Spotlight
Pouring fuel on the fire of haulage insolvencies
UK freight transport insolvencies had been declining from a 2023 peak of 503 to 401 in 2025, but a 30% fuel price surge driven by Middle East conflict is threatening to reverse progress as operators face severe cashflow pressure.
Latest news
Ignoring freight in transport strategy delays benefits to hauliers
The government’s 92-page plan to create a more joined-up transport network and make journeys better for everyone makes barely any mention of freight.
Massey Wilcox sees profits increase but skilled drivers remain gold dust
South West haulage firm Massey Wilcox saw revenues and profits increase last year, but it cautioned that a shortage of skilled drivers and a crumbling road network was making the job harder.
Companies vulnerable for relying on too few customers
Almost 50% of UK businesses rely on three customers to generate over half of their sales, leaving them vulnerable to upheaval such as the escalating situation in the Middle East, new research found.
Ignoring freight in transport strategy delays benefits to hauliers
The government’s 92-page plan to create a more joined-up transport network and make journeys better for everyone makes barely any mention of freight.
Companies vulnerable for relying on too few customers
Almost 50% of UK businesses rely on three customers to generate over half of their sales, leaving them vulnerable to upheaval such as the escalating situation in the Middle East, new research found.
Freeze fuel duty or more firms will collapse, RHA warns
The planned increase in fuel duty must be scrapped in order to prevent more hauliers collapsing under soaring costs as the Middle East conflict grinds on, according to the RHA.
Losses at C Butt in months leading up to business sale
Turnover and profitability at C Butt reduced significantly before the long-standing family firm was sold last year, driven largely by the loss of a customer and the closure of its Brackmills warehouse.
Roadchef takes motorway operations into 22nd Century
Roadchef has negotiated lease extensions on five sites for the next 75 years, taking its operation of the some of the country’s largest MSAs into the next century – with HGV investment a priority.
Sale of furniture transport firm saves 55 jobs
Furniture delivery firm Grays Transport (Derbyshire) has been sold in a pre-pack deal for £100,000 after it lost work due to harsh trading conditions in the sector.
Pouring fuel on the fire of haulage insolvencies
UK freight transport insolvencies had been declining from a 2023 peak of 503 to 401 in 2025, but a 30% fuel price surge driven by Middle East conflict is threatening to reverse progress as operators face severe cashflow pressure.
Steve Marshall to retire after 50-year career at Marshall’s Transport
A dedicated logistics professional who has worked at a Worcestershire family firm for an incredible 50 years, after joining from school, is calling time on his long career.
Ignoring freight in transport strategy delays benefits to hauliers
Companies vulnerable for relying on too few customers
Freeze fuel duty or more firms will collapse, RHA warns
Losses at C Butt in months leading up to business sale
Roadchef takes motorway operations into 22nd Century
Sale of furniture transport firm saves 55 jobs
Pouring fuel on the fire of haulage insolvencies
Steve Marshall to retire after 50-year career at Marshall’s Transport
Operator news
Massey Wilcox sees profits increase but skilled drivers remain gold dust
South West haulage firm Massey Wilcox saw revenues and profits increase last year, but it cautioned that a shortage of skilled drivers and a crumbling road network was making the job harder.
Losses at C Butt in months leading up to business sale
Turnover and profitability at C Butt reduced significantly before the long-standing family firm was sold last year, driven largely by the loss of a customer and the closure of its Brackmills warehouse.
Sale of furniture transport firm saves 55 jobs
Furniture delivery firm Grays Transport (Derbyshire) has been sold in a pre-pack deal for £100,000 after it lost work due to harsh trading conditions in the sector.
Steve Marshall to retire after 50-year career at Marshall’s Transport
A dedicated logistics professional who has worked at a Worcestershire family firm for an incredible 50 years, after joining from school, is calling time on his long career.
Welch Group workshop explores commercial case for electric HGVs
A recent industry workshop led by Welch Group has examined whether electric HGVs can deliver a viable commercial return, as part of its 12 Pillars of Change initiative.
Fuel providers BWOC and Mabanaft rebrand as MB Energy
BWOC and Mabanaft are rebranding as MB Energy, as part of a wider group rebranding programme.
Tructyre bolsters top team to fuel growth
Commercial tyre management specialist Tructyre has boosted its leadership team with two key appointments, as it ramps up the company’s growth drive.
Tighten security now to prevent fuel theft, FleetCheck warns operators as energy prices rocket
Fleets should tighten security around fuel in response to the sudden price jump affecting petrol and diesel caused by the war in Iran, FleetCheck said this week.
RBC Logistics prepares to appoint administrator after takeover deal collapses
RBC Logistics has given notice of its intention (NOI) to appoint an administrator, in a move which follows the collapsed sale of its parent company RBC Group to retail technology provider Bright.Blue.
R Swain steps in as Castledene exits Palletline
Kent-based R Swain & Sons has joined Palletline, in a move which sees the haulier replace Castledene Transport, which has left to pursue new business opportunities from corporate customers.
Administration watch
Sale of furniture transport firm saves 55 jobs
Furniture delivery firm Grays Transport (Derbyshire) has been sold in a pre-pack deal for £100,000 after it lost work due to harsh trading conditions in the sector.
RBC Logistics prepares to appoint administrator after takeover deal collapses
RBC Logistics has given notice of its intention (NOI) to appoint an administrator, in a move which follows the collapsed sale of its parent company RBC Group to retail technology provider Bright.Blue.
Staffs haulier and driver agency for ‘prominent’ distribution firms enters administration
A Stoke-based driver training firm that also offers haulage services has collapsed into administration.
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Industry news
Ignoring freight in transport strategy delays benefits to hauliers
The government’s 92-page plan to create a more joined-up transport network and make journeys better for everyone makes barely any mention of freight.
Companies vulnerable for relying on too few customers
Almost 50% of UK businesses rely on three customers to generate over half of their sales, leaving them vulnerable to upheaval such as the escalating situation in the Middle East, new research found.
Freeze fuel duty or more firms will collapse, RHA warns
The planned increase in fuel duty must be scrapped in order to prevent more hauliers collapsing under soaring costs as the Middle East conflict grinds on, according to the RHA.
Roadchef takes motorway operations into 22nd Century
Roadchef has negotiated lease extensions on five sites for the next 75 years, taking its operation of the some of the country’s largest MSAs into the next century – with HGV investment a priority.
Pouring fuel on the fire of haulage insolvencies
UK freight transport insolvencies had been declining from a 2023 peak of 503 to 401 in 2025, but a 30% fuel price surge driven by Middle East conflict is threatening to reverse progress as operators face severe cashflow pressure.
Permanent solution to Operation Brock long overdue, says Logistics UK
As National Highways prepares to launch Operation Brock overnight tonight (1 April) on the M20, ahead of the Easter weekend, Logistics UK slammed policy makers for failing to replace the “ piecemeal and short-term” contraflow system with a permanent solution.
Bridge strikes expose £300bn mental health blind spot
The logistics sector is being urged to treat driver mental health with the same rigour as vehicle safety, after industry leaders warned that hidden “human risk” is costing billions and driving collisions, absenteeism and spiralling insurance claims.
Manchetts Peterborough doubles up with MAN Truck & Bus UK Dealer and Service Dealer of the Year wins
Dealership Manchetts Peterborough has landed a double accolade, winning both MAN Truck & Bus UK’s 2025 Dealer of the Year award and the Service Dealer of the Year award, after demonstrating “ unparalleled levels of customer service”.
Top truck stops secure awards for high standards
AWJ Penrith and Onroute Avon Lodge have been voted as the country’s best large and medium-sized truck stops respectively.
Ageing roads get £27bn enhancement
The government will spend billions of pounds on roads in an effort to upgrade and future proof the country’s crumbling network.
Interviews
From vans to trucks: the Dash Express journey
Paul Dash has helped grow Dash Express from a small South West van firm into a multi-depot logistics operation with a turnover topping £25m. Partnerships with APC Overnight and, more recently, Palletways have expanded the business into parcels, pallets and heavy trucks, while keeping the company’s hands-on, family-led approach.
“This changes everything” - megawatt charging for long-haul passes the test
Kempower used its MCS Live Winter Days event in Norrköping, Sweden for megawatt testing of Volvo, MAN and Scania trucks. The results show heavy-duty electric HGVs are ready for real-world operations
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Harris MAXUS expands technician training to tackle skills shortage
The Dublin-based importer has invested significantly in its training academy to meet rising demand from over 90 UK dealers, delivering structured programmes from system technician to master technician level with particular focus on electric vehicle safety and diagnostics.
Martin Willmor’s vision for DHL Supply Chain: strategy, challenges and growth targets
Returning to DHL at a pivotal moment, new UK&I CEO Martin Willmor lays out a focused five-point strategy - spanning growth sectors, transport reform, major startups and property investment - to steer the business confidently through a shifting economy
John Lewis cutting emissions today and in the future with the best technology available
The John Lewis Partnership’s fleet manager has cut transport emissions in half since 2018 by switching 500 trucks to bioCNG and trialling electric vehicles, achieving a major milestone by purchasing the company’s final diesel vehicle this year.
Hydrogen a viable option in a future multi-fuel zero carbon landscape
The HydraB group is targeting hydrogen pricing of £8/kg to 9/kg to achieve total cost of ownership parity with diesel equivalents, as CEO Harry Bowcott explains how an integrated approach across vehicle manufacturing, fuel production and infrastructure can simplify hydrogen adoption for fleet operators.
Malcolm Logistics looks for customer support for next steps on sustainability journey
Malcolm Logistics picked up the Haulier of the Year Award at the 2025 Motor Transport Awards, the second time the company has collected this coveted award.
Opinion
![rsmith[1] 1](https://d2cohhpa0jt4tw.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/4/1/0/24410_rsmith11_453221.jpg)
Trade without borders – why drivers need a Schengen exemption
€505 billion. That’s the value of UK–EU goods trade – goods moved across borders by road freight.
Custody discipline: the low-cost fix for vehicle transport disputes
With HGV driver numbers down 1.9% and schedules running tight, operators face growing dispute risk. David Heeney explains why custody discipline—not just careful driving—is now a core commercial control.
The clock in the cab: Are we managing fatigue — or managing behaviour?
A transport operator with nearly 40 years’ experience argues the Working Time Directive may create behavioural pressure for HGV drivers without measurable safety gains beyond existing drivers’ hours regulations.
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.
Contracts
Primeline Group crunches ten-year deal with Tayto Snacks
Primeline Group has signed a multi-million euro warehousing and distribution agreement with Tayto Snacks, building on a long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Meachers and Ferryspeed’s partnership sails on
Meachers Global Logistics has extended its partnership with Ferryspeed with a new three-year contract.
XPO flies high with Uniload Aviation deal
XPO has been chosen by unit load devices management provider Unilode to be its global logistics partner.
![Maritime_Terminal[73510]](https://d2cohhpa0jt4tw.cloudfront.net/Pictures/460x307/1/3/7/24137_maritime_terminal73510_883926.jpg)
Shipping giant MSC moves Turners work in-house
Shipping giant MSC is moving all work previously contracted to Turners Group firms Macintyre Transport and Goldstar to Maritime Transport, the company it acquired 18 months ago.
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