Spotlight
William Stobart’s company swoops for two more distribution firms
William Stobart’s investment company WS Holdco has returned to the acquisition trail and snapped up Walkers Transport Holdings and Madex Logistics.
Latest news
John Sutch Cranes fleet investment reaches new heights with Scania order
John Sutch Cranes has added two new high-spec Scania S 660 A6x4NA heavy haulage units following a £750,000 fleet renewal programme.
M53 improvement project sparks concerns over freight delays
A three-year project to replace four ageing bridges on the M53 in Merseyside and Cheshire has raised concerns that haulage operators will endure long-term disruption and delays in the North West.
HW Coates sees another year of growth
Chemical transport specialist HW Coates saw turnover and profits grow considerably last year, despite operating in a sector with “very modest economic growth”.
John Sutch Cranes fleet investment reaches new heights with Scania order
John Sutch Cranes has added two new high-spec Scania S 660 A6x4NA heavy haulage units following a £750,000 fleet renewal programme.
M53 improvement project sparks concerns over freight delays
A three-year project to replace four ageing bridges on the M53 in Merseyside and Cheshire has raised concerns that haulage operators will endure long-term disruption and delays in the North West.
HW Coates sees another year of growth
Chemical transport specialist HW Coates saw turnover and profits grow considerably last year, despite operating in a sector with “very modest economic growth”.
LCV operators facing increasing legal exposure as compliance bar rises
Many companies are managing their van fleets with considerably less compliance oversight than HGV operations and are risking serious legal ramifications, transport lawyers warned.
William Stobart’s company swoops for two more distribution firms
William Stobart’s investment company WS Holdco has returned to the acquisition trail and snapped up Walkers Transport Holdings and Madex Logistics.
Yorkshire haulier closed down amid loss of contracts and soaring costs
The collapse of a family-run, East Yorkshire haulage firm was triggered by rising fuel costs and the loss of contracts resulting in more than 20 redundancies, according to its liquidator.
Knowles powers up operations with robot investment
Knowles Logistics has invested in a robot to undertake co-packing work in its warehouse.
King’s Speech unveils closer ties with EU
The industry’s two main trade associations responded positively to this week’s King’s Speech, which emphasised growth through trade with Europe and addressing late payments.
John Sutch Cranes fleet investment reaches new heights with Scania order
M53 improvement project sparks concerns over freight delays
HW Coates sees another year of growth
LCV operators facing increasing legal exposure as compliance bar rises
William Stobart’s company swoops for two more distribution firms
Yorkshire haulier closed down amid loss of contracts and soaring costs
Knowles powers up operations with robot investment
King’s Speech unveils closer ties with EU
Operator news
John Sutch Cranes fleet investment reaches new heights with Scania order
John Sutch Cranes has added two new high-spec Scania S 660 A6x4NA heavy haulage units following a £750,000 fleet renewal programme.
HW Coates sees another year of growth
Chemical transport specialist HW Coates saw turnover and profits grow considerably last year, despite operating in a sector with “very modest economic growth”.
William Stobart’s company swoops for two more distribution firms
William Stobart’s investment company WS Holdco has returned to the acquisition trail and snapped up Walkers Transport Holdings and Madex Logistics.
Yorkshire haulier closed down amid loss of contracts and soaring costs
The collapse of a family-run, East Yorkshire haulage firm was triggered by rising fuel costs and the loss of contracts resulting in more than 20 redundancies, according to its liquidator.
Knowles powers up operations with robot investment
Knowles Logistics has invested in a robot to undertake co-packing work in its warehouse.
‘Solid’ results for Lenham amid challenging conditions
Lenham Storage Company increased revenues by 10% in “a solid trading year” that saw it win new business and renew several long-term contracts.
MT data reveals which operators are expanding or reducing their fleets
KBC Logistics, DPD and Moran Logistics saw some of the most notable fleet increases over the last week, according to Motor Transport’s fleet data.
Shein expands UK footprint with new West Mids warehouse
Online fashion retailer Shein has marked a significant expansion of its UK network after opening an e-commerce logistics warehouse in Cannock and creating 450 jobs.
Road Transport Expo is back bigger and bolder this summer
Road Transport Expo (RTX) is gearing up for its return to NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire this summer, running from 30 June to 2 July.
Loop Logistics calls in the administrators
Northamptonshire logistics firm Instant Despatch Services (IDS), which trades as Loop Logistics, has joined an increasing number of hauliers falling into administration this year.
Administration watch
Yorkshire haulier closed down amid loss of contracts and soaring costs
The collapse of a family-run, East Yorkshire haulage firm was triggered by rising fuel costs and the loss of contracts resulting in more than 20 redundancies, according to its liquidator.
Loop Logistics calls in the administrators
Northamptonshire logistics firm Instant Despatch Services (IDS), which trades as Loop Logistics, has joined an increasing number of hauliers falling into administration this year.
Pre-pack sale secures future of Hazchem haulier John K Philips
Warrington-based haulier John K Philips has been bought in a pre-pack sale by its directors, just one week after calling in the administrators, in a move that has saved jobs and protected smaller creditors.
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Industry news
M53 improvement project sparks concerns over freight delays
A three-year project to replace four ageing bridges on the M53 in Merseyside and Cheshire has raised concerns that haulage operators will endure long-term disruption and delays in the North West.
LCV operators facing increasing legal exposure as compliance bar rises
Many companies are managing their van fleets with considerably less compliance oversight than HGV operations and are risking serious legal ramifications, transport lawyers warned.
King’s Speech unveils closer ties with EU
The industry’s two main trade associations responded positively to this week’s King’s Speech, which emphasised growth through trade with Europe and addressing late payments.
Microlise CEO: Haulage held back by red tape and roadblocks
Fleet operators are still struggling to improve utilisation and cut empty running due to regulatory constraints and infrastructure limitations, Microlise chief executive Nadeem Raza has warned.
Logistics firms warned cyber gangs now operate like businesses
Cyber criminals targeting transport and logistics firms now operate with “structured business models”, complete with HR departments, legal representatives and affiliate marketing schemes, delegates at the Microlise Transport Conference in Manchester have been warned.
Tructyre announces new MD
Elizabeth Nagel has been appointed Tructyre’s MD, joining the company from Michelin’s HQ in Clermont-Ferrand, France where she is currently manufacturing transformation officer.
Vauxhall Bridge closed to hauliers from July
HGV operators will be banned from using Vauxhall Bridge in London from July while attempts are made to resolve structural problems.
Microlise Transport Conference: Operators warned AI is moving faster than they are
The logistics sector is entering a new era of rapid technological change, with delegates at the Microlise Transport Conference in Manchester warned that AI is now evolving faster than many operators are able to adapt. This is adding to wider pressures on supply chains, where keeping operations safe, resilient and ...
MT data reveals which operators are expanding or reducing their fleets
KBC Logistics, DPD and Moran Logistics saw some of the most notable fleet increases over the last week, according to Motor Transport’s fleet data.
Christopher Sullivan takes 2026 Microlise Driver of the Year crown
Christopher Sullivan of Aldi has been named as the 2026 Microlise Driver of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
Interviews
From vans to trucks: the Dash Express journey
Paul Dash has helped grow Dash Express from a small South West van firm into a multi-depot logistics operation with a turnover topping £25m. Partnerships with APC Overnight and, more recently, Palletways have expanded the business into parcels, pallets and heavy trucks, while keeping the company’s hands-on, family-led approach.
“This changes everything” - megawatt charging for long-haul passes the test
Kempower used its MCS Live Winter Days event in Norrköping, Sweden for megawatt testing of Volvo, MAN and Scania trucks. The results show heavy-duty electric HGVs are ready for real-world operations
“Fleets won’t switch until TCO and profit stack up — here’s how to make it work”
New Voltempo chief executive Simon Smith admits HGV fleets are holding off on electrification because high energy costs, standing charges, and underused infrastructure are eroding margins. But could smarter depot charging and energy management finally make electric trucks commercially viable?
Harris MAXUS expands technician training to tackle skills shortage
The Dublin-based importer has invested significantly in its training academy to meet rising demand from over 90 UK dealers, delivering structured programmes from system technician to master technician level with particular focus on electric vehicle safety and diagnostics.
Martin Willmor’s vision for DHL Supply Chain: strategy, challenges and growth targets
Returning to DHL at a pivotal moment, new UK&I CEO Martin Willmor lays out a focused five-point strategy - spanning growth sectors, transport reform, major startups and property investment - to steer the business confidently through a shifting economy
John Lewis cutting emissions today and in the future with the best technology available
The John Lewis Partnership’s fleet manager has cut transport emissions in half since 2018 by switching 500 trucks to bioCNG and trialling electric vehicles, achieving a major milestone by purchasing the company’s final diesel vehicle this year.
Hydrogen a viable option in a future multi-fuel zero carbon landscape
The HydraB group is targeting hydrogen pricing of £8/kg to 9/kg to achieve total cost of ownership parity with diesel equivalents, as CEO Harry Bowcott explains how an integrated approach across vehicle manufacturing, fuel production and infrastructure can simplify hydrogen adoption for fleet operators.
Malcolm Logistics looks for customer support for next steps on sustainability journey
Malcolm Logistics picked up the Haulier of the Year Award at the 2025 Motor Transport Awards, the second time the company has collected this coveted award.
Opinion
HGV driver market still broken despite reform efforts
A joint industry report reveals the UK HGV driver market remains structurally flawed, with insurance barriers and poor data visibility preventing newly qualified drivers from entering the workforce—even as demand shows early signs of recovery.
AI search reshapes online visibility beyond SEO budgets
AI-powered search is disrupting two decades of SEO dominance, allowing specialist operators with genuine expertise to compete for visibility against national competitors—regardless of marketing budget. But businesses that fail to adapt may lose enquiries without knowing why.
RHA demands fuel duty rebate for commercial vehicle operators
The Road Haulage Association is demanding urgent government intervention with an Essential User Rebate scheme for commercial vehicles, as operators struggle with fuel costs that have risen over 40% due to global events.
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Trade without borders – why drivers need a Schengen exemption
€505 billion. That’s the value of UK–EU goods trade – goods moved across borders by road freight.
Contracts
Sweet deal for IPP with Swizzels contract extension
Pallet pooler IPP has renewed its contract with sweet firm Swizzels, taking the long-standing partnership to over 17 years.
Primeline Group crunches ten-year deal with Tayto Snacks
Primeline Group has signed a multi-million euro warehousing and distribution agreement with Tayto Snacks, building on a long-standing partnership between the two companies.
Meachers and Ferryspeed’s partnership sails on
Meachers Global Logistics has extended its partnership with Ferryspeed with a new three-year contract.
XPO flies high with Uniload Aviation deal
XPO has been chosen by unit load devices management provider Unilode to be its global logistics partner.
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