Over the last couple of years, the haulage industry has been exemplary in rising to the challenges posed by Brexit and Covid-19. Besides these two issues are environmental concerns, with pressure for vehicles to become greener. For example, Vauxhall owner Stellantis has announced a £100m investment to build electric cars and vans at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, making it the first large plant in the UK dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles. The UK’s road network will have to remain in top condition for shoppers to keep receiving their e-commerce orders. Another issue is a shortage of HGV drivers. According to the RHA, prior to the pandemic, there was a HGV driver shortage in excess of 60,000. That figure has now reached 100,000. Like everything else, vocational training of drivers stopped during the pandemic, says Diamond Logistics. The DVSA has made a great effort to catch-up, and has increased capacity to an average of 3,000 practical tests each week.
This article was first published in the July 2021 issue of Logistics Insight, subscribe to the magazine by
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Following Brexit, the way that UK logistics firms engage with their self-employed workforce has been thrown into the limelight, with a crucial focus on recruiting and retaining drivers for firms of all sizes. For generations, logistics businesses have faced a wide range of difficulties recruiting and onboarding self-employed drivers whilst remaining efficient and compliant. With Brexit providing a further issue to navigate, companies will need to embrace technology and automation where possible to stay efficient and competitive. Over 180 UK logistics companies are currently using the platform made by self-employment tech company Wise to improve the way they onboard new self-employed subcontractors and engage their workforce, with over 10,000 drivers currently using the app.
Well done to MAN Truck & Bus which has received an order of 77 New Generation MAN TGX 26.470 6×2 tractors from Wales’s largest family-owned independent logistics, warehousing, pallet network, bulk haulage, and express & home delivery company, Owens Group of Llanelli, for its South Wales and Wrexham operations.
Congratulations to IVECO after national distribution and warehousing specialists, Romac Logistics, has become one of the very first operators in the UK to press the new IVECO S-WAY Natural Power into service. Joining a fleet of 220 trucks are 10 new 4×2 IVECO S-WAY AS440S46T/P NP CNG tractors. These are the latest in IVECO’s line-up of natural gas-powered heavy trucks, employing the 12.9-litre Natural Power Cursor 13 engine at 460hp with a healthy 2,000Nm of torque between 1,100 and 1,600rpm.
Good news for Volvo as Burton-based Willshees Waste & Recycling has added three new Volvo trucks – two FM 8×4 rigids and one FH Globetrotter 6×2 tractor unit – to its rapidly growing fleet. The trucks are the first Volvos the business has put into service for several years. They will be joined at the company by two new model FMXs – Volvo’s most robust construction truck to-date – and one new model FH tractor unit later in the year.
It is great to see commercial vehicles suppliers providing the wheels to keep logistics moving.
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