Seamless Customs & Freight Forwarding Software Solutions Powered by Descartes. The Haulage & Logistics Buyers Magazine Truck andTrack SUMMER 2025 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 Un orga First class travel... ...is about moving faster than your competit The cheetah accelerates from 0 to 60mph in Fastest growing UK palletised Focussed on service, quality an Local service with a national an The industries most advanced Widest range of pallet sizes To find out more about what UPN ca First class travel for palleti The Haulage & Logistics Buyers Magazine
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 3 SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITIONS ON THE HORIZON by Barbara Ryan, Publishing Director, Truck and Track Following close on the heels of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show, the industry is looking forward to the launch of Multimodal 2025 which takes place on 17-19 June at the NEC in Birmingham. The free-to-attend exhibition, which is open to logistics professionals, will feature experienced speakers, networking opportunities and an exhibition area showcasing the latest in transport, logistics and supply chain solutions. If you intend to visit the show, we would be delighted to welcome you to the Truck and Track stand, number 8060. Continuing the theme, this issue also highlights the Road Transport Expo which will take place at NAEC Stoneleigh on 24th and 25th June. This must-attend tradeshow attracts HGV operators of all shapes and sizes, from owner-operators through to representatives from the top 10 largest HGV fleets in the UK. With an ‘All about the truck’ core focus, it is a must-attend show for anyone working in the road transport sector. It promises to be a one-stop venue for all HGV fleet needs, from new vehicles through to training providers, legal expertise, workshop equipment, safety kit and much more. Also in this issue, our Dangerous Goods Columnist, Ali Karim, shines the spotlight on how climate change can cause problems, particularly for staff members who may wish to wear short-sleeved shirts and shorts, where bare skin may result in serious burns. On a similar theme, Labeline’s Richard Shreeve, asks highly respected and experienced dangerous goods professional, Caroline Raine, to explain how ADR rules are enforced. The Association of Pallet Networks (APN) has reported significant growth in Q1 2025, across all pallet sizes and services compared to the same period in 2024. Paul Sanders, Chairman of the APN, highlights the ongoing safety focus at UK hubs, reinforced by the annual Health and Safety at Work Week. Associated British Ports has showcased the sector leading experience at Offshore Wind Connections 2025 whilst XPO Logistics has exceeded 30,000 shipments between Europe and Morocco and increased capacity with investment in state-of-the-art container trailers. UPN – United Pallet Network – has introduced ‘SmartTRAK’, a bespoke new cutting- edge pallet freight tracking tool which enables users to follow their deliveries second by second in real time. Also highlighting its competitivity, businesses are encouraged to attract quotes for UK and European haulage using the Boxhaul platform. Descartes also features highly in this issue with articles explaining how global economic uncertainties may impact freight demand and profitability. In a separate article, the company’s annual Ecommerce study shows how younger consumers are driving online buying growth. As usual, I hope you enjoy reading this latest issue of Truck and Track. Barbara Ryan CONTENTS Page 4 BUSINESS NEWS 12 VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS 15 RAILFREIGHT 17 MULTIMODAL 2025 23 DESCARTES 28 INTERMODAL TRANSPORT SOFTWARE 30 CONTAINER HAULAGE 34 AI SYSTEMS 38 PALLET NETWORKS 45 TRAILERS 51 ROAD TRANSPORT EXPO 2025 56 FUEL MANAGEMENT 60 WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT 63 DANGEROUS GOODS 71 SAFETY & SECURITY 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 07894 702002 Editor: Peter Ager editor@truckandtrack.com Designed and published by Truck & Track Multi Media Limited Creative Director: Marc Pittaway 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 Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 4 BUSINESS NEWS Burcombe Haulage improves efficiency and customer experience with HaulTech One of the UK’s leading and most diverse operators in the construction, aggregates and general haulage industries has reduced customer-related admin time by 20% since switching to a bespoke transport management system provided by HaulTech. Based in East Cornwall, Burcome Group incorporates Burcombe Haulage, Burcombe Concrete and Callycome Aggregates. The haulage operation provides full load, palletised services and 3PL logistics throughout the county and across the UK. “Our previous supplier was acquired by a larger group who couldn’t provide the flexibility that we needed,” comments Director, Stuart Wilkie. “We needed a TMS which could match our specific requirements and not just an off-the-shelf product. We looked at a number of options and following a recommendation, turned to HaulTech about 18 months ago.” Designed for industry-specific hauliers, HaulTech’s TMS significantly reduces administrative processes while controlling workflow and cutting operational costs. Furthermore, explains Stuart, the TMS enables Burcombe to seamlessly create, schedule, assign and manage jobs through a single point of data entry. “Using the dedicated online portal, our customers can now post and view jobs. It also integrates with our Sage accounting software to streamline and speed-up invoicing. Again, all helping to save time and improve efficiency,” says Stuart. With such an extensive range of deliveries made to multiple sites each day, Burcombe Haulage also required a fool-proof system to monitor and control each delivery, while keeping customers, drivers and sub-contractors in the loop. “The EPOD (electronic proof of delivery) gives us and our customers all-round visibility,” says Stuart. “Conventional delivery notes can easily go astray or be disputed but using the EPOD means that we get the data back right away, customers can confirm delivery details and instead of manually gathering pieces of paper, the job is electronically processed and invoices raised without delay.” Moreover, explains Stuart, the team is now able to instantly credit check and view the status of each customer, while planning the next job and adjusting and reporting as it goes. “The HaulTech customer portal is extending our service to our customers, giving the ability to not just add jobs but to track progress from booking to completion. For our larger customers the ability to integrate with their IT systems is enabling us to further enhance our service,” adds Technical Director, Paul Tarplee. “The difference we found with HaulTech,” adds Stuart, “Is they had the requisite sector knowledge to accurately assess our operation, pinpoint each area where improvements could be made and then prescribe a bespoke system which not only reduces the time we take to process jobs, but also enables us to greatly improve the service we provide to our customers.” Burcombe Group also provides stone and aggregates, warehousing, pick and pack for all industries and container handling. The FORS Bonze - accredited operation includes a variety of curtainsiders, tippers, concrete mixers, road sweepers, rigids and vans. More about Burcombe Haulage here: https://www.burcombehaulage.co.uk/ More about HaulTech here: https://haultech.co.uk/
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 5 BUSINESS NEWS The Thames Freeport is delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Bellamy, Chairman of Salamanca Group, as Chair of its newly established Thames Freeport Industry Council. Thames Freeport represents one of Europe’s largest regional development programmes and one of the most ambitious initiatives globally. Spanning 312 square kilometres across the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Havering and Thurrock in Essex, the Freeport offers unrivalled potential to integrate logistics, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and workforce development—all underpinned by a firm commitment to net-zero principles and long-term economic growth. The Thames Freeport Industry Council will guide the master planning of the region and advise on the commercial strategy for the redevelopment as a whole. Martin Bellamy’s appointment brings exceptional expertise, strategic foresight and a deep understanding of how to leverage private capital alongside public ambition to deliver nationally significant projects. Under Martin’s leadership, Salamanca Group has delivered transformative projects that have attracted global investment, revitalised disused sites and created thousands of high-quality jobs. Among his achievements: Instrumental in securing the £5 billion Tata/Jaguar Land Rover battery gigafactory project at Gravity, the UK’s largest building and a key driver of the green industrial transition, hailed as “the most important deal of the year” by the then Prime Minister. Led the acquisition and repositioning of the former Britishvolt site in Blyth, Northumberland. With government backing, Salamanca Group structured the sale of the site to Blackstone to enable development of a 1.1 GW AI data campus, set to become Europe’s largest. Martin’s proven track record of enabling globally significant infrastructure and AI-related developments, uniquely positions him to play a pivotal role in delivering Thames Freeport’s long-term vision to become a globally competitive hub for innovation, trade and investment. “Martin’s appointment is a major step forward for Thames Freeport,” said Martin Whiteley, CEO of Thames Freeport. “His expertise in delivering complex, high-value projects and attracting international investment will be invaluable as we shape the next chapter of the Freeport’s growth. We are thrilled to have him lead our Industry Council at this exciting time.” Martin Bellamy Appointed Chair of Thames Freeport Industry Council Martin Bellamy, Chair of the Thames Freeport Industry Council XPO Logistics, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions across Europe, has extended its partnership with building materials manufacturer Etex. The extension results from XPO Logistics’ strong and consistent delivery performance on key indicators while offering innovative, flexible solutions to Etex where required. Added to that is the ongoing strong partnership between the companies, which has developed through working collaboratively on all aspects of transport operations, including safety, service and cost reduction, creating continuous improvements since early 2019. Etex Building Performance (EBP), a specialist division of the Etex Group, operates three sites in the UK—Portbury in Bristol, Ferrybridge in Knottingly and Grangemouth in Falkirk—and works with XPO Logistics on various transport and service solutions including multimodal, rail and warehouse support teams, including vehicle load strappers. In the coming year, XPO Logistics will continue to offer even more innovative solutions to support future growth strategies for the Etex business. It will diversify its service offerings to other EBP portfolio departments. The Portbury manufacturing facility recently underwent a significant expansion project, which opened officially in March 2025. It now boasts one of the longest and fastest plasterboard production line facilities in the UK and Europe. To help reduce the business’s CO2 emissions, XPO Logistics introduced a new multimodal rail solution in January to transport products between the new manufacturing facility in Portbury and Grangemouth in Scotland. This collaboration with Etex and Malcolm Rail transports seven multimodal rail boxes daily between the sites. Since December 2024, XPO Logistics has successfully transported over 500 multimodal rail swap bodies with its new sustainable transport solution, saving over 332,000 kg (332 tonnes) of CO2. By the end of 2025, the company anticipates transporting 1,500 rail swap bodies, with an estimated CO2 saving of 970,000 kg (970 tonnes), equivalent to 786 vehicles removed from the road. Dan Myers, managing director – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said, “This contract extension is testament to the excellent collaborative partnership we have built with Etex, and this will be strengthened even further in the coming year. The new multimodal transport solution for Etex between Portbury and Grangemouth offers significantly lower carbon emissions than other transport solutions could bring. Reducing CO2 emissions across the business continues to be a primary aim for both companies.” XPO Logistics has also supported Etex in its recent rebranding of part of the existing fleet with a new Siniat livery. The fleet is also due to expand in the coming months. Rob Ford, head of supply chain – UK and Ireland, Etex, said, “XPO Logistics has proved to be a trusted partner for Etex time after time. The breadth of transport expertise, relentless pursuit of carbon reductions and excellence in all areas of our combined operations have led to this extension. We look forward to working even closer together.” XPO Logistics is a leading innovative supply chain company in Europe, offering end-to-end logistics solutions that combine full-truckload, less-than-truckload, pallet distribution, last-mile delivery, global freight forwarding and warehousing services. The company tailors its solutions to the specific needs of its customers in a wide range of industrial and consumer sectors. XPO Logistics extends partnership with building materials manufacturer Etex TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 6 BUSINESS NEWS TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Truck tribute to driving force behind Bartrums’ success One of the UK’s longest-running logistics firms has chosen the perfect tribute to the driving force behind its success – a specially-liveried truck with a personalised tribute and number plate. East Anglia-based Bartrums, which was founded in 1929 with just one truck and now has more than 160 in its modern fleet, has just unveiled a special new truck in honour of former managing director Philip Bartrum. Philip, who passed away last year, was managing director at Bartrums for more than 40 years and is credited with playing a significant part in the sustained growth of the family-run firm and proud Pallet-Track Shareholder Member. Following a call-up for national service after finishing school, Philip spent two years with RAF Logistics before joining Bartrums to work for his father Leonard in 1957. The family legacy continues to this day, with Philip’s son Robert at the helm as joint managing director. Bartrums operations director Tremayne Johnson said, “Without doubt, Philip was the main driving force behind building the business when he and his brothers took over from Leonard. He led the business during its most significant period of growth as managing director from 1966 through to the early noughties. He negotiated and agreed a national contract with Boots in 1967 for an operation which grew to six national distribution centres and became Bartrums’ biggest-ever contract. “He also negotiated and agreed a contract with MK Electric in 1989 which ran for 36 years and set up a UK dealership for Seddon Atkinson Trucks from 1984. At his side throughout this period were his two brothers, Roger and Roy and, between the three of them, they put Bartrums on the map. That’s why the company has decided to mark the incredibly positive impact Philip made on this business by dedicating one of our new Volvo Aero tractor units as a tribute to him. “In appreciation of Philip and Bartrums’ history and heritage, the truck will take to the road in our historic livery colour of brown and white with a personalised number plate F25 BRS, a nod to the name of the company when Philip took the helm, Bartrums Road Services. It will also include a dedication to ‘Philip E. Bartrum 1937-2024’ on the front panel of the truck, just above the grille, in honour of someone who gave pretty much his entire working life to Bartrums.” Stuart Godman, CEO at Pallet-Track, added, “This is a fabulous and fitting tribute by Bartrums to a man who steered the business in the right direction during his 40-plus years at the wheel. It’s exactly the tribute we would expect from this quality long-running, family-led business, recognising Philip’s incredible contribution and paying homage to almost 100 years of Bartrums’ service across East Anglia and the UK.” Photo © Mike Sewell Joint managing director Robert Bartrum (centre) with his uncles, Roy and Roger Bartrum
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Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 8 BUSINESS NEWS Adorned with brightly polished alloy wheels, a rooftop lightbar, airhorns and painted in the company’s standout orange livery, the new vehicle is set to make its presence known both within the company’s fleet and out on the road. Featuring the Flagship GX cab, the new vehicle is powered by MAN’s range-topping 15.2 litre, D38, Euro 6e, six-cylinder engine, producing 640hp (471kW) and 3000 Nm, between 1,050 and 1,450 rpm. Drive is provided by a silky smooth 12-speed MAN TipMatic® automated transmission. Established in 1973, by Chris Slowey senior, and with roots stretching back more than five decades, today Manfreight is the leading privately owned logistics company in Northern Ireland. Manfreight is now managed by the founder’s son, also named Chris, who has driven the company into new areas of business both throughout Ireland and in the UK. Headquartered in Portadown, in County Armagh, and with sites strategically located throughout Northern Ireland and the UK, they offer a level of service that is described, by customers, as second to none. Chris Slowey, Managing Director, Manfreight, commented, “As a business, we run an ever-evolving fleet which includes the latest model trucks featuring the highest level of specification and the lowest operating costs, so when Julian Brown from MAN Truck & Bus showed us a suitably specified TGX 640 we decided to see what it could deliver in terms of both efficiencies and driver comfort. The demonstrator vehicle proved a success with the transport office and, although it’s early days, we’re already seeing the efficiencies that Julian promised, which is very encouraging.” “We’re also getting positive driver reviews, notably the high levels of comfort and in-cab experience. This is important because we strongly believe in providing our drivers with a comfortable, safe and secure working environment.” Oozing with creature comforts and providing the driver with all the luxuries of home, this vehicle sets hearts racing with its high specification. Once inside, Manfreight’s driver is met by a wave of high-quality features, providing an ultra-comfortable home-from-home environment, including MAN Professional Navigation Media System with 12.3” display, MAN Advanced sound system with subwoofer, MAN SmartSelect infotainment control with touchpad, Smartphone integration, 12.3-inch Professional instrumentation, Fully retractable under bunk fridge, Multifunction leather steering wheel, Partial leather heated driver’s seat with air suspension with lumbar support, shoulder adjustment and climate control, Electric windscreen roller blind, Climatronic air conditioning, Bunk with 110 mm comfort mattress, MAN EasyControl, 22-inch Flatscreen TV, Microwave, Coffee maker, Driver’s airbag, Automatic wipers with rain sensor, LED light technology, Automatic driving light control with light sensors, MAN’s Acoustic turning warning device, Dimmable reading lights and a fold-away Dash mounted table tray. Featuring the award-winning and much-acclaimed GX Cab, the “hotel suite” among MAN truck cabs, Manfreight’s driver can rest in comfort when away from home, on an 800 x 2000mm mattress, featuring a wooden slatted frame. Chris added, “When on the road moving goods for our customers, I like our vehicles to purvey a professional image befitting of the high standards that we set across the business. This was important back in 1973 when Dad established the business and is still of utmost importance today.” “The Manfreight name came from a conversation in the early 1970s, with a sales representative who suggested it reflected the MAN truck that Dad used at the time. The name stuck and here we are today with a new flagship TGX 26.640 joining the fleet. With a new MAN truck and the opening of the new Belfast Chilled Warehouse Facility, it’s exciting times here at Manfreight.” concluded Chris. With a transport fleet of over 800 state-of-the-art vehicles, Manfreight, Ireland’s leading privately owned logistics company, takes delivery of a new fleet star, a shining new MAN TGX 26.640 Individual “Living the Dream” MAN TGX 26.640 Individual, adorned with brightly polished alloy wheels, a rooftop lightbar, airhorns and painted in the company’s standout orange livery TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 9 BUSINESS NEWS TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk all of the highest specification, a logistics solution covering Ambient, Chilled and Frozen goods, and flexible cost-effective warehousing facilities suitable for ambient, chilled and frozen storage, Manfreight offers customers a focused next-day transport, distribution and logistics service throughout Ireland, the UK and onward into Europe. In recent times, Manfreight has invested heavily in their County Armagh hub, opened a new multi-temperature food storage facility in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, which has enabled them to enhance their service and support to customers throughout the UK and more recently, in September 2024, they marked a significant milestone for the business with the grand opening of a cutting-edge warehousing facility, located at Belfast Harbour. Strategically located within the harbour, the chilled hub represents a major stepping stone towards Manfreight’s sustainable future. Equipped with 1,890 rooftop solar panels, and a zero-emission refrigeration system, it’s the first facility in the UK and Ireland, to feature Kingspan Quadcore Coldstore LEC Panels. These panels, designed for food manufacture and temperature-controlled storage buildings, are more than twice as thermally efficient as mineral fibre walls. This helps reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and lower embodied carbon, therefore supporting Manfreight’s sustainability goals. Julian Brown, Sales Executive, MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, said, “Naturally we were all delighted when Chris accepted the offer to run a TGX demonstrator in the fleet for a few weeks. We knew the vehicle was up against stiff competition as Chris always demands the highest level of specification, but over the time it proved a hit within the Manfreight business. I was thrilled when Chris ordered his first MAN truck for 25 years. “The vehicle looks truly amazing in the Manfreight livery and has already been noticed within the industry. I’d like to express my thanks to Chris and the Manfreight team, as hopefully, this will be the first of many new MAN’s in this outstanding fleet.” The new vehicle was prepared and PDI’d by MAN’s franchised partner, RK Trucks Centre, Carryduff. RK Trucks Centre will service and maintain the vehicle throughout its working life. All MAN vehicles are supported by MAN Truck & Bus UK’s Nationwide Commercial Vehicle Dealer network, with many operating extended hours, including round-the-clock servicing and customer-tailored solution maintenance. The entire MAN range benefits from MAN’s Mobile24 24-hour assistance service, which guarantees customers a professional roadside partner throughout Europe 365 days of the year. Taking the company reins in 2010, Chris Slowey, Managing Director, has driven the company into new areas of business both throughout Ireland and in the UK Associated British Ports (ABP) participated as a Gold Sponsor at the Offshore Wind Connections 2025 (OWC2025) conference and exhibition at the Doubletree by Hilton, Hull. Celebrating its twelfth year, OWC2025 has established itself as one of the premier events in the UK offshore wind industry. With over three decades of experience in serving the UK’s offshore energy sector, ABP has continually evolved its offerings, developing cutting-edge facilities and tailored services to address every facet of offshore wind development, maintenance and operation. Our ports have installed over 500 turbines and provide support to over 7GW of offshore wind – over half of the UK total. As a testament to its commitment, ABP has invested over £300 million in collaboration with its partners to foster the expansion of offshore wind capabilities. Most recently that includes the £35m Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility port expansion and additional capacity at Hull as part of our partnership with Siemens Energy. Looking to the future, ABP has ambitious plans to invest significantly more in future developments serving both fixed bottom and floating wind projects across England, Wales and Scotland. Andy Reay, Head of Offshore Wind at ABP, said, “It’s great to participate in OWC2025 as a Gold Sponsor. This event provides an invaluable platform for industry leaders to collaborate, share insights and chart the course for the future of offshore wind. “ABP remains committed to not just maintaining but growing our leadership in driving UK port sector sustainable growth and innovation. We look forward to engaging with developers, supply chain players and other sector stakeholders at this great event. The goal for us all is to deliver not just a decarbonised energy system but the UK jobs and prosperity that should accompany it.” Stephen Rimmer, Project Development Lead, will join the Spotlight on the Humber panel to look at developments and plans for the region. Members of ABP’s Commercial Team will be available at stand 18 throughout the conference to provide further information and insights into ABP’s offerings and contributions to the offshore wind sector. Associated British Ports to showcase sector leading experience at Offshore Wind Connections 2025 Above: Green Port Hull Credit David Lee Photography
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 10 BUSINESS NEWS XPO Logistics exceeds 30,000 shipments between Europe and Morocco and increases capacity with investment in state-of-the-art container trailers The company accelerates its growth in North Africa with new routes, fleet expansion and solutions for the construction, retail and automotive industries XPO Logistics, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions across Europe, has tripled its revenue in Morocco in the last six years and exceeded 30,000 shipments between Europe and North Africa by 2024. This milestone consolidates its position as a benchmark operator in cross-border transport and international logistics. Thus, the company is responding to Morocco’s growing industrial dynamism and consolidation as a key global hub. To meet this demand, XPO Logistics has implemented new strategic routes connecting the Port of Tangier with Algeciras and Motril, facilitating more efficient and sustainable operations. It has also reinforced its capacity with a key investment in 60 new container trailers specially designed to facilitate the intermodal transport of 20, 40 and 50-foot units, and reduce environmental impact. The new fleet is equipped with GPS geolocation systems, ensuring real-time tracking of goods. These container trailers allow a 50% increase in transport capacity, with over 6,000 additional movements expected per year. Since starting operations in Morocco in 2011, XPO Logistics has steadily strengthened its regional presence. The current investment strengthens its value proposition as a specialised service provider for key sectors such as automotive, industrial, construction and retail, among others. In addition, the company already operates with duotrailers on the Strait of Gibraltar route, with a monthly volume of 400 crossings (200 in each direction). Massimo Marsili, Managing Director Southern Europe and Morocco, XPO Logistics, commented, “The expansion of our operations in Morocco - with more than 30,000 shipments as of 2024 and new investments - reflects our commitment to increasingly efficient, innovative and sustainable cross-border logistics. Morocco is a strategic market experiencing rapid expansion, and we want to lead that development with solutions that are agile, scalable, efficient and focused on the practical needs of our customers.” As part of this strategy, XPO Logistics expects that between 35% and 40% of its crossings between Europe and Morocco will be made through the Port of Motril by 2025, consolidating this connection as a strategic pillar of its international operations. This new line also represents an estimated 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions, reinforcing the company’s commitment to efficient and sustainable logistics. With this expansion, XPO Logistics reaffirms its commitment to offering cutting-edge logistics solutions, ready to respond to its customers’ challenges in a constantly changing environment. The company continues to invest in capacity, technology and talent to provide its customers with an agile and responsive logistics service aligned with the highest standards of efficiency and sustainability. RHA Chairman Moreton Cullimore handed over a cheque for £27,500 to Caroline Barber from Transaid, an international development charity that improves lives in developing countries by making transport more available, affordable and sustainable. The RHA has supported Transaid since 2015, with members raising significant funds each year since. In a separate presentation, RHA Vice Chair Tim Wray presented a cheque for nearly £70,000 to Jim French MBE from the RHA Benevolent Fund. The Benevolent Fund is a charity that helps people connected to the road transport industry who face hardship due to illness, age, bereavement and other difficulties. Both presentations took place during a busy second day of the UK’s largest road freight, transport and distribution event, with industry delegates attending from across the country. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) presented significant donations to two of its charity partners at the 2025 Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 11 BUSINESS NEWS Fleetclear has launched a unique AI-driven Live Lane Information System (LLIS) designed to enhance the safety of waste and recycling collection crews and reduce the risk of accidents involving vehicles travelling in adjacent lanes. Collection activities with staff operating in and around the flow of traffic, accounts for the largest proportion of accidents in the waste and recycling industry. The occurrence of reckless driving around slow-moving waste collection vehicles has been steadily rising year on year. As a result, crews are increasingly at risk of being struck by vehicles in adjacent live traffic lanes. Known for its collaborative approach to product development, Fleetclear was approached by Serco, a leading provider of public services, following an incident involving one of its crew members who was struck by a vehicle overtaking one of its refuse collection vehicles as part of its Sandwell contract. Steve Heywood MBE CMILT, Serco Fleet Director said, “We are delighted to have worked collaboratively with Fleetclear to develop this product. With the other systems on the market, the onus is on the car driver to react to any warnings, however with LLIS the AI technology offers increased situational awareness to frontline teams when working in live lanes.” Chris Waller, Chief Technical Officer, Fleetclear said, “We have always worked in collaboration with customers, listened to the challenges they face and developed products to help them improve the safety of their staff, the public and their fleets. “Following trials on Serco vehicles operating in Sandwell and Wandsworth, the feedback about LLIS has been very positive and we’ve had a lot of interest from other fleet operators who are keen to try it out. We are excited about the positive impact this device can have on the safety of waste and recycling operatives.” Existing systems in the market put the sole responsibility on oncoming drivers, requiring them to respond appropriately to alerts about the presence of pedestrian workers. Fleetclear’s LLIS solution works differently by focusing on the operators working at the rear of the vehicle and alerting them regarding the presence of oncoming vehicles in the adjacent live-lane (off-side). Chris Waller continued, “Externally mounted wide-angle AI cameras detect oncoming vehicles up to 30m and peripheral warning lights illuminate at the rear of the vehicle to warn operators of oncoming danger before entering the live lane. A smart filter using intelligent AI camera image recognition algorithms filters out street furniture to avoid false alarms. This technology also integrates with the Fleetclear Connect web-based software platform, combining it with data from vehicle safety technology and telematics to enable full surveillance and monitoring of the entire fleet, all viewable via one dashboard.” Why Fleetclear? With over a decade of expertise delivering credible solutions proven in the field, Fleetclear helps fleets operate safely, efficiently and responsibly. With fully qualified in-house engineers and leading after sales support and warranties, Fleetclear is your fleet safety partner. Fleetclear launches groundbreaking Live Lane safety solution TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Vehicle Graphics External Signage Covid-19 H & S Signage Promotional Signage
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 12 Wilcomatic – the UK’s authorised distributor of the world’s leading gantry wash systems VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 13 Wilcomatic is pleased to be the authorised distributor of high specification Otto Christ commercial vehicle and car wash systems across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Already featured at last year’s Commercial Vehicle show at the NEC Birmingham, Otto Christ’s latest gantry wash system, the NOVA, has more advanced features compared to the outgoing Magnum and Taurus ranges and maintains the legendary reliability of the German manufacturer. The NOVA rollover gantry system is a truck wash solution with three brushes available in three product variants, the Stripe, the Blade and the Stripe with LED displays. Dependent on the specification, the machine dimensions range from 4.82m to 5.15m high and 4.6m to 4.88m wide. The passage width (vehicle width) is 3.4m and the wash height is up to 5m. The housing features new panelling with optional integrated LED lighting and illuminated driver command. Speed of operation – the NOVA is the fastest of its kind. Large fleets require fast and effective washing technology. The big challenge is performing a complete wash on the front, side, roof and rear surfaces of the vehicle in order to minimise operating costs within a short wash time. To achieve this, the NOVA can be operated in a semi-stationary operation (2.5-minute wash programme) and/or in the overrun wash operation. The innovative roller concept of the NOVA provides the perfect combination of quality and quantity for vehicle washing and is therefore especially recommended for cleaning in shift operations at transport companies, as a powerful commercial vehicle wash unit, or for larger haulage companies to wash their fleets. Wash brushes supplied as standard are polyethylene brushes which are the tried and tested standard. In addition, users may choose POWERBRUSH + AND SENSOFIL+ which provide low abrasion on the vehicle paint. They are available in a variety of colours from black grey to flame red and feature increased brush diameter and optimal immersion depth for better wash performance. Oscillating rotor nozzles ensure the dirtiest chassis zones are covered. The nozzles are available in various heights and additional nozzle units, each with three nozzles, can be added in and activated for the middle and upper areas of the vehicle. JETSTREAM is a high-pressure wash option that can be added to the portal frame for vehicles with challenging geometries VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 14 such as silo trucks and special vehicles. The JETSTREAM high pressure device is also designed to pre-clean very heavily soiled vehicles such as tipper trucks. Four electro-mechanically oscillating high pressure nozzle units per wash system side, equipped with contra rotating high pressure blast nozzles, spray the vehicle powerfully whilst the wash portal moves. The front and rear wash is performed by the integrated swivel device for the high-pressure nozzle units. The manual pre-cleaning effort required by the pre-wash staff is significantly reduced with the JETSTREAM. The UNDERBODY WASH SYSTEM features a stationary nozzle cane (under floor) to clean the vehicle’s undersides while the vehicle is entering the wash hall without losing time. We offer two variants that can be combined with corresponding rotary pumps. The DISCONTINUOUS LATERAL BRUSH ensures the best wash result without leaving wash shadows. It enables continuous and more effective cleaning under the mirrors, and is available in different wash heights and can therefore be individually adapted to any fleet as required. The additional pair of lateral brushes ensures optimum cleaning without losing flexibility. An ACTIVE FOAM DEVICE ensures comprehensive application of the wash chemicals via active foam nozzles. The chemicals achieve longer adhesion for effective dirt removal. An optional polishing application is also available with separate dosing equipment. AEROPRO HIGH PERFORMANCE DRYER: The outstanding feature of the AEROPRO dryer is that the airflow starts being directed towards the front of the vehicle slanted from above. By pivoting the blower units or air outlets, the air current can be directed towards lateral vehicle sections or roof and rear sections. WATER RECYCLING: Water is precious. That makes it even more important to budget it with extra care. Pure drinking water is often too precious for washing vehicles, which is why it makes sense to use a circulation system to recycle the washing water used. In addition to ecological aspects, legal regulations and economic factors, such as the cost for drinking water and sewage, also play a part in this decision. FONTIS water preparation units have been developed especially for use with vehicle washing plants. In their compact form, they combine all the technology including the washing water storage tank, a quartz-gravel filter and a booster pump. The FONTIS can be equipped with an optional chemical pre-treatment stage (flocculation). Find out more about Wilcomatic’s comprehensive vehicle wash systems: www.wilcomatic.co.uk or send an email to sales@wilcomatic.co.uk ! ! ! %&%+ )', (*)% " ! ! VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 15 RAILFREIGHT GB Railfreight Loco 57310 dedicated to UK Railtours GB Railfreight (GBRf) has named Class 57 loco 57310 as ‘UK Railtours’ in a ceremony at Southend Central station. The nameplate was unveiled by UK Railtours’ (UKR) Managing Director Liz Morris and former Operations Director Simon Farrow; the children of the charter company’s founder, the late John Farrow. John’s widow Clare, owner of UKR, was also in attendance. The Class 57 re-dedication was conducted during the layover of the GBRf-operated ‘Thames Meanderer’ tour, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first rail tour that John Farrow organised under the auspices of the Lea Valley Railway Club. John independently established Hertfordshire Railtours in 1978, which was reformed as the contemporary UKR in 2007. Three locos have previously carried the name ‘Hertfordshire Railtours’, but 57310 is the first to appear as ‘UK Railtours’. Liz Morris, UK Railtours’ Managing Director, said, “We want to thank GBRf for this wonderful gesture, as well as our loyal customers, industry partners and volunteer stewards, without whom we simply wouldn’t be where we are today. We look forward to seeing where this amazing journey takes us over the next 50 years and hope to see 57310 ‘UK Railtours’ at the front of many of our special trains.” Kev Adlam, GB Railfreight Account Manager, said, “In the 50th anniversary year of John Farrow’s first train, it is only fitting that GBRf has dedicated a loco to his charter legacy. It is also a tribute to the team who have carried that torch forward since his death in 2020. We remain a proud and committed operational partner of UK Railtours.” Simon Farrow, Clare Farrow and Liz Morris of UK Railtours UK Railtours Managing Director Liz Morris and GBRf Account Manager Kev Adlam TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Register Free Supported by Free to attend Sustainable transport, logistics & supply chain management event for cargo owners 300 Exhibitors 60+ Conferences Digital sessions from Google Interactive AI Clinic Networking Drinks Party Celebrating 18 years of providing shippers and cargo owners with solutions to optimise their supply chains by improving efficiencies and sustainability goals Years
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 17 MULTIMODAL 2025 Register Free Free to attend Sustainable transport, logistics & supply chain management event for cargo owners 300 Exhibitors 60+ Conferences Digital sessions from Google Celebrating 18 years of providing shippers and cargo owners with solutions to optimise their supply chains by improving efficiencies and sustainability goals Years Your Supply Chain revolution starts now: Multimodal 2025 is fast approaching Are you ready to be part of the future of logistics? Multimodal 2025, the UK’s unrivalled supply chain and logistics event, is fast approaching. Bringing together the supply chain and logistics community for the 18th year, Multimodal in 2025 will take place from 17th to 19th June in Hall 4 at the NEC in Birmingham. This isn’t just another industry event; it’s a threeday immersion into innovation, connection and unprecedented opportunity. Once again, Multimodal will bring shippers and cargo owners to the free-to-attend show to improve their businesses by finding ways of moving their products more efficiently, more sustainably and more cost effectively. Hosting every logistics sector, Multimodal offers a unique opportunity to make valuable face-to-face contact with new prospects and to network with existing suppliers. Key vertical sectors attending include manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, FMCG, food & drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables. The event in 2024 was the most successful to date, with a sellout exhibition, unprecedented visitor numbers and the most ever entries to its industry-leading Awards. Over the three days of the show, 307 exhibitors showcased their products and services to 13,003 visitors – an increase of 6% on the previous year. In addition, the much coveted awards ceremony received over 250 entries, beating all previous figures. And for the third year running, the Awards evening was a complete sell-out. The logistics industry is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by advancements in automation, artificial intelligence and data analytics. Multimodal 2025 offers a platform to explore these technologies firsthand. Sustainability and ethical practices are increasingly important considerations for logistics professionals. Multimodal 2025 highlights the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility, showcasing eco-friendly logistics solutions and sustainable supply chain initiatives. Hosting every logistics sector, Multimodal offers a unique opportunity to make valuable face-to-face contact with new prospects and to network with existing suppliers, offering: Unprecedented access: Step into a world where shippers, cargo TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 18 MULTIMODAL 2025 owners and every facet of the logistics sector converge. Proven Success: 2024 smashed all previous records: a sold-out exhibition, unprecedented visitor numbers and award entries that redefined industry excellence. 307 exhibitors, 13,003 attendees and a sold-out awards evening. Knowledge engine: Free to attend conference sessions spanning across four theatres, curated with industry leaders and featuring presentations and discussions from Logistics UK, the United Kingdom Warehousing Association, the British International Freight Association the Cold Chain Federation, the Rail Freight Group, the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics, the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade and the Road Haulage Association. Digital leadership: Google Digital Garage is back once again, this year with nine sessions to arm you with digital and social marketing prowess. Plus, personalised mentoring sessions on their stand. AI Revolution: New for 2025: the AI Clinic. Interactive sessions and expert consultations delivered by Problems Solved. These clinics are an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about how AI can transform their business. Whether you have a specific AI issue or just want to understand how it can help improve your supply chain operations, the experts from Problems Solved will be on hand to provide practical advice and clear answers. The Multimodal exhibition will include hundreds of companies showcasing the latest innovations in supply chain, including Malcolm Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel, Maersk, Freightliner, DP World, COSCO, Port of Tyne, Bristol Port Company, Ocean Network Express (Europe), Maritime Transport, Great British Railways & Network Rail and Mediterranean Shipping Company. Multimodal will be hosting two networking events: the Multimodal Awards on 17th June and the Multimodal Mixer on 18th June. The Mixer is free to attend to all exhibitors and visitors and will take place on the 18th between 5pm and 7pm in the exhibition hall and gives all attendees a chance to carry on networking in a relaxed atmosphere over drinks and nibbles. You are invited! Register now: Secure your free pass to Multimodal at www.multimodal.org.uk. The Multimodal Awards, which celebrate excellence in rail, road, air, maritime and freight forwarding services were open for nominations until 28th March 2025 with voting for the finalists opening through to the 23rd May. The categories for nomination are Rail Freight Company, Road Freight Company, Air Freight Company, Sea Freight Company, Port Company and 3PL of the Year. As the Modal Awards are nominated and voted for by the thousands of readers of the Multimodal Newsletter and exhibitors and visitors to Multimodal, through an independent Awards nomination and voting system. This makes them one of the fairest industry Awards. All Award Winners will be announced at the sell-out Multimodal TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
www.truckandtrack.com Summer 2025 Truck and Track 19 MULTIMODAL 2025 2025 Awards evening held at the stunning VOX Centre on the NEC estate on the evening of 17th June. Reserve your seats at the Multimodal Awards at https://bit.ly/3XEe6uI Martin Bayfield is the Host of the 2025 Awards ceremony. A hugely entertaining after dinner speaker, with impeccable comic timing, Martin is a regular contributor to BT Sports Rugby coverage and was co-presenter on BBC’s Crimewatch for many years. Martin is currently a presenter for BT Sports Premiership Rugby and European Rugby Union tournaments, as well as being involved in popular shows such as Rugby Tonight for the channel. Martin has also been a key member of ITV’s broadcast team since 2016, being a regular presenter during the Six Nations. At 6’10” Martin Bayfield was one of the tallest players in rugby, a gift he used to full advantage as one of England’s most potent forwards. Since retiring, his height has helped win him the part of Robbie Coltrane’s body double as the giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. Multimodal 2025 isn’t just an event; it’s where you redefine your supply chain, unlock new opportunities and secure your competitive advantage. To find out more about being part of the exhibition, conference or the Multimodal Awards please visit www.multimodal.org.uk, or contact Robert Jervis, Event Director on +44 (0)20 7384 7760 - robert.jervis@clarionevents.com Visitors can register to attend at https://bit.ly/4jg8nUj or via the website. TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
Truck and Track Summer 2025 www.truckandtrack.com 20 MULTIMODAL 2025 In an industry where time is money and precision is everything, many transport operators find their current Transport Management System (TMS) is no longer fit for purpose. Your TMS isn’t working hard enough for your business if you still rely on manual processes, clunky workarounds or multiple systems that don’t speak to each other. At Fargo Systems, we frequently talk to businesses frustrated with the limitations of their legacy or offthe-shelf TMS, particularly regarding the planning and financial accuracy required in today’s intermodal logistics landscape. So, what should a modern TMS deliver, and how do standard systems fall short? Where Other TMS Platforms Fall Short Many solutions promise to streamline operations, but beneath the surface, they often rely on outdated structures and rigid logic. Here are some of the most common complaints we hear: ■ Traffic sheets lack intelligence: Containers are not intelligently matched to available trucks, and port delays or status changes are not visible. Planners are left in the dark. ■ Revenue accuracy is poor: Jobs split across multiple vehicles often result in imprecise profit and loss reporting, and finance teams can’t accurately account for resource usage. ■ Dashboards are just data dumps: Rather than insightful, real-time visualisation, many dashboards offer static data or generic views that don’t reflect business priorities. ■ Mapping isn’t integrated: Without live mapping tied to job status, fleet visibility remains limited and reactive. ■ Manual processes persist: Rate confirmations, invoices, and reports are often handled via email or external documents, adding time and introducing risk. What a Best-in-Class TMS Should Deliver Here’s what modern logistics operators can (and should) expect: Traffic Sheet Intelligence Fargo’s TopsTMS® doesn’t just display jobs - it thinks. Our smart traffic sheet includes: ■ Suggested Matches: Based on job details, container status and fleet availability. ■ Exception Alerts: Real-time port status integration and rule-based exception notifications. Mapping That Powers Decisions Integrated mapping provides visibility at a glance - supporting proactive planning, improving customer communication and reducing wasted mileage. True Fleet Profitability When a job spans multiple vehicles or resources, Fargo’s TMS accurately: “Proportions revenue across each allocated fleet unit and captures associated costs per trunk, offering a detailed and fair profit and loss breakdown.” This is especially critical for businesses operating at scale or with diverse fleets. Automation That Saves Time Why chase rate confirmations or rely on manual invoicing? ■ Rate Confirmations: Sent automatically based on job triggers. ■ Invoice Generation: Linked to job milestones - no double entry. ■ Reporting: Custom reports are pushed out automatically, ensuring stakeholders are always in the know. Dashboards That Drive Action Customisable dashboards for different roles mean everyone, from planners to directors, can view important KPIs updated in real-time. Steve Collins, Managing Director at Fargo Systems, commented, “Too many operators are still making do with outdated systems or off-the-shelf packages that simply can’t keep pace with the demands of intermodal logistics. Our TMS was built from the ground up to address the industry’s real-world challenges - not just automate outdated workflows, but rethink how technology should support operations.” Martin Phillips, CEO of Seacon SG, added, “Our partnership with Fargo Systems has transformed our inland container management. The transition from spreadsheets to TopsTMS® has streamlined operations and improved visibility and cost efficiency across our supply chain. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we grow.” Businesses That Deserve Better We believe companies shouldn’t have to compromise. If your business is still battling limitations from a legacy TMS or common provider limitations, it’s time to ask the question: So, is your TMS helping or holding you back? Discover the smarter alternative To see Fargo Systems’ award-winning intermodal TMS in action, get in touch for a no-obligation demo. Because you shouldn’t have to work around your software - your software should work around you. www.fargosystems.com From Gaps to Gains: What Modern Logistics Operators Expect from a TMS Fargo’s Managing Director, Steve Collins
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