Truck and Track Autumn 2026 www.truckandtrack.com 16 BUSINESS NEWS Logistics operators continue to face financial challenges since the Middle East conflict began, with analysis from business group Logistics UK showing the price of diesel at the pumps in May was 30% higher than it was in February, while the cost of filling a large HGV rose to around £1,000 a tank. While prices have since fallen, fuel price volatility remains high according to Logistics UK. To help its members manage the challenges of future price fluctuation, the group is partnering with Portland, a leading fuel hedging and risk management provider to give Logistics UK members access to Portland’s financial fuel hedging expertise to fix the price they pay for fuel. The partnership was launched today (9 July) at Logistics UK’s Finance Forum, held at Hallam Conference Centre in London. “The Middle East conflict is a stark reminder that it is impossible to predict the future, which makes budgetary planning for logistics businesses particularly challenging,” says Logistics UK Director of Partnerships & Digital Services Jemma James. “The new alliance with Portland will help our members protect their margins, operations and levels of service by fixing the price they pay for fuel. “During the conflict, the cost of filling an HGV rose to almost £1,000 a tank. Such a sharp increase in the cost base would be difficult for any business to absorb, let alone those that operate on margins in the range of 2% - 3%, as many logistics operators do. Disruption to the fuel supply chain is expected to persist even once shipping resumes through the Straits of Hormuz, so fixing fuel prices provides businesses with budgetary certainty that helps shield them from the impact of global fuel price volatility.” The new Fuel Hedging Service will enable Logistics UK members to secure a guaranteed fixed fuel price, and is designed to provide greater stability and predictability while helping to protect businesses from market fluctuations without requiring a fuel supplier change. Mike Johnson, Group Marketing Director at Portland, added, “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Logistics UK and to expand it through this exciting new partnership. The freight and logistics sector continues to face significant challenges caused by fuel price volatility, making effective fuel risk management more important than ever. “By making our fixed pricing products available to Logistics UK members through the Fuel Hedging Service, we look forward to helping more businesses manage their exposure to fluctuating fuel prices, improve cost and margin certainty, and gain greater confidence when setting budgets.” Logistics UK partners with Portland to tackle fuel price volatility Jemma James - Director of Partnerships & Digital Services Daniel Broda has been crowned Official British Crane Truck Operator for the second consecutive year after emerging victorious at the 2026 British Crane Truck Operator Challenge, hosted by Mac’s Truck Group at its headquarters in Huddersfield. Bringing together crane truck operators from across the country, the annual competition tested precision, control, accuracy and composure through a series of specially designed crane challenges using FASSI equipment. Alex McDade, Sales Director at Mac’s Truck Sales, says: “Congratulations to Daniel on an outstanding performance and for successfully defending his title. The standard of competition throughout the day was incredibly high, which reflects the skill required of crane operators daily. “One of the reasons we established the British Crane Truck Operator Challenge was to shine a spotlight on a highly skilled profession that often goes unrecognised outside the industry. Events like this give operators the opportunity to showcase their abilities, exchange knowledge with their peers and celebrate the expertise that underpins so many vital sectors. We are already looking forward to next year.” Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2025, this year’s challenge featured a refreshed programme of tasks developed to reflect the real-world skills required by crane truck operators working across the construction, utilities, infrastructure and logistics sectors. Daniel Broda, Operations Director at PPC Group, once again demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the day, successfully defending his title to secure first place and the £1,500 prize. The competition remained fierce throughout, highlighting the impressive level of professionalism and technical expertise in attendance. Second place went to Sam, known as The HIAB Princess on social media, from Brookdale Transport, and Nathaniel O’Riordan from FLX Logistics took third. As a FASSI Gold Installer and Dealer, Mac’s Truck Group designed the challenge programme to demonstrate the capabilities of modern loader cranes, while placing operators in realistic scenarios that required careful control, accuracy and efficiency. The British Crane Truck Operator Challenge forms part of Mac’s ongoing commitment to supporting specialist vehicle operators and promoting excellence across the crane truck sector. Mac’s Truck Group announces winner of 2026 Official British Crane Truck Operator TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE1MTA=