Fleet operator news

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

Haulier whose drivers covered 10,535km without driver cards has licence cut

Pentons Haulage and Coldstorage has had its vehicle operator’s licence cut from 70 vehicles to 60 after a Deputy Traffic Commissioner found significant failures in its management of drivers, tachograph records and vehicle compliance.

Over 200 jobs in pipeline as DPD launches new Darlington distribution centre

DPD has opened a new 63,000sq ft distribution centre at Forrest Park, near Darlington, County Durham which could create 250 jobs, the parcel delivery company has announced.

Latest Operator news

Pall-Ex Group forges Benelux partnership to drive pan-European growth

2026-10-28T12:38:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Pall-Ex Group is strengthening its pan-European distribution network with the appointment of a new principal partner for the Benelux region.

Heidelberg Materials delivers lower carbon road improvement scheme in Cumbria

2026-10-28T12:36:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Heidelberg Materials UK has worked with Westmorland and Furness Council to improve a 1.5-mile stretch of the A689 in Cumbria.

Holland & Barrett forges three-year expanded partnership with Road Truck Services

2026-10-28T00:01:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Fulfilment of Holland & Barrett’s Irish online orders will move from the UK to Ireland next month through an expanded three-year partnership with Irish logistics firm Road Truck Services (RTS), building on an eight-year relationship spanning import, customs, warehousing and distribution.

Telford Transport Solutions sold for £320,000 and rebranded Lloyd Baker Logistics

2026-10-27T16:01:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Telford Transport Solutions has been sold for £320,000 to Lloyd Baker Leather, part of the Lloyd Baker Group, in a pre-pack deal which keeps the core management team at the helm and sees the company rebadged as Lloyd Baker Logistics.

Connected fleet technology helps Albion slash fleet claim costs by 74%

2026-10-27T15:57:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Albion Fine Foods has boosted its cold chain visibility and cut claim costs using Webfleet, Bridgestone’s advanced fleet management solution, alongside Prolius’ AI fleet management software, the company revealed this week.

Pallet-Track owner northstarr acquires UPN to create largest UK pallet network

2026-10-27T12:41:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Technology-led logistics specialist northstarr Group has acquired United Pallet Network (UK), creating the UK’s largest national pallet network.

DPD pledges 24,000 mentoring sessions amid youth employment crisis

2026-10-27T11:12:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Parcel delivery giant DPD UK has launched a mentoring programme delivering 24,000 mentoring sessions in its first year to 16- to 25-year-olds across the UK.

Strike averted as XPO boosts pay for Arla HGV drivers and warehouse workers

2026-10-26T15:55:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Around 500 Hatfield HGV drivers and warehouse workers on XPO’s Arla contract have won a “much-improved” pay offer after balloting in favour of strike action, union Unite announced today (26 October).

Evri and Biffa expand fleets as TIP and GXO cut numbers

2026-10-26T15:54:00+00:00By Carol Millett

The latest Motor Transport Fleet Data figures for October show significant changes among the UK’s largest transport and distribution operators, with Evri and Biffa among those recording the biggest fleet expansions.

Pioneering overhead electric charging gantry unveiled at Bidfood's Slough depot

2026-10-26T14:57:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Wholesaler Bidfood has opened a space-saving four-bay overhead charging gantry at its Slough depot, which the company claims is the first of its kind at a UK commercial transport depot.

More Operator news

Opinion

Fragmented AI: why transport and logistics must take security seriously

Traditionally, the transportation industry has taken a cautious approach to addressing business challenges and adopting new technologies. Because assets are expensive, margins are consistently thin and mistakes can have massive real-world consequences, fleets simply cannot afford to be early adopters of unproven solutions.

When spare HGV capacity is actually worth filling

Accepting a backload can look like an easy commercial win, but mileage, waiting time and repositioning can erode its value fast. Dumitru Martînov of Houlvek sets out a practical framework for smaller fleets and owner-drivers to assess whether an additional load genuinely stacks up.

Why the AI tools your office buys quietly die

Plenty has been written about the big implementation that disappoints. The system goes in, the project is signed off, and the operation takes a year to catch up with it. That is a real problem and it deserves the attention.

Latest opinions