All Interviews articles – Page 10
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ArticleKeep going well, keep going Shell
Despite being one of the top two expenses of running a transport business, the diesel that goes into the tank is taken for granted by most operators. As long as it meets EN 590, diesel is diesel, right?Not quite, as Emma Wyatt, Shell fuels scientist, explains. “There are something like ...
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ArticleBringing a wealth of experience: Yusen UK MD Kevin Appleton
Kevin Appleton will remain with the business as chairman in a reduced-time capacity.Kevin Appleton became UK managing director at Yusen Logistics back in April 2014 replacing Ian Veitch, who moved to become the first non-Japanese national to head up Yusen’s entire operations across Europe. Appleton’s credentials are rock solid too. ...
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Chief executive Hervé Montjotin talks Norbert Dentressangle's growth curve
The acquisition of Christian Salvesen in 2007 was a watershed moment for Norbert Dentressangle. Not only did it nearly double its turnover over night (from €1.8bn in 2007 to €3.1bn in 2008) it was the catalyst for a major international acquisition spree that has seen it expand its interests into ...
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ArticleRyder takes tyre management partnership with Bridgestone to next level
At the CV Show 2014, contract hire and rental giant Ryder announced it was renewing a five year tyre supply contract with Bridgestone, covering most of its fleet of 25,000 vans, trucks and trailers. Ryder has exclusively used Bridgestone rubber for over 20 years, but 2014 was a watershed in ...
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ArticleBuchanan to ring the changes at Pall-Ex
When Kevin Buchanan announced he was leaving Palletline after seven years as MD, it was a surprise. When he was subsequently appointed group MD of fierce rival Pall-Ex, it was a shock.Palletline is owned by its members, Pall-Ex is still owned by its founder, chairman and CEO (and former Dragon) ...
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ArticleVW car and van man takes on MAN
Nine weeks into his job as MD of MAN Truck and Bus UK, Simon Elliott spoke to Steve Hobson about his plans for 2015.After 40 years in the truck industry, the last 20 with MAN, CEO Des Evans announced his retirement due to ill health in summer 2014, just before ...
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ArticleBurnt Tree set for growth under new ownership
Just three months into his new job as vice president and MD of Enterprise Flex-E-Rent and Burnt Tree, MT meets Danny Glynn (pictured) at Enterprise Car Rentals’ swanky nearly-new European headquarters in Egham, Surrey. “Don’t touch the walls, the paint might still be wet,” he jokes.Glynn is responsible for fulfilling ...
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ArticleMargin remains king for Gregory
Like many family-owned hauliers, Gregory Distribution is now run by the third generation – in this case CEO John Gregory – after being set up between the two world wars.“My grandfather started in 1919 with a horse and cart,” says Gregory. “His first truck was an ex-First World War Model ...
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ArticleInfrastructure project support is go for growth for Garic
Whether it is a major infrastructure project or small housing development, construction sites nowadays have to provide toilets, washing facilities and areas to rest and eat – creating a large demand for temporary amenities, writes Simon Jack.For Garic, which supplies equipment to meet such needs, this creates a complex logistical ...
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ArticleMAN prepares for future carbon-based emissions standards
Anders Nielsen took over as CEO of MAN Truck & Bus in September 2012, after 25 years at Scania, like MAN part of the Volkswagen group. There the Swede rose from managing gearbox production to a place on the board responsible for production and logistics.Despite initial concerns that the Euro-6 ...
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ArticleKeep used trucks in the UK, urges M-B UK MD
Michael Kamper took on the new role of UK MD of Mercedes-Benz Trucks when the truck importer restructured its commercial vehicle operation in January 2014. He describes his business as a “microcosm” of the factory in Stuttgart.“I have to raise the funds for the testing, purchasing, the route to market, ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz trucks boss confident in Euro-6 technology
Stefan Buchner has been in charge of Mercedes-Benz Trucks since January 2013, taking over just 12 months before the introduction of Euro-6 - arguably the most significant change in emissions standards since the introduction of Euro-3 in 2006.Buchner has been with Daimler for almost 30 years, the first 20 in ...
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Article50 not out - ATS Euromaster keeps on rolling
Next year sees tyre distributor ATS Euromaster celebrate its 50th anniversary since setting up in the UK. Although part of Michelin, it retains its independence, offering a full range of products and services.Simon Tattersall (pictured) was appointed head of national fleets in 2013, having previously been ATS Euromaster’s head of ...
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ArticleService is king for Arrow XL
Arrow XL is the UK's largest multi-user two-man home delivery specialist, delivering around 6,000 orders every day. It was created in April 2013 with the rebranding of Yodel XL to “differentiate itself from its sister company, parcel carrier Yodel”.Chief executive Ian Howell joined Arrow XL in October 2013. His career ...
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ArticleLafarge Tarmac goes the extra mile on safety
Eyebrows rose in some parts of the industry when construction materials supplier Lafarge Tarmac announced it was going to start accrediting subcontractors for Fors as part of a new safety drive. But as the programme gathers pace, the firm has no regrets.There are many different approaches to managing subcontractors, but ...
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ArticleSystem Training goes back to the knitting
In 2012, Bibby training subsidiary System Training recorded a shock pre-tax loss of £7.5m, pushing its parent Bibby Distribution Services (Holdings) into a £4.6m loss.In 2013, System’s operating losses were cut to a “marginal” £500,000, and in its annual report Bibby said the business was now “more streamlined and focused” ...
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ArticleStrachota rebuilds Tesco distribution network
At almost 1m sq ft, Tesco’s giant flagship Reading DC is one of the largest grocery distribution sites in Europe.The opening of Reading in June 2013 on a former Courage brewery site is part of one of the largest change programmes in UK retail distribution history, overseen by Tesco distribution ...
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ArticleBrown takes over APC reins at key moment
Karl Brown took over as chief executive of APC Overnight in November 2013, a year that Brown described on his appointment as “arguably the biggest in our company's history”.2013 saw the next-day parcels specialist move into its new £16.5m, 138,000sq ft national sorting centre in Cannock and collect the Motor ...
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ArticleMalcolm ponders impact of Scottish independence
Malcolm Group is more than just a family haulier: it’s a multi-modal 3PL with road, rail and warehousing; it’s a construction and civil engineering giant and one of the most prominent logistics employers in Scotland’s central belt. MT ranks the firm as the 22nd largest in the UK industry by ...
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ArticleFedEx UK boss careful to ensure network integration success
Since joining FedEx Express in 1995, Trevor Hoyle (pictured) has seen both the parcels industry and the way the company operates change dramatically, especially with the internet bringing new challenges. As he steps up to his new role as vice president, operations UK and Ireland, for FedEx Express and FedEx ...