Scania order shows there’s power in a union

A group of UK-based hauliers has agreed a bulk order with Scania UK for 2,500 trucks, which will be delivered over the next 12 months. The order will be split across the Consortium Purchasing group, which includes Culina Group, WS Group and AW Jenkinson Group and its subsidiaries.

The deal includes 2,250 internal combustion engine trucks, with a majority powered by the latestgeneration 13-litre Super drivetrain, while 150 trucks will be destined for Consortium’s German and Dutch operations. The final 100 vehicles will be among the first Scania battery-electric regionalhaul 4x2 tractor units to be used on UK roads.

Each vehicle will be supported by three years of full repair and maintenance contracts, with some trucks being financed through Scania Financial Services.

This order is one of the largest European and battery-electric vehicle fulfilments to be completed over one calendar year by Scania and the vehicles will be delivered to the Consortium Purchasing group in batches of 500 vehicles per quarter.

Owner’s financial woe prompts Yodel sale talk

Yodel could be up for sale after its owners, the Barclay family, appointed Clearwater International to oversee talks with potential bidders following a number of expressions of interest.

Yodel confirmed the company has received a number of ‘unsolicited approaches’, which are being reviewed by corporate finance advisory service Clearwater International, but added the process could take some time.

The Barclay family, run by billionaire brothers David and Frederick, is currently suffering financial problems.

Recently Lloyds Banking Group – which is owed around £1bn by the family – seized control of its Telegraph Media Group newspapers and

The Spectator magazine by forcing them into receivership.

Yodel is part of Logistics Group Holdings (LGH), which is also the holding company for ArrowXL, a delivery and installation service. A Yodel spokesman told MT that Arrow XL is not a target of the approaches.

In its latest annual results to 30 June 2021, LGH reported a significant rebound in its fortunes, thanks largely to the boost the pandemic lockdowns gave to the home delivery sector. The group reported a pre-tax profit of £17.6m, up from a loss of £41.8m in the previous year. Yodel’s EBITDA also rose in the period to £65.7m (2020: £9.5m), while ArrowXL saw its EBITDA rise to £13.3m (2020: £8.7m).