London, UK: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed Grant Shapps as the new energy and net zero secretary in a shake-up of government departments. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been broken up as part of the reorganisation. Greg Hands has replaced Nadhim Zahawi after the former Tory party chairman was sacked …
Bath, UK: Nearly 70% of global logistics companies say they are bracing for recession amid higher costs, slowing demand, and ongoing supply chain disruption, as a result of China’s battle to contain Covid, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the impact of climate change. And 90% of the 750 respondents to a survey for the 2023 …
Bicester, UK: Fresh Direct is adding new equipment and infrastructure to its Bicester site to meet a fourfold increase in production for its Fresh Kitchen brand. The £2m upgrade includes ovens, blast chillers, and high volume boiling pan, to increase manufacturing capacity by 20%. “Historically, Fresh Kitchen manufactured products for foodservice operators looking to elevate …
Burnley, UK: Refrigerated van converter CoolKit reports orders in 2022 of £20.1m, 60% up on the previous year. Orders for 305 vehicles in 2022 topped the previous year’s 211. Rupert Gatty, chief executive, CoolKit (pictured above) said: “Our markets saw a huge resurgence in activity post-Covid especially within the foodservice and hospitality industries which were …
London, UK: The start of National Apprenticeship Week (February 6-12) has prompted the RHA to call again for a skills levy to replace the current apprenticeship levy (AL) scheme. Rod McKenzie, the RHA’s director for policy and public affairs, said: “Although well-intentioned we have heard loud and clear from our members that it (AL scheme) …
Port Saint Mary, Spain: Spanish express delivery operator, Seur, part of DPD Group, is to build a €3m distribution centre with cold store near Cádiz, Spain. The 3,500sq metre warehouse will have a temperature-controlled chamber and five docks for trailers and vans. Completion is expected in December. The company plans a centralised operation with all …
London, UK: The gross vehicle weight increase proposed by government to support the switch to non-fossil fuels is worthless without a corresponding axle load increase, warns Logistics UK. Zero-emission vehicles are typically heavier, which with current weight limitations, results in a loss to the payload. The decision to increase the gross weight limit of an …
Newcastle, UK: A Clean Air Zone covering Newcastle and Gateshead launched at the end of last month. Non-compliant HGVs (those that predate Euro 6) driving into the zone from 30 January will be charged £50 per day. Non-compliant vans will have to pay £12.50 per day from July. The zone covers most of Newcastle city …
London, UK: Logistics UK is calling on government to retain the 5-pence a litre fuel duty cut introduced in March 2022 ahead of the 2023 Spring Budget. The business group warns of the dangers of a disproportionate rise in fuel duty to inflation and the UK economy. Logistics UK has previously raised concerns regarding a reported …
Amsterdam, Netherlands: TIP is pushing emission-free refrigerated trailers using solar energy to power the fridge. The company has launched two innovations: the E-reefer, using the net to power its battery, and the AxlePower, using the reefer’s lost energy as a power source for its refrigeration unit. TIP is also piloting Endurance; a battery and solar-powered …
Amsterdam, Netherlands: TIP Group has bought the trailer business of Euro-Leasing in Denmark. Euro-Leasing is part of Volkswagen Financial Services. TIP will acquire and integrate more than 1,650 trailers into its Danish business extending its fleet including reefers. Bob Fast, president , TIP, said: “Acquiring the trailer business of Euro-Leasing is another key milestone in …
Slough UK: Bidfood has launched four food-inspired landscapes on its vehicles following a competition among its staff. As a nod to the company’s strapline, ‘Inspired by You’, the competition sought a design to inspire the next Bidfood landscapes and win a £500 voucher. After receiving nearly 100 entries, a panel of experts with knowledge in …
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