Brexit will not damage haulage and logistics growth say operators

Senior management at road transport operators in the UK do not believe that Brexit will damage their growth prospects in the short or medium-term, with a majority anticipating significantly or slightly better growth in 2018 and 2019.

A major study of the health and prosperity of the road transport industry in the UK by Asset Alliance Group and Motor Transport - launching today (24 April) at the CV Show (stand 3D79) - found that:

• 47.9% of MDs, chief executive and owners of road hauliers and logistics operators said that their business would perform slightly better in 2018 compared to 2017.
• 14.2% said it would perform ‘significantly better’ in 2018 compared to 2017.

Only 13.8% of those surveyed for the report said that 2018 would be slightly or significantly worse for their businesses when compared to performance in 2017.

The Asset Alliance Industry Monitor, in association with Motor Transport, is a study into the size, shape and sentiments of the road transport industry and contains unique, exclusive insights into the future of the sector.

Despite warnings of a Brexit-inspired slump in the UK economy – either via high inflation, low wage growth, depressed consumer spending and retail growth or falls in automotive manufacturing output – operators remain convinced that 2019 will still see strong growth levels across the sector.

When asked ‘How do you predict your business will perform in 2019, compared to 2018, in terms of growth?’ 45.8% of respondents said that they would perform slightly or significantly better in 2019.

Willie Paterson, chief executive of Asset Alliance Group (pictured above), said: “It is easy to get caught up in negative headlines about the implications of Brexit, the political landscape and legislation changes, but the results of this survey are extremely positive which demonstrates real market confidence from the road transport sector. People are remarkably optimistic.

“There are challenges ahead of course, but I have always believed when times are tough there can be more opportunities and I am encouraged that decision-makers from some of the UK’s top fleets agree.”

Paterson added: “We believe the results of our research will surprise some, but impress all! Our hope is that the level of detail provided by our Industry Monitor will help guide businesses to make more informed decisions.”

Inside the Asset Alliance Industry Monitor, in association with Motor Transport, you will also find the answers to questions such as:

• How many road transport businesses are in the UK?
• Who is buying and running commercial vehicles?
• What vehicles are operators running?
• How are operators responding to current market conditions?
• What is the biggest concern for the future of road haulage and logistics?

You can download the report at Asset Alliance or pick it up on the Asset Alliance stand (3D79) at the CV Show this week.