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XPO wins Tesco chilled contract XPO Logistics has been awarded a multi-year contract by Tesco to manage the retailer’s chilled distribution to stores in the North West.
Under the new agreement, XPO will be responsible for temperature-controlled transport and will use XPO’s fleet and drivers, who will work from Tesco’s distribution centre in Widnes, Cheshire. The two companies will also collaborate on developing a plan for a carbon-neutral or carbonnegative transport solution that supports Tesco’s goal of becoming net-zero carbon by 2050. This latest deal deepens XPO’s links with Tesco. The logistics company has provided non-food transport services to Tesco UK for over 25 years, deploying a dedicated fleet of tanker trucks and specially trained drivers to collect fuel at 15 refineries and deliver it to nearly 500 fuel stations across the UK.
Extra business meant big losses for rescued haulier Crouch Logistics was hampered by a tiered charging structure before it collapsed into administration and was sold back to its management for £150,000. The Lutterworth-based haulier had recovered from losing a major contract worth £6.5m in 2016 and turnover had returned to around £11m before Covid-19 struck. A report by administrators at Leonard Curtis said the pandemic had a significant impact on the business. “Parcel delivery numbers increased significantly with its main customer,” it said. “However, because of a historic tiered charging structure based on volumes,
the company was losing money on each driver, each day.” Crouch also paid over £1m more in wages in 2021 than in 2020. The firm entered administration on 31 January, but 200 jobs at the firm were saved when a connected party, Complex Logistics, offered to acquire the business and assets for £150,000. The report said the purchaser was connected to Crouch Logistics by way of common directorship and shareholding of Chris Crouch and Chris Cooper. The sale is being completed with monthly payments of between £10,000 and £12,000.
New event promises thought-provoking sessions and top advice from sector’s leading speakers
RTX at full throttle By Hayley Tayler
The conference programme for the Road Transport Expo (RTX) is now live on the MT website, with two exciting stages to visit. The RTX ‘Knowledge Hub’ stage will feature expert speakers on a range of topical subjects, from the driver shortage and DVSA enforcement priorities, to roaduser charging, Clean Air Zones and decarbonisation.
The ‘Business & Technology Hub’ stage, meanwhile, offers product focuses and operational advice brought to you by leading vehicle manufacturers, legal experts and technology specialists. The two stages will be in the heart of the exhibition halls, making it easy to drop in and out of those sessions you wish to attend. “We are delighted with the
strong line-up of speakers in our business seminar sessions at RTX,” said Vic Bunby, divisional director at show organiser DVV Media International. “We hope this inspiring content will help HGV fleet operators glean key industry knowledge, whilst also complementing the vast inside and outside exhibition across the NAEC Stoneleigh site.” More than 100 exhibitors includ-
30 JUNE - 2 JULY NAEC STONELEIGH I WARWICKSHIRE
REGISTER NOW! IT’S FREE TO ATTEND! Roadtransportexpo.co.uk
ing vehicle manufacturers, bodybuilders, trailer firms, energy providers and compliance specialists will have a presence at the show.
celebrates Maritime Transport invests in Port of Liverpool site Gregory winning mentality Maritime Transport is set to expand its existing transport depot at the Port of Liverpool as part of plans to “significantly enhance” its North West operations. The logistics company has signed a 30-year lease agreement with Peel Ports Group, which will see the facility increased from 4 to 10 acres, with a new storage yard for loaded containers. Construction on the multi-million-pound project commenced at the beginning of this month and will include a new transport depot and offices and “exceptional” driver facilities, the company said. The new storage yard will offer a wide range of loaded container handling and storage solutions, and enable optimum storage for up to 2,000 TEU. New Sany reach stackers, which were ordered in Q1, will be arriving on-site in time for the
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project completion in November 2022. The announcement follows the completion of Maritime’s 8.1-acre transport depot at Normanton Industrial Estate in Wakefield, less than a mile away from the Maritime Intermodal Rail Terminal.
The Gregory Group of haulage firms have aligned their branding with an Olympics-style logo and the strapline ‘Delivering winners’ across their fleets. The livery was originally used for the London Olympics, when Gregory Distribution supported five UK athletes. The medal-like roundel and slogan have now been extended to the Hayton Coulthard, Pollock Transport (Scotrans) and ARR Craib’s HGV fleets. Duncan Coulthard, Hayton Coulthard MD, said: “We have three very strong Scottish brands who recognise that they are stronger together.” 11.4.22
