Darcica joins Palletways

Delivery firm makes move into haulage after just 18 months in business

New kid Darcica joins Palletways

By Carol Millett

Bicester-based delivery firm Darcica Logistics is expanding into haulage just 18 months after the company was created.

The firm, which was launched in 2020 by former Grundon Waste management regional manager Anthony Tattersall (pictured), already has a contract with Amazon and is now embracing pallet deliveries in the Bicester area after joining Palletways.

Darcica Logistics also offers storage and fulfilment at its 15,000sq ft warehouse and sustainable deliveries via a fleet of fully electric vehicles.

The company has also acquired its first truck, a 44-tonne Renault T480, which is being supplied and managed by Hexagon Leasing on a one-year lease.

Darcica MDTattersall said: “We started this business in September 2020, and run a fleet of between 25 and 50 vehicles depending on the time of year.

“My background is in logistics and this move felt like the next logical step for the business.”

Wincanton opens new Screwfix hub

Wincanton has launched a new distribution centre at Daresbury in Cheshire for Screwfix.

The 370,000sq ft site, which is Screwfix’s fifth distribution centre, is expected to create 400 jobs in the north-west of England.

The hub will be fully operational by May and will service stores in the north and west of the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland, in conjunction with the existing Lichfield site servicing the south and east.

Meanwhile, the Stafford site will focus on supplying specific product lines on a national basis.

The opening of the site comes after the trade tools retailer reported a surge in sales to £2bn earlier this year.

In its last financial year, Screwfix added more than 38 new stores to its network of over 750 sites across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

John G Russell partners with Hyzon Motors on zero-emission trucks

John G Russell Transport and hydrogen-powered fuel cell EV supplier Hyzon Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin deploying cleaner vehicles in the UK.

The two companies said they wanted to enable the transition to zero-emission commercial trucks for fleet owners and operators by providing vehicle sales, leasing and service support.

With a focus on medium and heavy trucks, Hyzon and Russell will collaborate to develop product and distribution pathways.

Hyzon said it was developing a 44-tonne, 6x2 tractor to UK market specifications, which both firms intend to deploy in trials this year.

Russell said that through a network of locations owned and shared with its partners, it would provide the sales, service and parts support to customers. Stephen Madden, Russell Group fleet engineer, said: “We believe our knowledge of the UK transport infrastructure and commercial relationships will expedite the movement to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“With our strategic locations we anticipate we will be able to accelerate sales, service and parts across the UK and look forward to promoting the Hyzon product.”

Hauliers fight to delay red diesel ban Youngs seals deal with Eldapoint

The RHA is calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to delay the red diesel ban by one year from 1 April, warning that failure to do so will result in a £1.4bn hit to businesses.

Refrigerated systems manufacturer Hultsteins has already warned that the move could add thousands of pounds of extra cost, per year, per fridge, for all diesel fridge operators. The Cold Chain Federation said its members could see costs doubling.

Rod McKenzie, RHA executive director of policy and public affairs, said: “Punishing hauliers with a red diesel hike tax is damaging to their business and we urgently call on the government to reconsider this move.”

He added that the government had chosen an inopportune moment to ban red diesel when its members are struggling with shortages of drivers, vehicles and parts; and increased wage, fuel and energy costs. Purfleet-based Youngs Transportation and Logistics has acquired the transport division of Southampton-based container business Eldapoint.

Youngs’ move into the full container load market will increase its presence in Southampton and London Gateway by a further 40% and comes amid increasing demand, the company said. It follows the acquisition of Warrington-based groupage operator North West Cargo in December 2020.

Eldapoint operations teams, drivers and trucks moved across to Youngs on 1 March, but Eldapoint will continue with all its other national business.

Youngs MD Paul Pavitt said: “The acquisition was driven by existing customer requests for further support.”