Latest Industry news – Page 193

  • Bob Lowden Iveco
    Article

    Bob Lowden appointed as Iveco UK MD

    2014-11-05T17:13:00Z

    Bob Lowden has been appointed as UK MD at Iveco, succeeding Claudio Zanframundo. Lowden returns to the UK after three years heading up the truck manufacturer’s business in South Africa.In his new role Lowden will focus on increasing Iveco’s market share and volume in the UK and Ireland. He also ...

  • Article

    Goodyear sponsors Quiet Cities networking dinner

    2014-10-30T16:35:00Z

    Goodyear is sponsoring the networking dinner at next month’s Quiet Cities global summit.The dinner will take place on the evening of Tuesday 25 November, and gives delegates the opportunity to network with other industry representatives following the first day of the Quiet Cities conference and exhibition.Marc Preedy, Goodyear Commercial Director ...

  • Training_sign_shutterstock
    Article

    Logistics sector gets nod for Trailblazer apprenticeships

    2014-10-30T16:20:00Z

    The logistics sector has successfully won a place on the next wave of the Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme .Trailblazer apprenticeships are intended to be simple, accessible courses designed by employers specifically for roles in their business sectors, with funding made directly available to operators for external training purposes.The initiative was launched ...

  • Article

    Trade associations back Highways Agency reform and new watchdogs

    2014-10-29T15:57:00Z

    Trade associations have welcomed the government’s plan to reform the Highways Agency, and the unveiling of the watchdogs that will be charged with ensuring the new private entity delivers.Gerry Keaney, chief executive at the BVLRA, said: “We welcome the reform of the Highways Agency and the government’s desire to introduce ...

  • Article

    Think Logistics sets its sights on 1,000 students

    2014-10-29T12:33:00Z

    Think Logistics has set itself a target of ensuring 1,000 students aged 16 to 18 attend one of its workshops by May 2016, and is urging operators to take part in the half-day sessions.The initiative, founded by Abbey Logistics MD Steve Granite, is an industry-led project that aims to raise ...

  • Article

    Labour backs out-of-hours deliveries

    2014-10-29T12:00:00Z

    The Labour Party has pledged its support for out-of-hours deliveries, claiming smarter management of the UK road network is one of its transport priorities.Speaking at a recent All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport session, shadow freight transport minister Richard Burden MP said: “The Olympic Games showed that through effective co-operation, ...

  • Article

    Government says Highways Agency reform was the only option

    2014-10-28T15:50:00Z

    The government has defended its controversial decision to reform the Highways Agency, and revealed the roles the newly installed strategic road network (SRN) watchdogs will play as part of the changes.Responding to the Transport Committee’s Better Roads Report from May, which labelled plans to transform the HA into a ownership ...

  • Article

    RHA calls on government to provide driver-training grants

    2014-10-23T12:40:00Z

    The RHA is calling on the government to give emergency £2,500 training grants to hauliers to fund the training of new HGV drivers in a bid to head-off a critical shortage of drivers. RHA director of policy Jack Semple estimated that the industry was facing a shortfall of 40,000 drivers ...

  • Tractor
    Article

    Operators raise fears over tractor road-speed and weight increases

    2014-10-23T06:45:00Z

    FTA members have expressed safety fears over the government’s decision to allow heavier, faster agricultural vehicles on UK roads.Following a consultation, the DfT last week gave the go-ahead to increase the maximum combination weight for tractors and trailers from 24.9 tonnes to 31 tonnes, while simultaneously raising the speed limit ...

  • Christmas
    Article

    REC research warns of driver scarcity for Christmas peak

    2014-10-22T12:16:00Z

    Operators’ fears of a driver-shortage-fuelled capacity crisis this Christmas have been backed up by new research revealed today by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).The quarterly data showed that in September, 21% of employers looking to hire permanent drivers and distribution workers and 23% of those looking to recruit drivers ...

  • FFUK-manifesto
    Article

    FFUK pledges to keep up the fight on fuel duty

    2014-10-22T11:02:00Z

    FairFuelUK launched its election manifesto at the House of Commons today, with a succession of MPs pledging to support the influential lobby group’s seven main campaign objectives.These include a 3p cut in fuel duty to help stimulate economic growth, bringing UK fuel duty in line with other European Union countries ...

  • Waitrose click and collect lockers
    Article

    Waitrose launches year-long click and collect trial

    2014-10-21T15:06:00Z

    Waitrose has begun a year-long trial of temperature-controlled click and collect lockers at various locations across the UK.The first two locations at Chorleywood and Ickenham TfL London Underground stations are now operating, and Waitrose intends to open eight more sets of lockers at other TfL stations and Gatwick airport ...

  • Prax
    Article

    Prax expands UK coverage with Cardiff terminal

    2014-10-20T15:17:00Z

    Leading independent fuel supplier Prax Petroleum is expanding its coverage of Wales and the South West of England with the opening of a terminal in Cardiff to add to its Dagenham and Immingham sites.Prax sales and marketing director Neil Robertson said the supplier was being welcomed into the Welsh market, ...

  • Article

    Government to double UK cycling activity over the next decade

    2014-10-16T16:41:00Z

    The government has revealed its intention to double cycling activity in the UK by 2025, publishing a ten-year plan setting out its goal. DfT's Cycling Delivery Plan, published earlier today, outlines its goal of spending £10 a year on cycling per UK resident by 2021 at the latest, stating: “A ...

  • Antonio-de-Bruijn
    Article

    Chinese AdBlue supplier enters UK market

    2014-10-16T13:54:00Z

    A new supplier of AdBlue is entering the UK, aiming to take 10% of the market and challenge the dominance of the current leaders Yara and GreenChem.Top!Blue is part owned by Chinese petrochem giant Sinopec and will be blending AdBlue at six initial locations around the UK using urea imported ...

  • Article

    Fors to be rolled-out nationally next year

    2014-10-15T13:34:00Z

    TfL’s Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (Fors) is to be rolled-out nationwide in January 2015.The scheme, which promotes cycle safety measures and equipment, will shortly be placed into private hands following tendering process earlier this year.The successful bidder will operate the scheme for up to seven years through a concession contract, ...

  • Article

    Sainsbury's logistics director to be keynote speaker at Quiet Cities

    2014-10-14T10:47:00Z

    Richard Fleming, logistics director at Sainsbury’s has been confirmed as a keynote speaker at the Quiet Cities global summit next month.Fleming brings a wealth of experience to the event, heading up a logistics business of 16,000 staff that runs 1,042 tractor units; 342 rigids and 2,371 trailers out of 22 ...

  • Amazon Rugeley warehouse
    Article

    Amazon to employ 1,000 new staff across eight fulfilment centres

    2014-10-13T15:29:00Z

    Amazon has announced plans to create 1,000 new permanent roles at its network of eight UK fulfilment centres in the “coming months”.In the past two years, the online retail giant has recruited more than 2,000 new employees, with this latest cohort creating a 7,000-strong workforce.John Tagawa, director of UK operations ...

  • john lewis SfL
    Article

    Firms outline Driver CPC wishlist

    2014-10-13T14:34:00Z

    John Lewis has called on Jaupt to provide more visibility about the way in which a driver obtains their Driver Qualification Card (DQC) in the future.Speaking at a Skills for Logistics (SfL) event last week to celebrate the sector’s achievement in successfully completing the first wave of Driver CPC training, ...

  • Training_sign_shutterstock
    Article

    Research reveals more than 67,000 logistics employees are lacking right skills

    2014-10-13T14:32:00Z

    More than 67,000 employees working in the logistics sector are regarded as not being proficient in their jobs, according to a report by a government advisory body.The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) also said that a shortage of HGV drivers means more staff and younger workers are required ...