Tag: Road Transport

Local MP launches work on Palletforce’s state-of-the-art new logistics hub

Posted by | May 16, 2008 | |

Janet Dean, Member of Parliament for the Burton constituency, was guest of honour at the sod-cutting ceremony held to officially launch the building of PalletFORCE’s new state-of-the-art logistics hub recently.

After meeting senior PalletFORCE staff, Chief Executive Michael Conroy and Operations Director Carl Worgan, Janet Dean formally cut the sod on the new site, which is anticipated to be completed by late 2008 and operational by January 2009.

Janet commented, “I am delighted that PalletFORCE has chosen Burton upon Trent for this exciting new venture. Burton’s excellent transport infrastructure and well motivated workforce make the town the ideal location for the PalletFORCE network to provide an outstanding logistics service for its members across the country.”

PalletFORCE is one of the country’s leading players in palletised distribution, and the new Burton-based hub is designed to be a flagship for the sector, providing a bespoke environment that will offer faster throughputs and higher quality of operation. The £30 million investment will deliver a 379,400 sq ft site, which PalletFORCE believes can handle up to 4 million pallets per annum. There could also be additional employment opportunities in the Burton area.

The hub is being built by leading national contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd, with the assistance of the Derbyshire-based ‘Independent Stabilisation Company’.

Read More

TNT builds up its Green Fleet Worldwide

Posted by | May 15, 2008 | |

TNT is doubling its effort to cut carbon emissions of its road fleet with the introduction of over 100 electric trucks in the UK, China, and Australia.

TNT Express and Smith Electric Vehicles last Monday launched in London the world’s largest fleet of zero emission electric vehicles. TNT’s new 100-strong fleet of battery-powered ‘Newton’ delivery trucks will replace diesel equivalents over the next 18 months. The 7.5 ton lorries will prevent the release of up to 1,299,000 kilograms of CO2 into the atmosphere of towns and cities in the UK each year. The first tranche of 50 trucks will operate from TNT locations in London, Basildon, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Enfield, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Luton, Northampton, Oxford, Paisley, Preston, and Wolverhampton. The partnership with Smith – the world’s largest manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles – follows an 18-months trial in London. TNT is looking into piloting electric vehicles in all major European cities.

Last week, TNT and Dong Feng Motor Co., China’s largest automaker and manufacturer of electric vehicles, began a trial of two battery-electric delivery vans in the city of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, China. The trial involves two light electric vans designed, manufactured and assembled in Wuhan by Dong Feng Motor Co. It is TNT’s first zero-emissions test outside of Europe. The vans have a top speed of 80 kph (50 mph), a range of 160-200 km (100-124 miles) and can carry a one ton load.

At the end of April, TNT Express Australia introduced 10 Hino hybrid trucks, becoming the first business in Australia to start operating a fleet of diesel-electric hybrid as replacements for conventionally powered vehicles. The new trucks will reduce TNT’s greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 kilograms of CO2 a year per vehicle. They emit 14 percent less CO2 and 50 percent less nitrous oxides than a conventional diesel truck of equivalent size.

“Greening our road fleet is a must to achieve TNT’s quest to become the first zero emissions express and mail company,” says TNT CEO Peter Bakker. “TNT is renewing its operations to reduce their environmental impact. Examples range from greener offices and depots to electricity sourcing and innovative electric vehicles.”

Read More

Axis optimistc about UK growth

Posted by | May 12, 2008 | |

Axis Intermodal, the European transport equipment contract hire group, increased turnover and profits last year, and remains confident of further growth within its UK operations. Preliminary results for the year ending 31 December 2007 show turnover increased by 32 pct to GBP 12m, with pre-tax profits and share-based payment increasing to GBP 646,000, compared with GBP 601,000 in 2006.

Early indications show that the December launch of its marine containers lease business, SeaAxis, has been successful and allowed penetration into the Far East and US markets. Its UK performance was in line with expectations its contract hire fleet grew by 93 pct for the year and its customer base by 43 pct.

Axis Intermodal was established in 1995 to take advantage of the growing market for intermodal swapbodies. Its customers include DHL Exel, Geopost and Kerry Logistics.

Read More

Capgemini and ProLogis launch North American case study report on the supply chain implications from manufacturing offshoring to China and India

Posted by | May 6, 2008 | |

The quest to produce or provide a product at the lowest possible price, while simultaneously maintaining product quality and integrity, has driven many North American enterprises overseas, particularly to Asia. While outsourcing overseas is not a new phenomenon, it has now become possible to analyze and qualify the processes that have made these offshore ventures successful and profitable. This study aims to identify the specific impacts to the physical distribution supply chain of North American businesses when outsourcing to China and India. By interviewing high-level executives from North American companies currently operating in China and/or India, this document provides a “lessons learned” guide focusing on the current state of operations, risk mitigation and predictions for future developments.

Outsourcing manufacturing to China to reduce costs in the supply chain is by no means a new development. In fact, there are companies in North America that have been successfully offshoring to China for as long as 40 years. Their unique challenges have evolved as the capabilities within China have matured. By comparison, the outsourcing of manufacturing to India is relatively new, gaining a foothold within the past seven years. While India has become a master in the area of information technology outsourcing, the supply chain processes related to manufacturing outsourcing continue to be a challenge and obstacle for many North American companies.

Read More

Gala awards celebrate strength of PalletForce network

Posted by | Apr 29, 2008 | |

PalletFORCE’s sixth annual Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday 12th April highlighted the strength of the Network, with a record number of Member Depots being recognised for their contribution.

Held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London and attended by 430 Shareholder Members and staff, the event rewarded the Network’s outstanding performers over the past year.

The event’s top prize, PalletFORCE Depot of the Year, was this year renamed as the PalletFORCE Depot of the Year – The Robert Bedford Award in honour of the Bedfords Transport Depot Principal and PalletFORCE Non-Executive Director, who died in 2007. The award was won by Edwin C Farrall & Sons for the fourth time.

Ge-Be Transport was voted Members’ Depot of the Year, whilst the Sales & Marketing Award was won by Owens Road Services. The Members Service Committee Award went to White Logistics.

A new category, Networkers of the Year, singled out twelve Member Depots who, in the opinion of the Network, had ‘shown a true Network spirit and had gone that extra mile’ over the past twelve months. Those chosen were Horley Road Services, UK Freight Masters, Alan Firmin Ltd, Freightforce, Online Roadways, JBT Ltd, White Logistics, Price Express Transport, Beattie Bros Transport, R G Bassett & Sons, John Jempson & Sons Ltd and Abacus Transport

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest