Fleet operator news

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

Amazon top for fleet growth as Black Friday looms

Retailers are gearing up for the Black Friday rush and Amazon, the company which introduced the concept to the UK in 2010, is topping the chart as the fastest growing retail vehicle fleet.

Samuel Hayes joins Law Distribution as network transport manager

Haydock-based Law Distribution has appointed an experienced transport manager to lead and develop its palletised freight operation.

Latest Operator news

Meachers Global Logistics sees profits fall amid “challenging” trading conditions

2026-11-02T14:06:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Southampton-based Meachers Global Logistics saw pre-tax profit drop by over 40% in the year to 31 May 2026, as the company battled “challenging trading conditions”.

Recovery firm fined for life-changing HGV reversing incident

2026-10-30T15:34:00+00:00By Chris Tindall

A recovery operator in Swindon has been fined £28,000 after one of its employees was struck by a reversing truck and crushed under its wheels.

EV Cargo says group more focused following Solutions sell-off to Stobart

2026-10-30T13:00:00+00:00By Chris Tindall

EV Cargo Group said it had delivered a resilient performance in 2025, with pre-tax profit returning to the black shortly before the disposal of its Solutions business to William Stobart.

Martello Transport snaps up 25 Aeros

2026-10-30T11:08:00+00:00By Chris Tindall

Container haulier Martello Transport has acquired 25 new Volvo FH Aero 460 6x2 tractor units for use on its domestic operations.

Econ Engineering acquired by US business Alamo

2026-10-29T15:42:00+00:00By Chris Tindall

Specialist highways vehicle manufacturer Econ Engineering has been sold to American firm Alamo Group.

Judge issues stark ban warning to haulier for persistent road safety offences

2026-10-29T14:19:00+00:00By Chris Tindall

Drivers at one of the country’s worst-offending companies for overloading have been warned by a judge they face six-month bans if they appear before her again.

Haulier whose drivers covered 10,535km without driver cards has licence cut

2026-10-28T15:30:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Pentons Haulage and Coldstorage has had its vehicle operator’s licence cut from 70 vehicles to 60 after a Deputy Traffic Commissioner found significant failures in its management of drivers, tachograph records and vehicle compliance.

Over 200 jobs in pipeline as DPD launches new Darlington distribution centre

2026-10-28T12:43:00+00:00By Carol Millett

DPD has opened a new 63,000sq ft distribution centre at Forrest Park, near Darlington, County Durham which could create 250 jobs, the parcel delivery company has announced.

Pall-Ex Group forges Benelux partnership to drive pan-European growth

2026-10-28T12:38:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Pall-Ex Group is strengthening its pan-European distribution network with the appointment of a new principal partner for the Benelux region.

Heidelberg Materials delivers lower carbon road improvement scheme in Cumbria

2026-10-28T12:36:00+00:00By Carol Millett

Heidelberg Materials UK has worked with Westmorland and Furness Council to improve a 1.5-mile stretch of the A689 in Cumbria.

More Operator news

Opinion

Why October is the month to watch for road freight

With diesel hitting historic highs and right-to-work checks now covering individual subcontractors — carrying civil penalties of up to £45,000 per breach — October’s carrier rates and availability data will show which pressure is hitting hardest. TEG CEO Lyall Cresswell sets out what operators need to watch and act on ...

Fragmented AI: why transport and logistics must take security seriously

Traditionally, the transportation industry has taken a cautious approach to addressing business challenges and adopting new technologies. Because assets are expensive, margins are consistently thin and mistakes can have massive real-world consequences, fleets simply cannot afford to be early adopters of unproven solutions.

When spare HGV capacity is actually worth filling

Accepting a backload can look like an easy commercial win, but mileage, waiting time and repositioning can erode its value fast. Dumitru Martînov of Houlvek sets out a practical framework for smaller fleets and owner-drivers to assess whether an additional load genuinely stacks up.

Latest opinions