Truck and Track Spring 2021

www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2021 Truck and Track 3 FOREWORD by Barbara Ryan, Publishing Director, Truck and Track As we slowly emerge from the combined effects of both Brexit and Covid-19, I have to say that I’m really optimistic about the future of the UK’s logistics industry. So what’s the reason for my optimism? Firstly, Paul Sanders, Chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), reports that member companies of the Association were expecting 2020 to be a tough year – and it certainly was! However, typifying the industry’s resilience, APN members were well prepared and responded positively. The Association’s members delivered record volumes of 27.8 million pallets, 63% of which were on a Next Day service. This represented a growth of 3.2% in the year whilst a 5.5% growth in quarter pallets was largely due to the home delivery effect. In fact, home deliveries in April represented almost 36% of all pallets delivered compared to an average of 17% over the previous 12 months. Encouragingly, service levels also remained high at an average of 96% despite the trading conditions. My second example is the news of investments to support growth or to bring new products to market. For instance, DP World has announced a £40 million investment in the Port of Southampton to take it up to the next level as a premier international freight and logistics hub. Also, Stertil Dock Products has invested heavily to develop its Combilok G2 automated vehicle restraint system which effectively prevents inadvertent vehicle movement during loading and unloading operations. Similarly, TruTac, a member company of the Microlise Group, has developed and launched a more comprehensive version of TruTime – its market-proven timekeeping software that’s relied upon by many businesses throughout the commercial transport industry. Finally, three of the industry’s most important trade exhibitions have been rescheduled to take place during 2021. IntraLogisteX 2021 will be held at the Ricoh Arena on 1st and 2nd July whilst the Commercial Vehicle Show will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from 31st August to 2nd September. At the same venue, six weeks later, Multimodal 2021 will welcome exhibitors and visitors from 19th to 21st October. It’s clear from the rescheduling of these shows that confidence is beginning to return. I would urge all of us to support these events and, once again, take the opportunity to meet with customers and suppliers. I can’t be the only one who feels that, whilst online meetings have been vital in helping to maintain business relationships, they’re no substitute for face to face meetings and networking. Our Summer issue will include previews of both the Commercial Vehicle andMultimodal shows. In themeantime, I hope you enjoy reading this issue. Barbara Ryan CONTENTS Page 4 BUSINESS NEWS 22 BREXIT - DESCARTES 26 TACHOGRAPH ANALYSIS 30 OILS & LUBRICANTS 32 FUEL MANAGEMENT 36 LOADING BAYS 37 WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT 43 PALLET NETWORKS 50 SPOTLIGHT ON CULINA GROUP 55 SAFETY & SECURITY 61 DANGEROUS GOODS 67 LOGISTICS 69 PORTS 74 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: Warwick Printing Company 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 TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk