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Tag: Transport

Sustainable partnership creates true recycling heroes

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Within the first 12 months of a partnership between Lyreco, Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), and DPD, the logistics business had already boosted its recycling rate by 48% at six key sites. This significant milestone on DPD’s vision of becoming the ‘the greenest delivery service on the planet’ comes as the business analyses environmental gains against a roll-out of RCP’s Slim Jim Recycling Stations across its 84 depot locations.

To date, 20 facilities have benefited from the introduction of RCP’s effective and space-efficient recycling system, as part of a staged installation process, which will continue through 2022.

Every month, at each site it’s installed, the recycling system diverts 0.5 tonnes away from general waste disposal. On completion of the roll-out across all DPD sites, over 500 tonnes of waste every year will be diverted to the circular economy rather than going to general waste disposal.

The path to these significant improvements in recycling efficiency is thanks to a true Love Recycling Hero, Elissa Underhill, National Account Manager at international distributor Lyreco. Understanding DPD’s fierce commitment to the issue, Elissa was on the lookout for opportunities to support and partner with her client on its recycling efficiency goals. Identifying where the logistics business may not yet have been reaching its full potential, Elissa worked closely with the experts at RCP, a leading international manufacturer of waste and recycling solutions, to uncover impactful changes for DPD.

Using RCP’s free digital environmental audit tool, the team quickly highlighted the environmental and business savings that could be made. Together, DPD, RCP and Lyreco identified the most troublesome sites in terms of recycling and waste, where lack of consistent compliance with DPD’s best practice recycling procedure was causing an issue. Visits to these sites confirmed that switching to more effective recycling stations would have a big impact.

With a pilot scheme rapidly green-lit, and six tonnes of waste diverted from general waste disposal within the first months of Slim Jim Recycling Stations being introduced to the pilot sites, proof of concept was clear.

Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability for DPD, commented: ‘’Taking a fresh look at our recycling systems with Lyreco and RCP’s support is just one example of our commitment to reducing DPD’s impact on the environment by continually reviewing our processes. Introducing Slim Jim Recycling Stations has made a tangible difference with residual waste reduced by a third on the sites where the bins have been installed and individual sites achieving recycling rates over 90% against our achieved business target of 70%.

‘’What’s more, it’s a move that makes clear financial sense. In addition to environmental savings, we’re seeing 27% cost savings of not sending waste to general waste disposal, which means we will recoup our investment within a year.’’

Ben Clibbery, End User Development at RCP, said: ”Not only is RCP helping our customer partners take control of the growing complexity they face every day in their waste management and recycling needs, but we’re incredibly proud that our innovative products are taking them one step closer to meeting their ambitious sustainability goals.

‘’This has been a great example of partnership working, with Elissa at Lyreco leading the charge to make a real difference. As a result of her tireless dedication to recycling and sustainability, we were proud to see her crowned a Glass Hero in the recent Love Recycling Heroes Awards.’’

The Love Recycling Heroes Awards celebrate the individuals championing commercial recycling and pioneering sustainable practices and processes in the workplace.  During its inaugural awards this year, the initiative received an impressive number of nominations from countless industries across Europe.

On winning Hero status, Elissa said: “Committing to sustainability is all about creating a better, safer planet and environment for everyone. Whether it’s our customers, our suppliers or our employees, together we can all make a difference to protect the planet and make it a better, safer place for future generations.

“Being recognised for this commitment is to us vitally important as collaboration and sharing these innovations with our customers, such as DPD, is integral to supporting those businesses and the market sectors in which they operate.”

As part of the Love Recycling Heroes Award, Lyreco UK won £500 to donate to its charity of choice: Leicester Children’s Hospital. DPD generously matched the donation, enabling the hospital to purchase a new feeding chair for children with congenital heart defects.

CLICK HERE to read the full case study

 

 

 

Miniclipper founder passes away

Posted on by David Priestman

Miniclipper Logistics’ founder Mick Masters has passed away at the age of 83 in the UK company’s 51st year. His death follows a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Masters founded the business in 1971 by responding to a newspaper advert in the Leighton Buzzard Observer for someone to develop their own parcel delivery service doing daily runs between Bedfordshire and London.

He bought a VW van and Miniclipper was born. The business and fleet grew steadily during the 1970s and 80s built on a foundation of strong customer service led by Mick supported by his wife Janet, who managed the administration as well as driving one of the company’s vans.

The business has remained in the area ever since and now has 450,000 sq ft of storage and over 38,000 pallet spaces across five sites in Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis, and Dunstable.

Mick’s son, Peter, took over as MD in 1995, and his daughter-in-law Jayne was appointed as sales director with Mick officially retiring in 2005. They are pictured either side of him. Mick was proud to see Miniclipper reach its 50th birthday in 2021 still as a family business just as the third generation of Masters joined the team.

In 2020/21 Miniclipper celebrated a record turnover through the provision of a range of transport, storage, and warehousing solutions for the medical, construction, print, retail, and food sectors. The business now has 40 trucks and 30 trailers, employs 140 people and is a shareholder member of the Palletline network.

Logistics Business passes its condolences on their loss to Mick’s family, colleagues and friends.

Everysens joins Rail Freight Group

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Everysens has become a new member of Rail Freight Group (RFG), the representative body for rail freight in the UK. Members include rail freight operators, logistics companies, ports, equipment suppliers, property developers and support services, as well as retailers, construction companies and other customers.

RFGs’ aim is to increase the volume of goods moved by rail. It works to promote rail freight in a variety of environments, highlight the benefits of using rail freight and to communicate the sector’s successes.

Youness Lemrabet, CEO of Everysens, says: “We at Everysens are delighted to be joining RFG. We are aware of the key role that rail freight has to play in creating an emission-free supply chain, and are therefore happy to join an association that shares our long-term view.”

Sabrina Meksaoui, Chief Revenue Officer at Everysens, stresses: “Trains emit up to nine times less CO2 and particulate matter emissions than road transport. Knowing this, we are excited to be collaborating with RFG, who are making sure that railway and Government policy supports the rail freight sector.”

In addition, as a new member of this group, Everysens will be presenting its concrete client results during the RFG meeting sponsored by Knorr Bremse. This event will take place on Thursday March 10th at the offices of Digital Catapult in London.

 

 

Transaid project in Madagascar leaves lasting legacy

Posted on by Keith McKinley

More than 100,000 emergency transfers were made to rural health facilities over a five-year period in Madagascar, according to data compiled from one of Transaid’s longest-running access to healthcare initiatives, focused on maternal and child health.

Publication of the figures follows the conclusion of a USAID-funded project, known locally as MAHEFA Miaraka, led by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., and in partnership with others including Transaid, local NGOs and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

Working in areas of the country where the availability of transport is often low, and where difficult terrain and seasonal rainfall often limit access by motorised vehicles, Transaid supported communities to integrate locally available modes of transport to connect themselves to primary healthcare facilities or referral hospitals.

This work contributed to 106,851 transfers to health facilities taking place during the project, utilising taxi cooperatives with minibuses and motorised three-wheelers, ox carts, rickshaws, bicycle ambulances, stretchers and even canoe ambulances, amongst other forms of emergency evacuation.

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, says: “Delays in seeking access to quality care are a key contributor to maternal and under-five mortality, with inadequate access to transport being a major cause. This project set out to address that, working in some of the hardest to reach parts of Madagascar, where we saw the number of patients accessing the scheme grow consistently year-on-year.”

Forty-four per cent of the communities Transaid helped were inaccessible by car or truck for at least four months of the year, and 20% for almost half of the year. This made it an incredibly complex project to manage, requiring a blend of community-managed forms of transport, taxi drivers trained in emergency transport systems, plus evacuation plans developed with communities and village leaders.

Barber adds: “The communities we were supporting have spoken highly of the improved access to healthcare in emergencies, especially the means to travel at night, when there are generally far fewer transport options available.”

Transaid’s role within the project also included the setting up of several ‘enterprise box’ (eBox) initiatives, which aimed to improve community health volunteer mobility and increase motivation and retention through the provision of bicycles and income generation which also contributed financially to local health insurance schemes.

Five eBoxes were established, each becoming a bicycle sale and repair micro-enterprise managed by registered cooperatives to help meet some of the transportation needs of the local population. At the end of the project, four of the eBoxes were considered independently operational, leaving a lasting enterprise which can continue supporting the local community.

The completion of the project, Transaid’s second in Madagascar in succession, draws to a close a decade of work within the country – and one of the organisation’s longest running and most successful projects to-date.

 

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.

Fagan & Whalley acquires Welsh logistics company

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Long-established UK logistics company Fagan & Whalley Ltd., headquartered in Lancashire, has expanded its operations with the acquisition of Newport, South Wales-based logistics company, Alan R Jones & Sons Ltd.

With a fleet of 170 vehicles and five operational sites across the UK, including a 200,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution depot recently launched in Blackburn, Fagan & Whalley’s already substantial offering is boosted by the additional 39 commercial vehicles, 40,000 sq ft of warehousing space, and strategically located distribution depot gained in the acquisition of Alan R Jones & Sons.

Fagan & Whalley is a people-first operation, and valuing the team comes as a core element of the company’s philosophy. With no initial plans to make any changes to services currently being offered by both companies, the priority in the earliest stages is being placed on ensuring teams across both organisations continue to receive the support they need to continue working effectively.

“Following a period of continued growth and development, we saw this as a valuable opportunity to strengthen our geographical position and embark on the next step in our plans for expansion,” says Fagan & Whalley Business Strategy Director, Sam Fagan.

“We’re extremely proud to be welcoming the Alan R Jones team on board and to be acquiring the brand as part of the Fagan & Whalley family. It’s a match that’s not only strategic, but one that makes sense. Alan R Jones & Sons is a business that, having been built up from an initially small operation just like ours was, holds similar core values and celebrates an excellent reputation in Wales and across the South West.

“It will be beneficial to have additional strategic locations functioning in our network, and we’re looking forward to working with the impressive, stable, and diverse customer base that the Alan R Jones team has worked hard to develop over their 50 years in business.

“This move to develop our network and operations comes as a vital part of our wider business plans to orchestrate continual growth and expand into new locations, particularly in the South. It has provided an opportunity for us to increase our customer base and streamline our operations to ultimately become more efficient in our work. There’s substantial potential for further scale and growth, and we’re really looking forward to what promises to be a bright future for Fagan & Whalley and Alan R Jones & Sons Ltd.”

Ray Clegg, former Managing Director of Alan R Jones & Sons, commented: “It had become an obvious strategic move for the business to look at new opportunities, and when we had a discussion with the team at Fagan & Whalley, it was immediately clear that they put their people at the core of what they do, with a reputation that’s second to none, and I am truly delighted that Alan R Jones & Sons will now move forward into the future with new leadership and new opportunities to cement its status as a service-driven, people-led, award-winning organisation.”

IAG Cargo announces record-breaking Q4 results

Posted on by Keith McKinley

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of IAG (International Airlines Group) has reported record financial results for 2021, with annual revenues of €1,673m for the period from 1st January to 31st December 2021. The results reflect the surging demand for air cargo capacity as global trade rebounds.

The 2021 revenues represent an increase of 30% at constant currency versus the same period last year. Overall yield for 2021 was up 11.3% at constant currency versus 2020. Sold tonnes were up 21.4%.

Throughout 2021, IAG Cargo reshaped its business to take advantage of the strong cargo market and actively repurposed Group capacity where appropriate. Demand for air cargo exceeded 2019 levels throughout 2021. The business continued to align its network to customer demand, supporting customers with cargo-led flying, increasing frequencies on important trade routes and implementing an active charter programme of 745 rotations.

In the second half of the year IAG Cargo saw momentum build with capacity starting to return as the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic gained ground. IAG Cargo closed the year very strongly, achieving a Q4 quarterly record revenue of €499m up from €389m in Q4 of 2020.

In Q4, ecommerce and hi-tech flows from South East Asia into North America accounted for much of this success as did the movement of automotive parts from the UK and Europe. Hong Kong demand remained very buoyant and from mid-December the business directed volumes to flow via Bangkok as crew quarantine restrictions limited direct Hong Kong Flights. IAG Cargo also moved large volumes of what are typically seen as non-airfreight commodities as shippers favoured shorter delivery times and volumes shifted from sea to air against a background of supply chain disruption, port congestion and low inventories.

At the same time, cargo has been vital in supporting the return to widescale passenger flying, providing additional revenue to key passenger routes.

Commenting on the 2021 financial results, IAG Cargo Managing Director David Shepherd said: “Since joining the business in August 2021 I’ve been extremely impressed by the way in which the talented team at IAG Cargo have optimised the opportunities which the market has presented. In 2021 the role of air cargo remained very much in the spotlight. Our people went above and beyond to find solutions to the global capacity crunch and airfreight restrictions. These results are a reflection of their determination and creativity.

“I’m also proud of our work in the fight against Covid-19. In 2021 our cold chain, Constant Climate, service was responsible for shipping millions of doses of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to almost every corner of the world.

“In 2021 we also invested in improving the functionality of our website and expanded our partnerships with third party platform providers. Both actions, supporting online channel shift and digital bookings whilst providing more flexibility to our customers. It was also great to see a massive expansion in our Forward Rewards loyalty programme last year with an additional 700 customers  signing-up to benefit from earning free flights, hotel stays and cargo credit.

“We enter 2022 with ambition and optimism for the year ahead.”

UTA Edenred and Transporeon begin cooperation

Posted on by David Priestman

UTA Edenred, a leading European mobility service provider and an Edenred company, and Transporeon, one of Europe’s leading transport management platforms, have joined forces as part of a sales cooperation. From now on, Transporeon offers its European network of carriers a specially created UTA Full Service co-branded card. This card gives Transporeon customers access to UTA’s acceptance network and its comprehensive product and service portfolio.

Transporeon’s leading Transport Management Platform provides its extensive network of +1,300 shippers and retailers and +130,000 carriers and Logistics Service Providers end-to-end transport logistics management software solutions.

For its extensive carrier community, Transporeon offers a wide range of smart solutions, which help optimize route and resource planning. By entering a partnership with UTA Edenred, Transporeon is bringing even more value to carriers. They will get access to the Europe-wide UTA acceptance network and the mobility specialist’s entire range of products and services, which include fuels supply and e-charging, Europe-wide toll services, repair and maintenance, as well as numerous fleet management solutions and transparent reporting and billing.

Carsten Bettermann, CEO of UTA Edenred, says: “Through this important new partnership, we’re simplifying mobility for Transporeon customers across Europe. UTA Edenred and Transporeon share a number of synergies. Notably, UTA Edenred is creating an all-new digital platform to meet customers’ mobility needs into the future, while Transporeon has a successful digital business model. By combining UTA Edenred products with Transporeon services, we’re providing richer and more efficient mobility experiences for customers.”

Gruziana Hoxha, Executive Director of Carrier Management at Transporeon, says: “We’re committed to helping carriers optimise their global transport and logistics processes with regard to time, cost and resources. UTA Edenred, with its nearly 60 years of experience on the market and such an extensive service network, is an excellent European service partner for Transporeon. Together, we will help our customers save time and money in their everyday business.”

Asset Alliance Group makes senior appointment

Posted on by Keith McKinley

UK commercial vehicle specialist Asset Alliance Group has appointed Craig Wells as Contract Hire Truck & Trailer Business Development Manager, with a remit to support the company’s continued growth and unlock new opportunities in the market.

Wells brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role, most recently as Regional Sales Manager for Hireco since March 2020.

Commenting on his appointment, he says: “The opportunity to join Asset Alliance Group was one I simply couldn’t turn down. My new role gives me a genuine opportunity to contribute to the company’s long-term goals; and it couldn’t come at a more exciting time for our industry, given the pace of change we are seeing and the wealth of new technologies coming into play.

“I will be concentrating on developing relationships with new customers who haven’t experienced the benefits Asset Alliance Group can bring to their business. I’ve also been tasked with managing a number of exciting new customer service projects, which is allowing me to use the insight I’ve gained from 21 years in the industry.”

Wells began his career at Newtown Vehicle Rentals in 2001, before moving to Northgate Vehicle Hire in 2005 as Regional Sales Manager. Ten years later he joined Close Brothers Vehicle Hire as Regional Sales Manager, being promoted to National Fleet Manager shortly after.

He will be based out of Asset Alliance Group’s headquarters in Wolverhampton, and will report to Paul Wright, Sales Director.

Asset Alliance Group is one of the UK’s largest independent retailers of new, nearly new and used commercial vehicles, and 2022 marks its 12th year in operation.

Verallia enhances sustainability with Metrocargo

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Verallia, a European leader and the world’s third-largest producer of glass packaging for beverages and food products with 32 glass plants in 11 countries, has successfully concluded the tests to manage, through intermodality, inbound and outbound logistics between Piedmont, Lombardy and Veneto in Italy.

The project, which involves the railway terminal in Borgo San Dalmazzo (Cuneo) and Verallia plants in Gazzo Veronese (Verona), Villa Poma (Mantua) and Lonigo (Vicenza), was studied and carried out thanks to the commitment of Sibelco Italia with the essential support of multimodal transport operator Metrocargo Italia.

Metrocargo Italia has operated in Borgo San Dalmazzo since 2018, when it started also in the province of Cuneo a new branching of its service for the delivery of various import/export product categories started in 2013 in partnership with railway undertaking FuoriMuro Servizi Portuali e Ferroviari (owned by Metrocargo Italia for a 28.6% share) for rail traction and with local carriers to manage first- and last-mile by truck.

As explained by Melania Molini, General Manager at Metrocargo Italia, the services provides the rail transport of raw material (sand) between Borgo San Dalmazzo (Cuneo) and Valdaro (Mantua) and the return to Piedmont, always managed by rail, with the outbound finished product (glass bottles): “We have demonstrated that it is possible to saturate the train improving the balance of round-trips, assuring to our customers increasingly satisfactory costs and higher levels of service with very positive impacts on the reduction of the emissions of CO2.”.

Operatively, this model of innovative logistics will allow to manage the transport of about 68,000 pallets per year towards Piedmont, with an annual saving of 2,366t of CO2, equal to those absorbed in a year by a forest of 80,000 trees.

Antonino Virgillito, Supply Chain Director at Verallia Italia says: “Our commitment to sustainability continues with very positive results; in fact, in 2021 we reduced our total polluting emissions by 12% compared to the previous year. This figure increases significantly if we consider the only transport of sand – one of our raw materials – that until 2019 was handled only by truck.

“Thanks to this important partnership and to the choice of rail transport, we can avoid 45% of emissions and take 4,000 trucks off the roads every year, thus reducing pollution and congestion of road arteries.”

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