London, UK: The continuing uncertainty over Brexit and environmental concerns are the two topics mentioned most often by couriers in Cold Chain News’ 2020 listing, published this week.
Alan White, managing director of Fresh Logistics Services, says: “Climate change has become a high priority on our corporate agenda, producing innovative systems for reducing our carbon footprint, not just for now but our children’s future.
“Brexit is also a key subject for both this year and next. One of the biggest challenges in the UK market is uncertainty due to the ever-moving target of the Brexit date. We are working with many European food and drink producers and pharmaceutical manufacturers, assisting them with solutions to ensure that their supply chains are robust and reliable.”
Gary Labbett, managing director of Golden Arrow Couriers, is also looking ahead to Brexit: “The unknown consequences of leaving the EU looks to be the biggest challenge facing us so far this year, not knowing whether our customers will be trading in Europe as they have been.”
Paul Gould, commercial director of Iceotemp, says: “2019 was a challenging year with lower growth than expected, a trend that was also experienced by our key customers. Hopefully some confidence will be restored with the next stages of Brexit – as for challenges, there is still too much uncertainty around the fallout from this.”
The spectre of Brexit appears to be affecting investment decisions for some couriers. Brian Brennan, managing director of PDQ Specialist Couriers, says: “We are awaiting clarity for the future, resulting from Brexit, and any fleet renewals will be decided after that.”
Meanwhile, the environment weighs on the minds of several directors.
Jason Buckley, managing director of LF&E Refrigerated Transport, is one of those. “Environmental considerations are now becoming more prominent, including considerations around electric vehicles, starting in city locations, and to begin to reduce our carbon footprint.”
Other comments:
Absolutely Chilled:
Jeremy Thompson: “Temperature-controlled deliveries has been our fastest growing sector in 2018 with turnover up threefold on the previous year and our fleet expanded by 50% to cope with demand. The food sector has flourished this year helped by a long hot summer. Biggest challenges for 2019 are Brexit and price competitiveness. We are planning continued growth in the cold chain and to venture into the medical/pharmaceutical sector.”
Courier Express Refrigerated Transport
John Lee: “2019 has been a very productive year for our business. Securing new business across the country has been achieved, which has resulted in continual fleet growth. Our objectives for 2020 will be to continue our ongoing plans for national growth to other areas of the UK and continually increasing our fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles. Maintaining or strong focus on our already high levels of customer service ensuring we are continually inter-acting with all our existing customers and exceeding their expectations and providing this service also to any new customer who wishes to work with ourselves moving forward.”
DHD Refrigerated Transport
David Duff: “The 2019 market performed as in previous years. Biggest challenges for 2020 are the ever-increasing traffic fines and restrictions in London. We will be gaining our BRC certification enabling us to take on more customers.”
Eskimo Express
Vikki Mainwaring: “The market is fairly static compared to the previous year. Brexit will be our main challenge for 2020.”
Fresh Logistics Services
Alan White: “During 2020, we are celebrating our 10th year anniversary and will be celebrating the success of the Fresh Group of companies with lots of promotional and marketing activity. Driver shortages are still a key issue within the industry, for which our sister company Manhattan Training has created an innovative part solution for which we are talking to the job centre and other related agencies to help alleviate the issue.”
Golden Arrow Couriers
Gary Labbett: “Now we have been in our new premises for 12 months, our capacity to serve our customers has increased and now we are able to take on more work. Our new tracking system and data compiling system helps us run more efficiently and most important of all, helps us provide a better service for all our existing and future customers.”
JJX Logistics
John Donovan: “In 2018 refrigerated transport was just a small part of our business at JJX. However, 2019 saw us secure some major accounts and have doubled vehicles operating within this field. We have just purchased a brand-new temperature-contolled Sprinter van. Biggest challenge for 2020 is Brexit. Unfortunately, even though we now have a PM that will take this through and Britain will depart as of December 2020, there is still uncertainty in the market so plans to develop this side of the business will be very demanding. Our plans are to maintain current growth and further develop our temperature-controlled transport solutions as well as storage and other transport.”
LF&E Refrigerated Transport
Jason Buckley: “The market has performed better than expected, especially with the uncertainty of Brexit and the shortages of new vehicle availability, that had a knock-on effect for vehicle conversions, which restricted our ability to take on new business and restricted growth. That said, overall 2019 has seen positive growth. Biggest challenges are the three core components of balancing fuel costs, recruiting quality labour and technology integration to ensure compliance is maintained, that delivers a qualitative service at a competitive price that makes a profit. Continued expansion to support our plans for a UK national network. 2019 saw new depots open in Swadlincote, Salisbury and Wellingborough, 2020 will see new depots opening in St Albans and the South West/Wales. As the network grows, the focus will be to integrate and improve efficiencies through new routing systems, client booking and digital sign on glass improvements, to better serve our clients, team and partners.”
Melialine Refrigerated Transport Services
Peter Stankovich: “During 2019 the market has performed more or less the same as the previous year. The biggest challenge during 2020 will be the outcome of Brexit. We will be upgrading some of our vehicles and continue to grow the business.”
PDQ Specialist Couriers
Brian Brennan: “The second half of 2019 was disappointing, especially in the food side of our business.”
S Wilson Refrigerated Transport
Stephen Wilson: “With the addition of larger lorries we have been able to provide a more complete service for our customers. This seems to be the way forward in the coming years with customers looking to consolidate more loads.”
