News Archives | Motor Transport

Walkers Transport upgrades fleet with eight DAF XF 480 tractors

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Walkers Transport has taken delivery of eight new mirrorless DAF XF 480 tractor units from Alliance Group, as part of a fleet upgrade. The new trucks, featuring the manufacturer’s Digital Vision System, which replaces the wing mirrors, are supplied on three-year contract hire deals. They join a fleet of 120 trucks and 220 trailers at […]

With 150 years’ collective experience, Culina Group directors know a few secrets to success

October 30, 2023 Steve Hobson

It is not often MT gets to interview three recent winners of the Motor Transport Service to Industry Award who between them have almost 150 years’ experience in the transport industry. But this rare opportunity came about in August this year when Culina Group CEO Thomas van Mourik, his deputy William Stobart and non-executive director […]

Devon haulier hails new Schmitz Cargobull Euroliner as work of art

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Macano South West has labelled its new Schmitz Cargobull Euroliner, specified with a rear-mounted forklift truck, as “the Rembrandt of trailers”. The Exeter-based general haulage firm, which transports palletised goods across the south of England and to the Czech Republic, has added the bespoke semi-trailer to its fleet to improve the loading and unloading services […]

Blakedale sees strong growth following Northgate acquisition

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Traffic management vehicle specialist Blakedale has reported a strong first 12 months of trading since being acquired by Northgate last summer. The Chorley-based business has seen its vehicle fleet, customer base, revenues, head count and assembly facility all grow during the year. The company said that it had grown its fleet by 49.7% to over […]

Belgian giant Sitra Group acquires Abbey Logistics

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Belgium-based Sitra Group has acquired Abbey Logistics for an undisclosed sum, in a move which sees a major consolidation of the food logistics sector. Sitra Group was launched in 1962. It employs approximately 1,150 people across 11 countries including the UK and operates a fleet of 700 owned trucks and over 2,000 trailers and containers, […]

Zenith wins five year fleet management deal with Travis Perkins

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Zenith has landed a five year fleet management contract with building materials giant Travis Perkins covering the group’s fleet of 1,600 HGVs, 800 vans, 300 cars, 250 moffetts and 250 trailers. The new partnership, which will involve a full, phased transfer from the existing provider from next month, will cover service, maintenance and repair for […]

DX opens thirteenth of 15 former Tuffnells depots

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Parcel freight firm DX Group has relaunched yet another former Tuffnells Parcels Express depot, taking its reopening of former Tuffnell sites to 13, out of a total of 15 depots acquired by the group when Tuffnells went bust in June this year. The new 15,190 sq ft facility is located in Stafford, on the Beacon […]

Evri sees “record volumes” this year after 2022 profit plunge

October 30, 2023 Carol Millett

Hermes Parcelnet, which trades as Evri, saw pre-tax profit slashed by over 50% last year as low customer confidence, high inflation, the cost of living crisis, the Ukraine War and a post-pandemic fall in online demand, all took their toll. However the company revealed this week that it is seeing better times this year, with […]

Cargo crime costs freight transport industry almost £500m a year, warn police

October 28, 2023 Steve Hobson

In 2022 there were 5,086 notifications of theft from trucks over 7.5 tonnes GVW in the UK with losses valued at £66m – but the true net cost could be seven times that figure or over £460m once all the hidden costs such as damage to reputations and vehicles are taken into account, according to […]

UPN optimistic after profits edge higher

October 27, 2023 Chris Tindall

United Pallet Network (UPN) reported revenues of £14.1m in the year ending March 2023, a 3.3% increase on the previous year. Profits also grew; pre-tax profit was up 4.1% to £5m, compared to £4.8m in 2022. Operating profit was also £5m, a 4% increase on the previous year. The network said it had made significant […]