All Opinion articles – Page 5
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ArticleBiomethane can cut carbon emissions from heavy trucks right now
HGVs are the most challenging road vehicles to transition to electric or hydrogen power, a practical and affordable solution is 20 to 30 years away. This is why major logistics companies across the UK are today switching away from diesel to biomethane gas as a transport fuel, which can be ...
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Internet of Things can safely improve efficiency of logistics operations
Supply chains are constantly battling challenges, with unforeseen delays, restrictions and thefts causing disruption at every turn. More recently, the pandemic threatened the continuity of supply chains more severely than any event in recent memory.Lockdowns imposed across Europe and the rest of the world in response have caused disruption to ...
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ArticleDon't forget handling equipment when looking at electric vehicles
Electrification within the transport industry has been gaining traction for some years, but the discussion rarely includes truck mounted equipment or cranes. Lifting equipment plays a vital role in the sector and shouldn’t be overlooked.The whole industry needs to think more holistically about developing greener equipment and electrification is just ...
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How do you do home delivery of a washing machine in a Covid-19 world?
So, it is pretty well documented that those of us involved in e-commerce and home delivery have benefited from an increase in online shopping during this pandemic. As a result, despite the massive changes that we have had to implement to keep our people and customers safe, and the subsequent ...
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ArticleControlling your fleet in the backdrop of the Covid-19 oil price crash
The commercial fuel market is complex at the best of times. However, in a year that has seen many factors impact the price of fuel, it is important to take a look at these factors and help fleets with the best tips in managing their fuel consumption.The price of fuel ...
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ArticleLessons learned: How supermarkets are adapting to surge in delivery demand
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent nationwide lockdown created a fundamental shift in consumer demand and expectation from supermarkets.With many shoppers unwilling or unable to leave their homes and physical stores struggling with excessive queuing and empty shelves, it’s no surprise that online grocery sales grew by 92%, ...
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ArticleMethanol could be another option as a low carbon fuel for heavy trucks
Electrification of road transport is gaining momentum as a solution for long-term decarbonisation of the global transportation sector.For light-duty vehicles, direct electrification with batteries is a promising and energy-efficient candidate for reducing CO2 and other harmful emissions. It is also a potential solution for heavy-duty trucks with short-range requirements and ...
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ArticleLogistics and transport sector must build on a new level of awareness created by the Covid-19 pandemic
Back in February, before the UK’s nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales stood at just 18% and few people understood (or cared) how the goods they ordered online, or picked from the supermarket shelf, actually arrived at their final destination.On 16 March, when the ...
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ArticleLogistics firms missing out on government grants for R&D
We find that companies from all sectors have the potential to claim UK R&D tax relief. For tax purposes the definition of R&D is very broad.We know that logistics businesses of all kinds are benefitting from innovative technology which is constantly streamlining their processes and allowing them to work more ...
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ArticleHow the pandemic has accelerated the changing role of the HGV driver
Photo: Johnny Bambury/Fennell PhotographyThe life of a professional driver has changed dramatically over the last few years, with technology playing a huge part in this. One man and his truck has turned into one person, their truck and their digital toolbox.Drivers are now part of a hyper-connected organisation joined up ...
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ArticleAll operators have a moral duty to cut carbon emissions
After a sizeable reduction of pollution and greenhouse emissions in recent months due to the pandemic, transport operators will be put under even greater pressure to help reduce emissions and improve their carbon footprint.But to have a tangible impact in reducing our carbon footprint a green environmental policy needs to ...
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ArticleTurbulent times for the UK haulage sector
The coming 12 months will see us released from lockdown, though challenges remain with the Christmas peak, IR35 tax reforms, VAT repayments and Brexit border controls coming into force. Not to mention the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19.Our revised and updated report 'The impact of Covid-19: a roadmap ...
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ArticleLower duty essential to fueling post-Covid-19 recovery
When it comes to fuelling an economic recovery, maintaining the current low price of diesel should be a priority for the government.With prices already starting to rise, I’d urge chancellor Rishi Sunak reduce fuel duty over the next 12 months to compensate for any increase at the pumpsWith most goods ...
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ArticleFlexing the stockroom for a ‘new’ retail supply chain future
Even before coronavirus, bricks and mortar retailers were facing an existential crisis. Soaring business rates, rent reviews, and minimum wages were already putting pressure on the size and scale of physical shops.And against the increasing appeal of online shopping to a conscious, discriminating and tech-savvy market, the role of bricks ...
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Most operators need Category C+E driver apprenticeship
In reference to the article by David Coombes in the latest edition of Motor Transport (6 July) I would again wish to comment on the assumptions made.Unfortunately, Skills for Logistics have been reluctant to accept the wishes of the majority of operators in the industry, who want a Category C+E ...
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ArticleCovid-19... How we coped and what we've learnt
Keith Broom, finance director, Suttons GroupThe Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on supply chains across the globe, particularly the ISO-tank market which uses specialist equipment and relies on a balance of flows.The impact of “lockdowns” initially hit the manufacturers of product at the beginning of the supply chain, ...
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ArticleMaking tomorrow a better world in logistics
The health crisis that we are currently experiencing, as well as its financial and economic consequences, should not mean we lose sight of the opportunities that can be leveraged today to help businesses continue growing and developing.This situation should be used as an opportunity to identify weaknesses and design innovative ...
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ArticleNo-deal Brexit will only add to Covid-19 woes
Last night’s news that we are now a major step closer to a damaging no-deal Brexit will be extremely unwelcome to the vast number of businesses that will be affected by this decision. Months of chaos caused by Covid-19 have further disrupted supply chains, and provided a worrying preview of ...
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ArticlePhasing in border controls could put extra pressure on cashflow
The government’s recent decision to phase in the introduction of customs controls on goods entering Great Britain from the EU from the start of 2021 has been widely welcomed as a "pragmatic" move, allowing UK hauliers more time to adjust. However, they could also put extra pressure on cashflow.On 12 ...
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ArticlePlanning ahead for the new normal
As the world slowly starts to return to become more familiar, with the non-essential shops opening, us being able to socialise a bit more and seeing our families and the dream of having a pie and a pint almost within grasp, it seems like a good opportunity to look both ...