All Opinion articles – Page 7
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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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Article
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 ...
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ArticleTake this opportunity to reconfigure warehouse layouts to improve efficiency
Food and FMCG companies must take steps to organise themselves now if they are going to have the right warehouse infrastructure in place to meet post-lockdown trading conditions.In the early stages of the Covid-19 crisis fears over shortages of food and other essential items prompted panic buying in supermarkets across ...
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ArticleWhat can we learn from swine flu?
The coronavirus is not my first pandemic. Back in 2009 when I was working in depot operations, I remember being briefed on a potentially dangerous virus called swine flu that was prevalent across the globe.I was tasked with implementing a range of safety measures across our depots to prevent transmission ...
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ArticleAfter the dark days, some semblance of normality returns
After the dark and uncertain days of late March, here at ArrowXL we have now settled down into a more stable rhythm. Our plan is to simply carry on doing what we are doing which means continuing our focus on employee and customer safety whilst delivering the items people want. ...
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ArticleMajor changes for supply chains predicted post-Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic will prove to be a defining moment for supply chains. CH Robinson supports some 119,000 customers globally through its multi-modal logistics platform, and we believe that recent events around the world will transform the logistics landscape, leading to significant technological investment, heightened risk management, new levels of ...
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Sponsored content
SPONSORED: Sustainability in the haulage industry
Sustainability is a hot topic as of late. Open any mainstream news website and it won’t take you long to find content focused on anything from limiting pollution to reducing waste plastic.As haulage plays a crucial part in a vast number of industries from waste collection to food delivery, it ...
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ArticleCOVID-19: Prepare an action plan to support your team
COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. Health and safety has never been more essential and implementing the necessary precautions, like social distancing, has taken its toll on everyone to varying degrees.One aspect that will definitely be impacted more than others will be our collective mental health. At O’Donovan, ...
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ArticleHome delivery staff are heroes too
From the outset of this pandemic the government made it clear that home delivery was vital to the fight against COVID-19 and that company’s like ours were doing essential work. It made sense – home delivery enables people to get the items they need while self-isolating or following the government’s ...
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Article
IR35 will only level the LGV driver pay playing field
Given the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting likelihood of recession, we are likely to find that the LGV driver shortage becomes more of a challenge than ever before.As a result Driver Require feels that it is still relevant to maintain awareness of the potential impact of a driver shortage and ...
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Article
OTC does work hard to comply with the Code but simpler guidance would be welcome
We are well aware of the distinction between the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC) and the DVSA. However, the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 and the relevant statutory instruments from which the Code derives, expressly relates to both institutions and, in the constraints of a short article, we ...
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ArticleOTC and DVSA reject Backhouse suggestion they are failing to comply with the Code
TC Nick Denton is a regular speaker at compliance events for operatorsMuch of James Backhouse’s piece appears to conflate DVSA and the Traffic Commissioners (TCs) together and confuses the role of the regulators (TCs) with that of the enforcement agency (DVSA).Nonetheless, there are some points that we would like to ...
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ArticleDriver shortage is about more than just low wages
I would like to reply to Driver Require CEO Kieran Smith's article which only shows the issue from a selfish point of view ie the agency trying get more money for itself. I would like to offer up another side to the issue.Having worked in logistics for some 30 years ...