18 May 2012 By derren hayes The government is to introduce new laws to make it easier to prosecute drivers found to have illegal drugs in their system. Under the proposed new legislation, announced in the Queens Speech last week, it will automatically be an offence to drive a motor vehicle if certain controlled drugs Read more…

Commercial vehicle operators must face the challenge of reducing carbon emissions from transport, says the Freight Transport Association, which is holding a conference on Tuesday 29th May. The FTA’s Logistics Carbon Reduction Conference will examine the contribution that the freight industry can make to national greenhouse gas reduction targets, while giving operators an increased competitive Read more…

Palletways has expanded its operations by opening of a new 20,000 sq ft depot in Didcot. Warwick Trimble, general manager for Palletways Oxford, said: “Didcot is ideally placed to replicate the success we’ve had in other parts of the UK and mainland Europe.  Not only is it easily accessible to the road network, but it’s Read more…

The winners of the 2012 MAN Everywoman in Transport Logistics Awards have been revealed. The women who have been judged to be leading lights in the sector were feted at a ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday 17th May. Currently around 24 per cent of the 1.55 million people working in transport Read more…

An impending driver shortage for Large Goods Vehicles risks holding back economic recovery, according to a report released by Skills for Logistics. The report, titled: “A Looming Driver Shortage? The evidence behind the concerns” finds that there are substantially more vacancies than candidates seeking an LGV profession, which has led to wages growing faster for Read more…

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has launched a series of water resistant compact pedestrian power pallet trucks called PREMIA ES, designed to deliver continuous productivity in harsh environments. The trucks have sealed chassis to allow outdoor operation in all weather as key components are protected from water, dirt and other particles. The electric systems feature waterproofed components. Read more…

18 May 2012 By Chris Druce York logistics firm and Palletline member House of James has agreed a sale to Potter Group Logistics. The deal, struck this week (16 May) boosts Potter’s turnover by 50% to £22m, adding 100,000ft² of warehousing space, 35 vehicles and 55 trailers to the fleet. It is believed Simon Gill, Read more…

18 May 2012 By Hayley Pink Operators need to check their routes for possible disruption caused by the Olympic Torch Relay, due to kick off tomorrow (19 May). The Torch is due to land in the UK later today, ready to commence its 70-day tour of the country before being carried into the Olympic Stadium Read more…

Stobart expects to make annual savings of £1.5m a year from a restructuring of its chilled transport operations. Revenue for the Transport Distribution division was £519.5m (2011: £475.3m) and underlying profit before tax reduced to £27.4m (2011: £34.2m), the group said in its preliminary results for the year to 29th February. Changes to the chilled Read more…

Potter Group buys House of James Transport Potter Group Logistics has acquired House of James Transport, the York based logistics and pallet network operator. The purchase will boost Potter Group’s turnover by 50 per cent to around £22m.  It will also gain 100,000 sq ft of warehousing, 35 vehicles and 55 trailers. Simon Gill, who Read more…