in logistics, supply

chain, operations, manufacturing, technology, maintenance, engineering and procurement the opportunity to assess solutions in operation.

INTRA-LOG Forum to recognize operational innovation

The third INTRA-LOG Forum will present practical cases involving automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and operational excellence. The 2026 edition will also introduce INTRA-LOG Smart Solutions Honors, a recognition program for CEOs and directors whose companies have developed advanced projects in intralogistics and automation.

“We want the INTRA-LOG Forum to go beyond technical discussion,” said Eduardo Banzato, director of Grupo IMAM and ambassador of INTRA-LOG Expo. “Brazilian logistics has professionals and companies making important transformations that often happen outside the spotlight. Smart Solutions Honors was created to recognize leaders who are changing operations in practice, with impact on productivity, service, safety and competitiveness.”

Label & Pack Expo debuts alongside INTRA-LOG

Label & Pack Expo will run simultaneously with INTRA-LOG Expo in 2026, creating a combined platform for automation, traceability, sustainability and high-performance printing in the packaging chain. The event will feature solutions for industrial packaging, labeling, traceability, digital and flexographic printing, industrial automation, RFID, IoT, artificial intelligence and technologies for controlling and managing products, pallets, packages and cargo.

The exhibitor lineup includes Serralgodão, Robopac, Packing Group, Isoflex, Signode, José Braulio Paletes, CD Embalagens, Polibras, Valgroup, Z-Pisa, Emplaca, D&A Print and Colátio, among others.

Label & Pack Expo will also host the Label & Pack Congress, with content curated by the Brazilian Packaging Association, known as ABRE, and Projeto Pack. The program includes three mornings of sessions on packaging as a logistics strategy and on how the packaging industry is preparing for circularity, competitiveness and future supply chain demands. The congress will also host the launch of ABRE’s Transport Packaging Guide.

Companies scheduled to present cases include Syngenta, Termotécnica, Bosch, Exxon Mobil and Lord Embalagens.

Label & Pack Expo was created as a business-oriented environment for live demonstrations, direct access to specialists and practical discussions on automation and traceability… The packaging sector needed a dedicated and structured event, and that is the gap we intend to address.

Facchinetti said.

Why Brazil matters

For INTERLINK Exhibitions, the integration of INTRA-LOG Expo and Label & Pack Expo reflects a shift in how companies evaluate logistics efficiency. Brazil brings together industrial scale, large transportation networks, logistics operators, e-commerce platforms, retail, manufacturing and growing demand for technologies that can improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

Brazil is a gateway to Latin America and a laboratory for complexity… Companies that can apply technology here are better prepared to operate in other markets across the region. At the same time, Brazilian companies are developing competitive solutions, and international companies are looking at São Paulo as a starting point for growth in Latin America.

Facchinetti said.

Brexit: A Decade of Friction

Posted on by Peter MacLeod

Ten years ago this month, the UK voted to leave the European Union. At the time, many within logistics and supply chain management warned that introducing barriers into what had become one of the world’s most efficient trading relationships would create complexity, cost and delay. A decade later, those concerns appear well founded.

For businesses involved in cross-border trade, Brexit has fundamentally altered the operating landscape. Customs declarations, rules of origin requirements, border checks and regulatory divergence have added layers of administration that simply did not exist before. What was once the routine movement of goods between the UK and continental Europe has become significantly more complicated.

The economic picture reflects this reality. Numerous studies suggest the UK economy is smaller than it would have been had it remained within the European Single Market. Business investment has suffered from prolonged uncertainty, while many exporters – particularly SMEs – have struggled with the additional bureaucracy. In logistics, the promise of frictionless trade was replaced by a world where the management of friction became a daily operational challenge.

Brexit was never solely an economic decision. For many, it represented sovereignty and greater national control. But for those responsible for moving goods across borders, practical realities matter more than political slogans.

This leads to one of Brexit’s less-discussed consequences.

Whenever systems become more complex, someone finds a way to profit from that complexity. Over the past decade, an entire ecosystem has emerged around helping businesses navigate the post-Brexit environment. Customs specialists, compliance consultants, software providers and logistics operators have stepped in to help companies manage the new requirements. Many have delivered genuine value and expertise. Others, however, recognised a commercial opportunity in the disruption itself.

Some of the logistics industry’s most vocal Brexit supporters were also well positioned to benefit from the additional complexity it created. A world where more paperwork generated more fees. One where greater uncertainty increased demand for specialist services. The vultures were circling then and did not take long to feast on the carrion of post-Brexit Britain.

That may sound harsh, but market disruption always creates winners as well as losers. The distinction lies between those solving problems and those exploiting them.

If there is a positive note on this tenth anniversary, it is that supply chains adapt. Logistics has always thrived on overcoming obstacles, and the past decade has demonstrated that even when politicians redraw the map, supply chain professionals will still find the most efficient route through it.

The lesson from Brexit is not that supply chains cannot cope with friction. It is that they should not have to. Every additional barrier carries a cost, and those costs are ultimately borne by businesses, consumers and economic growth itself.

UK Port Adopts Vacuum Lifting for Pipe Handling

Posted on by Will Priestman

B&B Attachments has successfully supplied two vacuum lifting systems to Associated British Ports (ABP) at the Port of King’s Lynn, providing a safer and more efficient method of handling large-diameter water pipes throughout the vessel discharge and storage process.

The specialist vacuum lifters have been introduced to support the handling of coated water pipes arriving at the port, enabling operators to safely lift and transfer multiple pipes without the need for traditional mechanical clamping methods. The systems provide reliable vacuum lifting, helping to improve both operational efficiency and safety during vessel discharge operations.

The solution was selected following discussions between B&B Attachments and ABP’s operations team, who were seeking a safer handling method for large cylindrical loads while maintaining productivity on the quayside.

The vacuum lifting attachments use advanced suction technology to securely grip the pipe surfaces, allowing operators to lift and position the loads with greater control while reducing the need for personnel to work in close proximity to suspended loads.

The introduction of the vacuum lifters forms part of ABP’s ongoing commitment to improving operational safety and investing in innovative cargo-handling solutions.

Andy Constable, Head of Operations at Associated British Ports, in East Anglia, said:

Safety is always our primary consideration when handling cargoes of this nature. We were looking for a solution that would allow us to offload large water pipes safely and efficiently. The vacuum lifters supplied by B&B Attachments have delivered exactly that, giving our operators greater confidence and control during discharge operations.

The handling process utilises two vacuum lifting systems. A 25,000kg capacity crane, fitted with a vacuum lifter, is used to safely discharge the water pipes from the vessel onto a shunter wagon. The shunter then transports the pipes along the dock to a storage yard, where a second vacuum lifting system, mounted on a 42,000kg reach stacker, offloads and stacks the pipes ready for onward transportation.

Both vacuum lifting systems are capable of handling up to three 14-metre-long pipes in a single lift, with a nominal lifting capacity of approximately 10,000kg. The units feature radio-controlled individual vacuum pad isolation, interchangeable battery packs and interchangeable vacuum pads to accommodate the two pipe diameters being handled at the port.

Working closely with ABP throughout the project, B&B Attachments specified the vacuum lifting systems to suit the dimensions, weight and surface characteristics of the pipe cargoes being handled at King’s Lynn.

Steve Egginton, Key Account Manager at B&B Attachments, said:

Every lifting application presents its own challenges, particularly when dealing with large cylindrical products such as coated water pipes. By working closely with the team at ABP in King’s Lynn, we were able to provide a vacuum lifting solution that integrates seamlessly with their crane and reach stacker operations while delivering significant safety and productivity benefits…

Vacuum lifting technology offers a highly effective way of handling difficult loads without mechanical gripping or slinging arrangements. We are pleased to support ABP with a solution that improves operational efficiency while reinforcing safe working practices on the quayside.

The project with ABP highlights B&B Attachments’ ability to deliver bespoke handling solutions for customers across a wide range of industries. By understanding each application’s unique challenges, B&B works with customers to specify the most suitable attachment or lifting system, helping to improve safety, efficiency and productivity in sectors including ports, logistics, manufacturing, construction, warehousing and recycling.

Strait of Hormuz deal opens 60-day window for shipping industry

Posted on by Will Priestman

A new agreement between the United States and Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and established a 60-day negotiation period that could shape the future operating environment for one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The memorandum of understanding, signed this week following months of disruption and conflict in the Gulf region, allows vessels to transit the strait without fees during the negotiation period while wider discussions continue on security, navigation and longer-term arrangements for the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil, LNG and bulk commodity movements. The route has experienced severe disruption since February, leading to vessel backlogs, increased insurance costs and delays across international supply chains.

While commercial traffic has begun to recover following the agreement, industry observers warn that a return to normal operating conditions is unlikely in the short term. Shipping activity remains constrained by navigational risks, mine-clearance operations and elevated war-risk insurance premiums. Hundreds of vessels have accumulated in the region during the disruption, creating a substantial backlog that will take time to clear.

Data from maritime analysts indicates vessel movements through the strait increased immediately after the agreement was signed, providing an early indication that operators are gradually resuming transits. However, shipping companies and insurers continue to assess security conditions before returning to pre-conflict operating patterns.

A key issue for the logistics and shipping sectors is what happens after the 60-day negotiation period expires. Iranian authorities have indicated they intend to introduce a system of maritime service fees for vessels using the strait once the current toll-free arrangement ends, although the details and legal framework remain subject to negotiation.

The agreement also provides a framework for further talks between Washington and Tehran on broader political and security issues, with both sides seeking a longer-term settlement that could stabilise traffic through the waterway. Analysts remain cautious about the prospects of reaching a final agreement within the 60-day timeframe.

For supply chains, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz removes an immediate threat to energy and commodity flows, but logistics providers are likely to continue facing elevated costs and operational uncertainty until navigation risks are reduced and insurance markets return to more normal conditions. Industry experts suggest full recovery of shipping activity could take several months, even if the current ceasefire and negotiation process remain on track.

Morrisons HGV Strike Threat Withdrawn

Posted on by Will Priestman

A threatened strike involving nearly 500 HGV drivers supplying Morrisons stores across northern England has been called off after Unite reached an agreement with Eddie Stobart over the use of agency labour.

According to Unite, drivers based at Morrisons distribution centres in Wakefield, Stockton-on-Tees and Northwich had voted in favour of industrial action on 4 June. However, negotiations between the union and Eddie Stobart resulted in a deal before any strike action took place.

The dispute focused on the company’s use of agency drivers. Unite had claimed that around 40% of drivers at the Stockton and Northwich sites were agency workers and argued that directly employed drivers were being replaced by workers on less secure contracts with weaker terms and conditions.

The drivers are responsible for supplying Morrisons supermarkets with grocery products across northern England. Unite had previously warned that industrial action could lead to delivery disruption and shortages on store shelves.

The union announced that the threat of strike action had ended after Eddie Stobart signed an agreement addressing concerns that Unite described as “union-busting”.

Although the drivers are employed by Eddie Stobart rather than Morrisons, the dispute also placed pressure on the supermarket retailer. In May, a spokesperson for Culina Group said the company had been engaged in ongoing consultations with Unite regarding a long-term strategy for driver recruitment and retention amid continuing driver shortages.

Unite has described the outcome as a positive result for the affected drivers. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the UK road transport sector over the balance between agency labour, directly employed drivers and collective bargaining, particularly within supermarket supply chains where disruption can have an immediate impact on product availability.

Not All Rack Protectors Are Created Equal

Posted on by Peter MacLeod

Independent testing reveals why appearances can be deceptive when it comes to protecting warehouse racking.

Walk around any major logistics trade fair and you’ll find a variety of rack protection products on display. Brightly coloured, made from various polymers and elastomers, many of them appear remarkably similar to the untrained eye. Their manufacturers will all claim they are robust, effective and capable of protecting valuable warehouse infrastructure from forklift impacts. But in reality, are they all the same?

Sentry Protection Products believes the answer is a resounding no. In fact, the company argues that significant differences exist between products that, at first glance, appear almost identical. The challenge, however, is proving it to those charged with specifying the product, on whose shoulders the responsibility of running a safe workplace falls.

Everybody claims to have the best rack protector… That’s a hard fact. You go to a trade show, look through brochures or visit websites, and every product sounds fantastic. But not everybody can be the best – that’s simply impossible. We wanted to find a way to cut through the marketing hype and get to the facts.

says Jim Ryan, founder of Sentry Protection Products.

The issue is an important one. Pallet racking forms the backbone of modern warehousing operations, supporting hundreds of thousands of tonnes of inventory every day. Damage to rack uprights caused by forklift impacts remains one of the leading causes of rack failures, potentially resulting in injuries, damaged goods, operational disruption and costly repairs.

Rack protectors are designed to absorb impact energy and help preserve the structural integrity of the rack, yet while many products look alike externally, their performance characteristics can vary significantly.

The reality is that customers often assume a rack protector is a rack protector… If they can’t see a meaningful difference, human nature says they’ll choose the cheaper option. The problem is that they may not be comparing like with like.

Jim explains.

The answer was to create from scratch a testing protocol that spelled out clearly and objectively the difference in performance that exists between outwardly visually similar products. Sentry commissioned Element Materials Technology, an independent testing facility based in Michigan, to design and conduct a comparative evaluation of a range of rack protection products available on the market.

The brief was straightforward, but far from simple: develop a testing methodology that would assess each product under identical conditions, using the same criteria, while ensuring that the only variable was the rack protector itself.

Compression testing was selected as the most appropriate approach. “Compression is a common denominator when it comes to rack protection,” says Ryan. “Ultimately, what matters is how much force a protector can absorb before it bottoms out and stops doing its job.”

The independent test measured the compressive force resistance of each protector and its ability to recover following sustained loading. Each product was compressed between a rigid beam and a flat plate, with pressure steadily increased until either visual failure occurred or a predetermined load threshold was reached. The evaluation included Sentry’s Rack Sentry and Rack Sentry CONTOUR products alongside several other well-known competitor brands operating within the market.

The results proved illuminating. Testing found that Rack Sentry demonstrated the highest level of performance, with Rack Sentry CONTOUR ranking second. In practical terms, both products were able to absorb higher levels of force before losing effectiveness compared with the alternatives tested.

“The more energy a rack protector absorbs, the more it protects the rack upright behind it,” Ryan explains. “Our goal wasn’t to embarrass competitors. It was to provide meaningful information so that customers could make informed decisions based on performance rather than assumptions.”

For warehouse operators under constant pressure to control costs, that distinction matters. The consequences of selecting inappropriate protection extend far beyond the initial purchase price. Rack repairs, damaged stock, operational downtime and the potential safety implications of structural failures can quickly outweigh any savings achieved through choosing a lower-cost product.

“Testing gives people confidence,” concludes Jim Ryan. “We’re not asking customers to take our word for it. Independent testing provides transparency. It allows them to understand what they’re buying and why performance differences matter.”

New Multimodal Podcast Episodes Arrive 6 July

Posted on by Will Priestman

After a packed run of podcast releases covering some of the biggest topics in logistics, warehousing and supply chain technology, Logistics Business Conversations will be taking a short two-week break before returning on the 6th of July with a series of special episodes recorded live at Multimodal 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham.

Recent episodes have explored a wide range of challenges and opportunities facing logistics professionals today. Listeners have heard from Mike Morgan of OPEX on how warehouse automation continues to evolve through the integration of AI and robotics, while Jamie Spencer of Ocado examined how flexible fulfilment strategies, digital twins and autonomous mobile robots are helping businesses adapt to changing customer demands.

The series has also tackled critical technology and infrastructure topics. Smitha Rafael discussed the rise of hybrid warehouse management systems and why businesses are increasingly looking beyond cloud-only architectures to improve resilience and reduce downtime risks. Meanwhile, Gerry Daalhuisen of Transporeon highlighted why the yard remains one of logistics’ biggest blind spots, explaining how better visibility and digitisation can unlock significant efficiency gains.

Other recent conversations have examined high-throughput fulfilment with AutoStore, future-ready delivery networks with Descartes, the impact of rising energy costs on logistics operations, and how technologies such as LiDAR are improving warehouse safety and operational performance. These discussions have combined practical advice with real-world examples from some of the industry’s leading technology providers and operators.

The upcoming Multimodal episodes will continue this focus, bringing listeners exclusive interviews recorded at one of the UK’s premier logistics and supply chain events. Featuring conversations with exhibitors, solution providers and industry experts, the series will provide fresh insight into the trends, technologies and strategies shaping the future of logistics.

While the podcast takes this brief pause, now is the perfect opportunity to catch up on any episodes you may have missed. Whether you’re interested in automation, artificial intelligence, fulfilment, warehouse management systems, sustainability, transport optimisation or broader supply chain strategy, the Logistics Business Conversations archive offers a wealth of expert insight and practical takeaways.

All episodes are available through the Logistics Business website and on major podcast platforms. You can browse the full catalogue here:

Logistics Business Conversations Podcast Archive

Who Leads the World’s Supply Chains? 2026 Report

Posted on by Will Priestman

Gartner, Inc. has announced the results for their 2026 Global Supply Chain Top 25, which recognizes leading supply chain organizations and identifies the underlying trends that drove their performance. Schneider Electric retained its top position in the rankings for the fourth consecutive year, NVIDIA placed second and Walmart climbed 10 spots to third in this year’s rankings (see table below).

This year, leaders are differentiating themselves by building autonomous workforces, investing in network-centric strategies and orchestrating supply chains end-to-end across increasingly complex ecosystems… Leading supply chains are embracing AI not simply to automate tasks, but to fundamentally redesign how work gets done between people and machines.

said Laura Rainier, Senior Director Analyst with the Gartner Supply Chain practice.

In the final year of its three-year Impact Supply Chain transformation, Schneider Electric maintained its leadership position by integrating autonomous workforce capabilities and end-to-end resource orchestration across its operations. The company is prioritizing generative and agentic AI to support human decision-making, enhancing real-time visibility, predictive insights, and coordinated action across the entire supply chain.

Schneider Electric continues to demonstrate how organizations can balance bold transformation ambitions with disciplined execution… Its approach to AI-enabled orchestration, circularity and workforce transformation exemplifies how supply chain leaders are preparing for the autonomous business era.

said Rainier.

The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 recognizes the outstanding long-term supply chain excellence, maturity and leadership of a select group of companies through the Masters category. The Masters are recognized with their own distinguished category. They remain part of Gartner’s annual evaluation. To maintain Masters status, they must attain one of the five highest composite scores for all companies for at least seven out of the last 10 years.

Amazon, Apple, Procter & Gamble and Unilever all retain their Masters category status this year.

The Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2026

RankCompanyComposite Score
1Schneider Electric7.05
2NVIDIA6.42
3Walmart5.78
4Cisco Systems5.77
5AstraZeneca5.49
6Danone5.21
7Lenovo5.20
8L’Oréal5.18
9Johnson & Johnson5.14
10Microsoft4.92
11Colgate-Palmolive4.88
12Toyota4.86
13Siemens4.83
14Novartis4.48
15Nestlé4.44
16JD.com4.41
17Dell Technologies4.31
18General Mills4.30
19Coca-Cola Company4.25
20Johnson Controls4.09
21Diageo4.06
22HP Inc.4.05
23Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company4.03
24GSK4.01
25Inditex3.99

Composite score: (Peer score x 25%) + (Gartner expert score x 25%) + (Change in ROPA score x 10%) + (Change in Gross Margin score x 5%) + (Revenue growth score x 5%) + (Inventory as a percentage of revenue score x 10%) + (ESG points x 20%)

Source: Gartner (June 2026)

Autonomous Workforce

As supply chains enter the autonomous business era, leading organizations are reimagining work for a future in which people and machines operate both independently and collaboratively. Rather than using AI to accelerate existing processes or reduce labor costs, Top 25 companies are redesigning how work gets done. Employees are increasingly managing, governing and improving intelligent systems, while also being augmented by them in day-to-day decision making and execution.

This shift requires companies to prepare both their people and their organizational structures. Leading supply chains are investing in upskilling programs that go beyond basic AI literacy. They are also redesigning roles so that AI agents can manage routine tasks, while people focus on building relationships, managing strategic decisions and driving continuous improvement.

Network-Centric Strategies

Supply chain leaders are navigating challenges including geopolitical uncertainty, tariff volatility, climate disruption, and supply shocks. In the face of turbulence, network design cannot be treated as a one-time decision, but as a continuous set of agile adjustments that enable adaptability, resilience and long-term growth.

What differentiates leaders is their focus on strategies that are grounded in adaptable, resilient physical supply chain networks, which serve their long-term business objectives such as growth. While not the only approach, many Top 25 companies are manufacturing and sourcing most products within the same region where they are sold, reducing challenges associated with cross-border operations.

End-to-End Supply Orchestration

Top 25 supply chains are extending visibility, planning and decision making beyond enterprise boundaries. End-to-end supply orchestration enables organizations to sense constraints earlier, optimize scarce resources and coordinate decisions across the value chain. Through collaborative planning and ecosystem data sharing with partners, companies gain a more complete view of demand, inventory and capacity.

Top 25 supply chains are also mitigating constraints and securing long-term supply by embedding sustainability and circular supply chain strategies directly into their product design and material flows.

Consumer Demand Brings More Parcel Lockers to UK

Posted on by Will Priestman

InPost, the out-of-home parcel locker provider, has reached 15,000 lockers nationwide, marking a major milestone in the growth of its network and reflecting a fundamental shift in how consumers expect delivery to work.

The expansion means millions of consumers across the UK now have access to 24/7 parcel collection and returns, with InPost Lockers located in supermarkets, retail parks, transport hubs and residential areas.

The growth comes as pressure continues to build on traditional home delivery models. One in three parcels fails on the first delivery attempt, while 40% of consumers miss at least one delivery every month. These aren’t operational failures but are the predictable result of a checkout model that optimises for cost rather than the consumer. In most online purchases, shoppers have near total freedom over how they pay, but almost no say in how their goods are delivered. When deliveries fail, consumers blame the carrier
for a choice they never made.

Out-of-home delivery, such as InPost Lockers, removes those failure points. When consumers are given a real choice, the system works differently. 58% of consumers now say parcel lockers are a better option than home or workplace delivery, and two in five UK adults are already using them. This shift is also creating measurable value for retailers. 78% of consumers make a purchase when visiting a locker, spending an average of £22.903, showing how out-of-home delivery is becoming a driver of footfall and additional revenue, not just a fulfilment option.

Paul Selvey, Network Director at InPost UK, said:

Reaching 15,000 lockers is a significant milestone, but it also reflects a bigger shift in how delivery is expected to work. For years, delivery has been designed around cost and convenience at checkout, not around what actually works for the people receiving parcels. That’s why failure rates are so high, because the system was never built around the end user.

When consumers are given real choice, behaviour changes fast. More control, more certainty, delivery that fits around how people actually live. That’s what out-of-home enables and why it’s no longer a niche preference. It’s becoming the expectation.

Elis Invests in Major Fleet Expansion Programme

Posted on by Will Priestman

Companies operating in the textile services sector rely on extensive transport networks to collect, process and redistribute essential items such as workwear, linen, mats and washroom products. Elis, which supplies and maintains workwear, linen, floor mats and washroom solutions for businesses across a range of sectors, is supporting its logistics operation with a major fleet investment programme. The company is introducing 140 new DAF rigids, supplied by Ford & Slater and built in partnership with Tiger Trailers, which is also providing a third double-deck trailer for the fleet.

The rollout will take place over two years, with 53 rigid bodywork solutions entering service in 2026 and a further 87 arriving in 2027. Spanning 7.5-tonne, 12-tonne and 18-tonne vehicle categories in a range of body lengths, the new vehicles will enhance fleet flexibility and support the efficient collection and delivery of products across Elis’ UK network.

Peter Kelly, Group Compliance and Fleet Manager at Elis says:

This is our second year working with Tiger after the first two trailers and a trial rigid they supplied previously, and we continue to be very pleased with the end products. Tom and the team listen to our requirements, and we are proud to welcome these ongoing Tiger vehicles to our fleet. Thanks also goes to Stuart and his colleagues at Ford & Slater for continuing to look after us as our choice of chassis dealer.

Elis have switched from DAF XB to flagship DAF XD 260 FA chassis from Q2 of 2026 onwards to not only obtain a 3-star rating for DVS, but to equip the drivers with the latest technology and safety features available to date.

Customised to meet their unique requirements as the end user, the Tiger-built rigid bodywork solutions for Elis include a high-impact side rave for protecting bodywork when operating in tight environments, Anchorfix in the side panels to mitigate internal load securing damage, a new design of heavy-duty tail-lift from Dhollandia with a power closure and steel platform, and a ‘Tiger Tale’ sloping rear body for aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

The rigids’ specification also includes BackWatch’s rear radar detection system as part of London Direct Vision Standard compliance, Durite’s innovative Red Halo warning light which casts an arc of red light at the rear to protect users and pedestrians, and a wet-lay floor in conjunction with an internal sanitiser system, for transport of damp hospital items.

Stuart Morley, National Account Manager at Ford & Slater comments:

These large quantities of Elis rigids we’re collaborating with Tiger on this year and next are part of the larger partnership we have with the manufacturer, working together to deliver tailored solutions for a variety of end users. We’re delighted that our mutual long-term customer Elis has chosen the DAF XD 260 FA model for the next phase of its fleet expansion. Thank you to Peter at Elis and Thomas at Tiger for your ongoing trust in Ford & Slater.

Elis’ latest trailer manufactured by Tiger is an additional double deck straight-frame, with a full-length moving deck finished with the same non-slip flooring as the lower deck. The primary load transported is cages of 1700mm in height, secured by LoadLok tracks, and designed to be removeable from the upper deck while the tail-lift is in the up position.

The moving deck is powered by Tiger’s hydraulic four-ram direct drive system, while Tiger’s solenoid safety system warns against low or inconsistent power supply, to enhance operator safety.

Thomas Stott, Key Account Director at Tiger Trailers remarks:

We’re grateful for and proud of our ongoing partnership with both Ford & Slater and with Elis, one of the leaders in their sector. It’s always a pleasure to collaborate closely with their respective teams who are passionate about having the best-suited vehicles in place for busy daily operations often in urban areas.

Tiger arranged the contract hire for the additional double deck trailer deal through its own in-house finance division, meaning that the manufacturer is responsible for maintaining these vehicles, while PACCAR Financial UK funded the DAF chassis.

Elis’ operations span workwear, hospitality, and healthcare, and the rigid trucks along with the trailer sport various eye-catching liveries depicting the sectors involved.

To date, Tiger has already supplied around 150 rigid bodywork solutions through Ford & Slater DAF to a range of end users including Elis.

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