Spotlight
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Latest news
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Podfather helps firm keep it strictly business
A civil engineering company in the Highlands introduced Podfather software to streamline the management of its haulage operations – and said it had “vastly reduced” paperwork.
M3 lorry blaze sparked by lithium-ion batteries
A major lorry fire on the M3 this week that fully closed part of the motorway for most of the day was caused by lithium-ion batteries igniting, according to the fire service.
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Podfather helps firm keep it strictly business
A civil engineering company in the Highlands introduced Podfather software to streamline the management of its haulage operations – and said it had “vastly reduced” paperwork.
M3 lorry blaze sparked by lithium-ion batteries
A major lorry fire on the M3 this week that fully closed part of the motorway for most of the day was caused by lithium-ion batteries igniting, according to the fire service.
Iveco launches Essex parts distribution facility
Iveco has opened a parts distribution centre (PDC) in Witham, Essex with an aim of decreasing the fulfilment times for key replacement parts.
Gist reports increase in profits and revenue
Gist turned in a strong financial performance last year, with turnover and profits up at the M&S-owned transport and logistics company.
DX and Rhenus strike up partnership for two-person home delivery services
DX has taken over Rhenus Logistics’ two-person home delivery services in the UK and Ireland after the two businesses formed a strategic partnership.
FLS expands business with recruitment drive
Digital road freight and logistics provider FLS Group is recruiting for 15 new roles as it continues to grow its operations in the UK and Europe.
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
Podfather helps firm keep it strictly business
M3 lorry blaze sparked by lithium-ion batteries
Iveco launches Essex parts distribution facility
Gist reports increase in profits and revenue
DX and Rhenus strike up partnership for two-person home delivery services
FLS expands business with recruitment drive
Operator news
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Podfather helps firm keep it strictly business
A civil engineering company in the Highlands introduced Podfather software to streamline the management of its haulage operations – and said it had “vastly reduced” paperwork.
Gist reports increase in profits and revenue
Gist turned in a strong financial performance last year, with turnover and profits up at the M&S-owned transport and logistics company.
DX and Rhenus strike up partnership for two-person home delivery services
DX has taken over Rhenus Logistics’ two-person home delivery services in the UK and Ireland after the two businesses formed a strategic partnership.
FLS expands business with recruitment drive
Digital road freight and logistics provider FLS Group is recruiting for 15 new roles as it continues to grow its operations in the UK and Europe.
Kemball boosts off-dock storage capacity at Felixstowe
James Kemball has acquired a six-acre site close to Felixstowe Port, which it said now made it the region’s largest off-dock container storage provider.
MT Transport and recycling firm sold for more than £3.5m
The pre-pack sale of a West Midlands metals recycler and its transport division just before Christmas cost its purchaser £3.6m, the administrator has confirmed.
Muller to create 90 jobs with new logistics hub, but some roles at risk
Dairy company Muller is to build an in-house logistics hub at its Skelmersdale site which will accommodate up to 65 milk collection trucks and create up to 90 new jobs, the company has announced.
DP World expands operations at Segro Park Coventry
Logistics giant DP World is to lease a new 220,000sq ft industrial and distribution warehouse building at Segro Park Coventry.
Scorpion Engineering to appeal TC decision to revoke licence
Swindon-based Scorpion Engineering has launched an appeal against the Traffic Commissioner’s decision to revoke its operator licence, which followed a public inquiry in Bristol in October.
Administration watch
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
MT Transport and recycling firm sold for more than £3.5m
The pre-pack sale of a West Midlands metals recycler and its transport division just before Christmas cost its purchaser £3.6m, the administrator has confirmed.
Circle Express’ purchaser says firm can “thrive”
The new owner of Circle Express said all 158 jobs at the air freight specialist were saved when it bought the firm out of administration just before Christmas.
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Industry news
M3 lorry blaze sparked by lithium-ion batteries
A major lorry fire on the M3 this week that fully closed part of the motorway for most of the day was caused by lithium-ion batteries igniting, according to the fire service.
Iveco launches Essex parts distribution facility
Iveco has opened a parts distribution centre (PDC) in Witham, Essex with an aim of decreasing the fulfilment times for key replacement parts.
Headache of international haulage spelt out to MPs
The continuing delays for hauliers transporting goods into the EU was raised with ministers this week, with concerns that the number of operators currently collapsing could make trade increasingly difficult.
HGV driver jailed following death by dangerous driving conviction
A lorry driver has been jailed for 10 years after he failed to react to stationary traffic on the M62 near Liverpool and killed two pilots being driven home from their shifts.
‘National embarrassment’: road reputation sinks further amid pothole pandemic
A warranty attached to every non-emergency pothole repair in the UK would help ensure they were patched up correctly and ensure accountability, according to the AA.
Government consultation calls for industry comment on plans to decarbonise HGVs
The government has launched a public consultation looking at how to increase the number of zero emission trucks on UK roads, cut CO₂ emissions from new diesel HGVs, and how best to phase out the sale of diesel trucks up to 26 tonnes by 2035 and the sale of all ...
FleetCheck partners with BIFA to boost van safety standards
A new partnership with fleet software specialist FleetCheck is aiming to increase van safety standards among British Internatiional Freight Association (BIFA) members.
Government rating of councils’ pothole repair performance welcomed by Logistics UK
A new traffic light rating system, published by the government this week, which allows drivers to check the performance of local highway authorities on tackling potholes, has been welcomed by the logistics industry.
Motor Transport Awards 2026 open for entries with new Future Fleets category
New category honours operators embracing net zero, AI and autonomous technology as iconic industry awards celebrate four decades of recognising excellence across UK road transport
Storm Goretti gritting plan lambasted by haulage operators
The strategy of gritting the roads ahead of Storm Goretti, which battered large parts of the country this week, has been criticised by operators that branded it an “absolute shambles”.
Interviews
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Harris MAXUS expands technician training to tackle skills shortage
The Dublin-based importer has invested significantly in its training academy to meet rising demand from over 90 UK dealers, delivering structured programmes from system technician to master technician level with particular focus on electric vehicle safety and diagnostics.
Martin Willmor’s vision for DHL Supply Chain: strategy, challenges and growth targets
Returning to DHL at a pivotal moment, new UK&I CEO Martin Willmor lays out a focused five-point strategy - spanning growth sectors, transport reform, major startups and property investment - to steer the business confidently through a shifting economy
John Lewis cutting emissions today and in the future with the best technology available
The John Lewis Partnership’s fleet manager has cut transport emissions in half since 2018 by switching 500 trucks to bioCNG and trialling electric vehicles, achieving a major milestone by purchasing the company’s final diesel vehicle this year.
Hydrogen a viable option in a future multi-fuel zero carbon landscape
The HydraB group is targeting hydrogen pricing of £8/kg to 9/kg to achieve total cost of ownership parity with diesel equivalents, as CEO Harry Bowcott explains how an integrated approach across vehicle manufacturing, fuel production and infrastructure can simplify hydrogen adoption for fleet operators.
Malcolm Logistics looks for customer support for next steps on sustainability journey
Malcolm Logistics picked up the Haulier of the Year Award at the 2025 Motor Transport Awards, the second time the company has collected this coveted award.
“Cutting off the tail was the first step” — Angela Carus on leaving Boughey to reshape a local family firm
Seven months into her new role, the former Boughey MD explains why she left a major operator to take on the challenge of transforming Law Distribution
From turbulence to turnaround: Life after Charlie Shiels at ArrowXL
After years of upheaval and the departure of chief executive Charlie Shiels, ArrowXL is embarking on a recovery mission. Backed by French logistics giant Jacky Perrenot, new CEO Philippe Cuoc reveals his plan to rebuild the Wigan-based delivery firm from the inside out
Opinion
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.
Europe’s used truck market has come of age - what it means for UK hauliers
As UK hauliers face rising costs, persistent driver shortages and new CO₂-linked road charges for European operations from 2026, 2025 marked a turning point in Europe’s used truck market — offering British fleets a clearer, more strategic path to renewal
Customs changes demand urgent digital shift for freight operators
International freight businesses must urgently modernise customs systems to meet incoming UK and EU regulatory changes, including ICS2 Phase 3, France’s ELO requirements, and enhanced HMRC transparency measures, warns Derry Bros customs manager Sarah-Louise Murray.
Connectivity: The key to driverless HGVs
As the UK pushes towards connected and autonomous freight, it is the resilience of our data networks, not just the vehicles themselves, that will determine success.
Contracts
DX and Rhenus strike up partnership for two-person home delivery services
DX has taken over Rhenus Logistics’ two-person home delivery services in the UK and Ireland after the two businesses formed a strategic partnership.
CitySprint builds on Wickes contract success
CitySprint has extended its partnership with home improvement retailer Wickes until the end of 2027.
Prolog takes on distribution for channel retailer Brand Creations
Fulfilment provider Prolog has struck a deal with the multi-channel retailer Brand Creations Group to manage the distribution of its products across the UK.
Fraikin contract deal a real glass act
Glass supplier Clayton Glass has signed its first ever contract hire deal with Fraikin and taken delivery of three new 18-tonne rigids, after a recommendation from one of its customers.
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