Interviews

Electra sees growing interest in electric refuse vehicles

July 6, 2023 Steve Hobson

At last week’s Road Transport Expo, Blackburn-based electric truck maker Electra showed a full range of its battery electric vehicles between 12 tonnes and 27 tonnes GVW, and MD Ben Smith said that the company is working on a hydrogen fuel cell for higher weight trucks. A 12.5 tonner on show was fitted with a […]

Operators and suppliers voice concerns over Direct Vision Standard phase 2

June 23, 2023 Steve Hobson

TfL is due to introduce phase 2 of its Direct Vision Standard in October 2024 and its consultation on the amended standard closed on April 3. Just before the deadline Motor Transport in association with Brigade Electronics held a roundtable debate with TfL and a group of leading operators to discuss phase 2 and its […]

Two hard-working lads from Sheffield living the dream at Stanton Logistics

June 13, 2023 Steve Hobson

Motor Transport gets asked to interview many successful transport firms but when an invite came to meet one of the founders of Stanton Logistics in Rotherham, south Yorkshire it was hard to turn down. “We are one of the best kept secrets in the industry and are multi-faceted in our approach with complementary other businesses […]

“Truck prices are through the roof and volumes are not what they used to be…”

May 23, 2023 Tim Wallace

Alan Maher (pictured), MD of Archbold Logistics in Manchester, explains the difficulty of balancing dipping volumes with soaring tractor and trailer prices and lengthening vehicle delivery times Q&A Q: How much is the general slide in volumes affecting Archbold? A: We’ve tightened our budgets a little this year. This means subbing out less and keeping […]

Heavier trucks, biofuels, affordability and recharging infrastructure all on the agenda for decarbonisation minister

May 12, 2023 Steve Hobson

Speaking exclusively to MT after his address to the Logistics UK Future Logistics conference, transport minister responsible for decarbonisation Jesse Norman MP did not rule out increasing the 44-tonne maximum weight limit for zero emissions HGVs to compensate for the additional weight of alternative drive trains. The DfT has just ended the 11-year trial of […]

Shareholder model puts Palletline in strong position to invest in the future

April 20, 2023 Steve Hobson

Palletline was the first pallet network to be established in the UK and celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022. It was also a year in which the business reached new heights with record volumes. The company’s recent announcement of a substantial programme of investment has been designed to ensure Palletline has the right platform, capacity […]

Michael Holt: “I wanted a board that wasn’t just seeing this as Tuffnells versus DX…”

March 8, 2023 Tim Wallace

Since returning to private ownership in 2020, Sheffield-based parcels firm Tuffnells has restructured, announced a new £7m investment to drive growth, and is now backing hydrogen for its future long-haul fleet. MT gets the full story from executive chairman Michael Holt Q&A Q: How’s business and what main lessons have you learnt from the pandemic?In […]

Lesley O’Brien: “Costs are up, rates are being pushed down and everyone’s fighting for mechanics…”

February 14, 2023 Tim Wallace

Lesley O’Brien OBE is MD of Halifax-based family haulier Freightlink Europe. A tireless ambassador for the transport industry, she highlights the key issues facing smaller operators – and the best ways to tackle them Q&A What are the biggest challenges facing hauliers right now? Everybody is pushing down on rates but our costs have gone […]

Addition of Doncaster site will free WH Bowker to go for growth in food distribution

February 6, 2023 Steve Hobson

Preston-based 3PL WH Bowker has taken an eight-year lease on a 165,000sq ft warehouse in Thorne, Doncaster to enable the business to attract new business in the food sector. WH Bowker director Bill Bowker said: “Our current warehousing estate has been operating at close to full capacity for some time. We have been looking at […]

TVS builds on Wilcox and McPhee heritage to launch innovative electric construction vehicles

January 17, 2023 Steve Hobson

Total Vehicle Solutions Group has rebranded as TVS Interfleet, as the CV bodybuilder positions itself to offer greener products to the transport industry. It has also launched a bespoke bodywork division called Purpose Bodies, which will build lightweight ambient vehicle products. TVS has collaborated with OEMs to develop lightweight e-tippers and e-mixers, including the UK’s […]