Motor Transport 20 June 2022 by Motor Transport

Sharp ■ Informed ■ Challenging

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has delivered a landmark judgment entitling the RHA to proceed with its claim on behalf of hauliers seeking damages from the major European truck manufacturers who were found to have operated a price-fixing cartel between 1997 and 2011. The RHA issued its application for a collective proceedings order (CPO) in July 2018. However, the hearing to determine if the CPO was allowed was delayed until April 2021 so the Supreme Court could rule on the law in another, unconnected, case. The RHA’s action will cover the following claims by businesses of any size engaged in road haulage operations on a hire and reward or own-account basis in respect of trucks of 6 tonnes and over registered in the UK: n Claims for new trucks purchased or leased (short- and long-term) between 17 January 1997 and 31 January 2014. n Claims for used (pre-owned) trucks purchased or leased between 17 January 1997 and 31 January 2015; and n Claims for increased costs due to the co-ordinated delay in introducing new Euro emissions technologies during the cartel period and to 31 January 2014.

Introducing Scania go Government backs sector’s plan to attract the ‘workers of tomorrow’

DfT looks forward with Generation Logistics By Steve Hobson

The DfT has got behind a new recruitment campaign, Generation Logistics, launched last week at Multimodal by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Logistics UK. Phil Roe, who was with DHL for 18 years before becoming president of Logistics UK, said the campaign aims to attract, identify and develop a new and diverse generation of talent to fill vacancies industry-wide and future-proof the sector. “Before the pandemic, logistics was a largely hidden industry, yet acted as a vital cog in the wheel of our interconnected economy,” he said. “It is vital that our sector now takes advantage of its newfound awareness to highlight the complexity and technological developments involved in moving goods to their destinations, to

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RHA wins right to sue over truck price fixing

20.6.22

encourage new recruits into our industry and protect our supply chain. “We often say logistics is the country’s ‘hidden secret’ – Generation Logistics is the campaign that will challenge that perception and bring the sector to the forefront of people’s minds, as a forward-thinking, fast-paced modern industry with much to offer today’s employees, as well TOP DOG: Recycling operator Bristol & Avon Group has introduced a pair of what it calls ‘ultimate tippers’, with Charlton Quarrymaster 15.5cu m bodies, Scania R series sleeper cabs and 16.4-litre 660hp V8 engines. B&A Group owner Kevin Berkely said: “We wanted to try out a really top spec in order to give us the highest possible level of performance in any operating situation. These trucks will spend a good part of their working lives on arduous muckshifting jobs, where high power engines can really make a difference.” Initial fuel returns of 7.5mpg to 8mpg are also impressive.

as the workforce of tomorrow.” Transport secretary Grant Shapps MP, added: “I am proud to confirm government support for the Generation Logistics campaign. The pandemic has demonstrated the strategic importance of supply-chains and their associated workers. “This campaign will showcase those opportunities in artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles and the decarbonisation of the supply chain. This industry campaign is integral to not only supporting growth of this vital sector but also ensuring we have the workforce needed for now and the future.” Generation Logistics will include a web portal with careers advice and guidance as well as job vacancies and will focus on demographic areas deemed to be “inclined towards taking up a role in logistics”.

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RTX preview p18 Focus: zero emissions p22 Viewpoint: FORS p24 Electric vehicles p26 EV charging p30 MT Awards shortlists p36

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These are not just our gas-powered Volvos, says DHL... DHL Supply Chain is adding 20 bio-LNG trucks into its M&S fleet, replacing 20 diesel trucks. These latest Volvo FH LNG tractor units will operate across the M&S fleet in Peterborough, Swindon and Castle Donington and follow DHL Supply Chain’s first delivery of 13 Volvo LNG trucks in January this year. The new additions are equipped with Globetrotter cabs and specified with 155kg LNG tanks for a maximum range of 1,000km. They will deliver up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions when fuelled with bio-LNG. DHL is accelerating its investment in gas trucks and aims to have more than 500 gas powered vehicles

operating across its fleet by 2025. The firm has been a long-term strategic partner for M&S and currently provides warehousing and transport support for M&S Clothing and Home. Tim Greenwood, M&S head of transport, added: “We are committed to reducing our environmental impact in line with our Plan A sustainability action plan. It’s important to us that our partners’ values and ambitions align with ours and that’s one of the reasons we have a long-standing relationship with DHL. Replacing diesel trucks for new bio-LNG vehicles is a good step forward in reducing our carbon emissions.”

Group CEO van Mourik says further acquisitions may be made to complete the ‘jigsaw puzzle’

Culina Group completes Robert Burns acquisition By Steve Hobson

Culina Group has confirmed that Fowler Welch has completed the acquisition of Scottish temperature-controlled haulier Robert Burns. Formed in 1984, Robert Burns turns over around £15m a year and runs temperature controlled operations in and out of Scotland with a fleet of 70 vehicles. Based in Broxburn to the west of Edinburgh, it further complements Fowler Welch’s geographical coverage and that of Culina Group’s overall chilled network, which also includes Culina Logistics, CML, Morgan McLernon and MMID. “Culina Group is developing a company IT system to allow all of these companies to interchange freight with each other,” Culina Group CEO Thomas van Mourik

told MT. “This acquisition will enable us to reload a lot of our trucks that we have in the north. “It is part of our chilled jigsaw puzzle and gives us a geographical presence in the north. We might buy once or twice more to complete the puzzle.” Following the acquisition of Eddie Stobart last year and the appointment of William Stobart

as Culina Group deputy CEO, the group is going through a rebrand with new vehicle liveries being introduced to bring a consistent look to the Culina Group fleet. This rebrand will mean an end to the famous Stobart red and green livery and the naming of trucks. “Our whole fleet of 5,500 trucks and 12,000 trailers will be owned

by our asset management company which will manage them for all companies in the group,” said van Mourik. “We will always have Stobart livery on the trailers combined with Culina branded tractor units. “Stobart is a transport business with a bit of warehousing and Great Bear is a warehousing business with a bit of transport so this year we will move warehousing into Great Bear and quite a bit of the transport into Stobart.” As well as Stobart, Culina Group acquired B2C e-fulfilment business iForce as part of the GWSA acquisition and van Mourik did not rule out adding a home delivery operation to the Culina Group stable at some point. “Never say never,” he said. “Wait and see.”

Government seeks operator feedback to gauge appetite for LHVs The government is looking at trialling longer heavier vehicles (LHVs) of up to 25.25m in length and 60 tonnes gross vehicle weight and is on the hunt for operators interested in taking part in the trial. The DfT has commissioned a feasibility study of LHVs, which is being carried out by a joint venture of design and engineering group WSP, Apollo Vehicle Safety and Risk Solutions. The study team will look at how 20.6.22

an LHV trial could be designed and conducted. LHVs up to 25.25m and 50 or 60 tonnes GVW are being considered for the trial. Current regulations limit vehicles to 18.75m and 44 tonnes. As part of the feasibility study a survey has been launched to gauge industry appetite for operating longer vehicles, both in the short and longer term. The survey seeks views from both

operators who would be interested in operating LHVs in a trial and those who are not interested, so that the team can assess the rationale in both cases. The researchers say they are just as interested in the opinions of those operators who do not want to take part in a LHV trial as those who do. Those interested in taking part will be asked as part of the survey to indicate the maximum number of LHVs they could envisage using. MotorTransport 3

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Industry mourns death of Pall-Ex founder

Pioneer Devey a ‘driving force’

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Hilary Devey CBE, founder of the Pall-Ex network, has died, aged 65. The entrepreneur (pictured), who gained nationwide fame as a Dragon’s Den panelist, died at her holiday villa in Morocco after battling a long illness. Devey left school at the age of 16 and served for a short while in the Women’s Royal Air Force in air traffic control and the supply accounts department. After seeing her father go bankrupt when she was seven and witnessing bailiffs arrive at the family’s home, Devey was determined to become financially secure, but at the same time was ready to risk everything to succeed. In 1996 she took a leap of faith and sold her house and her car in order to launch Pall-Ex, which shifted 117 pallets on its first night. By the time she sold it in 2019 to network members and management, the business had a turnover of £85m and partnerships established across Europe in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, France and the Benelux region. The business, which has since acquired pallet network Fortec, currently transports over 45,000 pallets per night nationally and internationally. Current Pall-Ex chief executive Kevin Buchanan, who worked with Devey before leading the management buy-out of the network in 2019, said: “It is with the greatest of sadness that Pall-Ex Group confirms the passing of our founder, Hilary Devey CBE. “Hilary’s unique vision and determination were the driving force behind the early success of Pall-Ex. “With Hilary at the helm, Pall-Ex established the pallet network model in the UK and built a forward-thinking, international operation, establishing our position as the number one network for quality. “While Hilary stepped away from the business in 2019 to pass ownership to Pall-Ex members and its senior management team, the drive and commitment she inspired in us all remain at the

4 MotorTransport Motor Transport – 101 x 280mm.indd 1

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By Tim Wallace

heart of our organisation. “This is an incredibly sad day, but we are thankful to Hilary for allowing us all to be part of Pall-Ex Group’s successful journey, which we will continue in her memory.” Paul Sanders, chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks, said: “APN would like to acknowledge the considerable contribution of the late Hilary Devey to the formation and development of our sector. It was with great sadness that her colleagues throughout the sector learned of Hilary’s death. She was a unique and vibrant person and was one of the earliest members and supporters of the APN. For many years she remained an inspirational and effective member of our association. “Hilary made an impression wherever she went. She was a born entrepreneur and innovator. She raised the profile of logistics. She forged a successful pallet network business when the concept was still being proven. She went on to create a larger-than-life personal brand, which extended to TV.” Devey was awarded a CBE for her services to the transport industry and charity in 2013. 20.6.22

24/09/2021 14:43

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Grocery specialist rides out storm of driver shortage, Brexit and Covid-19 to record strong results

Profits up for Lenham Storage By Carol Millett

Lenham Storage Company almost doubled its pre-tax profit in 2021, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the driver shortage crisis – which saw the company give “significant” wage rises to its HGV drivers and warehouse staff. Lenham Storage Company’s sister company Lenham Storage (Southern), also delivered a strong pre-tax profit surge, jumping from £349,000 to £1.2m in the period. In its results for the year to 31 August 2021, Lenham Storage Company reported revenue rising almost 11% to £45.5m, up from

£41m in the previous year. Meanwhile pre-tax profit rose to £2.2m (2020: £1.2m). The company, which has its headquarters at Lenham, Maidstone, has an operating licence for 114 trucks and 235 trailers and specialises in ambient grocery and FMCG storage and distribution. The firm said it had enjoyed a “successful” year, aided by continued demand throughout the pandemic for the transport of food and paper products from its clients, which include supermarkets and 3pl and 4pl companies.

It said it had raised driver’s rates “significantly” last year, adding: “Though we were able to stem the haemorrhage of departing drivers, and in fact were able to persuade some who had handed in their notice to change their mind and persuade others who have already

left for other opportunities to return, there has still been a drip of departing drivers.” The firm also expects wage pressure to increase when the living wage rises later this year. On the upside the company reported that it had also negotiated some key rate rises in the year but said that “more significantly” it had benefited from reducing its cost base in certain key areas. Brexit’s impact on the business in 2021 had been “minimal”, the review noted, adding that the effect of Operation Brock along the M20 had caused it the most difficulty.

Costs are a blow for Whistl, though long-term prospects sound good Parcel delivery company Whistl cut its pre-tax losses by almost two thirds in 2021, according to its latest figures. Annual results to 31 December 2021 reveal a fall in pre-tax losses to £3.2m, from a 2020

loss of £8.6m. Turnover rose 26% in the year to £823.2m, up from £654.3m in 2020. Whilst the group made an operating profit of £49.5m in 2021, this was reduced by admin expenses, which rose by £7.1m to £47.8m (2020:

£40.7m), partly driven by the costs of acquiring Clientbase Fulfilment and Relish Agency. The company saw“substantial” revenue growth for its parcels and international division of £29.9m, up 17.7% to £199.1m.

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Swedish recycling giant outlines ambitions to expand across Europe

Sortera makes move to snap up O’Donovan By Carol Millett

London collection and recycling firm O’Donovan Waste Disposal is now under Swedish ownership after Sortera made its first UK acquisition. The purchase is part of Sortera’s ambitions to expand into European cities and become a leading company in collection and recycling of construction waste. Sebastian Wessman, Sortera chief executive, said: “For a long time, O’Donovan has carried out impressive work to become one of the leading and most prominent construction recyclers in London. “The company has a strong customer focus and its work with the environment and health and safety has resulted in several prestigious awards, as well as a strong reputation among both customers

and employees.” Wessman added: “I am proud to grow Sortera with a company that shares our values. We wish all employees at O’Donovan a warm welcome to the Sortera family.” O’Donovan’s MD, Jacqueline O’Donovan, said she was looking

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forward to developing its business under its new ownership. “Sortera will give us the right preconditions to continue our successful development path and to enable new investments and development initiatives,” she added.

Ellison takes top role at Hexagon Leasing Contract hire, vehicle sales and fleet management provider Hexagon Leasing has recruited Alan Ellison to the new role of chief executive. Ellison spent five years as commercial director at Motus Commercials after 12 years at DAF Trucks in senior roles. His appointment follows a number of other executive appointments this year. These include Paul Jacques, who joined as finance director, and former Intercounty Truck and Van group operations manager Dean Bailey, who has been named Hexagon’s head of operations. Other key developments include the creation of a new fleet engineering and tyre management department, the strengthening of the finance team, and the appointment of three new national and key account managers. The company is also planning to increase the sales team in the near future.

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20.6.22

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Government blasted for lack of clarity over fueling future. Tim Wallace reports from Multimodal

HGV operators in dark over net zero solutions Hauliers still face far too many unanswered questions as they look to find the right alternative fuel for HGV fleets, according to FORS account director Paul Wilson. Speaking during a debate on the ‘sustainable way forward’ for road transport at Multimodal, he said that more foresight and planning was needed from government over the issue, adding that a collaborative approach would be the best way forward for the sector. “I’ve had no plan from National Highways on EV structure rollout,” he said. “Who is paying for our sustainable future for roads? We need more information from government on policy plans and investment. We need an incentivisation to invest in assets and infrastructure and collaboration

between trade bodies and sectors to lobby for clarity and investment.” Wilson also went on to criticise a lack of clarity on where new ULEZ and clean air zones were planned for and said hauliers needed more customer-centric intelligent transport systems and travel information to enable journey planning rather than just smart motorways.

“Or do we just need cheaper fuel?” he asked. “The key issue is the sector’s inflationary pressures are not just in fuel but in all parts of an operator’s business, and margins are tight. The overriding fear for hauliers is ‘are you sustainable as an organisation?’” Fellow panellist Edward Sargent, business development director at Piviot Power, added that “the wires

behind the charging” were key to the roll-out of infrastructure and that there were currently “large swathes of the country where there is no network at all”. He said. “People will find they’re suddenly in a dead zone, like having wi-fi in a house with thick walls. There are bottlenecks. “Above all, I would advise operators not to plan using today’s technology. Start from five years ago, and plan for the amount of change from five years ago to today. Tomorrow will be a different set of challenges.” Asked how viable electric will end up being for HGVs, Sargent said: “The energy density in the ground is improving. There won’t be one silver bullet but with the infrastructure and requirements we have electric is going to be the lion’s share.” Nicholas Head, environmental and sustainability lead at XPO, added that charging at site, and the required level of planning and investment, will ultimately become the biggest issue for operators.  More from Multimodal, p12

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Diesel taxes and proposed levy on sector in crosshairs as Multimodal 2022 gets under way

‘Cut fuel duty to help us’ says Logistics UK boss By Tim Wallace

Logistics UK chief executive David Wells has urged the government to cut fuel duty rather than VAT to ease the pressure on hauliers struggling with rising pump prices. Speaking in a keynote address on the first day of Multimodal 2022 at the NEC Birmingham, Wells said the soaring cost of diesel was the key issue facing the transport and logistics sector and that the government needed to do more to help operators. He said hauliers had shown “incredible resilience” during the last two years but that the recovery from the pandemic had increased demand for oil-based products, a problem heightened by the war in Ukraine. “Rising costs are on everyone’s minds as we find ourselves recovering from the pandemic, but we now face a costs crisis,” he said. “Rising fuel prices are the biggest cost for hauliers. And rising inflation, particularly wage inflation, means there is an incredible pressure on logistics businesses when they traditionally operate on margins of 1-2%. The sector has also seen a jump in wages.” Logistics UK used Multimodal to launch its 2022 industry report, which includes analysis of costs,

business sentiment and the challenges facing the industry. “Our report shows the cost of operating a 44-tonne truck has gone up 12.1% since last year and smaller operators are likely to be disproportionately affected by the increase in driver wages and fuel costs,” Wells continued. “So what are we doing about it? “Back in 2021, the government was taking 78p a litre in revenue from fuel. The latest figure is 84p a litre. The chancellor is making 32p a litre in VAT so we think there is some scope for a reduction in duty. I don’t want a reduction in VAT, just a reduction in duty. We’re going to be testing this with our members in the coming months.” Wells went on to identify the five biggest issues currently facing the sector, all of which he said required “urgent policy action” from government “Freezing fuel duty is top of the list,” he said. “But we also want the government to provide incentives for alternative fuels and carbon reduction; improve driver roadside facilities; promote a positive image of logistics and provide flexible funding for skills and vocational training.” Wells also renewed his attack on the Transport Select Committee’s recent report which

recommends a levy on operators unless they resolve the issues facing the sector within two years. “It has all the hallmarks of Baronesss Vere and is a jaundiced report which is confused and misleading,” he said. He also reminded delegates that the industry had now paid £700m into the Apprenticeship Levy and drawn out just £150m.

“In conclusion, there are signs of recovery in the industry,” he added. “There’s much work to be done, and the ongoing economic pressures could easily stall things and hinder any significant growth forecast. However, having seen how far we’ve come in just two years, and how we’ve adapted, I’m confident we can forge ahead in the months to come.”

Fresh warning over customs checks Freight forwarders, hauliers and traders have been warned that they must register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and use the pre-lodgement model to avoid border customs issues. In a presentation at Multimodal 2022, Arshad Dadabhoy, academy trade and customs specialist with the Institute of Export and International Trade said: “We need to create awareness because although hauliers and freight forwarders are aware of it we still find many companies aren’t. “We need to show who holds the responsibility and liability and what the process looks like before the trucker gets to port because trucks can be refused

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boarding and turned away if the paperwork isn’t in place. “There’s an expectation that hauliers do it all,” he added. “But some don’t know what happens and that there’s a charge for it. So if some companies own trucks they need to know how to do it and if they sub-contract it out to hauliers then it’s their responsibility.” Arshad advised hauliers to register for GVMS on gov.net and create an account. “Accessing GVSM enables hauliers to get a Goods Movement Record (GMR),” he explained. “They then get a notification on their smartphone on whether the load is good to go or whether they will be called in for an inspection.” 20.6.22

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Panattoni plan to build logistics park on Green Belt held up after pressure from locals and MP

Warrington site facing review By Tim Wallace

Panattoni’s plans to develop a major logistics park on green belt land in South Warrington could be called in for review, following a government U-turn that could set a precedent for other logistics sites across the country. The Six56 Warrington project, located next to the M6 and M56 at Lymm, is being developed by

Panattoni in partnership with commercial property company Langtree. As well as creating 4,100 new jobs, the 3.1 million sq ft development is expected to add more than £7m per year in new rateable income, according to the partnership. It was given planning permission by Warrington Borough Council in March,

despite fierce local opposition, and an application for Levelling Up Secretary of State Michael Gove to call in the plans for review was declined in May. However, following an impassioned plea for a review by Warrington South MP Andy Carter during Prime Minister’s Questions in May, the Labour council has been ordered not to

give the green light to the development. In a letter sent from the planning casework unit of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the council has been told “not to grant permission on the application” to “enable the Secretary of State to consider whether he should direct it be referred to him for determination”.

DUAL PURPOSE: Fortec Distribution has launched a logistics depot at its Watford Gap site, which will operate as part of both the Fortec and Pall-Ex distribution networks covering the NN and CV postcodes. Fortec hopes the move will grow its collection area for both the Pall-Ex and Fortec networks and increase pallet volumes. It has hired six full-time drivers following recent investment in a new roof for the hub and a modern fleet of forklift trucks to improve efficiency. Fortec general manager Stuart White said: “Becoming an operational member of both Pall-Ex and Fortec will allow us to drive our own volume growth by winning business and establishing our presence in the local area now we have a collection service to offer. Our aim is to be the leader in the local market using our competitive advantage and operational expertise to accelerate Fortec’s growth and I’m looking forward to working with the other Fortec and Pall-Ex members as we do this.”

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Driving down your Waste strike fuel costs News

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Council drivers vote to continue Coventry action

rumbles on

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A long-running dispute between HGV drivers and employer Coventry City Council looks set to continue after the drivers voted to renew their strike mandate and extend industrial action into the summer. The Unite union said 100% of drivers voted to continue striking over what it described as low pay and a refusal by the council to pay the waste collectors the market rate. However, the council said it was committed to talks in order to resolve the dispute. Strikes among around 70 drivers began in January, with the union saying basic pay was just £22,183. It described the rate as “far below the pay workers receive in the private sector and well below pay rates of neighbouring councils”. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, commented: “These workers are standing firm in their fight for the rate for the job. They

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By Chris Tindall

have their union’s backing all the way. The truth is that Coventry Council is squandering millions in a failed attempt to break the strike, money that would be far better spent addressing low pay in this workforce and supporting local people through the cost of living crisis.” A spokesman for the council said it was disappointed by the union’s decision to ballot its members again and that it had already offered to pay all drivers no less than £27,393.

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Freightlink Europe director Lesley O’Brien (pictured) has called for an essential user rebate to help hauliers deal with rising fuel costs. Asked on the BBC’s national news what support the government could give the industry, O’Brien said: “Obviously cutting fuel duty or having an essential user rebate would help everybody.” She said the industry was also struggling with the hike in National Insurance, which she said had had a “dramatic” effect on her company, combined with the pressures of rising vehicle and parts costs. “This year we have seen a 30% increase in costs so cutting fuel duty would be the one really quick hit that would help everyone in the country,” she stated. O’Brien was also interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, where she said the

fuel price rise had seen the cost of running an average artic rise from £41,000 in 2021 to nearly £61,000 this year, adding: “We’ve seen fuel prices escalate over the last year by 50%, so we absolutely as an industry need to keep on top of this.” 20.6.22

Road Transport Expo

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Road Transport Expo poised to bring together the industry’s best shows, conferences and events

Showtime from A to Z By Hayley Tayler

The much-anticipated Road Transport Expo is only two weeks away and promising to be the must-attend event of the summer! We are counting down the days until we officially open the registration desk on 30 June at NAEC Stoneleigh and look forward to meeting you all there. All about trucks From the get-go, we’ve designed this event with HGV operators at the forefront. It’s a one-stop event to cover all of your fleet needs, provide an opportunity to meet top-name truck OEMs, and ride and drive the latest models.

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30 JUNE - 2 JULY NAEC STONELEIGH I WARWICKSHIRE

Convoy show trucks Celebrating life on the road, our Convoy Zone will provide a colourful display of show trucks to be judged at the event by a panel of discerning industry judges.

Drivers’ day On Saturday 2 July, RTX will be putting on a series of additional activities aimed at HGV drivers, including on-stage banter with Truck & Driver editor Dougie Rankine and a host of driver favourites.

Eclectic mix Visitors can check out a wide variety of trucks representing the whole range of sectors and sizes. DAF Trucks, Dennis Eagle, Iveco, Isuzu Trucks, MercedesBenz Trucks, Renault Trucks, Scania (GB), Te vva Elec tric & Hydrogen Trucks and Volvo Trucks will all have a large presence across the show.

BTRC Head over to the Truck Racing Zone to meet the teams behind the British Truck Racing Championship (BTRC), get up close and personal to powerful competition vehicles, and watch tyre professionals in action in an exhilarating ‘pit lane experience’ created at the venue.

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Free to register now! It’s free! What’s not to like? Sign up today at roadtransport-expo.co.uk for your pass to the show of the summer!

Getting there NAEC Stoneleigh is located in the centre of England – with 6 million people within a one-hour drive and 98% of the UK’s population within a four-hour drive. Close to major transport links – it’s served by both the M6 and M40 motorway – it is also only 5 miles from Warwick Parkway and Coventry train stations and

just over one hour’s travel time from London Euston. It’s also 30 minutes’ drive from Birmingham International Airport. Hiab championship RTX is thrilled to be hosting the UK final of the Hiab World Crane Championship on Saturday 2 July. There will also be demonstrations and practice heats taking place on the Thursday and Friday, so make sure you visit the Cranes & Materials Handling Zone to join in the action.

Invitation to drinks The team over at the Thompsons Group stand are inviting show-goers to a complimentary drinks reception on the opening afternoon of the event. Why not take this opportunity to relax and meet new industry contacts?

Journalists Editorial teams from your favourite industry magazines – Commercial Motor, MT, Truck & Driver and Transport News – will be in attendance at RTX, along with those from other ➜ 20

20.6.22

Road Transport Expo independent trade publications. If you have a story to share at the event, then the RTX press room is the place to take it.

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Parking This is completely free at NAEC Stoneleigh, with plenty of space for everyone! Disabled parking is also available, should you require it.

Quality catering You will never go hungry at RTX, nor will the selection of dishes disappoint. Choose from the Truck Stop self-service café, the Farmers’ Fayre restaurant or one of the tasty pop-up food vendors outside. There will also be a large outside bar area with plenty of seating for you to relax and chat with your peers.

Know-how Why not join our Knowledge Zone or Business & Technology sessions to get the lowdown on the latest industry regulations and explore new technology coming to market? You can also join a series of ‘Electric in Focus’ talks over on charging partner EQUANS’ stand in the Urban Zone.

List of exhibitors We now have more than 150 exhibitors confirmed to join us at NAEC Stoneleigh, from the smallest component firms to the largest truck and trailer makers. The full list can be found in the showguide with this issue of MT, or online at roadtransportexpo.co.uk

Materials handling gear From lorry-mounted forklifts to specialist lifting gear, you’ll find it all in the outside Cranes & Materials Handling Zone.

Networking Whether you are reconnecting face-to-face with colleagues or existing customers, or looking to expand your business network, RTX provides the ideal meeting ground. There are numerous seating areas in which to hold informal meetings, such as the Chill & Charge Zone on the Road Transport Media stand; or just grab a coffee or a beer and enjoy the British summertime outside!

Opening times The show is open from 10am to 6pm on Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July, and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday 2 July.

20 MotorTransport

Ride ’n’ drive You can only get a real feel for vehicles from behind the wheel, so don’t miss the great Ride & Drive experience. Fancy trying out your first electric truck or panel van, or perhaps the latest gas- or diesel-powered Euro-6 HGV? The choice is yours!

Second-hand trucks If you are in the market for a quality used vehicle, or perhaps looking for an effective method to dispose of older fleet assets, then head over to the Used Trucks & Auction Zone. There will also be an exciting live auction taking place on Saturday 2 July, run by ProTruck.

Trailers, tippers, tankers If you’ve ever been to Harrogate’s Tip-Ex/Tank-Ex event then you’ll be pleased to know that this has now been rehomed at the Road Transport Expo. You’ll be able to browse an expansive selection of manufacturers, from workshop gear and hydraulics through

to bodybuilders and bulk haulage tankers. Those on the hunt for a new trailer will also be well catered for in our outside Trailer Zone, featuring a wide range of specialist models. Urban logistics Freight in the City Expo is a popular annual event focused on the technology needed for safe and sustainable urban logistics – and it also finds its new home at RTX. From vulnerable road user safety equipment to zero-emission fleet technology, our Urban Zone has everything you need.

Visitors are king A team of show-makers will be on hand throughout the event to make sure you get the most from your visit. We have designed this show from scratch to make sure it delivers a superior experience, as we appreciate you have chosen to dedicate your valuable working time to attending.

manufacturers bringing you the latest in refuse collection vehicles and recycling expertise.

eXciting, eXplore, eXhibitors! Need we say more?

Your show We listened to you and created this event to provide the ultimate expo for road haulage operators. And we also welcome your ideas to help us continue to develop the event in future years, so don’t be too shy to get in touch and share these with us.

Zones The show is based around a hub and spoke model, with a large central inside and outside area, surrounded by a series of specialist zones. Zones include: Urban, Tipper, Tanker, Trailer, Waste and Recycling, Cranes and Materials Handling, Heavy Haulage and Recovery, Truck Racing, Convoy, and Used trucks/ Auction.

Waste and recycling Rubbish is the name of the game in this important outside zone, with a host of leading

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

30 JUNE - 2 JULY NAEC STONELEIGH I WARWICKSHIRE

20.6.22

Focus: zero emissions

motortransport.co.uk

Photo: Shutterstock

Now is the time to act

Like many MT readers, Zemo is getting ready for the inaugural Road Transport Expo (RTX), which opens on 30 June at Stoneleigh. We’ll be there sharing a stand with our friends from Energy Saving Trust (EST) and featuring the DfT-backed Freight Portal – the ‘one-stop shop’ aimed at helping freight operators reduce emissions and costs. Given the current melee of policy, technology and economic turmoil around us I expect that, like me, you may sometimes find it difficult to know what to focus on, and when, on this journey to net zero transport. That’s why we like to break this down into short-, medium- and long-term actions and be able to advise operators and stakeholders based on their current situation and challenges. For the longer term (2030) Zemo is heavily involved in the Zero Emission Road Freight (ZERF) programme. ZERF completed phase one feasibility and supply chain work at the end of March and will soon open phase two competitions involving major on-road trials of zero-emission HGVs and their associated refuelling systems. These trials, running over the next three to five years, will shape the long-term decisions about what technology will power our HGVs after 2030. 22 MotorTransport

The sector is already working hard to meet the government’s tough targets ending the sale of traditionally fuelled HGVs. Getting operators engaged now will save future heartache, says Andy Eastlake The trials are an essential building block to help decide how we’re going to deliver on the ambitious plans to phase out the sale of HGVs with combustion emissions by 2035 (up to 26 tonnes) and 2040 (all HGVs). There are manufacturers ready with trial vehicles, keen to get them in the hands of some innovative operators to really ‘kick the tyres’ and see what the technology can do. But for the vast majority of operators this is likely to be a watching brief to see what the options are and where they’ll go in terms of future vehicles.

Driving change

But with road freight such a significant contributor to UK total emissions, our climate emergency can’t wait until 2030 or 2040. So what about tomorrow or next year? Zemo has long been an advocate of the use of high-blend renewable fuels in the HGV sector to make an immediate and significant carbon reduction in the near and medium term. If you’re thinking about buying a truck soon, then and a gas-powered option (running on biomethane, of course) has to

be a compelling proposition. With the fuel duty differential between gas and diesel in place until 2032, at least, even the recent wild swings in gas (and diesel) prices haven’t fundamentally changed the case for investing in a long-haul truck powered by biomethane. The OEMs have product available today and the gas suppliers are ramping up the already pretty extensive refueling network to make this one of the best propositions for decarbonising heavy trucks for the next few years. Of course, renewable diesel is also an option today (or tomorrow in the case of B100 after some small modifications to truck and depot storage). HVO and high FAME blends, if fully assured in terms of their sustainability, can deliver the same 80% to 90% greenhouse gas emissions reductions on a well-to-wheel basis as we see from biomethane. Zemo’s Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme now covers over 85% of the renewable fuels sold in UK and provides operators with the reassurance they need about the fuels supplied to them. There’ll be more information

about this on our stand at RTX and via the Freight Portal. The most important time, of course, is now and any action operators can take to reduce fuel use in their current fleet and operations of course amplifies the overall benefits that can be achieved by making changes later.

Saving grace

A primary focus of the Freight Portal is to measure and reduce the fuel used in today’s fleets. Advice on technology accreditation, operational optimisation, clean air zone compliance, telematics use and even driver behaviour can all be found across the show, but the Freight Portal aims to consolidate the key information in one place. It helps identify through clear case studies, how fleets can start and accelerate their journeys to net zero at the highest pace and lowest cost possible. A litre of fuel saved today has the biggest benefit to our climate and means tomorrow’s transition will be just that little bit easier. Andy Eastlake is chief executive of the Zemo Partnership 20.6.22

Viewpoint

motortransport.co.uk

Going in the wrong direction F irst there was Generation X – and now there is Generation Logistics (see page 1). Let’s hope they are different – the Oxford Dictionary defines Generation X as “the generation born after that of the baby boomers (roughly from the early Steve Hobson 1960s to late 1970s), typically perceived to be Editor disaffected and directionless”. Motor I’m afraid ‘directionless’ is how the Transport transport and logistics industry’s efforts to recruit, train and retain Generation Xers into the workforce have been over the last few years. While Logistics UK and its supporters are to be congratulated on getting the government to chip in some cash towards yet another industry recruitment drive, this isn’t the first such attempt. Who can forget (well, just about everyone probably) the FTA’s 2010 Love Logistics campaign, with a series of glossy videos breathlessly explaining how exciting it is to work in rock ‘n’ roll logistics or drive a milk tanker. Ever since the demise, due to lack of interest, of the transport and logistics sector skills council Skills for Logistics, there has

been a total lack of a co-ordinated industrywide approach to promoting opportunities in an industry that employs two million and touches just about every aspect of day-to-day life. There are some outstanding individual industry initiatives – Think Logistics being a shining example – but they are isolated and piecemeal. Even assuming Generation Logistics achieves its goal of getting 600,000 people to have a look at its careers advice portal, what then? There is no overall training scheme offering the full range of career paths into the industry including fully funded, recognised training and qualifications, placements with employers, and hopefully a good job at the end. The construction industry faces similar skills shortages, but it still has its training board, the CITB, whose job is to “help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development”. It is sponsored by the Department for Education – isn’t it time to get something similar back up and running for transport and logistics?

Working together is a FORS for good I Ian Henderson Concession director FORS

was pleased and, indeed, encouraged to read Richard Smith’s piece (MT, 23 May) ending on a largely positive note with respect to the RHA’s clear intention to pursue a more constructive, progressive relationship with FORS. We are delighted that both the RHA and Logistics UK are now members of the FORS Governance & Standards Advisory Group (GSAG). GSAG comprises a broad mix of key stakeholders from across the transport sector, and both the aforementioned trade associations will be instrumental in bringing significant influence to bear over the future direction of FORS. GSAG is very much an embodiment of the transport sector set-up to serve the interests of our industry. I would like to point out that FORS best practice is being employed by significant numbers of transport companies who, as a result, have gone on to benefit from safer, cleaner and greener fleet operations. A great deal of positive feedback has been forthcoming as a result. Also, FORS has never claimed to be a substitute for, or aligned with, O-licence compliance and we are in close collaboration with Traffic Commissioners to ensure operators remain aware of their legal obligations. The development of FORS over recent

24 MotorTransport

years has been brought about by engagement with industry bodies, suppliers to the transport sector and, of course, operators themselves. This development will culminate, but not cease, with the forthcoming release of version 6 of the FORS standard. So I agree with Richard – the changes we’re seeing at FORS are an evolution, not a revolution. The transport landscape is evolving; in no small part driven recently by decarbonisation which, I’m pleased to see, is being embraced by all quarters of the industry. Our FORS annual conference in Manchester on 12 July presents a fantastic opportunity for the FORS community to discuss the opportunities – and challenges – presented by decarbonisation and other issues. It is also a chance to come together, to share ideas and to discuss ways in which FORS can further cement its credentials as the go-to accreditation scheme with a mandate to drive-up operating standards across the industry. We would very much welcome the RHA to join us in Manchester for the event.

The newspaper for transport operators

To contact us: Tel: 020 8912 +4 digits or email: name.surname@roadtransport.com Editor Steve Hobson 2161 Head of content Tim Wallace 2158 Events and projects editor Hayley Pink 2165 Group production manager Isabel Burton Layout & copy editor Nick Shepherd Senior display sales executive Barnaby Goodman-Smith 2128 Event sales Tim George 0755 7677758 Classified and recruitment advertising rtmclassified@roadtransport.com Sales director Emma Rowland 07780 604075 Divisional director Vic Bunby 2121 MT Awards Katy Moyle 2152 Managing director Andy Salter 2171 Editorial office Road Transport Media, First Floor, Chancery House, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey SM1 1JB 020 8912 2170 Free copies MT is available free to specified licensed operators under the publisher’s terms of control. For details, email mtsccqueries@roadtransport.com, or call 01772 426705 Subscriptions Email:customercare@dvvsubs.com Quadrant Subscription Services, Rockwood House, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH Rates UK £146/year. Cheques made payable to Motor Transport. Apply online at mtssubs.com Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper Published by DVV Media International Ltd © 2022 DVV Media International Ltd ISSN 0027-206 X

Got something to say?

If you would like to contribute to MT’s Viewpoint, email steve.hobson@roadtransport.com 20.6.22

Electric vehicles

motortransport.co.uk

ruck makers are taking different technical approaches for building their electric power-trains, with each one having to make decisions on everything from battery raw materials to speed control software. Renault Trucks says it has taken full advantage of the technology that has been developed within the Volvo Group and used in the buses it has been building for the last few years. Its E-Tech models rely on proven componentry, which includes the battery, motors, 2-speed automatic gearbox, air compressors and electric power take-off. Truck installation includes on-board chargers for AC and DC charging – up to 22kW AC and 150kW DC – and no constraints on the number or type of charges, subject to the maximum charge levels. Heat is the biggest threat to a battery’s longevity and how you protect it comes down to two methods – air or liquid cooling. Renault Trucks has chosen a liquid cooled system, which again it says has already been proven in Volvo buses. However, Tevva says it is relying on the alternative method to cool its 7.5-tonne BEV battery. “At launch, the vehicles will be delivered with air cooling via forced air by fans through the battery pack,” says marketing director David Thackray. “We have found this to be perfectly adequate in chamber testing for operation in UK and northern Europe. As we move to deployment into hotter markets, then a water-cooled version of the pack will be available.” Already DAF’s CF and LF trucks, the Volta Zero and Scania’s battery electric truck range all rely on liquid. Phil Rootham, head of pre-sales technical engineering at Scania UK, says: “The vehicle uses liquid cooling for all countries as the thermal management of the batteries is important to ensure the correct performance.” Volta’s chief engineer for powertrain and thermal systems, Robert Carter, says: “By using liquid cooling we are also able to manage heating and cooling needs around the vehicle and in the cabin with a centralised system, which is more efficient.”

Transmission issues

Compared with electric motors, combustion engines have a relatively low torque in the lower speed range and so a gearbox is required to provide sufficient power transmission when starting or accelerating. But according to mobile tech expert Aradex, one of the most important differences between a combustion engine and an electric motor is that the latter already has full torque available at zero speed. So a gearbox is not necessary for power transmission in itself; however, it can still be useful to equip electric drivetrains with one. When looking at the pros and cons of using a gearbox or direct drive, Aradex says direct drive offers no increased losses due to additional components. The direct connection of the motor avoids problems such as friction losses and can improve efficiency. However, with a gearbox fitted the motor can be designed to be smaller and lighter and it also means lower purchasing costs since the motor is designed for less torque. DAF says it has chosen direct drive because it suits both specific drivelines the best. Tevva’s Thackray says it has opted for a gearbox, albeit in most cases a single-speed one. “It’s essential to step

A peek inside the electric trucks being built reveals EV manufacturers are not all copying each other when it comes to getting power from a battery to the drive wheels. Chris Tindall reports

down the speed of an electric motor for most commercial vehicles as well as passenger car EVs,” he says. “Tevva’s switched reluctance twin motor and gearbox unit has been specifically designed for our application and its wide torque and power spread allows it to deliver the requirements for heavy load carrying capacity, gradeability and highway speeds with a single-speed gearbox.” Scania electric trucks use a 2-speed gearbox. “The reason is to optimise the speed of the electric machine; again this helps drive efficiency across the vehicle speed range,” says Rootham. Renault has also gone for a 2-speed gearbox. A spokesperson says: “Customer feedback is very positive in terms of performance from standstill, smoothness of change between gears, and refinement and performance at higher speed operations. “For example, it’s been working well in demanding, mostly low-speed refuse applications; but equally it’s easily travelled the 189km of the M25 with a 3-tonne payload, proving its suitability for the most demanding urban delivery applications.” Volta says its Zero represents Europe’s first use of an eAxle in a medium duty CV. Carter explains: “This contains the motor, transmission and axle, all in one compact unit. “Given the focus and need to bring a vehicle to ➜ 28

Making connections

26 MotorTransport

20.6.22

Electric vehicles

motortransport.co.uk

market as soon as possible, Volta Trucks’ strategy has been, wherever possible, to select existing world-class components; in this case, the eAxle is the 14XE unit from Meritor. “The use of such a compact design allows the batteries to be located between the chassis rails, protecting them in case of a side impact. “In addition, by placing the batteries as far forward as possible, this allows for a better load distribution.” Carter says the eAxle gave its designers flexibility in the packaging they needed in order to redesign a CV “from the ground up”. “Importantly as well, a commercial vehicle needs to be as durable as possible and our engineers took the view that managing a single motor set-up was likely to be less complex, and more reliable, than a multi-motor set-up,” he adds. The DAF LF and CF use a single motor with a conventional axle with a differential; Scania is using an electric machine mounted in the chassis via a conventional axle gear; and Renault’s E-Tech D16 models use a single chassis-mounted motor, driving through a prop shaft. “The E-Tech D18 and D26 models have twin motors,” says Renault’s spokesperson. “Choice of technology has been made to give the earliest possible availability of fully-electric solutions and to allow maximum component carry-over from diesel. “The intention is to make the transition as familiar and risk-free as possible for operators.” Tevva is relying on a twin-motor assembly that drives

the rear axle through a short prop shaft onto the rear differential. “This ensures the optimum design for manufacture and serviceability,” says Thackray.

Pricing concerns

In May the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the “greatest obstacle” to strong EV sales were the soaring prices of the critical minerals used in battery manufacturing, as well as supply chain disruptions caused by Russia’s attack on Ukraine – Russia supplies 20% of global battery-grade nickel – and continued Covid19 lockdowns in some parts of China, where more than half of all lithium, cobalt and graphite processing and refining capacity is located. Prices for lithium were more than seven times higher in May than at the start of the year and prices for cobalt and nickel also rose. The IEA says the cost of battery packs could therefore increase by 15% if the prices stay around current levels, which would reverse several years of declines. However, UK battery maker Britishvolt plays down concerns over higher prices in the future. “The trend will be for lower battery prices as technology and markets develop,” says a Britishvolt spokesperson. “The near-term price volatility is overdone owing to market fever pitch and continued attention on high prices. “Britishvolt has a strategic raw materials sourcing strategy that will allow it to deliver next-generation batteries to its customers.” ■

CELL TALK The approaches being taken by manufacturers to get power to the drive wheels differ, but there are also a range of choices in the types of batteries being used and where they are being sourced. DAF says there are three “enormous advantages” in it opting for lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries over existing alternatives: they are cobalt free; ‘cell-to-pack’; and the truck maker claims they are also much safer. Cell-to-pack means the direct integration of cells into a battery pack, without the intermediate buffering modules used in most current pack designs. DAF says this increases the energy density significantly. It also says that by relying on LFP it eliminates the dual problem of cobalt being a finite resource and also its mining being unsustainable. A DAF spokesperson says: “A final important advantage over other regular battery chemistries is the thermal and chemical stability of an LFP power source. “The lithium, iron and phosphate composition not only improves battery resistance to overheating, it also eliminates the risk of a so-called thermal runaway – a chain reaction within a battery pack. “As a result, by using LFP batteries the possibility of a spontaneous ignition is reduced to zero, further enhancing the safety for the CF Electric.” The batteries used in the DAF LF Electric and the DAF CF Electric are sourced from the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, currently the 28 MotorTransport

biggest lithium-ion battery maker for EVs in the world. Tevva says its LFP battery provides a good balance of performance and energy density but, for CV applications, long-term durability is its most important feature. “Tevva batteries are manufactured in-house at Tevva,” says Thackray. “The modules are constructed from externally sourced prismatic cells assembled at Tevva London. “We are aware of the potential constraints around battery cell supply chain and we have processes in place to ensure we have adequate supply at an appropriate cost.” Renault’s current configuration is a 66kWh lithium-ion chemistry battery providing a 600V output. Its spokesperson says this “provides the best performance for various truck applications and energy consumption, reflecting our desire to provide a battery installation which can be supported with a battery promise of 10 years or 300MWh total delivered energy”.

Lithium-iron batteries are more long-lasting, but lithium-ion batteries have more energy density, which means charging them tends to be relatively easier and takes less time. Renault says its lithium-ion batteries are supplied by Samsung and assembled in Germany, before they are installed on-line at its production facility in France. Price is dependent on many factors, one of which is the increasing number of factories producing batteries and on this issue Renault points to the number of new giga-factories being built, including Volvo Group’s facility in Ghent. Scania’s Rootham says it has secured supplies of its 650V batteries up to 2030 and its principal supplier is the Swedish firm Northvolt. “Scania has a long-term investment and commitment to Northvolt,” he says. “This strategy is to ensure we can ethically trace production and supply back to source. “The current chemistry is nickel manganese cobalt.” Volta Zero’s battery is being supplied by American firm Proterra and it relies on nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NMCA) technology. “We believe this is the right cell chemistry based on the use case we have for a medium-duty urban delivery vehicle that’s doing relatively short, repetitive journeys on a daily basis,” says Carter. “Our operating voltage is confidential at this stage, but this is selected to enable the performance and charge times our vehicle needs.” 20.6.22

EV charging

motortransport.co.uk

In the race to zero emissions, the shift to electric power is going to be a huge challenge for vehicle makers, and getting the power to where it is needed will be the main issue for the grid. But preparations are already underway on UK motorways, reports John Kendall

Photo: Shutterstock

ruck operators have a bit more time at their disposal than car drivers before trucks need to be powered by zero-tailpipe-emissions power sources, with up to 2035 for vehicles up to 26 tonnes GVW and 2040 for heavier vehicles. To reach that stage is going to require a great deal of change. Infrastructure needs to be built to supply vehicle charging and hydrogen production. Vehicle manufacturers will need to either begin or scale up manufacturing of electric vehicles, whether battery-powered or using hydrogen fuel cells. Last month MAN demonstrated a battery-powered truck that will go into production in 2024. It will have a capacity for megawatt (MW) charging. Other manufacturers producing electric vehicles are already providing a range of services to customers who are putting their first electric vehicles into service. Renault Trucks E-Tech D and D Wide models are fitted with on-board chargers, enabling them to connect to a 22kW three-phase AC 32A socket using a standard type-2 connector. Alternatively, these models can be rapid charged at up to 150kW from public DC electric chargers using a CCS combo connector. It’s a similar story for the Volvo FL and FE ranges with FM, FH and FMX electric variants able to charge at higher rates, meaning 43kW for AC charging and up to 250kW at DC rapid chargers. DAF currently supplies LF and CF electric models and can supply both fixed and mobile charging solutions for the vehicles. Fixed charging offers between 20kW and 360kW, with mobile chargers offering between 24kW and 40kW. To power the shift to electric trucks is going to be a huge undertaking. While the vehicle makers will ➜ 32

Watt a conundrum 30 MotorTransport

20.6.22

EV charging

motortransport.co.uk

electrical supply terms is the 12MW set-up needed for a small town. The electricity supply industry calls these a primary substation, which would normally take up around 17,000sq ft. “If we came to motorway services and said ‘can we do that on your site?’, the motorway service operators would probably have quite a short conversation with us,” says Jewell. “The plan that I had a few years ago was to go to a manufacturer and say ‘can you shrink one of those primary sub-stations that feeds a town into a couple of shipping containers?’. I’m then talking a language that motorway service operators understand, a footprint they understand and something that genuinely would fit, which is important – and this is the result.”

POWER BROKER: Paul Jewell of Western Power says he expects to see a substation at every MSA as well as at RDCs

Making a connection

provide a range of support to customers, getting the power to where it is needed will be a considerable challenge for the grid.

Charging initiative

Western Power Distribution, which is responsible for electricity supplies in the South West, south Wales and parts of the Midlands, has recently installed a power upgrade for Exeter services. It has been designed to provide for the future vehicle charging needs at the M5 service area and also serve as a pilot project for other motorway services in its area. “When you look at motorway services and you look at the amount of electrical capacity that’s going to be required, you need to go big,” explains Western Power distribution system development manager Paul Jewell. “A few MW we can do as a standard supply that we’d fit to a housing estate. “We can supply that wherever you like, whenever you like. It’s a proper solution for us. But if you do that for motorway services, you’ll get to a stage where when they want more than 5, 6,or 7MW. That’s not big enough.” Basically, the installation at Exeter services is one size up from the housing estate model, which in

32 MotorTransport

It means that all the necessary equipment will fit into two 20ft containers, which were transported to the Exeter site and lifted into position with a mobile crane. That also means that all the necessary ancillaries are bolted to the transformer and the wiring is designed for rapid connection and disconnection if necessary. “Truck charging is interesting,” continues Jewell. “Because one of the things that’s working in the truck world is the MW charging system – rapid charging for trucks to fit in with the 45-minute tacho break. And 3.5MW per charger is the current indication that we’re getting at the moment. So, if I’ve built a 12MW substation that is the size of a small town, in the world of HGV rapid charging, that’s four chargers… “We wanted to change the rules for sub-station design at this size, knowing that motorway services were going to need it. I’m expecting to see one of these at every MSA.” The modular set-up could also be used for a large RDC with high demand for truck charging, or supplying electricity for hydrogen production on-site to fuel electric trucks using hydrogen fuel cells to store electrical energy instead of batteries. Western Power Distribution serves 65 MSAs and obviously there are more besides, as well as the capacity that will be needed for depot installations. Building and installing that capacity by 2040 is going to be a major challenge. ■

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Apprenticeship of the Year Partnered with CO-OP

Co-op has worked passionately and creatively with SP Training to design and deliver an ongoing programme as a pathway to a career in HGV driving. Since the programme launch in 2019 it has been flexed and modified to adapt to the significant challenges that have impacted the industry post-Brexit and during Covid. The programme is inclusive, supporting social mobility and driving gender equality in the workplace, and looks to bridge the gap in the driver shortage to ensure communities continue to have access to fully stocked shelves in their Co-op food stores. The judges said: “Strong take-up and retention evidenced; showed that apprentices had a passion to succeed in their careers.”

Leyland Trucks

Leyland Trucks prides itself on its reputation for investing in local talent. This long and proud history of training its own has created one of the most sought-after apprenticeship programmes. Apprentices are the lifeblood of Leyland Trucks and are integral to succession planning and commercial success. Its training programmes and annual apprentice intakes are strategically linked to skills shortages, retirement profiles and project programmes to build pipelines of skilled talent. The business says it is committed to driving the regional economy and the global motor transport industry forward by ensuring it remains at the forefront of investing in talent through high calibre apprenticeship programmes. The judges said: “Impressive recruitment and selection process and strong retention rate shown in the entry.”

Moody Logistics

Moody Logistics developed its own in-house driver apprenticeship scheme in response to lengthy delays with the governmentapproved programme. The family-run firm ensured its apprentices were able to

36 MotorTransport

gain their HGV licences within five months, without any loss in training quality. Its willingness to invest in its own scheme has left it unaffected by the national shortage of qualified drivers while ensuring its apprentices can quickly earn a higher salary and make a greater economic contribution to the success of the business. The judges said: “A great example of an apprenticeship scheme working well for a smaller business; high take-up and retention rates.”

Motus Commercials

Motus Commercials is a proud ambassador for apprenticeships and supporting young people coming into the automotive industry is a key objective for the business. With apprentice intake rising by 66% in five years, the focus of ‘growing its own’ fantastic colleagues has never been more important. The business focus is to offer high-level learning opportunities, with the support of industry leading training providers, alongside a positive colleague experience within the UK’s largest independent vehicle dealer groups. The judges said: “Impressive initiatives in place to support apprentices; great retention and good positive press coverage.”

Wincanton

The business relies on its 20,000 colleagues to deliver for its customers every day. Its apprenticeship programmes are designed to develop and progress internal talent, while balancing a pipeline of external recruitment to support growth and sustainable succession planning. Wincanton offers more than 80 different apprenticeship programmes reflecting the breadth and diversity of its business, and its aim is to offer something for everyone to support career development. Targeted programmes such as the Future Driver Apprenticeship have also enabled it to address the industry driver shortage and create a diverse driver pipeline, preparing the business for future challenges. The judges said: “A wide range of apprenticeships offered across the entire business; great, robust success rate measurements.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Best Use of Technology Award

BOC

BOC wanted to devise a method that could provide a step-change to training with a platform to supplement on-the-road training as realistically and consistently as possible. It wanted to create personalised training sessions, tailored to the user, with clear actionable analysis and results. An engaging virtual reality solution was created, using high-definition 360-degree video capture, eye-tracking and motion seat technology. This reduces travel time for drivers, whilst providing a vastly more accurate picture of the driver’s abilities to spot hazards and react to them, taking traditional training and adapting it through immersive technology. BOC felt that streamlining and upgrading training programmes was likely to be time consuming and expensive, requiring drivers to take a full day away from work. The training experience is traditionally reliant on the skills of the trainer/assessor, and it was difficult to consistently measure against key safety criteria. BOC used several high-performance devices along with bespoke software to ensure that the user interface of the trainer’s app is easy to use and breaks down complex data in a way that is digestible and actionable. Its headset and a bespoke motion seat creates a realistic environment for the driver, as well as a repeatable experience for the trainer.

FM Conway/Brigade Electronics

Traffic volume coupled with the increasing number of road users is an ever-present challenge to FM Conway, thanks to its extensive work in central London. The company wanted a vehicle road safety system that could detect cyclists, e-scooters and pedestrians, and be activated at all times – not just while the vehicle’s indicators were in use. FM Conway covers a wide range of services, offering expertise across a multitude of disciplines including highways maintenance, water and drainage management, civil engineering, structures, aggregate and asphalt manufacturing, lighting and traffic management. It operates a 400-strong fleet of construction vehicles, many of which are used to transport goods by road. Much of the business is London-centric; road safety is therefore a top priority for the business and it was keen to find a product that did not create numerous false alerts and result in driver overload – something that it believes is common with many existing systems. FM Conway’s solution was Brigade Electronics’ unique Ultrasonic Obstacle Detection system – SidescanPredict, with FM Conway vehicles being the first in the world to be fitted with the technology.

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Speed Welshpool

Family-run pallet network haulier Speed Welshpool has developed an in-house, forklift-mounted Android app that provides loading manifests and pallet locations when loading C&D vehicles. Speed has been run since 2015 by George Edwards, who has roots in software development having obtained a first-class degree in games development in 2013. His unique overlap of transport and technology has allowed Speed Welshpool to develop bespoke software that delivers operational efficiencies and customer service. The system – Orion, launched in April 2021 – is a unique development for a pallet network and interfaces with Speed's bespoke TMS to eliminate pedestrian-based picking, loading paperwork and provide loading KPIs. It has also eliminated near misses, improved loading and driver out brief times, and saved around £16,000 in its first year of labour costs. Orion works by tracking the location of all pallets on-site – either in the warehouse or on the trunk trailers – and allows the FLT operator to load based on an on-screen manifest with pallet locations.

Walkers Transport

Heightened by Covid-19 and the subsequent B2C e-commerce boom, the growing pressure to deliver on price, quality of service and end consumer satisfaction fuelled a new expectation for real-time data and consignment intelligence on demand. Walkers Transport’s former system did not meet expectations on data visibility, or its ease of use and accessibility, but neither did any off-the-shelf Transport Management System (TMS) products. The limitations of the previous platform API meant that only 60% of Walkers customers’ ordering systems could integrate, and the restrictions of a third-party platform minimised control of data, communications, updates, and customisability for customers. Walkers wanted a platform that it had full control and influence over to give customers the best possible experience. It therefore designed, developed and delivered its own bespoke, customisable TMS portal – Walkers Insight. As a result, all customers can now integrate with the Walkers Insight Portal and get real-time data and consignment information in one place. The system has also reduced the need for humans to deal with consignment queries by up to 50% and the company is no longer reliant on unstable third-party systems. The new system also allows independent KPIs to be agreed with each customer.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Business Excellence Award Partnered with Air Products

Air Products says its strategic plans were challenged by the pandemic, but as customer operations restarted and ramped back up, the team faced a 25% upturn in deliveries, all with their own unique Covid protocols and requirements. The firm’s flexible business model enabled it to respond and evolve, adhering to Covid-safe procedures while employing and training 52 new drivers, reducing the number of lost-time incidents by 40%, achieving 100% compliance with DVSA KPIs, and maintaining service delivery of 600,000 tonnes of product to over 10,000 customers. This resulted in a 7% increase in turnover and excellent EBITDA performance. Our judges were impressed by the company’s performance in such challenging circumstances. “All performance measures were enhanced with good employee retention and reward,” said one. “Really strong on customer service, and staff recruitment and development.”

Expect Distribution

Expect Distribution continued on an impressive growth path in 2021 with turnover increasing by 24% and net profit up by 23%. It also maintained an enviable profit margin of 9%. The firm followed through with a strategy of winning contracted new business, differentiating itself from the rest of the market by providing innovative and bespoke solutions and creating added value for a loyal client base. Last year proved a landmark one for Expect as the board completed a management buyout in December that will see the traditional company values upheld in the future. Our judges pointed to an encouraging improvement in performance, improved management processes and increased investment “The change of ownership should provide further impetus,” one said. “The impressive OTIF of 97.8% in 2021 is driven by the implementation of a VIP customer review and end-of-day reporting to drive performance.”

Malcolm Logistics

Malcolm Logistics says its MT Awards submission signalled the start of a new and more optimistic way forward after two years of family, community and business upheaval due to the pandemic. During this time, its logistics division played a key role in keeping UK commerce and the NHS functioning. It supported the work of NHS staff both morally

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and financially and proudly applauded them across its entire fleet. Malcolm’s focus was always on its people, who were key workers throughout the pandemic, and it is now confident of better times ahead. “Malcolm has a long record of good performance, with particular attention to employee development and retention,” said one of our judges. “It has strong links with the local communities and this was a polished and well-presented submission focused in a punchy and concise manner across all elements of the brief.”

Whirlpool Appliances

The last two years have involved unprecedented changes in the kitchen appliance market as the pandemic struck. Within two months, a 12 million sales per year market dropped by nearly 50%. However, despite the added impact of Brexit, rising components costs and the driver shortage, Whirlpool grew sales by 7% in 2021 compared with 2019 and the company re-established itself as a UK market leader. Whirlpool also won numerous awards throughout 2021 for products, brands and community programmes. Our judges rated the company’s performance as ‘excellent’, given the tough market conditions, with one describing its awards submission as “exceptional and covering all set criteria”. “A right-first-time delivery rate of 98.1% and successful home delivery rate of 99.65% speak for themselves,” another added.

Wren Kitchens

Wren Kitchens puts its success down to an exemplary team of people working to provide an excellent range of products underpinned by a world-class, end-to-end customer experience. Despite the highly competitive marketplace, the retailer says it thrives by relentlessly scrutinising itself and its competition to define opportunities for supply chain improvements. Its collaborative approach to innovation, investment and people development provides the perfect platform for game-changing initiatives, enhanced business practices, and greater employee satisfaction, motivation and development. Wren is also committed to driving customer experience to new levels and delivering exceptional levels of safety and compliance. Our judges were impressed with the company’s consistent growth and 99.95% on-time, in-full delivery performance. “An outstanding entry,” one commented. “Customer expectations were met throughout the pandemic with notable sustainability and staff feedback initiatives.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Clean Fleet Van of the Year Partnered with Ford E-Transit

The new Ford E-Transit marks the start of a new brand, Ford Pro, helping businesses and fleets with the switch to electrification. The van itself has a near-200-mile WLTP range with uncompromised payload and extensive list of standard equipment and safety features. Unlike all of the competition, the E-Transit range is available with two differing power outputs, offering 430Nm of torque and a choice of 135kW or 198kW. Payload is up to 1,758kg on panel vans, but there’s a range of 25 variants with double-cab-in-van and chassis cab bodies. Vans are available in multiple lengths and roof heights, as well as with GVWs from 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes. A new 12in dashboard touchscreen is the centrepiece to the E-Transit interior and is carried over from the Mustang Mach-E passenger car. The E-Transit has already been given a Gold Award from Euro NCAP for its driver safety assistant systems, which include city braking and lane keeping. E-Transit also features Ford’s ProPower Onboard system, that can deliver up to 2.3kW in the cab and load area to power conversions and equipment while out at work. Designed to satisfy a wide range of customer use-cases, it has a 68kWh usable battery capacity and has been redefining the way operators look at electric vans.

Citroën ë-Dispatch, Fiat E-Scudo, Peugeot e-Expert, Vauxhall Vivaro-e

The Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Peugeot e-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch, and the new Fiat E-Scudo are the go-to choices for some of UK’s largest fleet operators as well as a growing number of small and medium

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enterprises looking for affordable and practical zero-emission vans. Built on the same platform, the models offer fleets all the benefits of zero-emission powertrains with no compromise in capability. Since 2020, British Gas has ordered 3,000 Vauxhall Vivaro-e models – the largest commercial EV order in the UK. The breadth of businesses and fleets choosing the Stellantis e-LCV range is a testament to the vans’ affordability, practicality and efficiency. All four vans are available with a choice of two battery options, with a 50kWh battery for urban and city areas, or with a larger 75kWh battery. The 75kWh battery provides a WLTP range of 205 miles from a single charge, with a full charge using the on-board 7.4kW charger taking 7.5 hours. There’s support for up to 100kW rapid charging, with 0-80% charge taking just 30 minutes for 50kWh variants and 45 minutes for 75kWh variants. The vans can be specified in either standard or long lengths with a load capacity of up to 6.6cu m. The 50kWh variants can achieve a maximum payload of up to 1,226kg.

Maxus e Deliver 3

The e Deliver 3 was the first Maxus vehicle that is only available as a fully electric model. Designed to set a benchmark for the future of electric LCVs, it was a big departure for Maxus to launch a model only available in electric form. Designed from the ground-up for electric power only, the e Deliver 3 has a claimed range of up to 213 miles for its WLTP city range and 151 miles for the combined WLTP standard. It has the option of two battery packs with either a 35kWh or 50kWh batteries paired to a 90KW motor producing 255Nm of torque and is said to have been designed with aerodynamics in mind to reduce wind resistance. It can carry up to 945kg of payload and despite only being available with a short wheelbase has a volume of 4.8cu m. Charging times using a DC rapid charger can see the battery level go from 5%-80% in just 45 minutes, while an 11kW AC charge will take around five hours. Standard features include air-conditioning, built-in sat nav, smartphone mirroring with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Its most appealing feature, however, is its price, with models starting from just £27,000 with a government grant. Operators can also have the e Deliver 3 as a chassis cab and can get real-time telematic data through a partnership with Geotab.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Clean Fleet Van Operator of the Year Partnered with DPD

DPD is blazing a trail on the final-mile all-electric fleet front, increasing its tally of electric vehicles (EVs) by over 900%. Replacing its diesel fleet is a key priority for DPD, which is why it hasn’t bought a new diesel final-mile vehicle since 2020. It has sourced all-electric vehicles from Norway, helped invent an innovative eCargo bike, and invested over £92m on new to market EVs such as the Ford E-Transit and the Maxus eDeliver. DPD is delivering clean in 10 UK cities, which will increase to 30 by the end of 2023. In 2021, its electric vehicles delivered over 16.5 million emission-free parcels, with an annual CO2 saving from the electric fleet of 4,600 tonnes. This year it is on track to increase this number by almost 60%, delivering 26 million parcels on electric vehicles and saving 7,200 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of planting 28,000 trees. This pace will continue until it achieves its net zero ambition by 2030. The judges said: “Great diversity in the technology it is bringing to market and trialling – very impressive; it has the breadth, the appetite and the testimonial evidence for being a clean van operator.”

HIVED

HIVED is building the first mass-market zero-emission parcel delivery network. With innovative technology and data analysis, it aims to help companies reduce their carbon footprint without compromising affordability or convenience. It has had a fully electric, emission-free fleet of vans and e-cargo bikes from the start, powered only by renewable energy. It notes that not only do drivers generally prefer electric vans because they are better for the environment, but also because they are automatic and provide a more pleasurable driving experience. HIVED believes today’s biggest problem is that good service seems to be irreconcilable with eco-friendliness and says its mission is to “break and challenge this dilemma – evidenced by our ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot”. The judges said: “Strong overall sustainability strategy; its goal from the outset was to differentiate itself with both a zero-emission fleet and excellent client service, both of which it appears to have achieved within its region.”

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John Lewis Partnership/Flexible Power Systems

This entry is about delivering John Lewis Partnership’s ambitious strategy to decarbonise fleet operations by 2030. The Partnership is committed to electrifying 2,500 LCVs to meet customer demand, while achieving net zero by 2035. Flexible Power Systems used cutting-edge data science and simulation to map cost, emissions and power aspects of the transition, executed a UK fleet first wireless charging technology demonstration, and developed a cloud-based EV and smart charging management platform to improve EV economics and productivity. Wireless charging offers fleet users benefits in terms of eliminating trailing cables that can be trip hazards, faster initiation of charging events to improve vehicle availability, and future proofing for autonomous vehicles. The technology has been demonstrated on buses, but not previously applied to vans in high power configurations. Drivers report a quieter smoother experience, less fatigue, and improved well-being. Customers have expressed positive feedback for green deliveries. The judges said: “Impressive that they are looking at the bigger picture to benefit the whole of industry; an undeniable step forward in new technology and admirable they are driving this forward for industry.”

Paack

Paack was founded to build a logistics system that is truly customercentric and planet friendly. The company’s vision is to lead sustainable e-commerce deliveries in Europe through a tech-enabled solution that “guarantees the best-inclass sustainable delivery experience”. The business is fully committed to its goal of delivering all parcels at carbon net zero and aims to be the first global logistics business to achieve certification with The Carbon Trust and The United Nations. This starts with tracking the company’s environmental impact, implementing decarbonisation actions like scaling zero-emission vehicles in all markets, and collaborating with entities and companies in reforestation projects to compensate for its emissions or leverage reverse logistics to reduce landfill. The judges said: “A good, holistic approach and careful measurement of overall environmental impact shown in this entry.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Customer Care Award Partnered with C&D South West

C&D South West was founded in 1987 and has been providing quality distribution services for over 30 years. Based in Chard, Somerset, the company offers a guaranteed 24-hour delivery service across the UK. It successfully combines new-world technologies with traditional family values – integrity, trustworthiness and a desire to please. By combining state-of-the-art tracking and monitoring software that is at everyone’s fingertips with an awardwinning sales, marketing and customer service team dedicated to going the extra mile to achieve overall customer satisfaction, C&D says it can offer “a truly remarkable service that surpasses industry expectations”. Our judges agreed, saying it was “a family business that will always have a place in the industry”. “I love the evidence like the Google, Trustpilot and customer surveys,” said one. Another added: “[Achieving] 99% service levels is exceptional in what has been a difficult year, to say the least”. Yet another commented: “It is clear that customer care runs throughout the business and is led from the top.”

DPD UK

2021 once again saw DPD maintain a focus on customer experience, producing excellent feedback from shippers and shoppers alike. In a move designed to increase first-time success and reduce CO2 emissions, the company doubled the size of its Pickup store network in just 12 months, including a ground-breaking deal with the Post Office. DPD’s new ‘driver rating’ feature provided a new level of insight to customers and helped deal with complaints more efficiently. The company also topped the MoneySavingExpert carrier poll for the ninth year running and recorded its 12th consecutive year of profit growth. Our judges said DPD had pulled off the trick of “seeing exceptional growth and still achieving customer satisfaction” and that “they know their stats, they benchmark them, they get external verification, they get their clients’ feedback and they monitor it – it is client service at aspirational levels”. One judge said: “Customer care standards have enabled DPD to be at the top of this difficult sector, driving year on year growth”. Another added: “The board and executives are obviously committed to customer service and to position themselves as the best home delivery operator.”

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Gavin Griffiths Recycling

Swansea-based Gavin Griffiths Recycling offers a range of haulage, waste recycling and plant hire solutions across the UK. It has many years’ experience in muckshifting, bulk waste transport and plant movements. The company invests heavily in the working relationships it develops with its clients, building strong partnerships in many cases and trying to do reciprocal business where possible. It aims to consistently exceed customer expectations, and going above and beyond is second nature. The ethos within the company has always been ‘without happy customers, we have no business’. It states: “The foundations of our business are built on excellent customer service and repeat business has always been a strength to us. Ensuring our customers receive a positive experience in dealing with us has been paramount to growing the business.” Our judges said: “It looks like they have made a very large investment in a business that is more and more vital to the planet,” adding that “from reactive crisis management to educating and communicating with staff to a planned vision for the future, this is a business that not only focuses on the company strategy but also embraces the community and the impact on its services within that.” One judge commented: “They have overcome some unique challenges and deployed clever strategies in difficult scenarios.”

Greenergy Flexigrid

As part of the Greenergy Group, Flexigrid provides UK-wide logistics services for commercial and retail fuels to both Greenergy and thirdparty customers. Customer care is at the forefront of everything the firm does and its performance is a direct result of its customer service ethos, principles and values, which have been instilled in the business since its inception. “To provide an industry-leading service to our customers, we continually look to improve our service by forming strong relationships with our customers and focusing on understanding their needs and what directly affects them and their own individual businesses,” it states. Our judges called this “a highly professional entry that clearly answers all the key requirements of the brief” and said: “Their customer care approach has allowed growth within the business.” One judge added: “The company values, ownership and care, as well as the profit sharing with drivers, show an outstanding commitment to customer care that doesn't sit with a department, but runs deep throughout the business”.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Fleet Truck of the Year Partnered with DAF XF

The New Generation line-up of DAFs launched last year were designed to take advantage of new masses and dimensions regulations that came into force in February 2021, allowing an extra 160mm in length to improve fuel efficiency, driver safety and comfort. DAF has exploited the extra length to reduce drag by 19%, producing a 6% fuel-saving. A new powertrain gave a further 3% fuel saving, while a host of other minor changes shaved 0.9% off fuel consumption, giving an overall saving of 10.2% on the previous model. A 33% larger windscreen and slimmer A pillars have led to a significant improvement in direct vision from the driver’s seat, and when a passenger door window and the mirrorless DAF Digital Vision System are added, the XF achieves a 3-star DVS rating. The DAF dealer network is the biggest and arguably the best of any truck brand, with 135 locations in the UK and Ireland. First-time test pass rates are 98% – helped by the 59 authorised test facilities in the DAF network – and DAFaid dealt with 100,000 calls in 2021, repairing 80% of breakdowns at the roadside.

Mercedes-Benz Actros

The focus of Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ pitch was the Actros L, launched last year and including a host of innovations. Fitted with an OM471 13-litre engine, fuel efficiency has been increased by 4% while throttle response has also been improved. The Actros L includes all of the innovations from the latest Actros, including Predictive Powertrain Control which reads the terrain ahead to optimise cruise control, a multimedia driver cockpit with two screens, Active Brake Assist 5 and a Truck App Portal. By far the biggest difference though is the second-generation of MirrorCam, which now has much-enhanced image processing to give clearer pictures on sunny days or at night. It’s not just the software that has been tweaked – the housing has been made smaller and more robust to reduce damage. Mercedes-Benz Trucks admits that feedback on the performance and attitude of its dealers has been less than flattering and it is working hard to address these concerns. In 2021 it launched Truck Retail Excellence (T-REx) to improve customer experience, and it has also implemented a radical Service Excellence Development programme to improve the aftersales experience.

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Renault Range T

Renault launched its T480 fleet spec tractor unit in 2013 and in 2021 it was updated from a design perspective, and it has just been updated again with two new engines, the DE11 and the DE13. In standard form these are 4% more fuel-efficient than their predecessors, while the turbocompound variants improve fuel efficiency by 10%. All Renault diesel engines can run on renewable HVO fuel and it is promoting electro-mobility through its E-Tech brand launched in March 2022. It can now offer an electric vehicle from 3.1 tonnes to 44 tonnes for just about any application. Renault believes strongly in the quality of its product, but knows that with most fleets sticking with their established two or three preferred truck brands it has to work hard to get on tender lists. It had some notable successes last year and its market share grew as a result. To address concerns about regional variations in aftersales service, Renault has added new dealerships in the south, north-west, the Midlands and London to take the network to 73 locations in the UK and Ireland, a 10% increase on 2019.

Volvo FM

The latest incarnation of the Volvo FM has been developed steadily over the last 24 years based on Volvo’s core values of safety, quality and environmental care. The current line-up offers diesel, gas and electric powertrains, while the modern cab provides more space for the driver, an improved dash and excellent cross-cab access, making it a much nicer place to work and on a par with the FH. A key feature of the FM is the bigger windscreen for better direct vision, giving a 3-star rating for London’s DVS. A camera can also be fitted in the door mirror to give even better visibility down the sides of the vehicle. Volvo has been a leader in developing natural gas engines and now offers 420hp and 460hp versions of its LNG engine. Launched in 2018, 900 gas trucks have been sold in the UK and electric versions with a choice of 330kW and 490kW motors are also on the way. Aftersales care has been beefed up with 79 franchised dealer locations in the UK and a choice of Blue, Silver or Gold R&M packages is available.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Haulier of the Year Partnered with Boughey Distribution

Expect Distribution

Founded in 1964, Boughey Distribution operates a fleet of 127 vehicles and 250 trailers, and manages 1.1 million sq ft of warehousing at its two sites in Nantwich and Crewe, Cheshire. With particular experience and expertise in the ambient grocery sector, the company provides storage, distribution and valued-added services to the food industry, and works with a number of the UK’s largest retailers including Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury’s. Boughey’s team excelled during the challenging and unpredictable days of the Covid-19 pandemic to deliver for customers, and none of its 730 staff were furloughed during the crisis. Our judges said this was a “well-established, significant-sized business that is clearly an employer of choice within the community in which it is based, and clearly values the community”. One judge said Boughey was a “safe pair of hands and forward looking” and “an example of what good looks like in this industry”.

DFDS Cold Chain England

DFDS Cold Chain England handles frozen and chilled foods for food producers, linking with the group’s other operations in the rest of the UK and northern Europe. Last year the company surpassed its own ambitious targets and delivered outstanding customer service to grow the business by 13%, despite the challenges of Brexit and Covid. It is leading the industry in sustainability with the introduction of some of the first solar-powered refrigeration units and is already transitioning to electric trucks. Staff health and well-being are paramount, and the company set up ‘Culture Champions’ across its operation to strengthen team engagement. This has already resulted in a major operation by teams at each depot to send vital supplies to Ukrainian refugees. Our judges said the company “continued to operate at a very high level of service, constantly seeking feedback from customers to drive the business forward” and was a “market leader on the environment, making use of its financial ability to invest due to the scale and size of the business”. Another judge concluded: “An outstanding result in a difficult year, with high levels of agility and flexibility along with positive staff welfare and excellent customer service.”

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Expect Distribution continued on an impressive growth path in 2021 with turnover up 24%, while maintaining an enviable profit margin well above the industry average. A three-time winner of this award including in the last two years, the business followed through with a strategy of winning contracted new business by differentiating itself from the rest of the market, providing innovative and bespoke solutions and creating added value for a loyal client base. 2021 proved a landmark year for Expect Distribution as the board completed a management buyout in December that will see its traditional company values upheld in the future. Expect once again demonstrated a dynamic approach in a challenging year for the industry with an increased emphasis on recruiting new talent in all departments, just as importantly ensuring that it enhanced incentives for current employees. Our judges said that despite going through change, Expect was “growing, with a clear strategy on the future of developing the business while maintaining margin to invest”, adding: “This is a fast-moving business, and the next few years will be challenge, but it has demonstrated a willingness to listen and consider where the market is going.”

Miniclipper Logistics

A robust third-generation family business strategically located in the prime location of Bedfordshire, Miniclipper Logistics operates a 24-hour pallet delivery operation with a fleet of 40 trucks. A member of the Palletline and Hazchem networks, it covers the whole of the UK next day. The name Miniclipper was devised by Mick Masters 50 years ago based on a vision of creating an express version of a clipper ship for road transport. The name Miniclipper was born and grew over the decades, with control passing to his son and MD Peter. Sadly, he passed away recently but the company still uses Mick’s ethos – to serve the customer right, with full integrity, and to the best of its ability, with employees committed to ‘never letting the customer down’. Our judges said Miniclipper “investing in people and developing a new structure is a sign that this business is looking forward” and that the company had “another excellent year with outstanding financial results”. They also said its submission was “very solid” and that “clearly, this is an excellent and well-run family company”.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Home Delivery Operator of the Year Partnered with DPD

Last year DPD delivered service quality of 99.81% and high levels of choice and convenience to the UK’s home shoppers. It said this had resulted in exceptional customer loyalty and excellent financial results. The parcels giant continued to increase operational efficiency by expanding its electric vehicle fleet tenfold, cutting its CO2 footprint by a further 5.7%. The company also topped the MoneySavingExpert carrier poll for the ninth year running and recorded its 12th consecutive year of profit growth. Commitment to the emotional well-being of its people also saw the company train 200 employees to become mental health first-aiders. Our judges pointed to DPD’s strong revenue growth and profitability, backed up by the exceptional on-time delivery results. “A good submission demonstrating both growth and profit improvements,” one said. “DPD has doubled turnover in six years and delivers over 400 million parcels per year for over 7,500 customers. “It has demonstrated the ability to adapt to rising volumes and this has not impacted customer service levels, as they remain consistently high on customer reviews.” “DPD was able to show a clear movement to greener fleet choices,” another judge said. “Its electric fleet has expanded, which has helped cut its CO2 footprint by 26.25% in the past seven years. “Overall an exceptional submission backed by real data which is easily measurable.”

Panther Logistics

As a home delivery operator, Panther Logistics believes it is in a class of its own. Having first stepped into the next-day, two-person, white glove delivery arena in 2011, the company has been a leading operator in the sector ever since. From day one, the company’s core mission has been to provide the ultimate final-mile delivery experience through continual innovation. It says the past 12 months have surpassed all others, with 2021 being a tremendous year of continued growth and profitability. There is also a clear focus on the well-being of the staff

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through the introduction of a head of people engagement role. Our judges were impressed by the strong growth over the year, along with new investment in technology and fleet. “Strong revenue growth, backed up by increases in both EBITDA and margin, demonstrate financial stability,” said one. “This is further supported by excellent new business contract wins in 2021 (£10.6m). “Clear investments, including new warehouse locations, IT platforms and fleet additions, position the business for future profitable growth.” “Overall this is a good submission,” said another. “The company is customer focused and certainly a leader in the two-man delivery business. “They have an excellent first-time delivery rate and this has been a key factor in them securing recent contract wins including Sky.”

Wren Kitchens

In the wake of the pandemic, online shopping is projected to deliver an additional £19.6bn of home delivery sales by 2025. Wren believes the exponential increase in road transport, fuel prices and customer expectations means it has never been more important to focus on environmental goals, transport efficiencies and safer operations, while upholding exemplary customer experience. The company’s success is about continuous improvement and owning the supply chain – it makes, it sells and it delivers. Continuous scrutiny of this time/service/information-critical sector enables it to identify weaknesses, which create opportunities. Our judges said Wren had pushed on from last year to return outstanding results, improve the staff experience and consider its emissions impact on the planet. “An exceptional business performance with revenue and operating profit growing year on year,” one said. “Deliveries are also up 22% with an on-time in-full delivery rate at 99.95%. “Also good commitment to the greener future, excellent growth on delivery figures, increased vehicle fill, lower driver infringements and excellent routeing and scheduling, saving CO2 emissions. They also have an apprentice take-on strategy.” Another pointed to Wren’s impressive first-time delivery success, which is fully supported by feedback and testimonials. “The company exudes high standards and this is apparent in its approach to health and safety,” the judge added. “Wren learns through understanding data and embracing any negative feedback from its customers. The business has enjoyed impressive growth and this is surely testament to the high standards it demands. “Ultimately, a first-class submission demonstrating what can be achieved with plenty of effort and input by the whole team.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Innovation Award Partnered with Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services, Connect Plus Services and Highway Care

It has long been a desire from the traffic management industry to have a mechanism for automatic cone laying. Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services (BBPFS) and Connect Plus Services have partnered with Highway Care for the design and trial phases of this project and have invested in procuring the final product, to demonstrate their ethos of zero harm innovation to design out risk and make their operations safer. BBPFS and Connect Plus Services have partnered with Highway Care to participate in the FALCON (ACLM) development, trial, endorsement and approval by National Highways. By automating the laying and collection of traffic cones, removing workers from harm, this innovation is making the task quicker, more efficient and less physically taxing. It’s also improving traffic flows and efficiencies.

Brigade Electronics

CarEye Safety Angle is a solution developed in conjunction with EYYES in Austria as a next-generation sideguard assistant and brought to market by Brigade Electronics for HGVs, buses and coaches. It’s designed to limit the number of collisions and combines a wing camera placed on the side of the vehicle based on pixel recognition and artificial intelligence. It has the ability to recognise and reliably detect pedestrians, cyclists and other objects in a significantly expanded monitoring area, warning drivers with acoustic and visual alarms to avoid a possible collision. HGVs pose a disproportionate risk to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Traditional side detection systems are not predictive, and instead merely register the presence of a potential obstacle. This can result in numerous false warnings, leading the driver to become habituated to the warning signal. The system has the ability to recognise and reliably detect pedestrians, cyclists and other objects in a significantly expanded monitoring area and in dangerous situations it warns drivers to avoid a possible collision with a market-leading reaction time. The camera, which is used as a detection sensor, recognises the presence of a vulnerable road user alongside the vehicle using artificial intelligence and based on deep-learning algorithms.

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DFDS Cold Chain England

DFDS Cold Chain England has responded to the challenges of Brexit and Covid-19 with a digital system to integrate its operations with authorities. To assist clients and allow them to navigate the complexities of post-Brexit trading between the UK and EU, it set up Custom Clearance and Freight Forwarding operations in Dover. The service initially started as a paper operation but to meet rapidly increasing demand, DFDS successfully developed a digital system that could easily integrate with customers’ operations and official authorities. Drawing on the expertise of two senior DFDS professionals who had experience of pre-Common Market trade with Europe, they created an AEOcertified (Authorised Economic Operator) custom clearance system to allow customers to always have the right import and export declarations. Set up in response to Brexit, the Custom Clearance has become a sector-leading system to help navigate the complexities of post-Brexit trading between the UK and EU and has been extended for free to more than 100 importers/exporters. As a result, DFDS is emerging from Brexit with a tenfold increase in customer numbers.

Volta Trucks

Volta Trucks’ full-electric commercial vehicle has been designed from the ground-up to be a segment disruptor. The innovative design and business model deliver against the urgent need for environmental impact reduction in our city centres. Volta’s ambition is also to produce the safest city trucks with the driver of a Volta Zero having a wide 220-degrees of direct vision around the vehicle. The view through a glasshouse-style cab is designed to deliver a TfL 5-star Direct Vision Standard rating. The removal of the traditional internal combustion engine enabled designers and engineers to reimagine the design of a truck. The driver of the Volta Zero sits in a central seating position to eliminate blind spots, and is far lower than in a conventional truck, with their eye-line at around 1.8m mirroring the height of pedestrians and other road users for easy visual communication. The central seating position and low step height gives the driver easy access through sliding doors, always stepping onto the pavement rather than the carriageway. Volta Trucks currently has a total order bank of around 5,000 vehicles, valued at €1.2bn (£1bn).

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Livery of the Year Partnered with

Howdens

BJS Home Delivery

All roads lead to home for BJS Home Delivery. Developed with the aim of becoming a ’spotters delight’, its current map-based livery campaign consists of 38 different locations, all to help BJS Home Delivery become one of the most recognisable and relatable logistics brands on the road. The company sees its vehicles as mobile billboards which express its personality and connect with its customers. So as an evolving display of company values, the ongoing journey of BJS Home Delivery is mirrored by the development of its fleet and the livery it proudly carries. The judges said: “A unique, eye-catching livery that makes the vehicles really stand out. A nice touch that the design brings 'spotters' into the mix.”

FTS Group

The relocation of Stand & Deliver Transport to The FTS Group HQ in St Albans prompted managing director Peter Samuel to rebrand the business. With the mission to visually unify the group and also uniquely identify each one, new liveries were created for Forward Trucking Services, FTS Logistics, and Stand & Deliver. The result is an eye-catching group-wide design that encapsulates the professionalism and growth that the group offers across its various operations while taking inspiration from its tradition, heritage and reputation. The judges said: “A strong livery that tackles the challenge of separate brands within an operation. No ambiguity on the livery – it is obvious what the business does.”

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The Howdens fleet of more than 700 liveried trailers joins its thousands of tradesmen and women from around the country every day on the roads. Howdens’ purpose is to help its trade customers achieve exceptional results for their customers. It says its high-quality product and in-stock model at depots allows that to happen, with the firm’s new livery signposting that service and convenience. The livery also needed international presence given its continued expansion into European markets and Howdens believes this design does that with exceptional execution. The judges said: “A vibrant, modern refresh of its traditional branding; a striking livery and a really fast timeline for rebranding the whole fleet.”

McCulla Ireland

This year, McCulla Ireland launched a new sustainable transport division – a fleet of trucks powered by food waste. To mark the occasion, the company had a special livery designed, which was unveiled at an official launch by NI Minister for the Environment, Edwin Poots. The new livery is eye-catching, informative and impactful, while staying true to McCulla’s strong brand identity. The judges said: “A very strong livery conveying the nature of the market and the services the business offers. Fantastic link between the old and the new livery and the way it tells a story. Vibrant, noticeable colours used in the design.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Low Carbon Award Partnered with CEVA Logistics

CEVA’s submission demonstrates a wide range of sustainability and carbonreduction initiatives. These include the launch of the CEVA Environmental Standards, an improved Carbon Dashboard for site and customer use, alternative urban transport via the River Thames, commercial EV trials, and the continued rollout of sustainably sourced HVO fuel. A decrease of 4,222 tonnes CO2 equivalent was secured in 2021 by using HVO instead of diesel; a resulting 20.3% decrease on 2020 commercial vehicle transport emissions. Overall CEVA Logistics achieved a total carbon reduction of 25% in 2021 compared with 2020, in Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The judges said: “An innovative business; very informative submission showing a strong emphasis on good use of telematics data; robust, comprehensive methodology used to measure carbon reduction.”

Evri

Evri (formerly Hermes UK) has experienced a period of unprecedented growth, and believes “it’s never been more important to recognise our impact on the planet”. Evri has always been a responsible carrier, but in the last year has strengthened its commitment to become an even more ethical and sustainably conscious business. It has established a dedicated ESG strategy – and a team to deliver this – and continued to expand its CNG and electric-powered fleet as it moves closer to its net zero emissions 2035 target. The judges said: “Good progress demonstrated across the whole fleet and wider business; keen to try new technology; strong submission that showed clear investment in decarbonisation.”

FSEW

FSEW is driving change for a greener future after launching the UK’s first commercial electric articulated 37-tonne HGVs. The first two lorries were employed by Tesco at the start of 2022 covering daily freight operations between Cardiff and Magor. They will replace around 65,000 diesel-fuelled road miles with clean green energy, removing 87 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. FSEW has also launched two further trucks running on 100% renewable biomethane fuel for freight transport use. The judges said: “The entry demonstrates a strong commitment to decarbonisation; as a smaller company it

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can be much harder to make a difference and it is doing a great job; strong collaboration with customers is a key factor.”

Howard Tenens

Howard Tenens is well known for embracing carbon-reduction initiatives with evolutionary steps that have seen its business invest in dual-fuel CNG trucks, bioLPG forklift trucks, dedicated CNG trucks, fuel-efficient tyres, green energy supply, solar photovoltaic panels, LED/PIR lighting and recycling of waste. More recently, it has made significant strides on its carbonreduction journey by introducing hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) in place of diesel. The business is committed to achieving net zero as soon as practical and has finalised its carbon-reduction strategy with planned activities, interim CO2 equivalent targets and a net zero commitment of 2045. The judges said: “The business is making great strides in trialling new technology; very progressive with a strong track record in sustainable logistics.”

McCulla (Ireland)

McCulla (Ireland) has launched a waste-to-energy circular economy. The company has invested in an anaerobic digester plant at its headquarters, which enables it to produce all of its own energy. The plant converts food waste into renewable electricity to power McCulla’s cold stores and bio-methane gas to power its trucks. The judges said: “This is a great entry demonstrating significant reduction in CO2 across the whole operation; an impressive focus on reverse logistics and keeping vehicles full; and a whole series of carbon-reduction activities in addition to the focus on fleet emissions.”

Nicholls Transport

After investing in its first 10 gas trucks and installing the only LNG refuelling station in the south-east in 2019, Nicholls continued to invest in LNG vehicles and now has 30 in its fleet, including the new Iveco S-WAY. Running on biomethane, the vehicles are producing 83% less CO2 than a conventional diesel vehicle. During 2021 Nicholls saved over 2,055 tonnes of CO2 using the LNG vehicles. The judges said: “The entry showed a significant investment and demonstrated a real moral intent to decarbonise the business; significant emissions reduction across fleet and business was clearly evidenced.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Operational Excellence Award Partnered with ABE Ledbury

ABE’s continuous focus on quality, improvement and investment in its people, technology and equipment has paid significant dividends in assisting the business to deliver excellence across every aspect of the operation. Profitability increased last year and on-time delivery rates of 99.7% were achieved. ABE’s investment strategy involved updating all systems and technology within its operations department – including a fresh approach to truck maintenance, a new driver management tool, and a telematics system. These updates allowed the company to evidence its high standards – eventually earning it accreditation on the DVSA’s Earned Recognition Scheme. The judges applauded ABE’s use of technology, its new strategy on truck maintenance and its work to achieve Exemplar Haulier status with the DVSA. “An established business that operates to the highest standards,” said one. “Profitable, growing and compliant, and a good example of operational excellence. It invests to support the overall business and has clear measures around service, tacho, employee engagement and development.”

JPE Holdings

Based in the West Midlands, JPE Holdings is a family-based haulier that has specialised in the delivery of virgin, recycled and blended aggregates to customers that serve or operate in the construction and highways industries. Launched in 1994, the SME is committed to operational and technological excellence across all areas of its 24/7 logistics operation, helping it maintain an impressive compliance and safety record. As a member of the DVSA’s Earned Recognition Scheme since 2020, JPE has achieved an overall weighted compliance score of 99.12% for both drivers and vehicles and is FORS Gold accredited. Tachograph infringement stands at just 0.63%; there is also accreditation from HS2. The judges agreed that JPE’s success had been built on limited resources and were impressed by its industry accreditations. “The statistics are exemplary,” commented one. “And that can only be gained through leadership at the top and teamwork throughout the organisation. “Clearly a firm that relies upon professionalism. The data is hard earned and has come through operational excellence at every level. This is a calculated approach to ensure excellence that is delivered in their statistics. “If you’re looking for a formula for greatness, the closest you’ll ever get is consistency – and the consistency here should be applauded.”

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Speedy Services

Tool and equipment hire company Speedy Services operates in the UK and Ireland in construction, infrastructure, industrial, utilities, events and facilities management. The company has more than 200 locations nationwide and says safety and compliance are at the heart of everything it does. With a motto of ‘Standardise, Simplify and Grow’, Speedy is a founder member of the DVSA Earned Recognition scheme and was awarded continued member status in 2022. In 2021 it also gained HS2 and LPT2 approval from the DVSA. The judges were impressed by the company’s ER membership and agreed that it was operating to a measurably high standard with robust processes for audits and tacho compliance. “Speedy showed that employees understood their obligations to the operator’s licence by introducing essential guides on drivers’ hours and maintaining roadworthiness into its offices,” one said. “And by using external auditing, it can take rapid actions against all relevant parties, assess the level of severity and produce reports. “It can also demonstrate running an efficient fleet. Overall, a good solid haulier.”

Wren Kitchens

Wren’s ‘Kitchens of dreams’ philosophy is supported by its passion for efficiency, compliance, sustainability and standards of the highest level. The retail giant owns the supply chain from manufacture to delivery, providing maximum control and consistency and optimising opportunities for further improvement. It believes the exponential increase in road transport, driven by a Covid dominated surge in online shopping, fuel prices and customer expectations, means it has never been more important for it to focus on transport productivity, safer operations and tangible environmental goals. The judges were particularly impressed by Wren’s continued commitment to maximising efficiencies and its focus on safety and customer service. “The fact that turnover is up during the crises of the past few years shows just how well the organisation is run from top to bottom,” said one. “There is clearly a consistency of performance as that is the only way that the statistics could be achieved.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Partnership Award Partnered with CLEAN Linen and Workwear and PDT Fleet Training

With approximately 975 employees operating from seven sites, CLEAN is one of the UK’s leading independent laundry companies providing professional linen and workwear rental services. With the supply of drivers being problematic, CLEAN established a working partnership with PDT Fleet Training, part of the Pertemps Network Group, to meet the demand for ad hoc drivers. PDT soon became CLEAN’s preferred Driver CPC provider and this evolved into a working relationship to collaboratively develop bespoke Driver CPC modules for CLEAN’s 180 drivers. Our judges were impressed by the concept of an in-house truck operator putting the expertise of a ‘driver management’ partner to good use. “From what was a partnership to supply ad hoc drivers, it now provides drivers that are specifically trained to carry out the same role as a full-time person,” said one. “A full and in-depth training programme has been supplied for evidence and it’s great to see someone extracting the benefits of boot camps. This is a very structured approach to training requirements from both partners.”

Expect Distribution and CD (UK)

Expect Distribution and CD (UK) have been in a highly successful contracted partnership for three years and recently entered a new agreement. Expect was responsible for creating an entirely bespoke solution to fit the CD (UK) requirement and completely transform the efficiency of its supply chain, increasing added value benefit to the end client and enhancing the brand image of the business. During the relationship CD (UK) has embraced change and promoted mutual respect. It has helped Expect to overcome the industry’s many challenges and seen its partner as an integral part of its business. The contract is now four years old and demonstrates how efficiently relationships can operate with the correct tie-up. “This is a real partnership demonstrating a true understanding and appreciation of each business and enabling the creation of a bespoke solution,” said one of our judges. “There is give and take from both sides and an appreciation of each other’s challenges resulting in positive outcomes and the sharing of the success and pain. A mutually beneficial partnership.”

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Howard Tenens Logistics and Mole Valley Farmers

Howard Tenens Logistics is a quality-focused independent family business enjoying success through great people, collaboration, and technology. Delivering mutual value is the company’s core relationship strategy and it says this is the key to a successful partnership with its customers. This value is evident throughout its partnership with Mole Valley Farmers, which has continued to develop since it began in 2017. With increased efficiencies, open communication and a drive for continuous improvement, this partnership is ever-evolving. Recent successes include a switch from diesel to low-carbon alternative HVO for its Andover-based fleet. “A super submission,” said one of our judges. “I like the fact that it is an open partnership and each party is sharing the same software platforms and is able to see everything. Great success in OTIF and productivity; both have the same target for net zero, therefore no hurdles or obstacles are in place. There’s a commitment to carbon reduction via HVO and SOX and the contract extension shows the customer is clearly satisfied.”

Mike Watson Transport and REDD

Spirits business Real English Drinks Distillery (REDD) and logistics leader MWT boast a shared operation that has allowed symbiotic growth. As one scaled up, the other adapted to maximise opportunities through sharing data and communicating to ensure flexibility and costsavings. REDD and MWT enjoy an excellent reputation among clients, with MWT being REDD’s logistics partner of choice. Throughout the contract, the pair have worked in tandem to create a unique partnership that has not only fuelled MWT’s growth, but also increased REDD’s brand presence within the sector. The judges were impressed by the “amazing increases in revenue and production”, which meant both parties utilised each other’s expertise to manage storage, transport and pallet handling. “From a very small start, this partnership has grown and developed into a mutually beneficial relationship,” one said. “There is a clear collaborative approach to solving challenges, with trust on both sides. This has enabled both businesses to grow substantially over recent years, demonstrating the strength of the partnership. “It is evident both companies have shared in the success of the growth in business.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Safety in Operation Award

Aggregate Industries

Aggregate Industries (AI) is at the frontline of the construction and infrastructure industries, and employs a comprehensive logistics operation to move high volumes of material around the country. With over 1.2 million deliveries in 2021, it adopted a multi-faceted approach to protect the health and safety of its hauliers’ drivers and the public. Through training, technology and incentives, the company is driving a safety culture within AI and its hauliers. Our judges congratulated AI on achieving the “difficult task of taking on safety when you have so many franchise operators over 200 locations along with public and delivery sites”, and for developing “a great tool” that has had “an impact with drivers needing to achieve 80% to gain a certificate”.

Air Products

CLEAN Linen & Workwear

ROSPA Fleet Safety Gold Award winner and Royal Warrant holder CLEAN Linen & Workwear operates 100 HGVs across seven sites and nine operating centres. With 180 drivers and 975 employees it provides 5,500 customers each week with professional linen and workwear rental services. CLEAN’s transport division has compliance, safety, service and training as an overarching business principal which is entrenched in its motto ‘Everyday excellence’. By investing in an in-house driver academy, driver boot camps, intense training and toolbox talks, it has reduced accident rates by 65% in the past three years, as well as becoming DVSA Earned Recognition accredited. Our judges liked “the structure around managing operational road risk for both practical and theory” and praised the “process in place that shows a clear impact on collision rates”.

Air Products manufactures and supplies industrial gases, touching virtually every aspect of modern life from medical oxygen to food, automotive, welding, wastewater, agriculture and fizzy drinks. Air Products’ goal is to be the safest industrial gases company, with a target of zero accidents/incidents. Safety is at the core of its approach to driver training and near-miss reporting. This focus ensures the company continuously evolves its training programmes and addresses safety concerns raised by drivers. Our judges said its succinct submission showed “improvement in driver observation reports, automation with great results, and a 139% increase in reports, with 99% of reports completed”.

L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage

Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services

Leading kitchen retailer Wren manufactures its kitchens in its own UK factories and delivers them on its own fleet of trucks. Safety and personal well-being underpins everything Wren does. It says it has a “moral obligation to protect everybody we come into contact with, be it staff, customers, the general public, or the planet”. The firm takes a “holistic and preventative approach” to welfare and safety, which includes working environments, induction and workplace training, best practice, manual handling, transportation and customer service. Our judges said this was “a good presentation with lots of different initiatives” and “a comprehensive submission covering everything in the operation, including transport compliance”. They liked the “major investments in equipment” that had clearly “aided the impressive 7% reduction in accidents/incidents”.

Balfour Beatty is a leading infrastructure company in the UK and also operates internationally on a large scale. Its fleet includes 320 HGVs and 2,100 light commercial vehicles. Elimination of risk is at the forefront of its activities and features prominently in who it works with, how it works, how it measures performance, and how it encourages the personal advancement of employees. This has had a profound impact on its driving activities following the loss of an employee in a driving-related fatality in 2009. Our judges liked the fact that it had “looked at every possible factor that could cause incidents that are often overlooked in light and heavy commercial vehicles” and said: “Balfour Beatty has implemented a good process to improve the already great road safety standards of its drivers.”

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As a leading supplier of transport and haulage services to the UK’s construction industry, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage is committed to road safety. It is “passionate” about the safety and well-being of employees, its innovations to help reduce risk for vulnerable road users, and its community engagement programmes. Our judges described investment in assets such as low-entry cabs as “fantastic” and “loved the Community Engagement Programme working with local authorities to make roads safer”. One judge said: “What I like about L Lynch’s entry is that it has not just focused internally on accident reduction, but also engaged externally with the local primary school.”

Wren Kitchens

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Team of the Year Partnered with Air Products

Air Products says its slogan of ‘Working Together, Winning Together’ took on a more serious and relative meaning throughout the pandemic. The company was identified as one of the government’s critical suppliers, and the team played a key part in keeping the country going through the supply of medical oxygen and other essential industrial gases. The team embodied its slogan to unite, inspire and achieve its goals, providing 100% on-time-in-full deliveries to critical customers, reducing lost-time incidents by 40%, achieving 100% DVSA KPIs, introducing new ways of communicating, and completing 100% new starter training. “Some fantastic achievements against internal KPI measures,” said one of our judges. “Also great to see the internal buy-in and union support.”

Collet & Sons

Delivered over two stages, the Collett team transported two super grid transformers and two shunt reactors over 5,000 miles, with a combined weight of over 680 tonnes. Providing a full door-to-door service including all project management, engineering, heavy lift, shipping, vessel chartering, transport and installation, it completed the onshore substation project for the Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm. The judges were impressed by how expertly this major operation was handled, which they said was a terrific illustration of how single projects demand a cohesive approach from all team members. “A mixture of challenging elements including distance, weight loading and delivery, all of which could only be achieved by every team member playing a part,” said one. “A truly difficult project to plan and deliver. This must have taken a huge amount of planning and preparation and credit to all those involved. An excellent example of true teamwork.”

Express Logistics

Express Logistics aims to offer a quality service at competitive rates, with a flexible and compliant 24/7 service. This ‘holy grail’ of haulage has been achieved in just two years since the company was launched, primarily by deploying a diverse and motivated team to go from a turnover of £1.4m in 2021 to £1.2m in the first four months of 2022. Express has had to tackle a host of pressures since its launch, like lockdown issues, staff absences, driver shortages and rising costs. However, by adopting a unique approach to team management and

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morale, it has not only survived but thrived in this challenging market. The judges said great teamwork had helped deliver an “incredible business transformation” and that putting people at the heart of this was key to the company’s success. “It had clear initiatives and targets for everyone to follow and consulted experts where needed to help guide it,” said one. “A great submission and a very impressive set of financial results.”

Palletline Logistics

With the support of his team, MD Paul Elson has been instrumental in steering Palletline Logistics to new heights, completing four acquisitions in 2021 to bring the total number of businesses in the portfolio to nine. This was a true collective effort across numerous departments, resulting in the successful retention of staff and customers, as well as creating new staff development and service capability opportunities. The acquisitions have also provided a platform for growth for both Palletline and the individual businesses. Collectively they have achieved a £50m turnover and employ over 450 people. “Internal departments have contributed to the successes in 2021 and the teams appear to have made acquisitions that have blended well and enhanced growth,” said one of our judges. “A great example of team collaboration, which is supported by an excellent financial performance.”

Yodel

Yodel admits 2021 witnessed some of the most challenging operating conditions ever for its transport department. The team operates from five vehicle operating centres seven days a week, located in Glasgow, Shaw, Kegworth, Wednesbury and Hatfield. It operates 405 tractor units, 1,381 trailers and is supported by 14 sub-contractor partners. This submission showcases the team that made this possible, overcoming multiple challenges and managing to recruit and develop 132 new people, create an agency pool of 321 drivers, deliver a successful peak, improve safety scores and maintain full green Operator Compliance Risk Score status. “The team really rose to the challenges,” said one of our judges. “Their focus on developing talent and onboarding new drivers was key to this success and brought about excellent service levels. Fantastic to see great focus on internal KPI management, supported by a daily focus.”

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Training Award

Brakes

Faced with recruitment problems due to Brexit, Covid-19 and the driver shortage, Brakes decided to launch a comprehensive programme of driver engagement. The result was Changing Gears. Launched in May 2021 with a simple goal – to create a training programme that not only trained non-HGV drivers to acquire their Class C licences, but also supported them with the emotional and practical support to transition to professional drivers. Changing Gears was launched across the UK network of 25 sites, as a critical lifeline to support the organisation and customer proposition at its hour of greatest need. It also provided development opportunities for staff and external candidates, creating a unique platform to train and retain our driver population while maintaining service commitments to customers.

Weybridge Group

The Weybridge Group has invested in its people to ensure they have a safe and knowledgeable employee base with training programmes open to all. The Certified Waste Specialist (CWS) programme focuses on those characteristics that make the Weybridge Group the ‘specialists in waste and transportation within the construction industry’. CWS is designed to engage every member of the Weybridge Group, including customers and suppliers, and brings to life a commitment to invest in the future of employees. Customers and colleagues have been benefiting from the know-how and passion of the Weybridge Group with a modular training platform that covers culture, knowledge, leadership training and engagement activities. Launched in 2021, the programmes are called Certified Waste Specialised and Certified Waste Manager (CWM). All drivers are sent on an external one-day Safe Urban Driving course, which includes a 2.5-hour bicycle ride through the streets of London to understand the impact of safety and the environment on cyclists and vulnerable road users. Weybridge reports outstanding results, increasing employee understanding, employee engagement, and learning and development by 11% (when the target was 3%), as well as a 10% increase in revenue. They also have seen a 7.5% increase in customer engagement through CWS.

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Wren Kitchens

Wren says it is defined by its people – people with the right attitude and an appetite to grow. Driver skills, safety and compliance have never been more important due to the increased demand in road transport, as well as with the ongoing shortage of qualified drivers and rising costs. Wren introduced new training initiatives, including an ‘Earn while you Learn’ Apprentice Programme, to encourage new blood and develop a new generation of transport professionals via its career development programme 'The Wren Pathway'. Wren has also increased its team of RHA-trained assessor and training managers to17, all of whom are Level 3 PTLLS, IOSH, FORS and transport manager CPC trained or approved. Trainers operate out of purpose-built academies at each of their seven sites with first aid training, efficient driver training, driver infringements, manual handling and speed awareness courses. As a result, speeding was reduced from 9% to 1.6% in a 12-month period and is part of a continuing campaign as the company works towards a target of 100% compliance.

XPO Logistics

In October 2020, Arla selected XPO as its preferred supply chain partner to provide outbound transportation of all fresh milk products to around 1,000 retail stores across the South of England – including stock movements of milk from its largest UK RDC. Although the operations across the two sites were well established, it was evident that a few legacy issues needed to be addressed during the initial months. The existing team highlighted notable fluctuations in leadership, low employee satisfaction and an undesirable culture. The newly forged partnership with XPO presented an opportunity to revolutionise performance, focusing on enhancing the culture, evolving working standards and efficiencies, and significantly investing in the team’s development and personal growth. Arla and XPO recognised the need for a change to address the critical training areas identified and start to drive value through every level of the accounts structure with a fully engaged workforce and working partnership. The companies identified the key areas through surveys and audits, prioritising them to formulate People Plans, to ensure all team members were well-equipped, skilled and engaged to support the change. The strategy ensured that the needs of the business and individuals were met, and that upskilling became part of the new culture.

20.6.22

MT Awards 2022 shortlists Urban Operator of the Year

DPD

DPD is transforming its urban operation in a drive to become the UK’s most sustainable delivery company. It now has a fleet of 1,500 all-electric vehicles which are replacing its existing diesel models and delivered 16.5 million clean and green parcels in 2021. The company’s pioneering micro-depot operation has also slashed unproductive urban mileage. DPD now delivers all-electric in 10 cities throughout the UK, which will extend to 30 by the end of 2023, and has not purchased a new diesel final-mile delivery vehicle since 2020. It has worked closely with local councils to support their initiatives to improve air quality For example, earlier this year Oxford introduced the UK’s first zeroemission zone and in preparation for this, DPD opened its Bicester depot – a net zero carbon construction building in July 2021 – and now operates only all-electric vehicles in the city of Oxford, delivering over 15,000 parcels clean and green every week. DPD has also continued its work trialling new technology, such as a partnership with electric vehicle tyre innovator ENSO to conduct full road trials of a new tyre designed to reduce air and microplastic pollution. The DPD/ENSO trial is a part of Transport for London’s FreightLab Innovation Challenge, which will tackle London’s air pollution and road congestion. The judges said: “Great to see DPD’s bold statement about never buying another diesel vehicle as this shows real leadership in the sector.”

ELB Partners

Greater London is probably the most demanding of the UK’s urban conurbations and ELB Partners, Pallet-Track’s network member for the capital, is proud to have maintained its position as the city’s only general haulage holder of the Gold standard Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) award after securing the accolade for the eighth consecutive year in 2022. To continuously consolidate its position, the 52-year-old company has invested heavily in its fleet to uphold the standards expected in the root-and-branch audit, including additional camera technology to protect vulnerable road users and vehicles with the latest Euro-6 engines. In recent years it has added 63 new vehicles to its fleet, which have the latest in technology-driven safety features and energy management systems. All are Euro-6 and many have an anti-idling function where the engine

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will shut off after 60 seconds of idling. Rather than paying lip service to its ecocredentials, the company dynamically measures and manages its CO2 output to mitigate its carbon footprint. ELB Partners, which recently moved from its 13,000sq ft site in Wimbledon to a 60,000sq ft facility near Purley, is also trialling seven lithium battery forklift trucks to help manage its on-site carbon footprint at the larger location. It has also added its first fully-electric vehicle to its fleet, a Renault Kangoo SE, which it uses for local deliveries and transporting staff. The judges said: “ELB has shown it understands well the challenges of operating in London with a strict focus on safety and emissions monitoring.”

Urb-it

Urb-it partners with the logistics industry and brands on sustainability missions to reduce emissions in cities through conducting last-mile deliveries by e-cargo-bikes, traditional bike couriers, and by foot. Founded in 2014 by a Swedish start-up, the business now operates in several cities across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Glasgow. Its clients include Yodel, DHL, Alibaba and Amazon. Urb-it’s eco-fleet reduces CO2 emissions, congestion and noise pollution, making our cities cleaner and healthier. It is B Corp certified, which means it is committed to the highest standards of social and environmental impact. The business pays its couriers fair wages and offers meaningful benefits. The judges said: “An interesting route to market that clearly demonstrates the role that e-cargo bikes have to play in the challenge of reducing city emissions.”

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