Interviews – Page 11
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Mercedes-Benz trucks boss confident in Euro-6 technology
Stefan Buchner has been in charge of Mercedes-Benz Trucks since January 2013, taking over just 12 months before the introduction of Euro-6 - arguably the most significant change in emissions standards since the introduction of Euro-3 in 2006.Buchner has been with Daimler for almost 30 years, the first 20 in ...
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50 not out - ATS Euromaster keeps on rolling
Next year sees tyre distributor ATS Euromaster celebrate its 50th anniversary since setting up in the UK. Although part of Michelin, it retains its independence, offering a full range of products and services.Simon Tattersall (pictured) was appointed head of national fleets in 2013, having previously been ATS Euromaster’s head of ...
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Service is king for Arrow XL
Arrow XL is the UK's largest multi-user two-man home delivery specialist, delivering around 6,000 orders every day. It was created in April 2013 with the rebranding of Yodel XL to “differentiate itself from its sister company, parcel carrier Yodel”.Chief executive Ian Howell joined Arrow XL in October 2013. His career ...
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Lafarge Tarmac goes the extra mile on safety
Eyebrows rose in some parts of the industry when construction materials supplier Lafarge Tarmac announced it was going to start accrediting subcontractors for Fors as part of a new safety drive. But as the programme gathers pace, the firm has no regrets.There are many different approaches to managing subcontractors, but ...
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System Training goes back to the knitting
In 2012, Bibby training subsidiary System Training recorded a shock pre-tax loss of £7.5m, pushing its parent Bibby Distribution Services (Holdings) into a £4.6m loss.In 2013, System’s operating losses were cut to a “marginal” £500,000, and in its annual report Bibby said the business was now “more streamlined and focused” ...
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Strachota rebuilds Tesco distribution network
At almost 1m sq ft, Tesco’s giant flagship Reading DC is one of the largest grocery distribution sites in Europe.The opening of Reading in June 2013 on a former Courage brewery site is part of one of the largest change programmes in UK retail distribution history, overseen by Tesco distribution ...
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Brown takes over APC reins at key moment
Karl Brown took over as chief executive of APC Overnight in November 2013, a year that Brown described on his appointment as “arguably the biggest in our company's history”.2013 saw the next-day parcels specialist move into its new £16.5m, 138,000sq ft national sorting centre in Cannock and collect the Motor ...
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Malcolm ponders impact of Scottish independence
Malcolm Group is more than just a family haulier: it’s a multi-modal 3PL with road, rail and warehousing; it’s a construction and civil engineering giant and one of the most prominent logistics employers in Scotland’s central belt. MT ranks the firm as the 22nd largest in the UK industry by ...
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FedEx UK boss careful to ensure network integration success
Since joining FedEx Express in 1995, Trevor Hoyle (pictured) has seen both the parcels industry and the way the company operates change dramatically, especially with the internet bringing new challenges. As he steps up to his new role as vice president, operations UK and Ireland, for FedEx Express and FedEx ...
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The Fortec Way to better profitability
A year after taking on the role of commercial director at pallet network Fortec, after 13 years looking after the finances, Marcus Fischer reflects: "It’s been an interesting 12 months. We have taken the next big step in Fortec’s evolution. Our MD Neil Hodgson and I spent 2012 refining the ...
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Baxter aiming high at Europa Worldwide
Three years ago the industry was shocked as one of the most prominent names in family haulage, the Baxter family’s RH Freight, was snapped up by Swiss logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel for £66.9m. It was a move that came out of the blue, and was concluded within in matter ...
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The Unipart Way
To many people the name Unipart is associated with the aftermarket parts supplier for British Leyland and later Rover Group, and that is indeed how the company started back in 1974. But today the Unipart Group is a diverse £1bn a year multinational logistics, manufacturing and consulting business working in ...
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Morrisons looks to the future with new channels to market
On 10 January Morrisons launches its first online retail offering across the Midlands – a tie-up with Ocado – making it one of the last of the big supermarkets to enter the world of home delivery.It was the culmination of months of change at Morrisons that has seen it make ...
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Continuous improvement fuels contract renewal for DHL and Morrisons
In November, DHL Supply Chain revealed it had beaten off rival bids to renew a six-year fuel distribution contract with the UK’s fourth largest supermarket, Morrisons – a deal that extends their overall working relationship to 12 years.But this time around, both parties wanted to adopt a fresh attitude to ...
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Natural gas - a viable road transport fuel or just hot air?
DHL Supply Chain’s Consumer division has become the latest – and among the biggest – investor in gas-powered trucks with the replacement of most of the 70-strong fleet based at its multi-user DC at Bawtry near Doncaster, south Yorkshire, with Volvo FM MethaneDiesel dual fuel 6x2 tractor units.The large scale ...
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Palletforce recruits first-time pallet network members
Palletforce’s recent reorganisation of its East Midlands coverage saw H Beardsley exit the network, to be replaced by Lockwood Haulage and Nelson Distribution. This is the first time these two well-established operators have joined a pallet network as Steve Hobson reports.Palletforce is one of the UK’s leading pallet networks, covering ...
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Peter Larner looks back on his 40 year career
After more than 40 years in the industry, Peter Larner retires from his role as MD of Essex tanker operator Suckling Transport on 31 October. He tells the history of his world in five objects to Steve Hobson.A quietly spoken, thoughtful man, Peter Larner has built a reputation for keeping ...
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Aspray24 expands with new £6m logistics hub
Express carrier Aspray24 is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013 and has marked the occasion with the opening of its new £6m state of the art warehouse on a six-acre plot next to its existing 12-acre site in Noose Lane, Willenhall.According to MD Stuart Laight, the acquisition of the site ...
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The good, the bad and the ugly - Tony Pain's 45 year in truck marketing
One of the best known figures in the UK transport industry, Daf Trucks marketing director Tony Pain retired on 4 October at the age of 63,45 years to the day since he started work at Leyland.Pain got into the job because he always wanted to design trucks, but says he ...
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The future is still orange for TNT Express
UPS’ failed attempt to take over TNT Express left a shadow of uncertainty hanging over the Netherlands-based express carrier. But it has emerged with a clear strategy for success as TNT Express Services UK & Ireland Managing Alistair Cochrane tells Steve Hobson.The proposed takeover – which UPS had said ...