Viewpoint

Pallet networks can offer customer service as good as parcels carriers

October 28, 2019 support

Hand-held technology is now holding the hands of consumers who demand the same transparency from the pallet networks as they do from the major parcel carriers – as a hygiene factor rather than a ‘nice to have.’

Deal or no-deal – the real cost of truck pricing

October 9, 2019 support

The Department for International Trade’s publication of a revised list of temporary tariffs on truck imports if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement once again raises the question of the impact of commercial vehicle pricing on haulage operating costs and profitability.

Knowing your driver better would be easier with more data on Driver CPC

October 7, 2019 support

Increasingly ‘knowing-your-driver’ has become a key fleet compliance requirement. As technology permits more frequent checking across a wider range of datasets, fleets are taking the opportunity to increase their awareness of their drivers. Improving risk profiles, insurance rates, HR strategies and road safety are all rolled-up in this. However, much depends on being actually able to access the data often held by government bodies.

Fit safety systems in the factory

August 24, 2019 support

As an operator it’s frustrating to purchase new trucks and still have to fit additional safety features, now often mandated to work in the city centre construction sector, which are not currently available to be installed or supported by the manufacturer.

Try innovating like Silicon Valley

August 23, 2019 jasmine Flintham

As the world’s leading technology centre, Silicon Valley is brimming with innovation – not just from a hardware or software point of view, but in terms of how it solves problems. One example of this is “design sprints”, a five-day process developed by former Google executive Jake Knapp, which sees team members come together to answer critical business questions through design, prototyping, and testing ideas. At ArrowXL we use this model to improve our operations, most recently regarding reverse logistics. […]

Back to school to fill skills shortage

August 22, 2019 jasmine Flintham

At TWE Haulage we face the same driver recruitment and retention issues as everyone else. I’m a big believer in training and developing young talent and yet I’ve been frustrated for years with the sector’s apprenticeship offerings. So I decided to go back to the way we used to train – not just for a role but for an all-round employee. I decided to find a young, enthusiastic individual who was interested in the logistics sector. After months of searching […]

Transport leaders’ drive for digitisation

August 22, 2019 jasmine Flintham

As we enter the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, we are beginning to reap the benefits of digital technologies in the supply chain, from cloud-based transport management systems and artificial intelligence through to 3D printing and fleet telematics. Digitisation of the supply chain – whether in part or using a full suite of technologies – is a necessary but challenging process. And it’s one that presents opportunities, if properly embraced. Wincanton believes the benefits of these new technologies will only be fully […]

Performance is cause for optimism

August 21, 2019 jasmine Flintham

When it comes to merger and acquisition activity in the logistics industry, 2019 was always going to herald tough conditions. However, while transport and logistics companies are right to remain cautious, it isn’t all doom and gloom. Our latest ‘Logistics and Supply chain management quarterly review’ paints a more positive outlook for the sector, with emerging opportunities equal to the challenges. There are clearly benefits to be had in consolidation around logistics, plus interest in new technology platforms underpinning automation […]

Don’t dismiss the value of driver medicals after Doctors on Wheels incident, says Dr Grant Charlesworth-Jones

July 29, 2019 support

Following the Doctors on Wheels incident that has seen DVSA refuse to accept driver medicals conducted by the firm, Dr Grant Charlesworth-Jones, medical director of D4Drivers, sets out why operators shouldn’t dismiss the value of a check-up conducted correctly.

Transport leaders and the drive for digitisation

April 10, 2019 support

As we enter the ‘fourth industrial revolution’, we are beginning to reap the benefits of digital technologies in the supply chain, from cloud-based transport management systems and AI, through to 3D printing and fleet telematics. Digitisation of the supply chain is a challenging process but one that presents opportunities if properly embraced, says Chris Fenton, MD, Industrial & Transport at Wincanton.