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Tag: logistics

Transport firm invests £1m in facilities

Posted on by David Priestman

Montgomery Distribution, a member of Palletways, has invested more than £1 million to relocate to a new depot in Rugby. The new depot boasts increased storage to accommodate in excess of 5,000 pallets, as well as closer links to the M1, M6 and A14, which enables easier access to its customers.

Pallet movements at the 24-hour operation have already increased by 100% and Montgomery Distribution expects to increase this to double over the coming months.

Additionally, Montgomery Distribution has also acquired 25 Scania Vehicles and 23 latest generation forklift trucks across its regional depots in Belfast, Leeds, Preston and Rugby.

Steven McBride, managing director at Montgomery Distribution, said: “Despite the challenges of recent times, our logistics services continued and our team worked exceptionally hard to keep vital shipments moving. The current climate places an even greater level of importance on efficient collections and deliveries and is the driver behind this significant recent investment.”

Since launching in 1970 with just one tractor unit, family-owned and -operated Montgomery Distribution has continued to grow and now operates across sites in Belfast, Leeds, Preston and Rugby, with a fleet in excess of 250 vehicles and 900 trailers. Montgomery Distribution became a member of Palletways in 2002 after adding a pallet distribution division, which has grown to become a £20m per year business with operations across the UK & Ireland.

Montgomery Distribution is one of over 115 independent transport providers that are part of Imperial’s Palletways UK network. They benefit from shared expertise and resources from within the group to deliver consignments of palletised freight to market faster and more cost effectively than ever before. The Palletways Group, renowned for its industry-leading IT developments and operational systems, comprises 450+ depots and 20 hub operations, through which it provides collection and distribution services across 24 European countries, including the UK.

DP World to acquire Imperial

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Imperial has entered into an agreement with DP World that will see the latter acquire the South African logistics company for an approximate figure of ZAR 12.7 billion (EUR 746 million)

DP World, a global infrastructure-led supply chain solutions provider with 136 business units in 61 countries across six continents, is interested in acquiring Imperial and all its businesses to expand its logistics footprint in Africa and Europe. Imperial’s Logistics International business is within the scope of the offer and as such will not be sold separately under this proposed offer.

“This transaction will be value-enhancing for Imperial as our business will benefit from DP World’s leading technology, global networks and key trade-lane volumes, while enabling us to build on our ‘Gateway to Africa’ strategic and growth ambitions,” explains Mohammed Akoojee, Group CEO of Imperial.

“Our Logistics International business and operations are also aligned with DP World’s strategic expansion plans on the European continent. Combining DP World’s world-class infrastructure, specifically its investment and expertise in ports on the African and European continents, with Imperial’s logistics and market access platforms will enable us to offer integrated end-to-end solutions along key trade lanes into and out of Africa and accelerate our position in Europe, driving greater supply chain efficiencies and ultimaately enhancing value for all stakeholders.”

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “We are excited to announce the proposed acquisition of Imperial, which will add significant strategic value to DP World given its attractive footprint and strong logistics solutions capability. Imperial has a significant presence in Africa, a market where trade is expected to grow at more than 2x GDP driven by population growth, accelerated urbanisation and rising middle classes. Imperial’s business strongly complements DP World’s existing footprint in Africa and Europe and will allow us to deliver a fully integrated end-to-end solution to cargo owners across a wider market.”

 

One fifth of logistics workers intend not to commute again

Posted on by David Priestman

Almost one in five logistics workers do not intend to return to the office again post pandemic, largely due to ongoing concerns around infection control on public transport.

As employees across the UK are to set to embark on their return to the workplace following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in July, new research reveals that many commuters are reluctant to return to their place of work in the coming months, mainly due to increased concern over infection control and social distancing on the daily commute.

According to a nationally-representative survey into 2,000 UK workers, conducted by corporate transport specialist Kura, nearly one-fifth (19.1%) of workers in the logistics industry plan to never commute again post pandemic, with regional variations from 10.8% in London to 29.1% in Wales.

The reluctance to return to the workplace stems largely from the travel to and from work, with nearly 60% of workers across the UK admitting that they hold real concerns around the commute post lockdown. This is particularly prevalent for the senior workforce, with Board-level (98%), Directors (85%) and Managers (77%) holding the biggest concerns over the future of the commute.

Kura’s research uncovered that the key root to commuters’ concerns post lockdown is infection control and lack of social distancing on public transport. Across the UK, 36% of workers hold Covid-related concerns with regard to the future of the commute, and this percentage increases to 54.4% for those employees commuting in and around London.

There is a strong cry for help with commuting from employees, particularly Graduates (70%) and Junior Executives (73%). Despite this, the commute is not a priority for the vast majority of businesses across the UK, with just 16.4% of companies expressing desire to monitor or support employees on their commute going forward.

Godfrey Ryan, CEO of Kura, comments: “As Covid-19 restrictions lift and employees are requested to return to the workplace, there will undoubtedly be more thought and consideration given to the regular commute. With increased awareness around factors such as infection control and social distancing, we will inevitably see a shift in the commuting landscape.

“For public transport commuters in particular, the perceived lack of infection control, unreliability of service and overcrowding is hampering employers hopes of an office-based or hybrid workforce post lockdown. As these fears continue to prevent workers from wanting to return to the office, it is time for employers to step up and offer alternative travel support to their employees where necessary.

“It is reassuring to see that the home to work journey is becoming an increasingly important consideration for businesses across London, with 30% expressing a desire to support their employees on the commute. Hopefully we will start to see other regions across the UK follow suit in the coming months, as the capital sets the precedent.”

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“Largest show for 40 years” showcases future transport

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The inaugural Innovation and Technology in Transport (ITT Hub) event made its debut  on 30th June-1st July. It was the largest show of its kind in 40 years and helped spearhead the future of transport and revolutionise the commercial vehicle market as the industry transitions to net zero emissions and strives to reach maximum efficiency.

Held at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the exhibition was attended by 4,000 industry professionals working within the transport industry, including engineers, managing directors, government and major influencers.

Over 150 exhibitors filled the 45,000 sq m indoor and outdoor venue space, showcasing a range of high-tech products and services, while a Government Hub was attended by several government departments and agencies. The outside Ride & Drive experiences on offer proved a popular attraction with visitors. More than 20 manufacturers, including BYD, Fiat, Ford, IVECO and DAF Trucks, showcased their ground-breaking vehicles, infrastructure and technology, while Volta Trucks debuted the Volta Zero, the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle created specifically for city centre logistics, and Wrightbus showcased the launch of its first hydrogen fuelled double deck bus.

British Astronaut Major Tim Peake CMG, one of 30 speakers at Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference which ran alongside the exhibition, stressed the importance of prioritising the decarbonisation of transport to protect the future health of our planet.

Mark Griffin, CEO at ITT Hub, said: “What a brilliant inauguration for ITT Hub. We were thrilled to welcome thousands of visitors, exhibitors and speakers to the event to explore the future of transport and tackle the challenges we face together as an industry. We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from the show and, after just one event, ITT Hub has already been established as a vital platform for anyone working in transport.

“As part of our growth strategy, we are curating a portfolio of recycling and waste management, cold chain storage and distribution, plus even more of the energy and charging technology infrastructure experts for next year’s event. These additions to our exhibition and programme are the next logical step in the development of the all year round ITT Hub activity and I can’t wait to show the industry what we are going to do next.”

Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, added: “This was a remarkable debut for ITT Hub and we are thrilled we could partner with the team at Binswood Media to deliver an event of such resounding success. ITT Hub is a pioneering platform for the transport industry, which will see the launch of revolutionary innovations, landmark government announcements and invaluable relationship building amongst industry leaders.

“The future of the event is bright and, as the new owners of ITT Hub, we are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Mark Griffin and utilising our exceptional expertise and resources to grow ITT Hub into the leading event and news channel in the sector.”

Kevin Green, Marketing & Communications Director at Logistics UK, comments: “The Future Logistics Conference was an incredible success, with an unrivalled line-up of speakers – including senior representatives from National Grid, Highways England, Zemo Partnership, Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, and, of course, Major Tim Peake – who all shared their unique insights and expertise to help industry and government on the road to net zero emissions, and to tackle challenges such as the growing skills shortage.

“I cannot wait to come back in May 2022 to see the vast progress industry and government will have made towards decarbonisation in that time, and once again, gather to examine and challenge the forces shaping this vital sector.”

Exhibitor Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK & Ireland, comments: “ITT Hub was a great show – I will certainly be looking forward to coming back next year. We had more than 60 or 70 customers take part in the Ride & Drive so that has been a great experience. Thank you to all the people that make the show happen.”

ITT Hub and the Future Logistics Conference will be returning to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre on 11th-12th May 2022.

FedEx joins Capital Equipment Coalition

Posted on by Keith McKinley

FedEx Express Europe has become the newest member of the Capital Equipment Coalition (CEC) in Europe.

Led by not-for-profit organisation Circle Economy, in close collaboration with the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE), the Capital Equipment Coalition (CEC) engages leading businesses from multiple industries involved in the servicing, manufacturing, or operating of durable goods known as “capital equipment.”  FedEx Express Europe joins nine coalition members, each putting forward a pledge to increase circularity in relation to their own supply or use of capital equipment.

A global transportation provider, FedEx Express Europe sorts over two million packages per day in its three air hubs and 34 road hubs in Europe – each making use of high-value technical equipment. Large equipment such as sortation machines, conveyor rollers, weight check and x-ray equipment, and caster decks used in operational facilities, in addition to smaller handheld devices couriers take with them on the road are all included in scope of the commitment.

David Canavan, COO, FedEx Express Europe said: “As FedEx embarks on a journey towards its goal to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2040, building circular practises into our sourcing and procurement processes will help to reduce the impact of our operations. Our participation in the Capital Equipment Coalition allows us to engage in shared-value learning experience with other industries and helps us work with suppliers to put sustainability front of mind when we source equipment, whether at size or at scale.”

FedEx Express Europe’s pledge aims to reduce the use of raw materials, while also seeking to extend the lifespan of the capital equipment it procures. This builds on existing sustainability considerations to include specifying the use of durable materials and, where possible, favouring a modular design that allows for easier extensions, upgrades, and repairs.

Tamara Veldboer, lead facilitator of CEC in Europe said: “We’re delighted to welcome FedEx Express Europe as the newest member of the Capital Equipment Coalition. FedEx Express Europe brings the perspective of an organisation that sources and procures capital equipment, with the ambition of engaging its suppliers in very practical and scalable ways.”

In joining the coalition, FedEx Express Europe commits to adopting a ‘continuous improvement’ approach, working with suppliers of equipment large and small, to set ambitious sustainability specifications that both minimise the material footprint and extend the lifecycle of equipment it procures. In addition to encouraging use of recycled and recyclable materials in capital equipment, FedEx Express Europe also seeks to formalise end-of-use plans with its suppliers – whether through responsible disposal, repurposing, or recycling of the equipment.

Antonov delivers 3 firetrucks on single aircraft

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Antonov Airlines has safely transported three Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 fire trucks on a single AN-124-100M-150 flight from the Middle East to Central Asia at short notice.

The team managed to find a solution within a week to get the trucks to Central Asia after a change in circumstances meant short-notice airfreight was the only way to deliver the cargo safely and on time.

“When Rosenbauer came back to us and described the developments that affected the movement of its fire trucks, Antonov Airlines was able to connect this cargo with flight schedules already operating in the region to provide a cost-effective and time-sensitive solution that met Rosenbauer’s demands,” said Ivan Bozhko, Commercial Executive at Antonov Airlines.

Antonov Airlines flew an AN-124-100M-150 aircraft from its home airport in Kyiv, Ukraine to the Middle East to load the fire trucks and transport them to Central Asia.

After arriving at the destination, the fire trucks were unloaded, and cargo for a separate project was loaded, optimising the routing and cargo capacity of the aircraft.

The fire trucks weigh 21 tonnes each for a total payload of 63 tonnes and the length is 12m each, totalling 36m for a full AN-124.

“Once again we had the pleasure of working hand-in-hand with Antonov Airlines to airlift our fire trucks to an otherwise difficult to reach final destination,” said Philip Karl, Key Account Manager, Rosenbauer International AG.

Recently, Antonov Airlines transported five Black Hawk helicopters from Poland to the Philippines on one of its seven AN-124-100 that have a payload of up to 120 tonnes.

Culina acquisition of Stobart creates £2.2bn business

Posted on by David Priestman

Culina Group, a market-leading provider of shared-user FMCG logistics services, has acquired GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions, the parent company of Eddie Stobart.

In addition to Eddie Stobart, GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions comprises Eddie Stobart Europe, iForce, The Pallet Network, and The Logistics People.

With an overall turnover of more than £2.2bn, a combined workforce of around 22,000 staff, approaching 20 million sq ft of warehousing and a joint fleet of more than 5,500 vehicles, Culina Group says it has significantly strengthened its market-leading position in the FMCG Logistics Sector with this acquisition.

GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions will benefit from private ownership with protection of its brands for years to come. The move will also provide job retention, investment, and will bring an entrepreneurial spirit.

“GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions and Culina Group are complementary businesses, two very strong organisations with great reputations in the industry and with similar cultures,” said Thomas van Mourik, Culina Group CEO. “This is an excellent fit which is going to be fantastic for both our staff and for our clients, whilst making Culina Group the largest FMCG logistics provider in the UK.

“It goes without saying that we are acquiring some excellent contracts, facilities and people. This move significantly expands our ambient network and will enable us to benefit from synergies and efficiencies that will improve our service offer to customers even further.”

The acquisition extends the existing Culina Group network to over 100 strategically located distribution centres in the UK following the addition of the 40+ facilities operated by GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions. Culina Group says it is now the largest privately owned logistics provider in the UK and a business that is undisputed in terms of service.

“Culina Group recognises that it is investing in a highly successful business with its own great family spirit,” said William Stobart, GreenWhiteStar Executive Chairman. “Culina Group’s aim now is to support our growth trajectory with the added workforce infrastructure and resources of the overall Group. The GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions Board are extremely pleased to take the group businesses back to private ownership. The combining of our two businesses will create major opportunities for significantly growing our market share.”

William Stobart will take a seat on the Culina Group Board for the long term as Deputy Group CEO. Culina says the primary aim is to ensure that all current and prospective customers continue to benefit from market-leading levels of service.

 

TX Logistik expands Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TX Logistik AG is increasing the frequency of its intermodal connection between the Lower Rhine and Sweden by two round trips. Starting on 5th July 2021, the rail freight logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will run five times a week from Kaldenkirchen in the Viersen district (North Rhine-Westphalia) to Malmö and back. The transports will be mainly trailers loaded with goods of all kinds.

The Railterminal in Kaldenkirchen is just a few hundred meters from the German-Dutch border and is centrally located in the triangle between Venlo, Düsseldorf and the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area. According to TX Logistik, there is a continuing demand for rail freight transport in this economically important region, as well as in the Scandinavian region. The fact that the Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection could be expanded just nine months after its launch shows that this corridor is important for the exchange of goods between Western and Northern Europe.

On the entire relation, all services are produced by TX under its own management with its own locomotive drivers and its own equipment. The route runs from Kaldenkirchen via Padborg and Copenhagen to the CMP terminal in Malmö. At the German-Danish border in Padborg, the locomotive drivers are changed, and the Swedish subsidiary TX Logistik AB takes over the traction there.

On the route over the Storebælt and Öresund bridges, specially equipped multi-system locomotives are used, which TX is one of the few companies to have in its fleet. Middle of June, TX Logistik received permission from the Danish supervisory authority to use the Storebælt Bridge for such transports again after it was generally closed to all transports of trailers in pocket wagons from January. The company was certified as fulfilling all official requirements for the safe transport of semi-trailers by rail.

The connection is operated as an open train system. Up to 38 semi-trailers can fit on one train – a shift that will lead to significant savings in CO2 emissions. In addition to the two new services, TX Logistik will continue to serve the terminal in Eskilstuna, around 100 kilometers west of Stockholm, three times a week from Malmö. The rail logistics company thus supplements the domestic network with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna, which currently operates seven round trips per week.

Geodis opens new Morocco warehouse

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Geodis continues to develop its logistics activities in Morocco and has inaugurated a new warehouse located north of Casablanca. This will serve one of the leaders in household appliances and telephony.

With a well-established presence in Casablanca, Geodis has chosen the city of Mohammedia to further expand its activities. The new 11,000 sq m ultra-secure warehouse will be dedicated to the supply chain management of household appliances and high-tech products.

In operation as of today, this new site reflects Geodis‘ ambition to expand in the Moroccan market, particularly to meet the requirements of customers in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector. Geodis is employing nearly 50 people at the site.

“Geodis has been established in Casablanca for 40 years. This year we are strengthening our presence in the Moroccan market with two new facilities. On 1st May we opened in Tangiers, and now in Mohammedia. These openings are central to our development strategy which targets the CPG, Automotive and Aerospace verticals,” says Jérôme Algier, Managing Director of Geodis in Morocco.

In Morocco, Geodis operates a total storage capacity of nearly 50,000 sq m and has a staff of 300 employees.

Abbey forms strategic partnership with Cisternas Amarillo

Posted on by David Priestman

Abbey Logistics has formed a new partnership with Cisternas Amarillo S.L (Amarillo), a large bulk powder road tanker company based in Seville, Spain and part of the full-service logistics company, Pantoja Grupo Logistico.

The partnership is designed to provide continuous movement of customers’ products between the UK and Spain and provide customers with a faster more reliable and cost-effective transport solution through a well-managed joined-up approach that optimises the reach of the two businesses.

The partnership combines Abbey and Amarillo’s extensive knowledge and experience in bulk food road tanker transport and maximises their collective fleet capabilities to provide a reliable flow of feedstock ingredients between the two countries.

Utilising multimodal transport links, the tanks are reloaded for the return journeys, minimising empty miles and fully utilising both company’s vehicles and drivers to ensure products move on a continuous basis.

Paul Laverick, Head of Abbey’s Powder Division, said: “This new partnership further demonstrates Abbey’s unique ability to support road tanker companies in Europe thanks to our scale and network capability in the UK.

“Amarillo is highly regarded for its skills and experience in bulk dry food grade products and we are delighted to begin working together as we maximise the vast experience our combined businesses have for the benefit of our customers.”

Lars Stendahl, Amarillo’s Operations Director, said: “Abbey Logistics is well known to us and their reputation for customer service and flexibility together with their specialist knowledge of the products we carry, made them a natural fit for our operations and customers.

“We look forward to expanding our work together and building on the partnership we have formed.”

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