Welcome to the October edition of Logistics Insight magazine, the quarterly in-depth focus on the logistics industry. In this issue we examine commercial vehicles, the air, rail and sea sector and the industrial property market.

CLICK HERE TO LAUNCH THE DIGITAL EDITION OF LOGISTICS NEWS MAGAZINE

The escalation of eCommerce during the pandemic has meant the retail landscape has jumped forward 5-10 years in terms of uptake and consumer engagement with a 50% increase in online sales, with customers demanding ever faster deliveries. Diamond Logistics welcomed its 33rd network partner in October as it added to its network of micro fulfilment centres around the UK. Its logistics platform, despatchlab, enables same day courier companies and hauliers to join the network immediately providing the area with micro warehousing and same day delivery facilities. Locally these Network partners help small businesses to fulfil and deliver – traditionally same day, overnight and international as well as eCommerce fulfilment.

Climate change and protecting the future of our planet are some of the biggest challenges of this generation. As one of the worlds’ leading manufacturers of off highway equipment Terberg Special Vehicles are leading the way with innovative new alternative fuel options across their product range. The Terberg Electric YT203-EV tractor is based on the new YT193, which from its conception has been designed with alternative drivelines in mind.

We applaud SMMT for developing a Safe Harbour scheme, designed to help suppliers and other businesses across the entire automotive sector that have been impacted by Covid-19 and who may be at risk of insolvency. The scheme works by bringing key stakeholders and customers together to develop and agree an action plan. That plan could include a range of measures such as adjusting payment terms for that common supplier if they are experiencing cash flow issues, as well as other measures which ultimately will enable the continuity of business, our commercial vehicles feature reports.

The ports industry has welcomed the launch of UK government’s new Port Infrastructure Fund as part of the preparations for life outside the European Union. The scheme will enable ports in England, Scotland and Wales to bid funding for capital projects for infrastructure that will be used to accommodate new customs and border process in 2021, says our air, rail and sea feature. Although open to all types of ports it is expected that Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) operators will have the most interest in applying to use this scheme.

Great news that Goodman has broken ground on a combined 477,370 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space at Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford, as reported in our property feature. The three high-specification units of 238,800 sq ft, 137,365 sq ft and 101,205 sq ft respectively will open up opportunities for retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics customers in this sought-after M25 location, just 22 miles outside Central London.

We are encouraged by the logistics industry’s ability to keep thriving. Enjoy reading the magazine.

James Surridge

Publishing Editor

Comments are closed.