Viewpoint

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. New trucks have wiring looms cut into, additional cables run down the chassis and into the cab, dash panels removed and facia panels drilled to have additional safety systems installed. Additional cameras, side scan sensors, turn warning, vulnerable road […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]