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 found in the body exceed specified limits. Currently, police have to prove that driving had been impaired by drugs in order to prosecute.

Devices to screen for drugs are expected to receive type approval from the Home Office by the end of the year.

The penalty for the new offence will be a maximum of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000, and an automatic driving ban of at least 12 months.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning says: “Drug drivers are a deadly menace – they must be stopped and that is exactly what I intend to do.

“The new offence sends out a clear message that if you drive whilst under the influence of drugs you will not get away with it.

“We have an enviable record on road safety in this country and I want to keep it that way. This measure will help to rid our roads of the irresponsible minority who risk the lives of innocent motorists and pedestrians.”

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Article source: http://www.commercialmotor.com:80/latest-news/home-office-cracks-down-on-drug-drivers

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 also close to key areas of business that will benefit from our services.”

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18456

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 edge.

The conference will be chaired by FTA President Stewart Oades and will include a keynote address by Professor Alan McKinnon of Kühne Logistics University in Hamburg.

Delegates will hear about the latest carbon reduction practices undertaken by operators linked to burning less fuels, using low carbon fuels, reducing empty running and using rail and short sea services in supply chain.

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18451

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 and logistics in the UK are women, according to Skills for Logistics. The MAN everywoman in Transport Logistics Awards aim to increase this figure by celebrating role models to whom future generations can aspire.

The winners were:

Woman of the Year Award – Sponsored by MAN Truck Bus Ltd
Lynne Watson, General Manager, Wincanton

 Watson with trophy

Rising Star of the Year Award – Sponsored by Royal Mail
Tamar Weavers, Senior Sales Manager – Home and Leisure Seasonal, Wm Morrison Supermarkets

Commercial Driver of the Year Award – Sponsored by TNT
Laurie Bartram, HGV Class 1 Driver, QV Foods

Director of the Year Award – Sponsored by ASDA Stores Ltd
Jane Weaver, Managing Director, Hays Couriers

The Warehousing Award – Sponsored by DHL Supply Chain
Vicky Brockley, General Manager, Asda Stores

Industry Trainer of the Year Award – Sponsored by National Skills Academy Logistics
Joanne Griffiths, Senior General Manager, Training and Quality, CEVA Logistics

Green Champion Award – Sponsored by DHL Supply Chain
Stephanie Unitt, Environmental Advisor, CEVA Logistics

Team Leader of the Year Award – Sponsored by CEVA Logistics
Samantha Deane, General Manager, TNT UK

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18452

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 drivers than other employees across the country.

Fewer people are taking LGV tests, and over the last four years there has been a 31 per cent decline in the number of individuals passing it.

The research found that of those who pass the LGV test, only 44 per cent go on to obtain the driver qualification card that allows them to drive professionally.

The report also shows that just one per cent of LGV drivers and five per cent of van drivers are female.

Dr Ross Moloney, director of intelligence and strategy at Skills for Logistics, said: “The driver shortage is not new but its effects were mitigated by the economic downturn. Now, as the UK economy recovers, resolving this issue will be critical to avoid holding up growth. This is because more than 60 per cent of goods in Britain are moved on roads, which generated an annual turnover in 2010 of over £22bn.

“The report clearly shows that the logistics sector, which as a whole is vital to the UK economy, needs to be made more attractive as a career option – particularly to female and young recruits.”

To get a copy Gwenn.Winters@skillsforlogistics.org

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18453

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.

The new range has a lift height of 135mm with a stable design for handling on steep gradients and uneven surfaces.

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18454

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, MD of House of James, has committed to remaining at the enlarged business for at least three years in the role of commercial director.

Matthew Lamb, MD of Potter’s, says: “The House of James is a good fit with our existing business and we are looking forward to growing the combined businesses.

“The acquisition will enable us to offer our existing customer base improved services and will allow us to create new opportunities for Potter Group Logistics enhancing our position in the value added logistics market.”

Having received approval from its board, Potter Group Logistics has become a member of the Palletline network following the deal.

The House of James brand will also remain for now.

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Article source: http://www.commercialmotor.com:80/latest-news/house-of-james-sold-to-potter-group-logistics

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 on 27 July for the opening Games ceremony.

Accompanying the Torch on its BA flight from Athens are David Beckham, Princess Anne and Lord Coe.

A rolling road block will be set up as the Torch travels through 1,019 cities, towns and villages on the official route.

Full details of the exact route the Torch will travel can be found at london201.com/torch-relay/route.

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Article source: http://www.commercialmotor.com:80/latest-news/olympic-torch-rolling-road-block-due-to-kick-off

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 transport operation potentially involve the closure of two existing sites and transfer of operations to a new site at Magna Park in Lutterworth, said chief executive Andrew Tinkler.

“This is expected to lead to a significant saving in mileage and reduction in vehicles, drivers and site staff required to service the existing work. We estimate that the one-off costs of site closures and new site set-up costs will be in the region of £2.9m and fall in the financial year to 28 February 2013. This restructuring should lead to ongoing cost savings of approximately £1.5m per annum.”

Despite some notable business wins, the chilled network suffered volume decline in the second half of the year impacting profit by around £3m.

The group has been targeting increased profitability for customers in the Transport and Distribution division through splitting the business into clear profit-responsible units.

Tinkler said: “This level of detailed knowledge enables us to reduce logistics costs for our customers through working in close partnership with them, allowing us to drive up both performance levels and customer service. Our proactive response to customer demands allows us to continue to perform resiliently in tough market conditions.

“This information led to the decision to carry out a large scale restructure of the ambient transport network with the closure of a large site in Leeds.”

This had a one-off cost of £1.4m and savings of £1m per annum. As well as closing a depot in Leeds, headcount was reduced by around 282 adjusting to a more optimal ratio of tramper drivers to day-night drivers. Following the restructure, these operations have been separated into eight fleets with general managers responsible for their own profit and loss. New time based planning software was launched and has resulted in improvements in profit of over 20 per cent in the second half of the year compared to the first six months.

The group said revenue growth had been driven by new and renewed contracts, including the new contract for Tesco grocery at the Daventry rail terminal, a full year of the Britvic contract and growth in transport work for Stobart Biomass.

And Stobart highlighted the fact that £11.4m of the revenue increase in the division could be attributed to fuel price increases passed on to customers. This had a 0.2 per cent downward impact on margins.

In addition, it said, the profitability of the division had been affected by fluctuating customer order volumes caused by a high level of retail promotions and also by reduced volumes in our chilled fleet and reduced utilisation of our warehouses. The division had refocused on cost efficiency and profitability and implemented the two major initiatives during the year – restructuring the ambient and chilled fleets.

Overall, the group reported a marginal rise in underlying operating profit rose to £39.9m for last year in its preliminary results. Sales were up ten per cent to £551.9m.

Looking ahead, Tinkler said: “Over the last year, we have taken a number of major initiatives across the Group which have created the asset base, structure and operational platform to drive up performance and shareholder value in line with our four-year plan.

“Each of the Group’s divisions has good growth potential. As we enter the second year of our plan we are confident that the changes we are implementing will deliver enhanced value across the Group.”

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18448

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 was managing director of House of James, will remain with the combined businesses as commercial director.

Matthew Lamb, Potter Group Logistics’ managing director said:  “The House of James is a good fit with our existing business and we are looking forward to growing the combined businesses. The acquisition will enable us to offer our existing customer base improved services and will allow us to create new opportunities for Potter Group Logistics enhancing our position in the value added logistics market.”

 Matthew Lamb and Simon Gill

Article source: http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=18447