Commercial Motor articles from May 2006

Commercial Motor archives from May 2006

Something for everyone.(Truckfest)
May 4, 2006... It's a trade exhibition for operators... it's a showcase for the industry... it's a vehicle show... it's a day out for the family... Truckfest is all this and more. CM's Dom Perry was there to see the sights. Canny Scottish operator Stuart...

THERE WILL BE TROUBLE AHEAD.(raising fuel costs)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... We're worried... why? Because an energy crisis is looming in this country and we don't see the government taking any action to avert it. Forget about the nuisance that is digital tachographs or the annoyance that is Euro-4. By far the biggest...

Renault's ready to launch.
May 4, 2006... Industry heads rarely say more than their PR reps want you to hear, but Renault's Stefano Chmielewski was in straight-talking mood on the eve of the firm's latest international product launch. Craig Sheer reports. If you want to know about...

Promising to deliver the goods.
May 4, 2006... How have companies in the express delivery and logistics sectors been performing - and what does the future hold? Chris Morgan, Automotive & Logistics Datamonitor Aviation and distribution specialist Dart Group is "comfortable" with...

Midlum makes a bold show.
May 4, 2006... Renault completed the renewal of its product line-up at last week's CV Show when it took the wraps off the latest Midlum. Andy Salter reviews the changes. At the time of the Premium launch last September, the French truck builder unveiled...

Better late than never.(work hours rule for drivers)
May 4, 2006... Digital tachos are finally here, but while Siemens VDO's Peter Needham celebrates its training packages, MD Nick Rendell remains indifferent to the delay. Chris Tindall reports. When I arrive at Siemens VDO's Birmingham offices, I'm told...

'Stupid' operator faces three-year disqualification.( haulier's licence cancelled for lying on the number of vehicle he was operating)
May 4, 2006... A Deputy TC has decided that revocation can be the only possible consequence for a haulier who "indulged in deceit" at a public enquiry. Dumfries haulier Paul Toner, who lied about the number of vehicles he was operating when his...

Company achieves vast improvement in standards.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A company given six months to prove it could operate properly at a public inquiry which happened just days after being taken over has passed the test with flying colours. Ainsworth & Martin (Preston), which holds a licence for 55 vehicles...

Smoked out.
May 4, 2006... Should the proposed smoking ban in England and Wales be extended to truck cabs as it has been in Scotland? Pat Hagan asked our operators' panel for its views. At one time they were thought to be good for your health, but for many years ...

THE PANEL (continued).
May 4, 2006... Adam Purshall TM Logistics Martley, Worcs As contract manager in a company that employs 400 people and runs 150 vehicles, Purshall (a non-smoker) is anticipating the effects of the ban in England: "We've already issued instructions to all our...

Seeking skills for spAnnermen.(Institute of Road Transport Engineers)(vehicle workshop technicians)
May 4, 2006... A lack of recruits combined with advancing vehicle technology has created a significant skills gap in vehicle workshops. So what's the current situation - and how can companies recruit and retain staff? Julian Milnes investigates. ...

Used dealer opportunities.(CV Show )(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Touring the halls of the CV Show has convinced Kevin Swallow that dealers could put up stands of their own to attract new customers. On the face of it, this year's CV Show lacked the obvious used content of the previous two years, with...

Used market news straight from the CV Show.
May 4, 2006... Tuesday morning brought sunshine to the NEC. But instead of making the most of the weather, Kevin Swallow was at the CV Show in search of the latest news from the second-hand market. Volvo Trucks has added value to its used truck range by...

MERCEDES-BENZ APPROVED USED COMMERCIALS Off to a flying start.
May 4, 2006... After successfully selling all its vehicles in previous years, Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Commercials got off to its best start yet at a CV Show, finding a new home for its Actros 2543LS within 20 minutes of the doors opening. The...

Hijacks are on the increase.(trucks)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... The number of truck hijacks has almost tripled in one year, according to the latest figures from Truckpol. Its report for the first quarter of 2006 reveals that this type of attack has rocketed from 14 to 43 incidents. Other forms of truck...

Aspray is the best in the business.(Aspray Transport )(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A Midlands-based family distribution firm has fought off competition from FTSE 100 companies to be named Business of the Year by a regional paper. Aspray Transport runs 300 Daf rigids and tractor units; it specialises in warehousing...

Angry union calls S&N merger plan a 'cost cutting exercise'.(joint venture of Scottish and Newcastle Breweries PLC and Kuehne and Nagel UK)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Ambitious plans by Scottish & Newcastle are being dismissed as "pie in the sky" by the T&G. Guy Sheppard reports. Drinks giant Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) is joining forces with the Kuehne & Nagel logistics multinational to create a drinks...

Road haulage failures up by 2.9% in 2006.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... The number of company failures in the haulage sector is rising - but not as fast as in other parts of the UK economy. The rise in corporate failures in the transport sector, compiled by business information specialist Experian, went up...

Fuel costs hit profit margin.(company's turnover)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Despite an increase in turnover, a Kent-based haulage firm can only manage a "rubbish" 1% profit margin. Chris Tindall reports. An increase of almost [pounds sterling]40,000 in pre-tax profits at 21st Century Logistics has done...

Hijackers grab a vanload of mobile phones.
May 4, 2006... Thieves armed with baseball bats used a convertible Audi to steal a vanload of mobile phones worth [pounds sterling]500,000 in the latest high-value hijacking. The incident happened on 25 April as three vans travelled from London towards...

Fielding snapped up by Fowler Welch Coolchain.(RF Fielding)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A turbulent few weeks for Stockport haulage firm RF Fielding have been brought to an end with its acquisition by reefer firm Fowler Welch Coolchain. The deal, which was clinched on Friday 28 April, follows Fielding's...

MAN unveils powerful new arrival.(new automobile engine released)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... MAN's new 12.8-litre D26 engine was one of the surprise new arrivals at the CV Show last week. Most observers had expected MAN to keep its high-horsepower powder dry until the IAA Show in Hanover in the autumn. Replacing the D28,...

Another conviction after Currys killing.(Ian Jones death)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A second man has been convicted of the manslaughter of a driver killed nearly three years ago after the theft of his truck. Ian Jones was run over by his own vehicle as he tried to stop the thieves escaping from a Currys depot in Chingford,...

ERF fan Meachers opts for Stralis tractors.
May 4, 2006... Well-known Southampton operator Meachers Transport has broken from its usual buying policy and taken on five new Iveco Stralis tractor units. The Hampshire haulier has previously run only ERFs, in part due to its previous ownership of...

60-second interview.(interview)(Interview)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Mick Scarlett Palletforce chief executive What got you started in transport? My father was in transport training. What do you love/hate about it? I love the challenge of transport but hate the general lack of appreciation that...

Abattoir licence appeal gets the chop.(Graystone PLC)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Hull-based abattoir operator Graystone has lost its appeal against the refusal of the North-Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney to grant it a restricted licence. The company had applied for a licence for two vehicles and one trailer. ...

Abram makes licence application.(Ken Abram Ltd.)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... The owners of failed Skelmersdale haulage firm Ken Abram Ltd are hoping to begin operating trucks again, just weeks after the original firm went bust (CM 23 March). The North-Western Traffic Area has just received an application from...

Cheshire bail jumper granted bail.(false tachograph records' case)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... The case against a former haulier who had fled to Ireland instead of answering bail, and was arrested and re-bailed on his return, has been adjourned by Chester magistrates until 15 May. Arthur McCann, of Lacey Court in Widnes, Cheshire, faces...

EVENTS.(Calendar)
May 4, 2006... GB Tachographs Digital tachographs - drivers 10 May Wilmslow Contact: 01472 210 102 www.tachopak.co.uk FTA courses Public authorities conference 7 June Birmingham Construction and plant 20 June Birmingham Home deliveries 21 June Birmingham...

Illegal use of operating centre.(Satnam Singh Badhan )(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Falsifying tachograph records and using an unauthorised operating centre have cost Hayes, London-based Satnam Singh Badhan almost [pounds sterling]800 in fines and costs. Badhan, of Berwick Avenue, Hayes, admitted two offences of making...

Law plus Up and coming law with the FTA.(Freight Transport Association)
May 4, 2006... Future legislation DVLA fee proposals: The DVLA is considering revising fee structures to cover the costs of changes including the 10-yearly renewal of photocard licences, the removal of the paper counterpart and the redevelopment of vehicle...

MAN Diesel boosts its exports to 30%.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... After two years at the CV Show on a separate stand, and three years since its introduction in the UK, MAN-ERF UK is in the process of reassessing its used vehicle division. MAN Diesel will go under the spotlight later in the year - CEO...

MANHEIM AUCTIONS HGV fair wear and tear guide.
May 4, 2006... Following the success of the Light CV Fair Wear and Tear Guide it launched last year at the CV Show, Manheim Auctions has published the HGV Fair Wear and Tear Guide. The project was led by HGV and plant manager Jeremy Martell, who reports...

Premium deal from Renault Trucks.
May 4, 2006... New products and limited space stopped Renault Trucks fielding too much of its used stock at the CV Show, but Chris Sharp was able to launch a new deal for the Premium and bring back an old favourite. Cost per mile is the philosophy behind...

Profits in the wastelands.
May 4, 2006... Recycling is a growing but competitive industry. Tim Maughan looks at an essential tool of the trade: moving-floor trailers. In the early 1990s, Stephen Walker ran a fleet of bulkers assigned to agricultural work. A few years later,...

Share training for agency drivers.(Letter to the editor)
May 4, 2006... Having read with interest the round-table feature on managing agency drivers (CM 6 April), I would like respond to a number of the points raised. Although agency drivers are much maligned, it is easy to forget that for them each day is...

This country is just a laughing stock.(Letter to the editor)
May 4, 2006... At last! Fines for foreign trucks (CM 16 March). But they are only plans - how many more British companies do we have to see go to the wall before this or a future government realises there are more law-breaking trucks from Europe on our...

What happened to our industry?(Letter to the editor)
May 4, 2006... I PLAN TO go to the Commercial Vehicle Show again this year and judging by your preview there will be a lot to see. But am I the only one left who is sad that there won't be a single major real British truck manufacturer to be seen there? ...

Gefco 'not affected' by Ryton closure.
May 4, 2006... Logistics SPECIALIST Gefco is playing down the impact that the closure of Peugeot's Ryton car plant will have on its business, even though this contract accounts for more than three- quarters of the deliveries to and from the site. MD Phil...

Disabled driver takes brewery to tribunal alleging unfair dismissal.
May 4, 2006... A brewery delivery driver with 16 years' service alleges he was unfairly dismissed after developing back trouble caused by his job. Colin Davis of Wolverhampton sought compensation at a Birmingham employment tribunal for unfair dismissal...

SDC and Amicus nearing a settlement.(SDC International, Amicus trade union)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A threat of disruption to deliveries at Honda's Swindon car factory could be lifted by an agreement about the way its distribution workers can be made redundant. The Amicus trade union claims job security among the 350-strong workforce at...

TC calls for tighter checks on applicants.(Traffic Commissioner, Christopher Heaps)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Following a spate of fraudulent O-licence applications, should would-be operators be required to produce their passports? Michael Jewell reports. A Traffic Commissioner wants more effective checks on the identities of O- licence...

'Outrageous' delay to Keltruck trade plate case.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A leading transport lawyer has condemned a judge's decision to delay a major case over the use of trade plates because he hadn't had time to research the background. Stephen Kirkbright, from Leeds firm Ford & Warren, says the delay is...

Minister considers dualling the A9 to Pitlochry.(Tavish Scott )(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A detailed study into dualling part of the A9 in Scotland is being commissioned after years of wrangling about how to reduce the road's appalling accident rate. Scottish Transport Minister Tavish Scott has already ruled out dualling...

Smith is England Daf-t.(S&R Smith & Son to celebrate the football World Cup by advertising football-inspired design )(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... S&R Smith & Son of Purfleet has nailed its colours firmly to the mast with this patriotic livery to celebrate the football World Cup. The firm, which is part of the Jigsaw consortium, asked local livery specialist Visual Impact to come up...

UFD plunges into the red.(United Freight Distribution,)(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... A Fife-based haulage company is looking to consolidate its network in a bid to turn around poor financial results. Guy Sheppard reports. Expanding Scottish operator United Freight Distribution (UFD) plunged heavily into the red last year...

Eddie Stobart to take to the tracks.(Brief article)
May 4, 2006... Eddie Stobart fans will soon have something other than trucks to spot - the firm is expanding into rail freight. Chris Tindall reports. Eddie Stobart has won more than [pounds sterling]400,000 in government grants to transfer freight...

WINTER GAMES.
May 4, 2006... Four-wheel drive might be handy for mounting those treacherous kerbs outside Tesco, but in other places it's even more useful. Heikki Laurell reports on a group test of eight off-roaders in his homeland of Finland. Our test group...

LABOUR of LOVE.
May 4, 2006... Once again CM has been researching the country's CV workshops to discover what kind of service they are offering. To make the findings easier to analyse, we've split the survey into vans and trucks - and the van survey will be carried out later...

FIGHTING FOR EFFICIENCY.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... This industry is all about driving things toward their destination, so it can surprise us how many people in power find it difficult to find a forward gear. This was true of Dick Denby's brave attempt to persuade the government to run 60-tonne...

The DfT goes to the bottom of the class.(Department for Transport, Chris Grayling)
May 11, 2006... The Department for Transport is failing to do its job properly, and that's official. Chris Tindall has been studying a Transport Select Committee report which is bound to cause red faces at the DfT's HQ. Last week the Transport Select...

Roads are improving, says DfT.
May 11, 2006... Our roads may be in a better shape than five years ago, but what causes the damage in the first place? Dominic Perry explains more. The condition of the road network in England in Wales is improving, according to a report from the...

Go web young man.
May 11, 2006... More operators are running their own websites. But how do you get started and what are the legal pitfalls? Adam Bernstein reports. A transport company can use a website to let new and potential customers know of its services and the...

It's health and safety, stupid!
May 11, 2006... Road transport law in the nineties concentrated on cutting speed and pollution and creating safer workplaces. Patric Cunnane reports. By the nineties, the road transport industry had become used to being on the receiving end of legislation...

the nec revisited.
May 11, 2006... There was far more at the CV Show than we could cover in one issue: here's a selection of innovations that didn't make it before, including some products showcasing technology that's just around the corner. YUEJIN: The Chinese Cabstar...

stars of the show.
May 11, 2006... Three direct rivals were launched at this year's CV Show, all vying for a piece of the panel van action. Julian Milnes reports. As standoffs go, this was something of a classic. Three of the biggest light CV manufacturers were showing...

Graham joins the CAP team.(appointment of Vince Graham )(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... CAP has appointed Vince Graham as forecast manager for Monitor, its commercial vehicle residual value forecast arm. Vince Graham has joined CAP as the new forecast manager for its Commercial Vehicle Monitor. He steps into the breach...

Two-axle rigids spring into demand.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Demand for two-axle rigid trucks is likely to roll well into the summer months, according to George Alexander, chief commercial vehicle editor at Glass's Guide. You could ask whether George Alexander is putting his reputation on the...

On the trail for information.
May 11, 2006... Website expert Chris Snook landed on Newton Trailers and found a site that needs some work but definitely has potential. Company: Newton Trailers Address: www.newtontrailers.com Overview: Newton Trailers has plenty of experience in...

GMB union is 'back to square one' with Asda.
May 11, 2006... The row over union recognition has flared up again and strike action looms. Bridget Carter reports. Thousands of drivers at Asda are again preparing for strike action after claims by the GMB union that the company has reneged on its...

Fransen comes in from the cold in buy-out deal.
May 11, 2006... A Worcestershire reefer operator has been snapped up by an investment company. Bridget Carter reports. Fransen Transport is under new ownership this week, having been acquired from its parent firm by a haulage entrepreneur. The...

Digital deadline boosts sales.(Motor vehicle registration fees increases)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Operators rushing to register trucks in April to beat the digital tachograph deadline of 1 May have distorted the market. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports a 110% increase in registrations compared with the same...

Tougher tests in the run-up to Driver CPC.(Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... In preparation for the Driver CPC Directive, due to take effect from 2009, the Driving Standards Agency is phasing in a number of changes to the LGV driving test over the next three years. The new training regulations are designed...

TCs are not amused by Vosa plans for licensing changes.(traffic commissioners, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... plans to TRANSFER the Traffic Commissioners' licensing functions to a centralised office in Leeds were drawn up without prior consultation with TCs. The aim of the proposal, by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa), is to...

Tories check out 25.25m trucks.
May 11, 2006... The Shadow Transport Minister will travel to Lincolnshire this week to assess the potential for trials of 25.25m trucks. Owen Paterson MP describes the government's decision to reject plans to trial vehicles like Dick Denby's B-Double...

ND UK MD is 'surprised' by strong growth.(Norbert Dentressangle)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... French haulage giant Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has unveiled a strong set of results for the first quarter of 2006, with turnover up 18.5% on last year. Turnover in its transport division rose from e212m to e251m [pounds sterling]170.7);...

Downton boosts its profits by concentrating on cost control.
May 11, 2006... One South-West haulage firm is looking confidently to the future, despite the rising cost of fuel. Chris Tindall reports. Gloucestershire haulage contractor CM Downton recorded a pre-tax profit of [pounds sterling]903,400 for the year...

WORKING WITH THE BIG BOYS.(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Tipper 2006 took CM into the rough with six of the top muckaway workhorses. Dave Young, Kevin Swallow and Colin Barnett spent two days putting them through their paces... This year's group tipper test moved across the country to the...

MPs slam 'cosmetic' toll road consultation...
May 11, 2006... It seems that congestion between Birmingham and Manchester won't be addressed any time soon. Guy Sheppard reports. MPs have condemned plans to build a toll motorway between Birmingham and Manchester when there is so little support for...

60-second interview.(interview)(Interview)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Murray Prentice Managing director, JBT What got you started in transport? I qualified as a chartered accountant, got bored, and joined a transport plc and got involved in warehousing operations. What do you love/hate about it? I...

Blair appoints new Transport Secretary in cabinet reshuffle.(Alistair Darling, Douglas Alexander and Gillian Merron )(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has been replaced by Douglas Alexander as part of the Prime Minister's latest cabinet reshuffle. Alexander, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, has moved to his first major departmental post...

EVENTS.(Calendar)
May 11, 2006... Backhouse Jones Navigate the legal minefield 25 May Heathrow Contact: 01254 828 300 FTA courses Public authorities conference 7 June Coventry Construction and plant 20 June Birmingham Home deliveries 21 June Birmingham Safety...

Hanson franchisees win rise.
May 11, 2006... Aggregates firm Hanson has granted operators in South Wales a [pounds sterling]125-per-week rates rise after they threatened to cripple deliveries with strike action. The dispute centred on a group of franchised owner-drivers who between...

Highways Agency officers are risking lives at the roadside.
May 11, 2006... I'm currently employed as an LGV (C+E) driver and would like to make the following comment after reading a letter that you published from Richard Jordan regarding Highways Agency traffic officers (CM 27 April). On Monday 24 April at about...

Into the west.
May 11, 2006... The Irish Road Haulage Association gathered for its annual conference in the west of Ireland over Easter. Patric Cunnane reports on the action from the conference floor. Many say you need to be mad to work in road transport, so perhaps...

On the trail of new challenges.(Schmitz Cargobull's Ron Camfield is retiring)(Interview)
May 11, 2006... After six years at the helm of Schmitz Cargobull in the UK, Ron Camfield is retiring. Louise Cole talks to him and his successor about the future of this leading trailer manufacturer. Ron Camfield is one of the gentlemen of the road...

Operator is granted a second chance after a two-year ban.(David Edmunds get national licence)(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... An operator who was disqualified from holding a licence for two years when his was revoked in August 2003 has won permission to operate one vehicle and one trailer. David Edmunds of Dudley, trading as CD Couriers, had applied for a new national...

Owner-driver had no O-licence, no tacho chart, no test certificate and no tax disc.(Mark Smith )(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... A series of offences have cost Shepperton-based owner-driver Mark Smith nearly [pounds sterling]600 in fines, costs and back duty. When Smith appeared before the Hillingdon magistrates he pleaded guilty to using a vehicle without an...

Six choices for accrediting lift truck trainers.
May 11, 2006... I'm writing regarding David Taylor's article on lifting equipment training (CM 9 March). In general terms the article was extremely informative and will go a long way to assist the employer when choosing a training provider. But I must...

TC rejects attempt to blame offences on Polish drivers.(traffic commissioner)
May 11, 2006... Firm loses its O-licence after allowing its drivers to disregard the hours and tachograph rules for months without taking any action. A company failed to save its O-licence by blaming hours and tachograph offences on the actions of three...

Unlicensed company carried on running despite warning.
May 11, 2006... An Oldham operator carried on operating under the licence of a defunct company despite a warning from the Traffic Area Office. It must now wait to learn if its bid for a fresh licence has been successful. Oldham-based K&Z Soft Furnishings...

Unrecorded meal breaks cost driver [pounds sterling]900.(Bernard Young )(Brief article)
May 11, 2006... Using his tractor unit to go for a meal after parking his trailer without recording it, and a daily rest offence, have cost a Hertfordshire driver a total of [pounds sterling]900 in fines and costs. Bernard Young of Hatfield pleaded guilty...

What price security?
May 11, 2006... Shocked by the increasing number of driver hijackings, Barry Proctor presses the case for more truck parks - and looks at the obstacles that stand in the way... We all know the dangers faced by truck drivers with high-value loads -...

did you KNOW? BOXHEAD: Conference shorts.
May 11, 2006... Conference shorts A new two-vessel ferry service from Dublin to Liverpool is being launched by Celtic Link Ferries this month. Celtic Link is a new and wholly Irish-owned company. One ship will have space for 110 LGVs. Charlie Cahill...