Interviews – Page 3

  • Electra-at-RTX-23
    Article

    Electra sees growing interest in electric refuse vehicles

    2023-07-06T15:49:00Z

    At last week's Road Transport Expo, Blackburn-based electric truck maker Electra showed a full range of its battery electric vehicles between 12 tonnes and 27 tonnes GVW, and MD Ben Smith said that the company is working on a hydrogen fuel cell for higher weight trucks.A 12.5 tonner on show ...

  • DVS-group-2
    Article

    Operators and suppliers voice concerns over Direct Vision Standard phase 2

    2023-06-23T11:42:00Z

    TfL is due to introduce phase 2 of its Direct Vision Standard in October 2024 and its consultation on the amended standard closed on April 3. Just before the deadline Motor Transport in association with Brigade Electronics held a roundtable debate with TfL and a group of leading operators to ...

  • Chris-McGinley-and-Chris-Allnder
    Article

    Two hard-working lads from Sheffield living the dream at Stanton Logistics

    2023-06-13T10:34:00Z

    Chris McGinley, left, and Chris Allender set up Stanton Logistics in 2007Motor Transport gets asked to interview many successful transport firms but when an invite came to meet one of the founders of Stanton Logistics in Rotherham, south Yorkshire it was hard to turn down.“We are one of the best ...

  • tevva.098-678x381-326x245
    Article

    “Truck prices are through the roof and volumes are not what they used to be…”

    2023-05-23T15:46:00Z

    Alan Maher (pictured), MD of Archbold Logistics in Manchester, explains the difficulty of balancing dipping volumes with soaring tractor and trailer prices and lengthening vehicle delivery timesQ&A Q: How much is the general slide in volumes affecting Archbold?A: We’ve tightened our budgets a little this year. This means subbing out ...

  • Jesse-Norman
    Article

    Heavier trucks, biofuels, affordability and recharging infrastructure all on the agenda for decarbonisation minister

    2023-05-12T18:29:00Z

    Speaking exclusively to MT after his address to the Logistics UK Future Logistics conference, transport minister responsible for decarbonisation Jesse Norman MP did not rule out increasing the 44-tonne maximum weight limit for zero emissions HGVs to compensate for the additional weight of alternative drive trains.The DfT has just ended ...

  • Palletline's-Hub-at-Night
    Article

    Shareholder model puts Palletline in strong position to invest in the future

    2023-04-20T09:30:00Z

    Palletline was the first pallet network to be established in the UK and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022. It was also a year in which the business reached new heights with record volumes.The company’s recent announcement of a substantial programme of investment has been designed to ensure Palletline has ...

  • Michael Holt - Chairman
    Article

    Michael Holt: "I wanted a board that wasn't just seeing this as Tuffnells versus DX…"

    2023-03-08T10:21:00Z

    Since returning to private ownership in 2020, Sheffield-based parcels firm Tuffnells has restructured, announced a new £7m investment to drive growth, and is now backing hydrogen for its future long-haul fleet. MT gets the full story from executive chairman Michael HoltQ&A Q: How’s business and what main lessons have you ...

  • 31_Lesley O'Brien_109
    Article

    Lesley O’Brien: “Costs are up, rates are being pushed down and everyone's fighting for mechanics…”

    2023-02-14T12:35:00Z

    Lesley O'Brien OBE is MD of Halifax-based family haulier Freightlink Europe. A tireless ambassador for the transport industry, she highlights the key issues facing smaller operators - and the best ways to tackle themQ&AWhat are the biggest challenges facing hauliers right now?Everybody is pushing down on rates but our costs ...

  • Bowker-Thorne-2
    Article

    Addition of Doncaster site will free WH Bowker to go for growth in food distribution

    2023-02-06T13:04:00Z

    Preston-based 3PL WH Bowker has taken an eight-year lease on a 165,000sq ft warehouse in Thorne, Doncaster to enable the business to attract new business in the food sector.WH Bowker director Bill Bowker said: “Our current warehousing estate has been operating at close to full capacity for some time. We ...

  • TVS-17-2
    Article

    TVS builds on Wilcox and McPhee heritage to launch innovative electric construction vehicles

    2023-01-17T15:03:00Z

    Total Vehicle Solutions Group has rebranded as TVS Interfleet, as the CV bodybuilder positions itself to offer greener products to the transport industry.It has also launched a bespoke bodywork division called Purpose Bodies, which will build lightweight ambient vehicle products.TVS has collaborated with OEMs to develop lightweight e-tippers and e-mixers, ...

  • Article

    The road to net zero emissions is beset with fallacies and myths - but a solution is at hand

    2023-01-06T16:39:00Z

    The definition of a fallacy is: a false or mistaken idea. This is a description that could very well be applied to the ubiquitous concept of achieving net zero CO2 emissions that the industrial world is now tasked with achieving by 2050, Dennis and Desmond Evans argue.Having co-authored a book ...

  • Article

    Will the brakes go on warehouse development in 2023?

    2022-12-27T09:50:00Z

    Brexit and Covid-19 have had huge impacts on demand for warehousing in the UK, the evidence being clear from the number of large sheds springing up alongside major motorways. MT spoke to three experts in the field of logistics property development to get their views on prospects for 2023.Charles Binks, ...

  • TDF6 (1)
    Article

    XPO gearing up for growth

    2022-10-19T11:58:00Z

    UK MD Dan Myers expands on the company’s 42-year partnership with the Tour de France and his determination to navigate the challenging road aheadThe July morning is already scorchingly hot as I wait on the Champs-Élysées to meet XPO UK MD Dan Myers (pictured).We're here in Paris for the last ...

  • 1PylonAssetMaintenanceH
    Article

    Zero carbon transport will need green electricity - lots of it and in the right places

    2022-09-26T09:23:00Z

    Whatever the post 2035 road transport landscape looks like it is certain to involve the use of growing amounts of electricity to power vehicles as the 120-year dominance of diesel begins to decline. Whether trucks are powered by batteries, catenaries or hydrogen - or a combination - they will need ...

  • Cemex_-Pedestrian-safety-truck-in-London-(2)
    Article

    New brooms sweep clean as FORS gets a change of management

    2022-09-13T09:57:00Z

    At the start of 2022 the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) had a complete shake up of its management team (see panel) following the appointment of £4bn a year European consulting, digital services and software development giant Sopra Steria as the new FORS administrator in October 2021 after a competitive ...

  • Nick Denton on police check
    Article

    After a decade as TC, Nick Denton says there is still a lot to do to educate operators on their responsibilities

    2022-08-30T08:55:00Z

    TC Nick Denton (right) on a police HGV patrolNick Denton recently retired from his full time role as traffic commissioner (TC) for the West Midlands after 10 years regulating the road transport industry.Quite rightly, he takes immense pride in the quasi-judicial role of TC, which is a far from easy ...

  • Green-D+
    Article

    Green Biofuels clears up some of the myths surrounding renewable liquid fuels

    2022-08-18T10:03:00Z

    While the debate over whether zero emission HGVs will be powered by batteries or hydrogen or both, Green Biofuels is quietly getting on with helping operators including Hovis, Travis Perkins and CEVA Logistics cut their CO2 emissions by up to 90% and NOx emissions by 30% now by replacing standard ...

  • Thomas van Mourik - Culina Group CEO
    Article

    Why Stobart is the perfect fit for Culina, explains CEO van Mourik

    2022-07-27T09:22:00Z

    Culina Group announced its takeover of GreenWhiteStar Acquisitions (GWSA) on 1 July 2021, a deal that brought Eddie Stobart, Eddie Stobart Europe, iForce, The Pallet Network and The Logistics People into the Culina Group fold. GWSA’s 20% holding in courier Speedy Freight was sold to a management buyout as part ...

  • C2D parcel thought leadership
    Article

    Parcels to pallets – a new but lasting trend?

    2022-07-07T09:47:00Z

    As the e-commerce boom continues, Palletways says a growing number of parcel companies are looking to diversify into palletised haulage. MT hears why the transition can offer a lucrative new revenue streamThe UK saw a big jump in e-commerce, both B2C and B2B, during the pandemic as stores and businesses ...

  • Bob Terris2
    Article

    Sixty not out - Bob Terris celebrates his Diamond Jubilee

    2022-07-04T10:36:00Z

    While attention this year has understandably been focused on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a VIP of the transport industry is celebrating a Diamond Jubilee after recently passing the milestone of 60 years with his firm.Bob Terris, chairman of Meachers Global Logistics, joined the Meachers family coal merchant and transport company ...