The Haulage & Logistics Buyers Magazine Truck andTrack SPRING 2023 www.u-p-n.co.uk 0844 833 0300 The fastest growing palletised freight network in the UK A first class service backed up by our market leading IT systems o First class travel... ...is about moving faster than your compet The cheetah accelerates from 0 to 60m Fastest growing UK palletis Focussed on service, quality Local service with a nationa The industries most advanc Widest range of pallet sizes To find out more about what UPN First class travel for pall UPN SmartSCORE is here! The exciting new UPN customer experience feedback tool
WE ARE BACK LET’S GET TOGETHER cvshow @TheCVShow the-cv-show thecvshow Here you’ll find the latest and greatest range of vehicles, equipment, innovation and technology available in commercial road transport. VISITOR REGISTRATION FROM FEBRUARY at cvshow.com
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 3 EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE ON SHOW IN BIRMINGHAM by Barbara Ryan, Publishing Director, Truck and Track Many companies are gearing up to prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Show 2023. Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors will be heading for the Birmingham NEC between 18th and 20th April. Described by the Show’s organisers as the UK’s largest and best-attended road transport event, the CV Show is a trusted annual event that never disappoints. This issue of Truck and Track gives a heads up on who’s exhibiting and what will be on show from many leading names in the UK and European logistics industry. Top LCV manufacturers will be rubbing shoulders with their HGV counterparts, all keen to demonstrate latest products and technologies to promote their net zero aims as they move away from diesel fuels. Battery-powered electric trucks, hydrogen fuel cell trucks and HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) trucks are all set to play an increasing role in the road transport industry’s future plans. Other successful names in the industry will, once again, be highlighting their latest developments. TruTac, part of the Microlise Group, will be presenting new modules and product features within their range of fleet management and compliance control software. Totalkare, the workshop equipment specialist also returns to the CV Show alongside a host of previous exhibitors including Sortimo, Motormax, Parksafe Group, Chevin Fleet Solutions, Fischer Panda and Merridale. This year’s Show will also feature two live Theatres – the Workshop Theatre and the Road Ahead Theatre – which will offer a comprehensive program with presentations across a range of essential topics relevant to the cost-effective running of commercial vehicle fleets. Alongside details of the CV Show, this issue of Truck and Track also includes latest news from Descartes, a Q&A session with TotalEnergies UK, a look at labelling and safe handling of dangerous goods plus an update from the Association of Pallet Networks. Looking ahead, Truck and Track will be taking a stand at the Multimodal Exhibition at the NEC in June so please contact me if you’d like to feature in the preview of the Show in our Summer issue. Barbara Ryan CONTENTS Page 4 BUSINESS NEWS 17 WHEEL ALIGNMENT 18 DESCARTES 23 TACHOGRAPH ANALYSIS 27 FUEL MANAGEMENT 30 OILS & LUBRICANTS 35 PALLET NETWORKS 48 TRAILERS 54 DANGEROUS GOODS 61 SAFETY & SECURITY 66 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW 2023 70 WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT 75 CILT(UK) 82 INTERMODAL TRANSPORT SOFTWARE 84 PORTS 86 RAILFREIGHT Truck and Track The Haulage & Logistics Buyers Magazine Truck and Track The Haulage & Logistics Buyers Magazine To advertise, contact Barbara Ryan, Publishing Director, Truck & Track Multi Media Limited, via email barbara.ryan@truckandtrack.com Designed and published by Truck & Track Multi Media Limited Creative Director: Marc Pittaway Printers: Acorn Press Swindon Limited DISCLAIMER Every care has been taken during the production of this magazine with compiling advertisements, editorial and advertorial. However, Truck & Track Multi Media Limited cannot accept responsibility for material supplied by third parties and excludes all liability either relating to any products and services promoted in this publication or arising from any error, omission or inaccuracy. Nor is Truck & Track Multi Media Limited responsible for the content of external websites. Finally, the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of its Publishers. Copyright © Truck & Track Multi Media Limited. All rights reserved. TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 4 BUSINESS NEWS Leading third party logistics provider Knowles Transport has made significant inroads in propelling its green agenda, having already reached a number of key objectives on the road to achieving its Net Zero goals. With sustainability constantly top-of-mind at Knowles, the company has indeed undergone extensive change in recent years. By continually investing in its fleet replacement programme, Kg CO2e per mile has significantly reduced in recent years. Knowles is also engaged in a vehicle roof deflector aerodynamics trial which improves airflow and reduces drag therefore increasing efficiency and minimising emissions generated. Currently 5% of the fleet are engaged in the trial and should it prove successful, the customised roof deflectors will be fitted on all new Knowles artic vehicles from new. With Knowles also actively utilising alternative fuels such as HVO, further extensive emission cuts are tipped in the not-sodistant future. But their efforts do not stop there. With a continuous commitment to driving sustainability amongst his fleet, 80% of Knowles’ warehouse MHE are now powered by electric – with a target of converting its entire fleet to electric penned in for 2027. The company’s electric drive has also seen the business bolster much of its company car fleet with electric vehicles – something that it aims to fully convert by 2030. Moreover, Knowles recently completed an electric vehicle trial in conjunction with Volvo involving a Volvo XE 19 tonne rigid with a view to be used for local delivery or pallet network operations. Furthermore, across its two million sq ft of its warehousing portfolio, Knowles is currently producing 300,000 kWh of electricity per year representing 10% of total warehouse power usage, with all operations also being powered from green energy grid supply. Knowles is also currently further looking at expanding its solar energy and storage generation. Rainwater harvesting, which has reduced Knowles’ dependency on pumped and treated water sources, as well as its ongoing waste management programme has also played a part in driving forward the company’s ambitious sustainability goals. Never one to rest on its laurels, Knowles recently looked to further develop its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and work towards Net Zero as well as to both better understand its current footprint and to develop accurate emissions reporting for their customers as part of its service offering. In doing so, they joined forces with supply chain logistics consultants Davies & Robson, which provided Knowles with a comprehensive analysis of their carbon footprint. Once the appropriate data was gathered and evaluated, the supply chain consultants were subsequently able to offer recommendations to optimise data collection and refine measurement in future years. According to Alex Knowles, Managing Director at Knowles Transport, the project will essentially serve as a foundation for continued carbonreduction efforts, ensuring that Knowles Transport remains at the forefront of sustainable logistics. Alex Knowles commented: “As the need to become more environmentally conscious has increased over the past decade, sustainability has been core value for the business driving procurement and operational decision making. From solar energy generation to truck aerodynamics, we have consistently looked at ways where we can reduce our environmental impact. “By bringing in Davies & Robson, our aim was to get a clear picture of all emissions across transport, handling and storage services and generate a unit of measurement for each that we can use as a barometer to ensure we are becoming more sustainable despite growing volumes across all service areas. These measurements are Kg CO2e per mile for transport, Kg C02e per pallet in for handling and Kg C02e per pallet week for storage. From the outset we were keen to not only better understand our current footprint but also to develop accurate emissions reporting for each service area and to be able to offer every customer their own unique emissions data as they utilise our respective services which is becoming an increasing requirement for customers as they seek to understand their scope 3 emissions. “With this now in place, we can now embark upon a strategised carbon reduction plan in line with our Net Zero roadmap that will take our ability to achieve sustainability goals to the next level. “The roadmap that we now have in place will not only enhance all our current sustainability focused initiatives that we have in place but also give us scope to explore new ways to decrease our carbon footprint.” Knowles Transport moves up a gear with its commitment to Net Zero TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
TruTac is ER-accredited For peace of mind and complete compliance control of your fleet, call us today! 024 7669 0000 info@trutac.co.uk www.trutac.co.uk Complete Compliance Control Part of the Microlise group We are talking 30% Less Vehicle Downtime and Workshop Administration! TruFleet switches seamlessly between tachograph analysis, daily checks and maintenance calendars. We save all round and I have a 360-degree view of drivers and vehicles for planning, compliance and management. Like all TruTac compliance control software, it makes it hard to put a foot wrong. Shane Benton. Benton’s Haulage. THE QUEEN’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE: INNOVATION 2020
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 6 BUSINESS NEWS Scania dealer TruckEast has begun its search for its next intake of HGV apprentice technicians, with 13 apprenticeships on offer as part of its September 2023 programme. Employed by TruckEast at one of its branches across East Anglia, apprentices will work with industry-leading technology in heavy trucks, buses and engines. Right from the start they will get their hands on some of the world’s finest vehicles and see first-hand how the business operates from the ground up. Across a three-year programme, apprentices will learn to diagnose and repair faults, how to use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and carry out routine maintenance. Through a combination of practical and theoretical learning, the Scania programme is designed to make the most of each individual’s potential. Furthermore, at the end of the course they graduate with two industry-recognised qualifications and begin the next step in their career. Group Aftersales Director, Martyn Clipston states, “This programme offers a fantastic opportunity for young, talented people who want an alternative to university. Our apprentices are an investment in our future, and we offer a rewarding and fast-paced environment that allows them to earn whilst learning their trade.” As part of the apprenticeship programme with TruckEast, individuals receive a toolbox worth over £2,000 and entry into the company’s loyalty savings scheme. Committed to the future of its business, apprentices currently make up just over 6% of the total workforce at TruckEast, and the investment does not stop after graduation. Through continuous development opportunities, graduates can progress further and achieve IRTEC qualifications, master technician and escalation technician status or become part of the management team. Across the wider business, TruckEast also offers apprenticeships in parts, service and administration. www.truckeast.co.uk TruckEast launches its 2023 apprentice intake
Great Quality Great Prices Great Service 3THE BEST THINGS COME IN S cbf.uk.com Head Office 01707 371161 Midlands Division 0121 520 0100 COMMERCIAL BODY FITTINGS COMMERCIAL BODY FITTINGS CHECK OUT OUR FULL RANGE OF OVER 4100 PRODUCTS cbf.uk.com
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 8 BUSINESS NEWS Vehicle washing is often seen as an extra expense to a company. This is often offset based on the benefits of keeping a brand clean, driver welfare or regular maintenance. However, what if vehicle washing could improve your bottom line? The myth On a show called ‘Mythbusters’, they tested the fuel efficiency of a dirty car against a clean car. By using an average American sedan they tested the fuel efficiency of the vehicle when squeaky clean to the fuel efficiency when it was dirty. This was attempting to bust the myth that a dirty car is more efficient than a clean car. The myth suggests that the mud and dirt on the vehicle would create a ‘golf ball effect’ which would help it move through the air. This is based on the fact that dimples on a golf ball are designed to create turbulence around the ball’s surface which reduce the drag of the ball. A completely smooth golf ball is expected to travel half the distance of a golf ball with dimples. Therefore, a car with ‘dimples’ created by mud and dirt would therefore be more aerodynamic and hence more fuel efficient. In fact, the results on the show were the opposite. A golf ball is engineered to maximise lift with precisely located dimples, a car splattered in mud, is far from that! Why a clean vehicle increases fuel efficiency The efficiency of driving a clean vehicle comes from reduced air resistance, with debris and dirt attached to your car air does not move as freely over the surface of the car. Instead, it gets bogged down avoiding lumps of dirt and debris on the surface. With less air resistance, the air travels more freely over the vehicle and it is therefore more efficient. This can further be enhanced through waxing a vehicle, again creating a completely smooth surface for the air to travel over. The Mythbusters episode shows that a clean car will be 2 mpg more efficient, with an increase from 24 mpg to 26 mpg. With the cost of diesel being around 170 pence per litre then the saving is around 2.5p per mile. Based on the statistics that an average working van will travel 13,000 miles a year, this is a saving of £320 per year! But if you take that increase as a percentage, the van became nearly 8% more efficient with fuel! Vehicle washing can save you money?
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 9 BUSINESS NEWS Now the show was a number of years ago, and on an American Sedan, so this experiment would need to be updated with UK vehicles with new updated mpg. Some vans are now achieving 50+ mpg which would provide enormous savings to fleet operators if the efficiency was still an 8% gain. The cost of keeping vehicles clean Obviously there is a cost to keeping vehicles clean, but it is not as much as you would think! We work with over 30,000 fleet vehicles across the UK which gives us a good insight into how much fleets spend on vehicle washing. Through our network of 350 hand car washes, on average it costs £12.80 per external van wash. Therefore one wash per month would mean you would spend £150 per vehicle per year keeping them clean. Saving you £170 per vehicle in total from the fuel saving! The hidden cost to uncontrolled vehicle washing Up to this point, you may not have worried about you vehicle cleaning, and may have even left it up to your drivers to maintain their company vehicle. But it is worth considering the cost to the business of you doing that. Maybe your drivers clean their vehicles on a Friday afternoon back at home, wasting company time that could have been used on profit making activities. Maybe they never wash their vehicle at all, which is terrible for your business brand and first impression of the customers they visit. Maybe they claim it on expenses, another terrible waste of business time taken up with expenses claims, receipts and petty cash. Or finally they use their fuel cards to pay at jet washes. Well as many of your drivers will tell you, the landscape of this has changed, using a jet wash or an automatic car wash at a petrol station is no longer an easy option. Covid changed most jet washes contactless, which fuel cards are not compatible with, and automatic car washes are often not owned or operated by the company running the fuel station, so where do you pay? All in all, money lost driving around just trying to find somewhere that even will wash your vehicle! Looking for a fully controllable solution to your fleet washing? If any of the above sounded like something that you may have with your fleet, then we can certainly help you. What is more, our account is really light touch, there are no contracts, no costs to join, you can simply give it a go, and leave whenever you want. The GoWash Fleet Account is the first of its kind, a national fleet washing account which is managed through an online portal, giving you control over your fleet washing but also making it easy for your drivers to go get washed. The GoWash Fleet Account provides you with: ■ National coverage - accepted at over 350 hand car and van washes and growing! If there are any areas you need more coverage, no problem, we can add more car washes quickly! ■ Spend control - set limits on amounts your drivers can spend and how often! ■ One account, one invoice - A completely digital process, removes paperwork, expense claims, receipts and petty cash. Just one weekly invoice. ■ All vehicles covered! - The sites on our network can wash anything up to 3.5T, so you can add all of your company vans and cars and keep them clean while out on the road! ■ Every washing need - we can help with all sorts of washing requirements, from just quick washes to full valets for endof-life vehicles for driver change-overs, we do it all! ■ Mobile washing - we also have a network of mobile valeters through the app, so if you need vehicle washing to come to you, we can also sort that! Read more about our fleet account here - https://gowash.co.uk/fleets Try the account free for 1 month! Exclusive to Truck and Track readers, try the GoWash Fleet Account free for a month! Simply sign up online and enter ‘Truck and Track’ when asked how you heard about GoWash. We will automatically set your account to 0% for the first month. After this time you will be moved to our standard 5% surcharge.
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 11 BUSINESS NEWS BTRC inks new partnership with Totalkare The British Truck Racing Championship has announced a new and exciting partnership with workshop equipment experts Totalkare that will come into effect for the 2023 season. In what is the latest in a long line of commercial partnerships that one of the UK’s leading motorsport categories has entered into, Totalkare will provide the championship with a range of vehicle lifts and heavy-duty workshop equipment at all seven race meetings this year. Leading provider of lifting and testing solutions Boasting a rich history that dates back to 1953, Totalkare has established itself as one of the UK’s leading providers of lifting and testing solutions for heavy-duty commercial workshops, with products ranging from mobile column lifts and fixed post lifts to inspection pits, mobile and in-ground brake testers, tyre changers, wheel balancers, wheel alignment, headlamp and emissions testers and more, with a service engineer team covering the length and breadth of the country. With a customer base that ranges from small family businesses all the way through to multi-national transport operators and logistics companies, as well as growing its ever-expanding portfolio of projects, which more recently has grown to incorporate full workshop fit-outs, the company will now delve into the full-throttle world of truck racing. The perfect fit for the BTRC In conjunction with the heavy-duty equipment that will be provided to the Championship over the course of the season, fans of the BTRC will see the Totalkare logo appear across podium backdrops and promotional materials throughout the year. Steve Thomas, Truck Sport UK Director, said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Totalkare for the new season. When looking at the wide range of products that they offer it is clear that they are a perfect fit for not only the Championship but those that follow us as well. “Every race weekend brings with it its own challenges but knowing that we have a variety of Totalkare products at our disposal will ensure we can do the best, most efficient job possible.” Synergy between the brands “Over the past few years, Totalkare has grown rapidly through the expansion of our product portfolio,” added Steve Braund, Marketing Manager for Totalkare. “We’ve put a lot of effort into increasing brand awareness of the business and see our new partnership with BTRC as a logical next step in building on this strategy. “There’s a lot of synergy between the brands and we can’t wait to get trackside with our market-leading equipment and watch the action unfold!” The 2023 British Truck Racing Championship commences at Brands Hatch on the weekend of April 8th and 9th. www.totalkare.co.uk
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 12 BUSINESS NEWS info@stertil.co.uk Tel. 08707 700471 www.stertilcombilokg2.com/uk /Stertil-b-v- Stertil Dock Products @Stertil Stertildock AUTOMATIC UNIVERSAL VEHICLE RESTRAINT SYSTEM Maximum safety. Flexible versatility; broad range of vehicles types, wheel sizes and axles. Space-saving design, for more shunting area and vehicle manoeuvrability. Extremely durable galvanised sturdy construction and integrated wheel guide. Reliable Stertil® hydraulic system. Audio & visual safety options. TÜV Rheinland Approved According to the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. THE NEXT LEVEL IN SAFETY Watch the COMBILOK® G2 Film: NEW CONTACT US TODAY! Meachers and the University of Southampton give students a lesson in logistics Students from the University of Southampton visit Meachers Global Logistics to learn more about the logistics industry. Meachers Global Logistics welcomed students from the University of Southampton for a visit to gain crucial insight into the logistics industry from a leading global logistics company. The group of 16 students, studying Transportation Planning and Engineering, visited Meachers’ Nursling facility in Southampton. The visit was an opportunity for the students to gain real-world insight into the logistics industry and see first-hand how a leading logistics company operates. The day began with a talk from Meachers’ Commercial Director, Gary Whittle, who gave an overview of the company’s history and explained the types of services Meachers offer, including freight forwarding, UK transport and distribution and warehousing. He also emphasised the importance of accreditation in the logistics industry, and how processes change and evolve over time. The students were also given a tour of Meachers’ modern warehousing facilities, where they got to observe the processes and procedures involved in logistics. Gary Whittle, Commercial Director said: “We were thrilled to welcome the students at the University of Southampton and provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the logistics industry. As a company, we take pride in our duty to leave a legacy and believe that inspiring the next generation of logisticians is vital to safeguarding the industry’s future.” Tom Cherrett, Lecturer at the University of Southampton added: “This is just one of the many visits that I’ve done while teaching this module, and it continues to be a key element of the learning structure. Before the visit, we conduct a series of lectures to equip students with the theoretical understanding of the concepts they will encounter. Today’s visit serves as a crucial supplement, providing an important practical element to reinforce those concepts and further develop their understanding.” TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 13 BUSINESS NEWS Research reveals women aged 20-29 achieve highest HGV pass rates New research from Pallet-Track has revealed that young women are in top gear when it comes to passing HGV tests, with female drivers aged 20-29 gaining the highest pass rates. The pallet network’s analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) data shows that women in this age category have gained the highest Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) practical pass rate in Britain every year between 2010 and 2022. While women make up only a small proportion of HGV drivers, 67.9% of 20-29-year-olds successfully passed their practical test in 2021-2022, compared to 63% of men in the same age category. The overall pass rate for all drivers taking a practical HGV test in 2021-2022 was 58.7%. Pallet-Track’s analysis also shows that, if the same number of women had taken tests as men in 2021-2022, based on the overall female pass rate of 62.4% for drivers aged 18 to over 60, there would now be an extra 48,931 qualified HGV drivers on the road. This would almost erase Britain’s current shortfall, which stands at 50,000 drivers according to calculations by the Road Haulage Association. With young women accelerating ahead in HGV tests, addressing the current gender imbalance could be key to reducing Britain’s shortfall of lorry drivers and future proofing the industry. In total, women made up just 9.1% of those taking tests; 8,731 tests were completed by female drivers compared to 87,146 taken by male drivers. Further research from the DfT’s Domestic Road Freight Statistics 2020 report found the gender split of HGV drivers in work as 99% male and 1% female – a figure that has not changed since its first inclusion in the annual report in 2016. Caroline Green, chief executive at Pallet-Track, said: “Our research should be a real eye opener for the industry as it demonstrates the value of diversifying the logistics workforce. “The results of the analysis show that Britain has the talent and skills to overcome any remaining driver shortages and the resources to future proof our workforce. “However, there are some key changes the logistics industry needs to make if it wants to attract more women into driving roles, starting with driver facilities and bathroom access. “The majority of truck stop facilities are woefully inadequate and require major improvements; we welcome the government’s recently announced match funding initiative and hope that this will be a positive step forward for the industry. “Education is another area where major improvements are needed if we are to inspire younger generations to enter the profession, particularly young women. “Logistics plays a major role in all our lives and is the fifth largest employer in the UK, but we need to engage with schools more to demonstrate the breadth of careers that the industry can offer. “Being an HGV driver offers a range of perks, such as flexible hours and independent working, and great opportunities for progression. It’s time we started showing young people how rewarding a career in logistics can be.” The analysis is based on Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driving test pass rates published by the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, whose data covers tests taken by male and female applicants in six age brackets, from under 20 to 60-plus. The terms LGV and HGV are used interchangeably in this analysis, as under UK and European law, an LGV licence and HGV licence are the same licence, covering all commercial vehicles with a gross combination mass of over 3500kg. Caroline Green, chief executive at Pallet-Track A new fleet of vans, featuring the latest electric and next generation diesel vehicles, has arrived at Somerset West and Taunton (SWT) as part of the council’s plans to decarbonise its fleet and transition to sustainable vehicle technology. The vehicles, which will replace some of the council’s current fleet due for replacement this year, have been provided by Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS) as part of a 7-year contract awarded in 2021. SWT’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Andrew Sully, said, “We are focused on actions to meet our climate emergency declaration and the decarbonisation of our corporate fleet reflects this. Where possible we have selected an electric vehicle solution and for operations where this isn’t possible yet, we have opted for the latest generation of lower emission diesel technology.” The new fleet comprises: 3 x Vauxhall eCombo’s; 1 x Skoda Karoq 4x4; 3 x Ford Rangers; 6 x Ford Transit Tippers; 2 x Kubota F391’s with Trimax Flails (Vincent Tractors); 4 x Vauxhall eCorsa’s and 1 x Isuzu N75 Arborist Tipper. Northampton-based fleet management company SFS celebrates its 30-year anniversary this year and provides the complete range of vehicle hire and fleet management services to both the public and private sector, including contract hire, short term vehicle hire through its vehicle rental division CTS Hire, vehicle maintenance, workshop management, technical advice, and consultancy. It also runs its own network of workshops across the UK and a nationwide fleet of mobile engineers. Bob Sweetland, Managing Director of SFS, says, “We are pleased to be working with Somerset West & Taunton Council to help achieve its carbon reduction targets. This is the just the first step in creating a more sustainable fleet for the future and we look forward to continuing working together to enhance the new combined council’s vehicle provision.” Next generation fleet arrives at Somerset West and Taunton L to R: Bob Sweetland, SFS; Cllr Andrew Sully and Cllr Dixie Darch from Somerset West and Taunton Council alongside two of the new electric vans TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 14 BUSINESS NEWS KRL, the leading UK and Ireland based freight-forwarding business, moves into 2023 by announcing two highly significant appointments to support its exciting development plans. David Flaherty becomes Operations Director UK & IE - and Greig Allan becomes - Commercial Director UK & IE. Both are internal promotions of longstanding highly valued employees who have shown clear dedication to the company and its mission, and bring great experience into their important new roles. “We are thrilled to have David and Greig join the leadership team at KRL,” said Peter Phythian, KRL Managing Director, “Their dedication to the company and their industry expertise make them invaluable assets, and we have no doubt that they will continue to drive the success of the business in their new roles.” Greig Allan began his career in logistics at P&O Nedlloyd in Southampton as a transport planner. He then moved to the export desk at P&O in Glasgow before joining JH Hillebrand, a company specializing in the drinks and beverage sector. From there, he worked for DHL Global Forwarding managing a control tower before transitioning to sales with Expeditors. He then joined Kingscote Rojay Limited (KRL) as a sales executive, later becoming the Regional Manager for the north and then the Commercial Manager for the UK. Greig has been instrumental in the growth of KRL’s Scottish branch and has contributed to several milestones and achievements within the company. David Flaherty began his career in the aviation industry, starting with Aer Lingus in the ground operations department at Dublin Airport. He then moved into the freight world, working in both the import and export departments for Aer Lingus Cargo, before transitioning to the sales department. In this role, David was responsible for supporting all Aer Lingus customers, both big and small, within the Dublin-based freight forwarding community. After a few years, David became the Branch Manager of GeoLogistics Shannon, where he learned to become a multi-modal freight forwarder. In 2008, he opened his own business, Air Aqua Forwarding, which was purchased by the KRL Group five years later. Since joining KRL, David has held several positions within the company, including Ireland Manager, Facilities and Purchasing Manager, Operations Manager UK & IE, and now his current role as Operations Director UK & IE. KRL is committed to providing opportunities for career progression and development within the company, as demonstrated by the promotions of David and Greig. These promotions not only demonstrate the trust and confidence in the abilities of these individuals, but also serve as a reminder that progression is available at all levels within the organization. From entry-level positions to the highest level of management, KRL encourages employees to take ownership of their professional development and grow within the company. This dedication to internal advancement is key to KRL’s continued success and growth. We look forward to seeing the impact both Greig and David will make as directors. Based in Crawley for over 30 years, KRL provides multimodal capabilities to its client base from its seven locations across the UK and Ireland. Through its team of dedicated freight forwarders, customers have access to the full suite of Air, Sea, Road, Logistics and Customs expertise on a daily basis. David Flaherty Greig Allan Leading multimodal logistics specialist KRL announces two new directors TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 15 BUSINESS NEWS A key technology It’s a British scientist, Stanley Whittingham, who has the best claim to be the inventor of the lithium battery. But Exxon, his employer, discontinued the research back in the 1980’s after Professor Whittingham’s early creations kept catching fire. Fast forward four decades and things have come a long way. Lithium batteries are everywhere, especially in consumer electronics, solar and transport - cars, scooters and so on. They are one of the key technologies of the modern world and will only increase in use as we strive for net zero. But they do keep catching fire. And the regulators have noticed. ADR Regulations There’s a large lack of knowledge about the regulation of lithium batteries. Many are sent through non-specialist networks every day in the belief that they don’t fall within ADR, the system for transporting dangerous goods by road. But they absolutely do, and it’s clear in the regulations: if the Li-ion battery has a power rating above 100Wh (Watt-hour) then it’s ADR and will have to go on a full-ADR carrier, with trained driver, orange plates, compliant manifest and all the rest. And if it’s less than 100Wh? Well, it still might be ADR, and you’ll have to check with your DGSA. There’s no excuse for not being aware. What to do? Fortunately, the regulations for lithium batteries are no more onerous than for any other hazardous goods. So if you’re used to handling chemicals, and your transport company is too, then you should have no problems. Get the product details, check with your DGSA, ensure your product supplier is reputable (proper packaging, good housekeeping, etc.), pick an ADR carrier, train your staff, produce the correct paperwork. You’re good to go. “These batteries are helping to move us away from dirtier forms of fuel, however, as technology improves then more power is being stored in smaller devices. There is a risk of fire associated with these batteries and that is the reason that the more powerful items need to be handled by ADR hauliers. We have all seen stories in the news about these fires, and no-one wants to be responsible for one of these due to consigning freight the wrong way,” explained Robert Symes, MD of the Hazchem Network. Safe transport of lithium-ion batteries GB Railfreight raises over £200,000 for Prostate Cancer UK GB Railfreight, one of the fastest growing companies in the rail industry, handed over the final cheque of £200,728 to Prostate Cancer UK at its Charity Handover Event at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London. In attendance were TV presenter and Prostate Cancer UK Ambassador, Rob Bell and Chairman of Network Rail, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill. During the partnership, GBRf held a number of fundraising events including a four-day charity charter across the UK rail network which raised over £140,000. Working together with Prostate Cancer UK, a series of events were organised across the country for men to check their risk levels, for a disease which affects one in eight men across the UK.
MOBILE SERVICE HGV, PSV, TRAILER and CRANE Wheel Alignment Specialists Key benefits of correct wheel alignment IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY Incorrect wheel alignment will increase the rolling resistance of a vehicle, since some 30% of its fuel is used to overcome tyre rolling resistance, and hence any small degree of misalignment will substantially increase fuel consumption. A saving of more than 5% is commonly achieved through correct wheel alignment. INCREASE IN TYRE LIFE Incorrect wheel alignment has a detrimental effect on the life of tyres – causing them to wear unevenly and prematurely and consequently affecting the handling characteristics of your vehicle. Correct wheel alignment will rectify this and can increase tyre life by over 20%. REDUCTION IN CO2 EMISSIONS There is growing pressure on governments, industry and transport to reduce CO2 emissions: this has given rise to more efficient engines, now up to Euro VI. However, if wheels are not correctly aligned, their efficiency is compromised, and the saving in fuel and potential for reduced CO2 emissions are forfeited. Furthermore most CO2 reduction strategies involve additional costs, whereas correct wheel alignment reduces harmful emissions in a self-funding manner. GREATER STEERING SAFETY & CONTROL If wheels are misaligned, that can cause a vehicle to veer left or right, demanding corrective steering by the driver and putting him and his rig under constant, unnecessary strain. Uneven tyres neither adhere well to the road surface nor handle efficiently. What is more, incorrect wheel alignment can put great stress on steering joints, wheel bearings and other steering components, reducing their effective lifespan. www.savefuelandtyres.com Tel: 01788 860 594
Less fuel & emissions, further on tyres Established over 35 years ago in 1978, Lasalign has strong claims to have been the first ever dedicated mobile wheel alignment company. Its mission has always been to provide a mobile service utilising sophisticated, laser-assisted, measuring systems for the commercial vehicle axle market. This technology replaced the previous, error-prone method of stretching a line or tape measure from the trailer kingpin to the axle ends or periscope / trammel gauges for steering axles. Misalignment is frequently caused when trailer wheels strike or ride over kerbstones. Government-funded tests at the Road Research Laboratory proved that a single degree of misalignment of one axle in a tandem configuration will consume as much as 3% extra fuel from the tractor’s tank. 2% of misalignment equates to 8% additional fuel. This test was conducted in 1980. Obviously fuel and tyre prices have risen to record levels since then, but the percentage values remain the same. The ratio within a typical fleet of articulated vehicles is one tractor unit to two trailers. The tractor uses the fuel, whereas the trailer carries the load. If some offending trailers exist among your fleet with axle misalignment, then the tractive unit’s fuel consumption will vary greatly, depending on whether it is pulling a true or misaligned trailer. All sorts of causes are considered except the forgotten animal, the trailer. For this reason you should insist on alignment checks at least annually. Lasalign prides itself on being able to set the wheel alignment for a tractor unit or rigid to suit its application. Accordingly, a long-haul vehicle will benefit from a setting at one end of the manufacturer’s tolerance, whilst a multi-drop vehicle of a similar type will be at the other end, in order to prolong the tyre life. Once a tyre has worn unevenly, it is difficult to correct. Therefore resetting the wheel alignment from new – and monitoring tyres and tyre pressures on a regular basis – will pay huge dividends in the battle to control fuel and tyre costs and CO2 emissions. On the BPW axle, the kingpin is a shrink fit into the axle beam, and it was proven that the use of controlled induction heating to the axle beam in the area of the kingpin produced rapid local expansion which would enable removal and installation of the pin itself. This whole process is carried out with the axle removed from the vehicle to facilitate access for the correct press tools. Previous methods of heating the axle beam, such as propane, were not particularly successful owing to the fact that, by the time the axle beam was at the correct temperature, heat had transferred through to the kingpin, negating the heat differential effect. Over the years, Lasalign has seen the disastrous results of trying to remove kingpins with either too much or too little heat. In addition, most hydraulic presses have only a short stroke on the ram, making extraction and installation slow, adding to the build-up of heat through to the kingpin. The induction heater Lasalign uses concentrates the heat instantly to a small, precise area on the axle beam, with very little heat transfer to the kingpin. Coupled with this, Lasalign has invested in a purpose-designed hydraulic press that will extract or install the kingpin or bushes in one stroke. Over the years, the company has accumulated comprehensive tooling to exacting standards to cater for most makes of trailer steer axles. With correct wheel alignment you will lower your fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, increase your tyre life and put safer and more stable trucks and trailers on the road! For further details, call Lasalign on 01788 860 594, email info@lasalign.com or go to www.savefuelandtyres.com Lasalign Ltd, Shawell Depot, Watling Street (A5), Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 6AR. KINGPIN REPLACEMENT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 18 DESCARTES™ With ongoing political uncertainty, recession and inflation plus a fuel and energy crisis – all straight off the back of years of Brexit- and pandemic-related supply chain chaos, it’s fair to say UK business has had a challenging few years. Since exiting the EU over three years ago, UK traders have weathered the introduction, delay and ultimate abandoning of some of the rules and regulations for importing goods into the UK. They’ve adopted the new, full controls on exports in the other direction and adapted to new processes laid out by the Northern Ireland Protocol. To add to the disruption, the way UK Customs declarations should be filed is part way through changing and traders are (if slowly) manoeuvring their way through the transition from the legacy CHIEF customs declaration system to CDS. After the best part of four years, and despite multiple date changes and decision reversals, CHIEF has already been withdrawn in part, with the final deadline due later this year: ■ As of the end of 2022, the majority of declarants were no longer able to make import declarations on CHIEF. ■ After 30 November 2023, you won’t be able to make export declarations on CHIEF. Although it will not be possible to use CDS exports at all ports until after the summer, it is currently possible to use CDS in Northern Ireland, via GVMS ports or for Export Supplementary Declarations for those approved for simplified procedures and the possibility to dual run against CHIEF will exist until access to CHIEF is finally decommissioned. Lack of preparedness: lessons from import declarations Last autumn, HMRC sent letters to 220,000 GB VAT registered traders and although not all of them were importers and or exporters, and many would have used the services of a broker or forwarder, this communication was indicative of the lack of awareness – and lack of preparedness – for the impending move. While some traders were early adopters (and Descartes was the first company to get its customers onto the new system way back in 2018) a huge number failed to make the switch in time – with many leaving it to the very last minute - and then not fully appreciating the difference between CHIEF and CDS, trying – and failing - to replicate the same workflows and processes. Unfortunately, we can expect the same this year. With exports to the EU accounting for 42% of all UK exports in 2021, according to data from the House of Commons Library – and exporters more likely than importers to be self-filers - there are likely to be many more organisations who have yet to make the switch. CDS is here – and this time, it’s for real (Yes, really…) By Martin Meacock, Vice-President of Product Management, Descartes Martin Meacock
www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2023 Truck and Track 19 DESCARTES™ Fear of the new system, as well as scepticism about HMRC and trade readiness, has been understandable – as too the expectation of further delays based on precedent (let’s face it, it isn’t unreasonable to make comparisons here with the Boy Who Cried Wolf) – yet, the consequences of inaction are now speeding dangerously close to becoming a reality. Despite the latest delay from March ’23 to November ’23 for the export declaration deadline, the fact that the transition relating to import declarations has now happened, should be a stark reminder to businesses that CDS will happen in full. And lessons indicate that putting off the migration process is only going to complicate matters further. From the latest data requirements and processes, to the sheer scale of the challenge associated with new systems and software, the move from CHIEF to CDS is far from straightforward. CDS is a dramatic shift away from the previous ways of working in CHIEF, right from the way the customs declaration looks, to the new data needed. HMRC has tried to introduce some simplifications. For example, a blanket document code to declare that no prohibitions or restrictions apply “999L” has been temporarily introduced under CDS to speed up onboarding. And, like other software houses, Descartes continues to make changes to ease the process; however, nothing can replace the time necessary to learn a new system and there is nothing like real user experience to drive improvement. Training and education are essential as is access to test systems to ensure organisations understand the new processes and steps required. Last summer, Descartes saw an exponential increase in companies engaging to be ready for CDS imports, showing a hunger for education and training that can’t be left to the last minute. Reality bites There is a great deal of source information available. HMRC has provided documents, such as declaration completion guidance; while systems providers, such as Descartes, have created online training courses, videos and other online guides as well as further technical solutions to guide users without making decisions for them. But those who have left it until now hoping for individual attention, are going to find it difficult and it may be impossible to receive the attention they would prefer. With just a few months to go, group sessions from software providers on how to use the software, or external training organisations who can provide more generic CDS guidance, are now the most likely to help. And while both software providers’ and HMRC’s support teams have been bolstered in anticipation of the surge of questions and enquiries, it’s inevitable that there will be delays in responding, which is why self learning and education is going to be vital. Time critical It’s never been more important for declarants to understand the requirements to submit the customs declarations they need to, and be aware of changes in the codes used or information required. Unless you choose to use a broker to submit your declarations you will need to: ■ Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number if you do not already have one; ■ Register for a Government Gateway account if you do not already have one; ■ Register for the Customs Declaration Service via www.gov.uk/hmrc/cds-get-access; ■ Unless you are using a Community Service Provider, authorise your chosen software solution to submit declarations on your behalf. Benefits of doing your own CDS declarations: ■ Control of the data being declared; ■ Direct visibility of the status of the declaration and confirmation when goods exit the UK supporting zero rating of VAT or reclaiming of taxes. If you choose to use a broker rather than submit your own declarations, there are still five steps that should be taken: ■ Register for a Government Gateway account if you do not already have one; ■ Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number if you do not already have one; ■ Register for the Customs Declaration Service via www.gov.uk/hmrc/cds-get-access; ■ Choose which payment method to use and ensure you have set up the correct Direct Debits or authorisations; ■ Set up a process to ensure your broker has clear instructions and information about your consignment. For example - the incoterms, awareness for all values, the location information, and nature of transaction information. Traders using brokers should also be prepared for the fact that the type of evidence and data they receive today will change – the old CHIEF prints just don’t exist anymore, the C88 is dead and the data is structured differently. Equally, those used to the DTI-S8 for proof of exports will find that it no longer exists. Conclusion For those only submitting export declarations, the lessons learned over the last few months make it clear that the latest delay to CHIEF decommissioning is just that – and that, more importantly - it remains vital to take action today and be CDS ready; even if you do not plan to go live immediately, you can both get on the front foot and take advantage of any dual-running possibilities. It is merely a short matter of time now before CDS is the new normal. Until then, let’s not fool ourselves that it’ll be a smooth ride, it’s a bumpy road to progress. For more information visit https://www.descartes.com/uk/customs-declarations-changes Or email info@descartes.com Descartes is the global leader in providing on-demand software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance, and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes will be attending Multimodal 2023 at the NEC Birmingham between 13th and 15th June. Come along and talk to one of our experts on stand No. 4058. www.descartes.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE1MTA=