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Buyers’ guides now on commercialmotor.com

February 23, 2012 Motor Transport

“Challenging.” That seems to the euphemistic description for the tough economic times in which we find ourselves. Capital budgets are being cut to the bone – and then trimmed some more. That’s where our series of free buyers’ guides on Commercialmotor.com will come in handy. We aim to cut a route through the purchasing jungle to find the shortest path to the wisest buys. From AdBlue to yard counterbalance trucks, throughout the year we will look at buying the products […]

Attracting and retaining talent remains key concern for logistics bosses

February 23, 2012 Motor Transport

Almost three-quarters (72%) of transport and logistics bosses plan to overhaul how they manage the talent within their companies in response to the skills crisis. Sector analysis of PricewaterhouseCooper’s (PwC) 15th Annual Global CEO Survey reveals that attracting and keeping hold of talent is a significant concern for most bosses within road transport. Approaching half (45%) of the 98 transport bosses surveyed label the struggle to attract new workers as a “major threat” to the long term viability of their […]

ATF fees reform “not enough”

February 23, 2012 Motor Transport

Stan Robinson says VOSA’s new MoT test fee structure, which will make it financially more attractive for hauliers to use private test facilities, has “not gone far enough”. The organisation confirmed that from 1 April, HGV annual test fees at authorised testing facilities (ATFs) and designated premises (DPs) will go down, while those at its official test stations will increase. Currently, the cost of testing a two axle truck at every test centre is £95. However, from the start of […]

Isuzu Truck (UK) expands dealer network with Commercial Motors (Wales) in Newport

February 13, 2012 Motor Transport

Isuzu Truck (UK) expands dealer network with Commercial Motors (Wales) in Newport.

Orwell Truck & Van open new ATF in Ipswich

February 12, 2012 Motor Transport

East Anglia’s Mercedes-Benz dealer Orwell Truck & Van has spent £600,000 on a new VOSA-approved Authorised Test Facility (ATF). The dedicated lane is at Orwell’s headquarters on the Martlesham Heath Business Park, Ipswich. Service director Steve Webb says: “We have always prepared vehicles for MoT testing. But the big advantage for customers is that they can now have those tests carried out in our workshop, negating the need for a time-consuming trip to a VOSA site. “Tests can also be […]

Industry News

Imperial purchases four Watts Truck Centre sites in West Country

February 12, 2012 Motor Transport

Imperial Commercials expands its operation with a share acquisition of four sites belonging to DAF Trucks dealer Watts Truck Centre.

International

Danes have appetite for night-time deliveries

October 24, 2011 Laura Hailstone

The state of the global economy and its subsequent effect on public spending, together with the environmental imperative that has made carbon reduction a top priority certainly hasn’t hindered the progress of night-time deliveries in Europe. There is an increasing appetite on the Continent for this simple win-win solution, which improves efficiency, environmental performance and seems to have no drawbacks. It was with a sense of pride that I, along with the Noise Abatement Society (NAS), the DfT, Transport and […]

Night-time proves the right time to deliver

August 13, 2011 Laura Hailstone

A throw-away comment from a truck driver about night-time deliveries last week summed up perfectly one of the reasons why delivering out-of-hours makes a lot of sense. “Night-time deliveries are f***ing great; there’s no idiots getting in your way on the streets,” this driver called to his mate as I walked past him incognito. I was having a snoop around various parts of London during the twilight hours last week, accompanied by the MD of the Noise Abatement Society and […]

Silent night

July 11, 2011 Laura Hailstone

If a retailer wants to consider handling deliveries outside the traditional peak delivery window, there are numerous hoops to jump through and, until now, the potential benefits have not seemed worthwhile. But the results of the DfT-funded Quiet Delivery Demonstration Scheme (QDDS) trials have shown there are a significant number of benefits available – both commercial and environmental. Faster round-trip journey times; reduced vehicle turnaround times at stores; better fuel consumption from less time spent stationary, idling in congestion; improved […]

Improving delivery times on the quiet

July 4, 2011 Laura Hailstone

Reduced fuel consumption, reduced round trip times, improved shift productivity, reduced store turnaround times, increased product availability, less congestion, better air quality, reduced carbon emissions – all are proven benefits that out-of-hours deliveries can provide. Yet many local authorities are reluctant to give the green light to out-of-hours deliveries for fear of upsetting local residents – and it takes only one complaint to upset the apple cart. Also, many retailers inherit statutory planning conditions put in place years ago when […]