Seamus Leheny, Logistics UK Policy Manager-NI

Seamus Leheny

Policy Manager - Northern Ireland. Logistics UK

2022: THE KEY FOCUSES

2021 was a vital year for Logistics with the ongoing skills shortage, decarbonisation and NI Protocol and Brexit challenges throughout. Logistics UK remained proactive in all of these areas, working with members and government to achieve the best solutions for all. And, as we begin 2022, I will reflect on these challenges that will continue to be a focus for Logistics UK.

The ongoing skills shortage was a key focus throughout 2021 as it reached a critical level for various roles, such as HGV drivers. Factors such as COVID-19 and Brexit exacerbated the existing shortage, leading to the crisis that dominated media headlines throughout the year. However, the industry is adaptable, and Logistics UK worked with government to negotiate several short-term measures, such as working with the DVA on HGV driver testing and MOT’s to reduce the backlog caused by COVID-19. Throughout 2022, it will be vital to look at the long-term measures, including improving welfare facilities and the number of available HGV parking spaces, as these are currently a barrier to recruitment. Attracting new talent to industry is essential and at the same time we must continue to highlight and tackle the barriers to new workers into our industry such as high insurance costs, training costs and a historically negative image of the industry, as well as highlight the wide variety of industry roles to those new recruits who have never previously considered logistics as a career. Additionally, Logistics UK has been engaging with The Department for Economy here in Northern Ireland on an all-age apprenticeship that would be open to candidates regardless of age and be fully funded. This new scheme was due to be signed off by the Economy Minister by September of this year, but despite industry concerns at the delay, the department has yet to finalise the new apprenticeship scheme. Throughout this next year, Logistics UK will continue to focus on the skills shortage across the entire logistics industry, including warehouse staff and vehicle technicians as well as HGV drivers.

Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation is another key challenge that will continue to remain a focus for 2022. Industry has been looking to decarbonise for a number of years, and its efforts and progress are constantly increasing to meet key targets set by government, such as net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In July 2021, government released the Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP), which outlined its strategy to decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by that 2050 target. The TDP helps to provide logistics businesses with confidence and clarity on the steps they must take on the pathway to net zero and includes an intention to consult on a worldleading pledge to end the sale of all new, polluting road vehicles by 2040 and achieve net zero aviation and rail emissions by 2050. While these are ambitious deadlines, operators across industry are committed to achieving these, and Logistics UK will continue to work with members to ensure a smooth transition to net zero.

Net Zero

Alongside this, Logistics UK has been taking action by implementing its Route to Net Zero campaign, aimed at encouraging members to commit to decarbonising their operations as effectively and urgently as possible. And, to help government and policymakers understand how they can help the logistics industry achieve government’s 2050 carbon neutral deadline, Logistics UK published its Route to Net Zero Manifesto for Logistics on 10 November 2021, COP 26’s Transport Day, detailing 11 key priorities for industry’s successful decarbonisation and to showcase what measures the sector is taking to meet the Net Zero challenge.

NI Protocol

Much of 2021 was dominated by the outworking’s of Brexit here in Northern Ireland, namely the implementation of the NI Protocol on January 1st. With ongoing deadlines, extensions and negotiations, it was the logistics sector that was left to deal with the implications ensuring the economy kept moving. Indeed, it’s a credit to our industry that – despite some people saying that our sector would drop the ball and let supply chains crash – our industry rolled up its sleeves and got on with the job in hand. Since the NI protocol came into effect, and the subsequent negotiations and discussion on how it should be applied, our long-term economic stability feels like it has been set in suspended animation as we await the fate either agreed by the UK and EU, or subsequent unilateral action that leaves more questions than answers. At the time of writing this, Lord Frost has resigned as Brexit Secretary and 2022 promises to have more negotiations until we finally start to see what we are left to deal with in terms of managing supply chains here in NI. Logistics UK will continue to be at the table with senior UK and EU officials and politicians in the months ahead, ensuring our sector is represented. To give industry the certainty, stability and clarity our economy needs, it is vital a negotiated outcome that suits all sides as best as possible is achieved.

New Advancer Hybrid Trailer Units from Thermo King

Thermo King has unveiled the new Advancer Hybrid refrigeration units, the latest addition to the Advancer A-Series trailer range. The Advancer Hybrid technology is now available across the full Advancer range: A-360, A-400, A-500, and the A-500 Whisper Pro.

Seamlessly switching between the primary electric operating mode to engine power when needed, the Advancer Hybrid units combine Thermo King’s high-performance trailer refrigeration with Frigoblock electric technology. The result translates into enhanced sustainability performance and operational efficiencies for transporters across both their long-haul and inner-city operations. “Advancer Hybrid is designed to give our customers maximum choice and flexibility when it comes to meeting their sustainability commitments,” said Colm O’Grady, Product Leader Trailer at Thermo King. “Thermo King Hybrid technology has already been successfully used to reduce emissions of truck and trailer operations in urban areas and low emission zones. Today, enabling the Hybrid technology on Advancer units, our customers continue to get the best of both worlds. They benefit from highly sustainable, unmatched performance and fuel-efficiency in long-haul runs and always-compliant inner-city deliveries.” Featuring connectivity and telematics as standard, the unit is using geo-fencing to automatically switch into Hybrid electric mode when entering a pre-defined zone. This allows the fleet managers to operate unrestricted day and night schedules with the peace of mind that the unit complies with the regulations in the given area. When paired with the Advancer A-500 Whisper Pro, even when the unit’s diesel engine is operating, the system operates with sound level below the PIEK enforced 60dB (A) standard and allows access to the most noise restricted inner-city zones. For fleet managers, the Advancer Hybrid enables greater utility and efficiency of operation, which in turn opens new commercial and operational opportunities. Drivers benefit from the automatic and smooth transition from one drive technology to the other, guaranteeing that their Transport Refrigeration Unit is always delivering the refrigeration performance needed for their application. The Thermo King Hybrid technology also delivers a range of impressive operational benefits. Companies with demanding distribution operations can save over 50% of fuel cost per year and benefit from the associated CO2 savings. Advancer Hybrid is also compatible with alternative tractor energy sources like HVO and LNG. By cutting engine operating hours and relying more on electric power, the technology helps keep the refrigeration unit in prime condition for longer- a value extended further by the associated reduction in maintenance stops and a measurable improvement in the equipment’s lifespan.

Palletline’s Ken Bell Scoops Prestigious Health & Safety Award

A successful campaign to drive down workplace accidents and workrelated stress by instilling a culture of health and safety awareness among colleagues has earned Palletline’s Ken Bell a prestigious national award.

Ken, Health, Safety,

Environment and Quality Manager at Palletline, was named the Health and Safety Manager of the Year in the Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Now celebrating 15 years at Palletline Ken made it his business from day one to familiarise himself with the day-to-day roles and responsibilities of every employee, giving him a deeper insight into hazards and risks in every area of the company operation. Such diligence has been a large contributory factor to Palletline’s enviable RIDDOR record (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) with well over 1,000 incident-free days on Ken’s watch – including 300 this year alone the company has also achieved ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 50001 accreditations with no non-conformances. Audits are regularly conducted amongst the member network to ensure member compliance with Palletline’s health and safety policies. Ken himself is also a qualified health and safety auditor to 45001. Internally Ken actively instigates discussion and conversation among colleagues ensuring health and safety always remains top of mind, and so staff appreciate its importance and the reasoning behind it. Mental health welfare also remains a priority for Ken. He has introduced mental health first aid courses at Palletline as well as a champion system, ensuring workers on shift have a dedicated, trained colleague to turn to when they are feeling overwhelmed. Since these measures were introduced, staff absenteeism through work-related stress has been completely eliminated from Palletline. At the height of Covid, when Ken was volunteering to work up to 20 hours a day, he quickly implemented a series of safety measures, including PPE, temperature checks, use of wipes, and lateral flow testing at Palletline’s own expense, long before their widespread use. As a result, not one single case of Covid was reported after 1.200 tests – despite 350 drivers arriving every day at the hub from around the UK. Under Ken’s leadership, Palletline has not only become an industry leader in health and safety he also shares his unique skill set with members of the Association of Pallet Networks (APN). Graham Leitch, Managing Director of Palletline, said: “Ken is the ultimate health and safety professional and thoroughly deserving of this award. He has always gone above and beyond in every area of health and safety, leaving no stone unturned. He consistently demonstrates professionalism and a genuine desire to reduce risk, ensuring the safety and welfare of each and every one of his colleagues throughout the business and our member network. He is a true asset to Palletline.”

Ken Bell