Commercial Motor articles from March 2007

Commercial Motor archives from March 2007

This Week.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... GIVE US A CHANCE TO COMPETE The market share of UK international hauliers has dropped to just 25.4%, with fierce competition growing from the French, Germans, Dutch and EU accession states in particular. It's not a great picture but...

FTA victory on EU hours.(This Week)(Freight Transport Association )(European Union)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The FTA has persuaded the government to change its interpretation of the latest EU drivers hours' regs, giving greater protection to operators whose drivers commit hours offences. The regs, which come into force on 11 April, give member...

Legal.
March 1, 2007... Making the sacrifice Employers can use a 'salary sacrifice scheme' to train their employees while simultaneously cutting their tax bill. Karl Vernum explains how. Over the past two or three years employers have become familiar with...

Legal.
March 1, 2007... Waste not want not The EU Waste Framework Directive is set to boost recycling of waste, assuming that it becomes law in 2009. David Craik reviews the directive from an operator's point of view. Last month the European Parliament...

This Week.(Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... DO NOT DELETE I know that when I step up on my soap box it's usually to talk about something I hate. Today however, is different. Today I'm talking about something we all hate. Vosa. Yes, yes, I know it does a sterling job. I know the...

Operations.(dialogue)(Interview)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... What got you started in transport? My father was a transport manager and, along with my brother, we started our own family transport company in 1973 which gave me a real taste for the truck industry. I then joined Volvo Trucks in Irvine,...

Operations.
March 1, 2007... International high flyer Truck racing, a depot in Germany and in-house vehicle building projects - three things that distinguish Bird's Groupage Services from the average operator. Tim Maughan reports. Despite foreign competition,...

Operations.(Highways Agency puts up bilingual road signs on the Shropshire-Cheshire border)(Tractor driver Ian Parker charged for drunken driving)(Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders's West End headquarters )(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... It's often said that it's a funny old world, and the past week has done nothing to disprove that. We started off with the story of the bilingual road signs erected by the Highways Agency on a major road diversion on the Shropshire-Cheshire...

Operations.
March 1, 2007... Truck tyres take more abuse over their lifespan than sports referees, and nobody is more aware of this than the manufacturers. As a result, they try to satisfy the numerous demands that will be made on their product, and find feasible...

Operations.
March 1, 2007... AIR APPARENT pros l Tyre pressure monitoring systems instantly warn the driver of a puncture. l The vehicle can be driven at reduced speed with a deflated tyre. l Accidents will be reduced by ruling out blow-outs. l There...

FEET OF RUBBER.(Operations)
March 1, 2007... As we all know, the only contacts between vehicle and road are footprint-size patches of tyre. Competition to develop the safest, most economical and durable products is fierce - Steve Banner rounds up the latest contenders. Bridgestone...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... Transport Trends 2006 This week's Analysis takes a look at Transport Trends 2006, recently published by the Department for Transport. Which direction is the industry heading in - and what fresh challenges can it expect to face? ...

This Week.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Ireland plans service trials of duty-free pure plant oil The Irish Department of Transport plans to launch a pilot scheme under which 50 trucks and coaches will be operated on pure plant oil for a year. Operators will receive grants...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... Council demands cash for LGV underpass in Epsom Epsom and Ewell Council in Surrey has asked the government for [pounds sterling]18m to build a road improvement scheme to ease traffic congestion in residential areas. The new road - the...

This Week.(Fowler Welch-Coolchain financial news)(Financial report)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... FW-Coolchain ups turnover by [pounds sterling]14m and cuts fuel bill The refrigerated transport company also managed to increase its fleet mileage with fewer vehicles and trailers. David Harris reports. Fowler Welch-Coolchain sharply...

A bridge too low.(This Week)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Incredibly, no one was injured in this freak accident in Scotland last week. An investigation is now under way to discover how the rear of the tipper truck became wedged under the gantry on the M80 between Glasgow and Stirling. Thousands...

Jailed after fatal smash.(This Week)(Andreas Klassen sentenced to prison)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... A German TRUCK driver has been jailed for five years for falling asleep at the wheel and killing four people. Andreas Klassen, 51, was said to be doing 54mph when he smashed into stationary traffic near the M6 junction with the M6 Toll road...

This Week.(Hastings Freight's green procurement policy)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Hastings Canters to a smaller carbon footprint HASTINGS-DG [HEAD] Hastings chooses larger-payload Canter for city work Barlborough, Derbs-based distribution firm Hastings Freight has taken its first steps to a green...

This Week.(HelioSlough)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Battle continues over plans for St Albans road-rail site Residents near the Hertfordshire site are applauding the district council's decision - but the developer intends to appeal. David Harris reports. Plans to build a massive...

MPs attack Vosa plans.(This Week)
March 1, 2007... The Transport Select Committee has criticised LGV safety standards and what it sees as privatisation of Vosa. Dylan Gray reports. The Transport Select Committee pulls no punches: "We are concerned that the Vosa responsibilities considered...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... I read Brian Weatherley's comments with disbelief when he dismissed 1.6 million, as he put it, "disgruntled motorists" writing to protest about road tolling. I didn't sign any petition, mainly because I think it's a waste of time and effort -...

This Week.(Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. acquires Euro-5 Iveco Stralis rigids)(HJ Lines to launch freight ferry service)(LGV drivers tobe fined for mobile phone use)
March 1, 2007... Job offer NFT Distribution drivers in Elstree have been offered jobs in Waltham, Kent following a change in its Sainsbury's contract. AdBlue lagoons Coca-Cola Enterprises has acquired 10 Euro-5 Iveco Stralis rigids with...

This Week.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... All-time low for UK share of international road freight The FTA blames foreign carriers "laden with cheap fuel", allowing them to offer cut-price backload rates to the Continent. Dylan Gray reports. The UK'S market share of...

This Week.(Ivor King)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Ivor King upgrades from an FH12 to a 660hp FH16 to haul 70-tonne plant Nuneaton, Warks-based sheet piling contractor Ivor King has taken delivery of a Volvo FH16-660 6x4 tractor to haul heavy cranes and piling machines. "We had been...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... VW publishes two lists of approved converters Volkswagen has formalised its approved van conversion offering with a new dual-level scheme, marketed as the 'Engineered for You' and 'Engineered to Go' programmes. Engineered for You is an...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... The majority of fleets have up to 150 tyres. The remaining 43% have more than that, with 12% of the total having more than 600. With volumes like this, it is clear to see why such a large number of operators opt for regrooving and retreading.

Legal.
March 1, 2007... DO NOT DELETE

Operations.
March 1, 2007... DO NOT DELETE

Legal.(Licence for Cookes Haulage revoked on financial grounds)(Vehicle belonging to Lakha Scaffolding impounded for want of O-licence)(Pegasus Logistical Solutions denied one-vehicle international licence on financial grounds)
March 1, 2007... Tribunal will not return scaffolding vehicle Firm's capacity to earn is doubted by Tribunal in licence revocation appeal The revocation on financial grounds of the licence held by Brighton-based Alexander and Sandra Cooke, trading as...

Legal.(Yvan Vandermeulen)
March 1, 2007... This was not a case of the driver falling asleep momentarily - the driver had been a professional operating a vehicle when he knew that he'd had inadequate sleep Losing its appeal Freight Best Practice Operational efficiency...

Legal.
March 1, 2007... TC rejects operator's claim that dog ate his O-licence The TC decides that a livestock operator attempted to deceive the authorities into thinking he had an O-licence. Mike Jewell reports. A Fife livestock haulier has failed in his bid...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... Volunteers are needed for a charity's Ivecos Hope and Aid Direct, a charity that transports humanitarian aid via truck convoys, is looking for help with servicing and maintenance of its two Iveco tractor units and trailers. Neither...

This Week.(Birds Groupage Services)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Bird's sings praise of 'far simpler' ERG Bird's Groupage Services has snubbed SCR technology and replaced 40 of its Mercedes trucks with Euro-4 MAN TGA tractor units that rely on EGR. This represents a manufacturer switch for Bird's,...

This Week.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Hijackings soar in the West Midlands with more guns Hijackings of trucks in the West Midlands have almost doubled in a year, with criminals increasingly resorting to firearms or deception. Pete Swingler reports. Nineteen LGVs were...

This Week.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Boost your efficiency with free one-day seminars A series of free seminars designed to help operators reduce costs and maximise their profits are taking place around the country this month following a successful run last year. The...

This Week.
March 1, 2007... BODYBUILDING specialist Wilcox Commercial Vehicles, which is based near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, reports that it is satisfied with its trading activities last year, despite seeing its profits dip. Pre-tax profit for the financial...

Paul Hodgson jobs saved.(This Week)
March 1, 2007... The purchase of a car transport specialist in the North-East by A1 Automotive has saved 31 drivers' jobs. Paul Hodgson Transport was snapped up immediately after administrators from Begbies Traynor were called in to sort out the firm's...

This Week.(Ascroft International)(R Ascroft Plant Hire)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... No O-licence for director who fitted interrupters Preston, Lancs-based R Ascroft Plant Hire has been refused an operator's licence for six vehicles. North-Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Mark Hinchliffe rejected the application...

Morrisons wants night drops.(This Week)(William Morrison Supermarkets PLC)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Supermarket giant Morrisons is pushing for night-time deliveries at its supermarkets in Felixstowe and Derbyshire. Morrisons is seeking permission for five deliveries a night at its Grange Farm Avenue, Felixstowe store. Despite...

Liquidated client hits profit and turnover at Gerry Jones.(This Week)(Gerry Jones Transport)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Gerry Jones Transport absorbs a [pounds sterling]250,000 bad debt but stays in the black - and the firm promises to bounce back. Chris Tindall reports. Family-owned operator Gerry Jones Transport was forced to increase its bank loans last...

MAN's web aftercare.(This Week)
March 1, 2007... MAN is to offer its Fleet Management package as standard on all vehicles supplied with its repair and maintenance contracts. The new web-based package is powered by Microlise, a Nottingham-based specialist in supply-chain management...

Free parking at SED 2007.(This Week)
March 1, 2007... Visitors to the Truckzone at the SED construction show are promised easier access than last year: in a bid to reduce the queues, parking at SED 2007 will be free. The show has employed a traffic management consultant to improve traffic...

Stobart buys 500 Scanias.(This Week)(Eddie Stobart Ltd.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Eddie Stobart is spending [pounds sterling]27m on 500 new Scanias - the firm's biggest order to date. Half the new trucks replace ageing vehicles the rest are part of a programme to boost the fleet to 1,300. The Euro-4 EGR vehicles will be...

TJ Slater goes into administration.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... When a company goes into administration it might still be sold - but probably not if it also faces a Vosa prosecution. Chris Tindall reports. A tanker operator facing a Vosa prosecution for conspiring to falsify tachograph records has gone...

Sherwood's fantastic four.(Sherwood Automotive Group Inc.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Now operating from four sites, Sherwood is optimistic about the future of its new and used truck and van sales. Steve Banner reports. Iveco dealership Sherwood, based in Blackwell, Derbyshire, aims to boost retail and trade used sales from...

auction floorA good year on the.(Used Trucks)
March 1, 2007... In 2006, demand exceeded supply in the used CV market as a host of market factors took hold - but buyers still only splashed out on stock in decent condition. Manheim Auctions' sales director Alex Wright explains. The used light CV market...

Peace breaks out at Suckling.(Suckling Transport)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The T&G union has suspended industrial action planned by drivers on Suckling Transport's Conoco contract after assurances that the company would revise its pay deal. In last-ditch negotiations between the union and Suckling directors, a deal...

Operations.
March 1, 2007... CM.01MR07.OPS.RTEXPERT.CB ROAD TEST: Peugeot Expert HDi 120 [STANDFIRST] In these days of evolutionary engineering, it's rare for a completely new model to be launched. The new medium van from the PSA/Fiat stable is the nearest we've...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Co-operation is the key Moving freight from road to rail and water requires operators and local government to work together - so how much co-operation was in evidence at the FTA Freight Summit 2007? Louise Cole reports. A major purpose...

This Week.(free movement of key vehicles )
March 8, 2007... IT'S LONELY AT THE DfT... The guys at the Department for Transport must be feeling quite lonely. Just as they're warning the public that road pricing is inevitable - that it is no longer a question of 'if' but 'how' - the Prime...

Operations.(CF85.410 turbodiesel engines by Commercial Motor Co.)
March 8, 2007... Nothing lasts forever. The tried and trusted Euro-3 Daf XE 12.6-litre straight-six turbo-diesel that did so well in Daf's XF95 and CF85 is now history in its place, for Euro-4/5, is the new 13-litre MX lump which comes with more cube, more...

Operations.
March 8, 2007... Eyes front! Common eye conditions Glaucoma The optic nerve is damaged due to raised pressure inside the eye. This condition affects about 2% of population over the age of 40 it becomes more common with increasing age and can...

Operations.(Modec's new hybrid electric trucks)(Product/service evaluation)
March 8, 2007... at a glance Switching to electric power to help save the environment is all well and good, but if it's going to be to the detriment of performance and reliability then the reality is that most operators will stick with what they know. ...

Operations.(Jon Sparks of Sparks Transport)(Interview)
March 8, 2007... The Vital As an example of the typical British haulage company, Sparks Transport of Glastonbury, Somerset seems to fit the bill. It's a long-established, self-described "general haulier", a family-owned concern with a 66-strong fleet and...

This Week.(21st Century Logistics faces losses)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... 21st Century Logistics is in the black - just... 21st Century Logistics, the operating arm of Kent family firm The Dodd's Group, stayed in the black by the skin of its teeth last year after the loss of a contract with Britvic. Pre-tax...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... What got you started in transport / the truck industry? I've worked in the vehicle leasing and rental industry for more than 17 years, however my current role at ATS Euromaster is solely focused on the national truck fleets. What do...

This Week.(town councillors want to impose ban on trucks )(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Felixstowe town councillors want to impose an overtaking ban on trucks using the A14 in a bid to ease congestion near the port. The call comes ahead of a study commissioned by the Highways Agency (HA) into worsening congestion on the A14...

Clearing the tracks.(This Week)
March 8, 2007... Warwickshire-BASED Allelys Heavy Haulage was called in to move the nine carriages from the Virgin train derailment last week. Pictured is a 480hp Daf 95XF modified by Allelys to handle a GCW of 250 tonnes. The railway carriages weigh between 45...

Council and residents oppose fleet expansion.(This Week)(Armstrongs Aggregates wants)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... A Bolton-based operator may have to wait months to find out if it can expand its fleet after the local council and residents objected to the plan. Armstrongs Aggregates wants to increase its fleet size from 12 vehicles to 20, but locals...

DNA test catches firebomber.(This Week)
March 8, 2007... DNA FROM a gangland-style shooting suspect proved to be the "billion-to-one" evidence needed to end a five-year arson spree. Newcastle Crown Court heard how a Northumbria police squad was set up after the first attack in 1998. Officers...

This Week.(Willi Betz plans to expand after profits)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Profits up 20% as Willi Betz looks East German operator Willi Betz plans to expand in Eastern Europe after a successful financial year, despite its ongoing battle against accusations of bribery. The group improved its turnover by 20%...

This Week.(trucking terminologies)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... The majority of US truckers have abandoned the elaborate vocabulary used over their CB radios, due to an increase in turnover in the industry these days. The younger generation tend to use normal English (or what passes for normal in the...

This Week.(terrorist groups)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Chlorine gas is an 'attractive target' for terrorist gangs Hauliers transporting chlorine and other dangerous chemicals could be at risk from terrorist groups in search of weapons. Chris Tindall reports. Attacks by Iraqi insurgents...

This Week.(Chris Thorneycroft-Smith leaves Iveco UK)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Moving on Iveco UK Managing Director Chris Thorneycroft-Smith is to leave his post at the end of June to pursue other interests. Thorneycroft-Smith joined Iveco 14 years ago as marketing director for communications. He was promoted to head...

This Week.(Gray & Adams report profits)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... ... while Gray & Adams reaps a pension profit Scottish trailer manufacturer and repairer Gray & Adams increased its operating profit by [pounds sterling]3.4m last year, but only because of an adjustment to the way its pension scheme assets...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Look out for Hams' distinctive MAN 7.5-tonne dropside A 7.5-tONNE MAN 8.163 dropsider was stolen from Hams Transport in Devizes, Wilts on Saturday 17 February at 8.30pm. It's painted in the Hams Transport livery of two-tone blue and...

Hargreaves buys Maltby Colliery.(This Week)
March 8, 2007... Hargreaves Services, the acquisitive Co Durham haulage and fuels group, has paid more than [pounds sterling]30m for Maltby Colliery. A Hargreaves spokesman explains that the purchase of the Yorkshire colliery from UK Coal means that not...

It's time to deliver.(This Week)(Freight Transport Association's Freight Summit discusses curfew on trucks)
March 8, 2007... Can delivery rules be loosened without compromising residents? Roanna Avison reports from the Freight Transport Association's Freight Summit. Peak-time congestion and the inexorable increase of cars in urban areas are tightening like a...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Roadworks threat to Leicester Forest East The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is speaking out against the possible closure of the Leicester Forest East service area on the M1, warning that it would undermine road safety. With the new...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... After reading Billy Allen's response to Brian Weatherley it is I who is in disbelief. How can anyone think that half a century of road building projects and road widening projects would result in easing the congestion on our roads in the near...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... I read with interest the letter from Billy Allen regarding the proposed road pricing scheme (CM 1 March). I'm vehemently opposed to a road-pricing scheme because it won't provide the solution they say it will, and because it is morally and...

McBurney authorisation cut over maintenance concerns.(This Week)(McBurney Refrigeration fleet licence reduced)
March 8, 2007... The firm has six months to sort itself out after the TC identified a "lack of control and direction" from its directors. Mike Jewell reports. Northern Irish haulier McBurney Refrigeration has had its licence for 50 trucks and 100 trailers...

This Week.(NFT plans to move its drivers from Elstree depot )(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... T&G talks to NFT about plans to move drivers Nearly 70 drivers working out of NFT's depot at Elstree, Herts on a contract for Sainsbury's are being asked to move to the supermarket's operations centre in Waltham Point, Essex. A...

This Week.(Pallet network Global Pallet Systems)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... GPS hub Next Monday (12 March) Pallet network Global Pallet Systems officially opens its hub at Fradley Park, Lichfield, Staffs. Chunnel payout Eurotunnel has won [pounds sterling]30m damages from the French and British...

This Week.(young directors move the industry forward)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... New directors are expected to revitalise road transport Fresh blood in the boardrooms of a quarter of the top 2,000 transport operators could signal a radical shake-up of business practices in the industry, according to a report from...

This Week.(British Waterways ok's the restoration of waterways )(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Restored canals will take half of Olympic traffic British Waterways has given the go-ahead to the restoration of the waterways around the Olympic Park site in East London in a bid to reduce truck movements in the area. Part of this...

Price and power set for Sevels.(Automobiles Citroen S.A. and Fiat's jointly developed Expert and Scudo vans)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... CitroA'n and Fiat have set prices and payloads for their jointly developed mini-Sevel vans, badged Expert and Scudo respectively. The new vans are bigger than the outgoing models options include three wheelbases and two roof heights. The...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Rapide launch for Midlum Renault Trucks has launched the Midlum Rapide programme, offering ready-to-go vehicles from the forecourt. The 7.5-tonne Renault Midlums in the Rapide programme come with either box, box-with-tail-lift or...

Government split over road pricing.(This Week)
March 8, 2007... The Transport Secretary says road pricing is a done deal the Prime Minister sees it as "kamikaze politics". Roanna Avison reports. The governmente_SSRqs position on road pricing wavered this week as Prime Minister Tony Blair and Transport...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Trucks in Stamford suffer for school-run congestion Operators in a Lincolnshire town suffering from gridlocked roads say a crackdown on LGVs flouting a truck ban ignores the real cause of the traffic jams - school runs. Police staged...

This Week.
March 8, 2007... Stobart seeks capital for Carlisle move Eddie Stobart, the UK's largest independent logistics firm, is planning to sell off some of its business to fund expansion, and to relocate to Carlisle Airport. Andrew Tinkler, chief executive...

TDG back on acquisition trail with logistics gain in Spain.(Doman and Ferrer Logistica acquired)(Brief article)
March 8, 2007... Following the purchase of a Belgian company earlier this year, TDG has turned its sights on the Iberian peninsula. Dylan Gray reports. Supply chain management specialist TDG has acquired Spanish logistics business Doman and related company...

This Week.(United Kingdom Department for Transport launches campaign to reduce risks of van driving)
March 8, 2007... DfT launches campaigns to cut the risks of driving vans Tough deadlines, distractions, stress, tiredness and a lack of regulation all pose a risk to drivers of light CVs. Roanna Avison reports. The government has launched a series of...

Wincanton goes green with Sainsbury's.(This Week)
March 8, 2007... Wincanton has won a three-year contract to operate an energy-efficient site in Pineham, Northampton for Sainsbury's. The depot, which is currently under construction, is designed to reduce the supermarket chain's environmental impact with...