From third-party logistics to own-account operators, Motor Transport has it covered: we report on all 3PLs, from DHL Supply Chain to Eddie Stobart Logistics, and from XPO Logistics to Wincanton. We also cover the UK home delivery and parcels market from Royal Mail to DPD and from Hermes to Yodel. We have all the latest news from own-account operators, including Tesco Distribution, Travis Perkins, Bidvest and the latest developments from pallet networks including Palletways and Pall-ex.

 

Operator news

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Warehouse consolidation helps Debenhams Group cut costs and boost profit

The closure of Debenham Group’s Burnley warehouse in February this year and the consolidation of its warehousing operations into a single automated distribution centre in Sheffield has played a key role in improving the group’s profitability over the last financial year, the group revealed this week.

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UK fleet growth shifts to trailers as truck numbers stall

The UK’s truck parc has remained virtually unchanged over the past 15 months, but operators have added more than 2,200 trailers during the same period, according to the latest MT Fleet Data analysis.

Latest Operator news

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Union condemns alleged UPS plan to replace employed drivers and slash workforce

2026-06-12T16:18:00+01:00By

UPS confirmed it was “evaluating options” for its UK business after a union claimed it was planning to outsource all its drivers, resulting in swathes of job losses.

eCommerce volumes remain resilient despite geopolitical turmoil, according to Diamond Logistics.

e-commerce volumes remain resilient despite economic headwinds, says Diamond Logistics

2026-06-12T13:39:00+01:00By

Same-day delivery specialist Diamond Logistics has challenged the notion that economic uncertainty leads to a sharp decline in retail activity after significantly outperforming expectations this year.

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Heavy vehicle rental firm collapses into administration

2026-06-12T10:14:00+01:00By

St Albans and Iver-based plant and vehicle rental firm Gradewell Plant & Haulage has entered administration after HM Revenue & Customs served a winding-up petition on it.

Toga Group CEO Robert Dickinson

Ireland’s Toga signs up to Pallet-Track

2026-06-12T08:30:00+01:00By

Dublin-based Toga Freight Group has joined Pallet-Track in order to expand its next-day delivery service into Great Britain.

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The Dash Group fetches Brian Fisher for group commercial role

2026-06-11T13:46:00+01:00By

Family-run business The Dash Group has appointed Brian Fisher as its group commercial manager.

Howard Tenens HVO Cab Nose to Nose

Howard Tenens builds revenues in property but fails to move in distribution

2026-06-11T13:31:00+01:00By

Revenues in Howard Tenens’ warehousing and distribution division were static last year, as it strove to address a challenging economy by reviewing customer supply chains and seeking out efficiencies.

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THG Fulfil helps cosmetic company drive direct-to-consumer growth

2026-06-11T11:06:00+01:00By

THG Fulfil, a provider of automation-driven courier management solutions has partnered with cosmetic firm Dr Wolff Group to act as merchant of record (MOR) on its Shopify sites in the UK and US.

Unipart BMW

Unipart wins seven-year BMW Group contract

2026-06-10T12:00:00+01:00By

Unipart has been awarded a seven-year contract by BMW Group to provide production logistics services within the final assembly at the Mini plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire.

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Pall-Ex Group signs brand agreement with Italian Pallet Network

2026-06-10T02:00:00+01:00By

Pall-Ex said it had secured the continued development of its brand in Italy after signing a 20-year license and partnership deal with Italian Pallet Network, the firm that manages Pall-Ex Italia.

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Ewals Cargo Care buys fellow Dutch firm Vos Transport Group

2026-06-08T11:29:00+01:00By

European logistics provider Ewals Cargo Care has acquired Dutch company Vos Transport Group, creating a business with 3,500 employees and annual revenues of €850m (£734.3m).

More Operator news

Opinion

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The 30% efficiency debt: Can precision planning close the gap for Britain’s 1.58%-margin hauliers?

UK hauliers have long been battling a perfect storm of challenges, from an ageing driver workforce and inefficient road networks to persistently rising fuel and non-fuel costs, most recently exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. Now, the sector faces an additional and increasingly pressing issue: razor-thin profit margins.

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3PLs can be supply chain heroes – if relationships are right

For many manufacturers and retailers, the past few years have changed what they expect from their logistics partners. Cost will always matter, but as supply chains come under sustained pressure from geopolitical instability, labour shortages, rising operating costs, climate risk and changing customer expectations, third-party logistics providers (3PLs) are increasingly ...

Liam Chatfield

Supporting the next generation of HGV drivers

With the industry needing 200,000 new HGV drivers over the next five years, RHA Insurance Services is working with specialist insurers to help operators secure cover for younger and inexperienced drivers, offering an alternative to restrictive mainstream policies.

Latest opinions