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

Earl

Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure

Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.

EuropaCom 2026

Europa conference celebrates business success

Europa Worldwide Group directors and senior leaders shared key achievements, celebrated team accomplishments and outlined plans for the next 12 months at its recent employee conference in London.

Latest Operator news

UPS London

UPS to cut 30,000 jobs in move away from Amazon

2026-01-30T10:57:00+00:00By

UPS intends to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it continues to reduce deliveries for its biggest customer Amazon.

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Shipping giant MSC moves Turners work in-house

2026-01-30T10:55:00+00:00By

Shipping giant MSC is moving all work previously contracted to Turners Group firms Macintyre Transport and Goldstar to Maritime Transport, the company it acquired 18 months ago.

Knowles Logistics expands electric fleet with addition of the Renault E-tech D18

Knowles performs class act to promote career in logistics

2026-01-29T17:03:00+00:00By

School pupils in the The Fens were given a peek into the varied world of freight transport when Knowles Logistics turned up to give them a lesson in haulage.

Derry Bros’ customs clearance operation has achieved Authorised Economic Operator status.

Record number of freight customers seek customs support from Derry Bros

2026-01-29T16:14:00+00:00By

Freight customs specialist Derry Bros said it had achieved strong growth last year with a record number of hauliers and forwarders requiring support for the movement of goods between the UK and Europe.

APC Overnight Stock 1604 (1)

Stobart parcel firm sees growth despite tough trading

2026-01-29T11:31:00+00:00By

The Alternative Parcels Company (APC) posted annual results reflecting “steady and sustained” growth amid turbulent trading conditions.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail under fire for “dreadful” festive service

2026-01-29T10:49:00+00:00By

Royal Mail failed to deliver post on time to an estimated 16 million people over Christmas, research conducted by Citizens Advice found.

Paul-and-Stephen-Dash-Dash-Express-joins-Palletways72

Dash Express joins Palletways UK and takes on 15 new staff

2026-01-28T13:11:00+00:00By

Family-run haulier Dash Express is to join Palletways UK network from next month and has recruited 15 staff to support the new pallet business.

good25-064-pr-tip28

Goodyear and TIP Group extend long-standing partnership

2026-01-27T16:42:00+00:00By

Goodyear and TIP Group have extended their long-term partnership for a further five years, marking 20 years of collaboration between the two companies.

In-cab technologies include AI-enabled telematics and driver coaching, real-time vehicle monitoring and navigation

Kinaxia turbocharges digital transformation with multi-million pound investment

2026-01-27T10:01:00+00:00By

Kinaxia Logistics has unveiled a multi-million-pound investment in technology as it accelerates the digital transformation of the business.

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The UK’s biggest trailer fleets: who’s winning and who’s losing?

2026-01-26T17:38:00+00:00By Malory Davies

The number of trailers operated by companies in the MT Fleet Data has increased over the past six months, rising by 0.5% to 244,767.

More Operator news

Opinion

Des Evans in conversation

We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet

For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.

Vytenis Norusis

Europe’s used truck market has come of age - what it means for UK hauliers

As UK hauliers face rising costs, persistent driver shortages and new CO₂-linked road charges for European operations from 2026, 2025 marked a turning point in Europe’s used truck market — offering British fleets a clearer, more strategic path to renewal

Sarah-Louise Murray

Customs changes demand urgent digital shift for freight operators

International freight businesses must urgently modernise customs systems to meet incoming UK and EU regulatory changes, including ICS2 Phase 3, France’s ELO requirements, and enhanced HMRC transparency measures, warns Derry Bros customs manager Sarah-Louise Murray.

Latest opinions