Spotlight
Inside Browns: How the £24m haulier is building a smarter business
From AI-powered customer service and a bespoke transport management system to a waiting list of drivers, Browns Distribution is using better data to sharpen its operation and support continued growth
Latest news
M&M Catering Supplies licence revoked after third public inquiry in four years
M&M Catering Supplies has had its operator licence revoked and director Mehmet Sert disqualified for 12 months after a Traffic Commissioner found repeated maintenance and compliance shortcomings.
Goggins Transport orders 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin trucks
Goggins Transport is adding 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin tractor units to its fleet as the haulier looks to support driver retention and its long-term growth strategy.
Driver shortage and National Insurance costs squeeze Archbold profit
Archbold Logistics increased turnover by almost 5% in 2025, but pre-tax profit fell by more than a third as the logistics operator faced higher employment costs and continued pressure from the shortage of qualified HGV drivers.
M&M Catering Supplies licence revoked after third public inquiry in four years
M&M Catering Supplies has had its operator licence revoked and director Mehmet Sert disqualified for 12 months after a Traffic Commissioner found repeated maintenance and compliance shortcomings.
Goggins Transport orders 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin trucks
Goggins Transport is adding 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin tractor units to its fleet as the haulier looks to support driver retention and its long-term growth strategy.
Driver shortage and National Insurance costs squeeze Archbold profit
Archbold Logistics increased turnover by almost 5% in 2025, but pre-tax profit fell by more than a third as the logistics operator faced higher employment costs and continued pressure from the shortage of qualified HGV drivers.
Hellmann UK turnover falls as contract logistics and road freight volumes decline
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics saw UK turnover fall 14.7% and pre-tax profit drop 37% in 2025, dogged by post-Brexit road freight volume declines, difficult global freight markets and a slowdown in renewable energy-related contract logistics.
‘Fragile’ sector’s insolvencies having implications beyond haulage
The number of administrations and insolvencies in haulage this year has prompted renewed concerns over their wider impact, including freight capacity and the resilience of the country’s supply chains.
“AI will disrupt haulage and create a new breed of operator…”
Microlise chief technology officer Dean Garvey-North warns that the biggest threat to established hauliers could come from new businesses built around artificial intelligence from day one
Logistics promoted as a varied and viable career path
As students across the country anxiously open their A-Level results, awareness campaign Generation Logistics is promoting the industry as a viable career path for young people.
Haulage directors stripped assets to defraud creditors
Four people connected to a Stoke-based haulage company stripped out its assets and diverted money to other accounts despite an injunction placed on the business to prevent them doing so.
M&M Catering Supplies licence revoked after third public inquiry in four years
Goggins Transport orders 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin trucks
Driver shortage and National Insurance costs squeeze Archbold profit
Hellmann UK turnover falls as contract logistics and road freight volumes decline
‘Fragile’ sector’s insolvencies having implications beyond haulage
“AI will disrupt haulage and create a new breed of operator…”
Logistics promoted as a varied and viable career path
Haulage directors stripped assets to defraud creditors
Operator news
M&M Catering Supplies licence revoked after third public inquiry in four years
M&M Catering Supplies has had its operator licence revoked and director Mehmet Sert disqualified for 12 months after a Traffic Commissioner found repeated maintenance and compliance shortcomings.
Goggins Transport orders 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin trucks
Goggins Transport is adding 16 Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin tractor units to its fleet as the haulier looks to support driver retention and its long-term growth strategy.
Driver shortage and National Insurance costs squeeze Archbold profit
Archbold Logistics increased turnover by almost 5% in 2025, but pre-tax profit fell by more than a third as the logistics operator faced higher employment costs and continued pressure from the shortage of qualified HGV drivers.
Hellmann UK turnover falls as contract logistics and road freight volumes decline
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics saw UK turnover fall 14.7% and pre-tax profit drop 37% in 2025, dogged by post-Brexit road freight volume declines, difficult global freight markets and a slowdown in renewable energy-related contract logistics.
Haulage directors stripped assets to defraud creditors
Four people connected to a Stoke-based haulage company stripped out its assets and diverted money to other accounts despite an injunction placed on the business to prevent them doing so.
LHT toasts 25 years of growth with expansion plan
LHT Logistics has celebrated a quarter century in business and its move from hospitality to haulage with a fleet upgrade and an expansion into new regional territories.
Norfolk haulage firm staff take payment case to court
Staff made redundant by a Norfolk haulage company two years ago said they were still trying to get money owed to them – and they’re now taking their fight to court.
XDP launches new Carlisle depot to boost regional deliveries
Logistics firm XDP has opened a new depot in Carlisle, marking a ”significant step” in the company’s nationwide expansion, the company has announced this week.
Movianto kicks off five-year NHS England vaccine logistics contract
Yusen Logistics subsidiary Movianto UK has gone live with a five-year contract with NHS England to provide pharmaceutical logistics and warehousing services for the national vaccination and immunisation programmes.
Davies Turner joins Northern Sea Route container service
Davies Turner is to offer a new full-container-load service between China and the UK via the Northern Sea Route, with containers arriving at Felixstowe for onward distribution by road across the UK and Europe.
Administration watch
‘Fragile’ sector’s insolvencies having implications beyond haulage
The number of administrations and insolvencies in haulage this year has prompted renewed concerns over their wider impact, including freight capacity and the resilience of the country’s supply chains.
Haulage directors stripped assets to defraud creditors
Four people connected to a Stoke-based haulage company stripped out its assets and diverted money to other accounts despite an injunction placed on the business to prevent them doing so.
Norfolk haulage firm staff take payment case to court
Staff made redundant by a Norfolk haulage company two years ago said they were still trying to get money owed to them – and they’re now taking their fight to court.
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Industry news
‘Fragile’ sector’s insolvencies having implications beyond haulage
The number of administrations and insolvencies in haulage this year has prompted renewed concerns over their wider impact, including freight capacity and the resilience of the country’s supply chains.
Logistics promoted as a varied and viable career path
As students across the country anxiously open their A-Level results, awareness campaign Generation Logistics is promoting the industry as a viable career path for young people.
Norfolk haulage firm staff take payment case to court
Staff made redundant by a Norfolk haulage company two years ago said they were still trying to get money owed to them – and they’re now taking their fight to court.
Logistics UK teams up with AXA to help hauliers cut fleet risk
Logistics UK has forged a strategic partnership with AXA UK aimed at helping fleet operators and members manage and reduce risk exposure.
Logistics UK training helps plug EV technician skills gap
Whilst the number of technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles (EV) has hit record rates, they are not being trained quickly, resulting in an increasing shortfall of qualified EV technicians, predicted to reach 43,000 by 2035, Logistics UK is warning.
British Crane Truck Operator Challenge returns for second year
The hunt is once again on to find the country’s most skilled crane truck operative after Huddersfield Mac’s Truck Group launched its inaugural event in 2025.
NI policy lead appointed at Logistics UK
Logistics UK has recruited Brenda Maguire as its Northern Ireland policy lead, operating out of its Belfast office.
Industry welcomes new logistics minister to help rejuvenate economy
The creation of a dedicated minister for logistics is a reflection of the critical role the industry can play in cranking up the UK economy, according to business groups.
Workplace safety starts from the ground up, says Logistics UK
With 47% of logistics and transport professionals reporting musculoskeletal disorders, Logistics UK is emphasising the importance of creating a safe working environment – starting from the ground up.
Sky high diesel costs fuelling operators’ anxiety
There is mounting anxiety among fleet operators over the prospect of further and significant diesel price rises as the US-Iran conflict drags on and concerns are growing costs could remain stubbornly high for years.
Interviews
“AI will disrupt haulage and create a new breed of operator…”
Microlise chief technology officer Dean Garvey-North warns that the biggest threat to established hauliers could come from new businesses built around artificial intelligence from day one
Inside Browns: How the £24m haulier is building a smarter business
From AI-powered customer service and a bespoke transport management system to a waiting list of drivers, Browns Distribution is using better data to sharpen its operation and support continued growth
northstarr: How Stuart Godman is charting a new course for logistics
After transforming the fortunes of the Pallet-Track network, chief executive Stuart Godman has launched a new logistics group bringing together transport, warehousing, and technology. He tells Tim Wallace why he believes the future lies in connecting specialist businesses rather than simply building bigger operators
Palletline 2.0: managing an evolution
Carl Moore talks to Steve Hobson about growth, technology and the future of the UK’s leading pallet network
No room for error: why HVO is keeping Formula 1 moving
F1 is chasing net zero by 2030, but logistics partner DHL says operational reality is shaping the journey. At Silverstone, MT heard why battery-electric trucks are not yet the answer for one of the world’s most demanding logistics operations
“Don’t take us for granted”: Fletcher’s bid to put logistics centre stage
Ben Fletcher believes transport and logistics has become a victim of its own success. Since taking over as chief executive of Logistics UK last December, he has been listening to operators across the country as he makes the case for an industry he insists deserves a bigger voice in delivering ...
RHA launches Wellbeing Charter to put people first
RHA MD Richard Smith talks to Andy Salter about his plan to put people and wellbeing at the heart of road haulage.
‘There’s no blank chequebook’ - DX sets out post-buyout strategy
Now under private ownership, DX chief executive Ian Truesdale is pursuing disciplined growth, focusing on integration, efficiency and selective investment. Tim Wallace reports
Opinion
The transport office, not the cab: where AI actually earns its keep in road transport
Almost everything written about AI in road transport is about the vehicle. Autonomous braking, telematics, route optimisation that promises to shave miles off a manifest. That work matters. It also has very little to do with where the unpaid hours in a haulage business actually go, which is the office ...
The consignor’s responsibility does not end at the depot gate
Safe transport depends on more than the driver’s checks. Consignors, loaders and operators must share accurate information about the load, vehicle and journey before it leaves the site.
Beyond the co-operative model: How connected networks can help independent operators grow
For decades, independent logistics operators have been the backbone of the UK’s supply chain. They know their local markets, build long-term customer relationships and deliver the flexibility that many larger organisations struggle to match.
One AI agent could end logistics data chaos
There’s no question that our global supply chain is powered by data. Increasingly intelligent technology solutions pull, analyse and act on this massive amount of information from a multitude of sources.
Contracts
DHL Supply Chain takes over ProCook logistics contract
DHL Supply Chain has secured a contract to manage ProCook’s retail and e-commerce logistics operations as the kitchenware retailer looks to support further growth.
Contract expansion for Evri with fulfilment partner
Evri has signed a new two-year contract with 3PL and e-commerce fulfilment specialist Haul&Store.
DX wins extended Viking deal after service gains
DX and Viking UK have expanded their partnership with a multi-year contract that sees the logistics firm take responsibility for all next-day deliveries for the workplace supplies distributor.
AIT the final piece of the jigsaw for Kidsaw
AIT Home Delivery has won a final mile distribution contract with children’s furniture brand Kidsaw following a chance meeting at The Furniture Show earlier this year.
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