Welcome to the 15 February Warehouse & Logistics News. In this issue you’ll find our exclusive preview of the Food & Drink Logistics Show, returning after its triumphant debut last March to the Birmingham NEC from Sunday 27 February to Tuesday 1 March.

As the Food & Drink Logistics Show’s official media partner, we are pleased to bring you our ‘FDLS’ preview by agreement with exhibition organisers William Reed. You’ll find a wealth of information here, to help plan your visit and make the most of your day. Warehouse & Logistics News is exhibiting at the FDLS as well: if you’re going to the NEC, come and see us on stand J60.

Food and drink logistics are an essential part of business that’s often largely unappreciated. But the Food & Drink Logistics Show puts the spotlight firmly on the vital products and services driving these operations, and showcase the excellence achieved by many suppliers.

There are plenty of generalised warehousing and logistics shows, but none focused on food and drink. The grocery industry is one of the UK’s biggest users of warehouse and logistics, and deserves its own ‘W&L’ event. Suppliers, wholesalers and retailers alike all depend on their supply chains’ continued support to keep the food and drink coming. It’s the same story in foodservice: at each stage of the supply chain are warehousing and logistics operations working closely together to ensure the high volume throughput of products continues unabated. Everyone involved needs to stay on top of their game, and there’s plenty at the Show to inspire you to excel.

Also in this issue we have scheduled features on Pallet Networks and Power Sources. As our feature intro argues, Britain’s pallet networks have done much over the years to cut the unit cost of shipping small pallet consignments and reduced industry’s carbon footprint by slashing the lorry numbers returning empty or part laden. But successive governments reward them with higher fuel bills, more red tape, legislation and under-investment in roads. True, the pallet network model drives hard-pressed customers to the most efficient, least wasteful method of distribution. But the regional hauliers making up the pallet networks are finding it increasingly difficult to remain profitable in the current climate.

David Cameron intervened personally when Pfizer, maker of Viagra, announced it planned to close its UK drug research centre. The world sees our burgeoning drug industry as a symbol of Britain’s economic virility, hence Dave stepping in. We need the PM to make a similar commitment to helping our transport industry, which is just as important in its own way.

Happy reading, and hope to see you at the NEC!

Warehouse & Logistics News

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