Commercial Motor articles from February 2006

Commercial Motor archives from February 2006

EVENTS.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 2, 2006... RHA courses Drivers' hours 7 February Heathrow 21 February Banbury Manual handling 8 February Heathrow Working Time Directive 14 February Hull Digital tachographs 15 February Milton Keynes 16 February Bristol 21 February...

An LGV by any other name.(Letter to the Editor)
February 2, 2006... Having just read your excellent article headed 'Train of Thought' (CM 12 January), there is only small criticism I have of it. Within the training industry we refer to HGVs as LGVs. It would be of benefit to use LGV when writing articles about...

Banned operator's fleet was 'accident waiting to happen'.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Licence was lost after company failed to comply with maintenance undertakings because director's "mind had been on other things". AFter three public inquiries, Gwynedd-based Jonathan Williams-Ellis, trading as Glasfryn Hire, has had its...

Boardall warns of tough times ahead.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Reed Boardall Cold Storage, one of the UK's largest temperature-controlled food-distribution firms, increased its turnover by more than [pounds sterling]1m last year but its profits fell 11% to [pounds sterling]3.2m. The Boroughbridge,...

Buncefield tanker drivers suffering from stress.
February 2, 2006... Several tanker drivers forced to run for their lives after the Buncefield oil depot explosion are off work with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nine drivers on contract for Total and Texaco are on long-term sick leave with PTSD,...

Business Post shares hit by a poor report.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Business Post's profits have not improved but with restructuring the new CEO believes it is about to turn a corner. Dominic Perry reports. Beleaguered express delivery firm Business Post has seen its share price plunge by almost 20% on the...

Chart fiddling at supermarket costs [pounds sterling]200.
February 2, 2006... A driver with a perishable load removed his tachograph chart so he could complete a supermarket delivery - but this offence cost him a total of [pounds sterling]200 in fines and costs. Shaun Stone of Ilminster, Essex pleaded guilty to...

Clipper sails up North.
February 2, 2006... Long standing independent Iveco dealership Northern Commercials has been bought by logistics specialist Clipper Group. Logistics company Clipper Group has bought Iveco dealer Northern Commercials. The deal, says a group spokesman, will help...

Confusion surrounds Forth toll increases.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Hauliers waiting to find out whether they will have a route over the Forth Estuary and, if so, how much it will cost are still in the dark. David Harris reports. The future of tolls on the Forth Bridge remains uncertain this week after the...

Congestion charge under fire.
February 2, 2006... London's congestion charging scheme is to face a fresh attack, this time from the van and truck rental sector. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) plans to launch a campaign against the charge, focusing on the way...

Crackdown on solo tractors.
February 2, 2006... West Midlands Police are to pay closer attention to tractor units running without trailers in an attempt to clamp down on truck theft. From this week, any police officer on routine patrol who spots a tractor unit will pull it over...

Divide and conquer.(Bell Trucks)
February 2, 2006... Growth in the van and truck sectors has led Mercedes-Benz franchise Bell Trucks to invest [pounds sterling]3.5m in providing dedicated centres across the North-East. Kevin Swallow reports. Over the next 18 months Bell Trucks will divide and...

Driver training programmes are too limited.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Yet again I am amazed by the extremely restricted approach taken by driver training courses, as highlighted by your article 'Train Of Thought' (CM 12 January). When it comes to the City & Guilds 3291 HGV Driver Certificate syllabus, there...

EC emission limit is tougher than Euro-5.
February 2, 2006... UP TO 25% OF the heavy vehicles operating in the public sector will have to comply with European EEV (enhanced environmental vehicle) emission standards, under new Brussels proposals. The previously non-mandatory EEV limits, which are...

EC ups digitach pressure.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... The European Commission is piling pressure on European Union member states to introduce digital tachographs in May, though the exact deadline has yet to be revealed. The EC has given EU governments until 1 March to report on how they will...

Enforce limits on A-roads.
February 2, 2006... IN RESPONSE to the letters regarding overtaking bans and 40mph limits (CM 22 December 2005), the speed limit for HGVs on the A14 is 50mph. So if trucks are travelling above that speed (and I know they are), they are breaking the law. ...

Red alert!(fuel regulations)
February 2, 2006... Customs is taking a hard look at red diesel and may ban at least two categories of vehicle from running on the cheap. Pat Hagan reports. Everybody knows the Treasury hates losing money. So with an estimated [pounds sterling]600m a year...

Extra tankers and drivers for extra work.(Dennis Dixon)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... New contracts worth [pounds sterling]400,000 a year have prompted Middlesbrough haulage company Dennis Dixon to buy five new Feldbinder tankers and take on two additional drivers. MD Steve Dixon says the company recently won a contract...

Operator Manual Road Transport Free Reader Offer!
February 2, 2006... Last year CM produced a great pack outlining all the areas of operation you need to understand. It's been so well received by new applicants we thought we'd give the rest of you an opportunity to own this great publication. The Commercial...

Fresh hope for British driver.
February 2, 2006... A British driver imprisoned abroad on drugs charges may be home soon. David Harris reports. British truck driver Steven Toplass, imprisoned in Spain on disputed charges of smuggling cannabis, could be home by spring. Toplass's...

From Palletline to Palletways.(IJ McGill Transport)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... BRISTOL HAULAGE firm IJ McGill Transport says it has had a successful first month in the Palletline network following its move from rival Palletways. McGill started with Palletline on 1 January, taking over the Bristol postcode from...

Fuels rush in.(Detroit Automobile Dealers Association)
February 2, 2006... The Detroit Auto Show might seem far away and irrelevant - but, as Oliver Dixon reports, this year's extravaganza could directly affect your bottom line as the stateside giants join the move towards diesel. The first Detroit Auto...

German toll leads to French charge.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... France is to charge trucks over 12 tonnes for using certain roads in the Alsace region as part of a five-year trial. The charge is seen as a response to the extra traffic travelling through eastern France following the introduction of the...

Gist to be sold off in BOC takeover deal?
February 2, 2006... Logistics group Gist may be sold off if parent group BOC is taken over by rival industrial gas giant Linde of Germany. Analysts believe that Gist, which employs 5,500 people and operates more than 1,000 vehicles, would be sold because it is...

Grand designs.
February 2, 2006... Dobbs Logistics has established itself in the pallets arena and aims to field a pick-and-pack operation. Tim Maughan took a look at this growing company and its up-and-coming East Sussex base. A Wellington-clad Stephen Morgan stands in a...

IN THE NEWS.
February 2, 2006... Stuart Thomas brings you his regular round-up of the way our local and national press has covered the wonderful world of road transport this week... "G-string ghost puts willies up truckers." No, this challenging headline does not come...

In excellent condition.
February 2, 2006... British Car Auctions is the latest company to report a strong start to light CV sales this year. UK business development manager Duncan Ward explains. NEED TO KNOW Current trends Fact file BCA recently won the Institute of...

Insure as you drive by 2010.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Pay-as-you-drive insurance and a satellite-based road-user charge system will become the norm by 2010, according to a new German-based traffic management company. Satellic Traffic Management is part of T-Systems, which was involved in...

It's May Day for D-Day - probably.
February 2, 2006... They're here at last... digital tachographs become a reality this spring. But is the industry ready to embrace the future? Adam Hill reports. Digital tachographs are finally with us. You could be forgiven for raising an eyebrow at this;...

Key to success.
February 2, 2006... Imagine if you arrived at the yard on Monday morning and all the keys left on site had disappeared. If we're talking even a modest fleet of delivery vehicles off the road for a few hours while replacements are sorted, the implications are...

Logistics outsourcing set to rise.
February 2, 2006... A e10bn rise in logistics spend is forecast by 2010 - but 3PLs will have to understand their target markets if they are to benefit. THE ANALYST Chris Morgan, Automotive & Logistics Datamonitor Profit is the great motivator in...

More Hinos for Murphy.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... This is the first of 14 Hino 700 Series trucks destined for civil engineering firm Murphy. The 8x4 is fitted with an HMF1144 loader and Charlton Grablite body. The trucks, supplied by Valley Trucks, join 15 Hinos already with the Murphy fleet....

New director joins the Potter Group board.(Paul Byrne )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Ripon, NORTH Yorks-based road and rail specialist The Potter Group has appointed a new director to its board. Reigate businessman Paul Byrne is currently a director of a number of other companies, including the freight...

New way to play it cool.
February 2, 2006... Renault truck dealer RH Commercial Vehicles and Siemens VDO are in the final stages of trialling a lightweight generator that they claim could revolutionise reefer power systems. After 18 months' work, Siemens has completed a prototype for...

North-East to receive a mega multi-modal site.
February 2, 2006... A multi-million-pound road and rail freight interchange is to be built just outside Durham. The local authority-backed scheme is at Bowburn, south of Durham city, near the east coast main line and the A1. A spokesman for Durham County...

Operator claims [pounds sterling]4,000 from firm that fell and rose again.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A West Yorkshire operator claims to be owed [pounds sterling]4,000 by a collapsed Staffordshire transport company that gave him work just days before its demise. Administrators were called into Bridgens Transport in Tamworth on 19...

Outlying Jigsaw trio give up their places on the board.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Three founder members of the Jigsaw consortium have given up their places on its board as three new firms join up. Dominic Perry reports. Pollock (Scotrans), Elldis Transport and Macfarlane Transport will no longer have any say in...

Palletline made a loss in 'challenging year'.(Palletline Espana)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Pallet network Palletline made pre-tax losses of almost [pounds sterling]800,000 for the year ending 30 June 2005. But the firm says it has made a profit of nearly [pounds sterling]500,000 in the first half of the current financial year. ...

Police to discuss rise in violence against truckers.
February 2, 2006... FiGHTING THE escalating rate of violent truck crime is likely to dominate this month's meeting of the police truck crime group JAGOLT at the Kent police HQ. Discussion will centre on the problem of aggravated robberies, covering...

Prepare to charge.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Brian Weatherley's eye has been caught by the German Transport Minister's recent comments about the UK. Does he mean us? Hasn't anyone told the Germans we've dumped Lorry Road User Charging (LRUC)? I recently received a confusing e-mail...

Removals firm 'lucky to keep licence'.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A London removals firm has lost its appeal against a cut in licence authority and must now operate with less than a third of its fleet. The Transport Tribunal said the company was lucky to escape revocation. Battersea-based Moving Home had...

Running for Profit.
February 2, 2006... Want to make 2006 your year of high profitability? Get things started by attending Running for Profit in Road Transport, a conference that will be hosted by Commercial Motor and Freight Best Practice. As a commercial vehicle operator, you...

Setting sail for new horizons.
February 2, 2006... Dominic Perry speaks to Brittany Ferries' Jon Clarke about some surprisingly familiar issues: rising fuel prices, a competitive market, and the effect of regulation. Jon Clarke is a man of, seemingly, a thousand stories. Our...

Stressed out.
February 2, 2006... Reducing workplace stress can prevent expensive compensation claims. Anna West reports. Stress in the workplace is a growing problem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that in 2003/4 more than half a million people in Britain...

Strong bid for P&O.(P and O Cold Logistics)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Global logistics and transport operator P&O is likely to be bought by a state-owned ports operator from the Middle East. Dubai Ports World is offering [pounds sterling]3.9bn for P&O, which runs the container ports at Tilbury ...

THE LITTLE BiG TRUCK.
February 2, 2006... Although it sits alongside its cousin, the LF55, in the 18-tonne sector, the Daf CF65 claims a niche all of its own. Colin Barnett puts it to the test. Parent company Paccar may be the last major American-owned truck maker, and Daf...

Technology 'the best method' of keeping trailers in place.
February 2, 2006... Losing a trailer is every artic driver's nightmare, so what aren't more trucks fitted with warning devices? Julian Milnes reports. Almost 20% of drivers have managed to drop a trailer at some point in their career; and of those 25% have...

The ins and outs of maintenance.
February 2, 2006... Handling your own maintenance has much to commend it - but so does contracting out. Steve Banner examines the pros and cons. Operators tired of scouring the land for technicians, wrestling with a mountain of health and safety regulations,...

There's no profit in haulage.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Rygor Group Services reduced its involvement in general haulage last year as pre-tax profits shrank to just [pounds sterling]7,881. Clive Squire, director of the Wiltshire-based distribution, warehousing and contract-hire company, says it...

Trailer is lost and found.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Thank you on behalf of Susan Purkiss at AJ Purkiss Ltd for getting the announcement headed 'Trailer sought' into the magazine (CM 19 January). The trailer in question was spotted on 23 January in a lay-by off Junction 9 of the A1 heading...

Tribunal refuses to return unlicensed tractor unit.
February 2, 2006... An operator has failed to convince the Transport Tribunal that his vehicle was being used for recovery work at the time it was impounded, so it will not be returned. Steven Ellis, trading as RRFS Truck Hire of Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts, had...

Truck crime gangs across the country.
February 2, 2006... Millions of pounds of goods are stolen each year - but who's targeting transport companies and where do they come from? Bridget Carter asked police forces around the country... Police operations Police teams have been set up to deal...

Turnover's up at CS Ellis but profit is static.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A new depot and contract wins have boosted turnover at the CS Ellis group by [pounds sterling]1m. However, pre-tax profits for the Rutland-based haulier rose by just [pounds sterling]12,000, to [pounds sterling]329,000 in the year ending...

Two-week suspension for running unspecified truck.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A Dumfries owner-driver who continued to run a truck on a surrendered English O-licence has had his Scottish Area licence suspended for two weeks. Paul Toner, trading as TS Transport, appeared before Scottish Deputy Traffic Commissioner...

When two become one.(Keltruck)
February 2, 2006... Midlands-based independent Scania truck dealership Keltruck has enjoyed a bumper year, with 2005 breaking all previous records. Kevin Swallow finds out more. The amalgamation of Keltruck and East Midlands Commercials 12 months ago...

Willi Betz on UK expansion trail with Staffordshire depot.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... German haulage company Willi Betz is continuing its UK expansion and searching for a site near Burton on Tent. Guy Sheppard reports. European transport giant Willi Betz is poised to strengthen its foothold in the UK by opening a...

An ERF but not as we knew it.
February 9, 2006... With ERF picking up a CM Testers' Choice award this year, we delved into the archives to see what else the manufacturer had won. Back in 2004 the ECT took the 'best tractor' category. Given the current question mark over the future of ERF,...

Anger over rebirth of failed recruiter.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... A recruitment company in the North-West has angered owner-drivers by going into administration, only to start trading again days later as a new firm but with the same director. According to accountants Kroll, Driver Provider in...

BUYERS' UPDATE.(Buyers Guide)
February 9, 2006... CM aims to deliver the most accurate road transport information. But whenever a gremlin sneaks in, we're happy to set the record straight. * Unfortunately, our first issue of the year, the Buyers' Guide (5 January), contained a few...

BVRLA challenges London congestion charge system.
February 9, 2006... Transport for London (TfL) could face a legal challenge to the way it administers the fines system for its congestion charging scheme. The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) is threatening action unless TfL makes...

Breathing space for revoked operator.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... AN 11-TRUCK operation has won a two-month breathing space from revocation to allow a new licence application to go ahead. Its director blamed a postal mix-up for having lost touch with the Traffic Area Office. The Transport Tribunal...

Britvic distribution changes hit hauliers.
February 9, 2006... Drinks giant Britvic has shaken up its distribution operation and left several regional hauliers lacking in fizz. Dominic Perry reports. Several well-known family firms are set to be left high and dry by a shake-up in Britvic's distribution...

CATCH-22 FOR NEW DRIVERS.
February 9, 2006... Every week Commercial Motor receives letters heavy with frustration, pain and uncertainty from newly qualified drivers of all ages who have invested thousands on gaining their LGV licences because they had heard there was a skills shortage....

CM's back on the show trail!(Commercial Motors)(Truck & Driver )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... Commercial Motor and Truck & Driver are teaming up with Truckfest organisers Live Promotions for the 2006 season. We're delighted to be back on the Truckfest scene for 2006 and beyond, and it's good news for Truckfest too. Live...

City Truck bosses face fraud charges.
February 9, 2006... Two former directors of City Truck Group, David Gee and Kevin Smedley, appeared in City of London Magistrate's Court last week on fraud charges. Gee and Smedley, respectively chief executive and finance director of the Milton Keynes...

County council refuses to fund rural restrictions.
February 9, 2006... Weight watchdogs in Leicestershire have admitted that they do not have enough cash to enforce truck weight limits in rural areas. Trading Standards is responsible for policing these restrictions, but a flood of complaints from villagers in...

Daf updates LF for Euro-4.
February 9, 2006... Daf's Euro-4 LF has received an in-cab upgrade to go with its new engine. CM takes an exclusive first look at all the changes. Euro-4 versions of Daf's big-selling light-middleweight LF truck range are already bodied and liveried,...

Dealers slashing deposits.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... In an effort to shift trucks from the forecourt, dealers are slashing the deposits required by purchasing schemes. Kevin Swallow reports. Used truck dealers are looking to go that extra mile to save you cash or give you something extra...

Deep-sea port extension will boost business at Felixstowe.
February 9, 2006... Plans to develop our top container port could lead to more work for local operators. David Harris reports. The OPERATOR of the UK's biggest container port plans to increase its capacity by more than 50% by building a new terminal. The...

Double trouble.
February 9, 2006... Drivers fined in court may still have to face the wrath of the TC. How should they prepare? Transport lawyer Gary Hodgson reports. A driver who commits an offence and is prosecuted and fined may believe he has received enough punishment....

EU enlargement 'is leading to crackdown on cabotage'.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... According to a Dutch lawyer, cabotage is coming under increasing scrutiny across the European Union. Guy Sheppard reports. A crackdown on cabotage operations in the UK heralds a new wave of protectionism in European road transport,...

East London operators face eviction for Olympic Games.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... In the race to get London ready for the Olympics some East End operators may get trampled underfoot. David Harris reports. A haulier who was forced to move premises because of Olympic redevelopment could face a rent hike of over 500%,...

EVENTS.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
February 9, 2006... RHA courses Drivers' hours 21 February Banbury Working Time Directive 14 February Hull 1 March Enfield Digital tachographs 15 February Milton Keynes 16 February Bristol 21 February Plymouth Manual handling 21 February...

GLOBAL VIEW.
February 9, 2006... Truck sales fell by 40% in the Netherlands last year but in the US demand for LGVs surged by 25%. Who cares? As Oliver Dixon explains, you should, because nowadays it really is a small world. There were worse things to be...

FTA warning over Euro hours changes.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... The European Parliament (EP) has finally agreed new regulations governing the drivers' hours rules - but the Freight Transport Association warns that the subtle changes could cause a major headache for UK operators. The EP...

Fiery operator told to cool it for five years.
February 9, 2006... A Cambridgeshire operator who set fire to a pile of tachograph records in front of a traffic examiner has been taken off the road. Eastern Traffic Commissioner Geoffrey Simms has confirmed his decision to disqualify Ely, Cambs-based...

Firm ignores advice from Vosa and loses licence.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... Lack of co-operation with Vosa and a string of tachograph and hours offences have cost a Newcastle operator its licence. East Coast Transport (ECT) had its licence revoked by North-Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney after vehicle...

Former Kilsyth boss bids for new licence.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... A Scottish operator who helped run Kilsyth Transport Services (KTS) with his brother before it was liquidated has applied for an O-licence for his new company, Brady Transport. Murray Brady angered creditors just over a year ago when a...

Innovate Logistics bids for two more firms.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... As CM went to press, Innovate Logistics' MD Pete Osborne confirmed he is bidding to buy two more companies. There are strong rumours that one of the firms is Stockport haulier RF Fielding. This comes less than 12 months after...

Ken Thomas claws its way out of the red.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... documents JUST filed at Companies House show the depth of last year's financial crisis at Cambridgeshire haulage and warehousing firm Ken Thomas. Last March the company reached agreement with creditors to enter into a creditors' voluntary...

Last-minute rescue for Leeds haulier.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... A well-known haulage company which looked likely to close has had its assets bought up by a new business. Dominic Perry reports. A high-profile haulage company has been rescued after it was on the verge of collapse. Leeds-based...

Light CV market looking buoyant.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... There's optimism in the air as Manheim Auctions, light CV sales director Alex Wright reports an encouraging start to 2006. The strongest performer in the car/van sector is the new-shape Vauxhall Corsa, which is regularly achieving up to...

Logistics firm majors on 'excellent' training.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... InnovAte Logistics says it will ensure that its staff are provided with continuing professional development when it opens a "centre of excellence" next to its Nottingham HQ. According to MD Pete Osborne, Space27, the office workspace and...

MEET THE CM TEAM.(Commercial Motors)
February 9, 2006... Investigations, roadtests, interviews, opinions... Commercial Motor has it all. But have you ever wondered where we get it from? We take you behind the pages at CM to introduce the team and tell you a little about how we work to bring you...