Standing room only as thunder storm cells closed in on Heathrow. Hydrogen power in the car park for an IOC heads of Industry briefing that followed a proven track record of fifteen minute slots across a varied agenda. Glen Davies TFL,  LoCity was first key note address, ‘ 59% of white vans are in private registration!’ watching the thunderstorm cell, Heathrow Emma Gilthorpe talked air, focused on freight, 1.5 million tonnes a year through Heathrow projected to 3 million tonnes by 2030. FORS BIS & Hydrogen followed, Inpost talked collect, Nicholas Dunhill Parcel Space had collaboration at heart, Alex Farkas DWP was on hand as national logistics, Andrew Hartley, System training de-mystified levy for employers. Sarah Bell University of Derby had level 6 degrees in preparation. It was logistics employers parked wall to wall, City sprint, TNT, UK Mail FedEx and more in a briefing focused express speed. Even the tea break was delivered at the pace of an Isle of Man pit stop for Michael Dunlop on his Hawk BMW.

Hot off the press full fellows report follows.

 

...like-for-like turnover growth was 4.4%. Pre-tax profit rose from £24.9m to £65.8m, partially boosted, it said, as a consequence of reducing its net debt from £57.6m to £39.5m...

Chief executive Adrian Colman said that the performance of the business was a signal of its confidence in the UK economic back-drop. “Growth in revenue is important, particularly with new wins but so is growth in operating profit. We have grown on a like-for-like basis by 4.4%”.

John Munnelly

Drivers are closer to the customer experience than ever before.

Thunderstorm and downpour on the M1 approaching the massive Magna Park campus of John Lewis to get in line with the giant green aero waggons of the high street retailer stamped with quality in a tradition dating from 1864 to a turnover today nearing four and half billion pounds. The camouflage blue multi-tone stripes of Magna Park sheds were in their element as the giant buildings merged into the clouds to hide the excellence of logistics that lay inside. Green boxes on Knapp systems for a delight of sortation.

IoC chairman Carl Lomas was in Guildhall yard, City of London to see it turned green by TfL for a fully-booked LoCity conference focused on clean air to save lives.

Electric vehicles, large and small were parked across the yard, even a hydrogen motor van alongside an electric cargo trike for final-mile.

Excellent and informative low emission speeches, breadth and width of logistics with a speed dating session.

Two minute technology talks in a roller coaster run of alternative fuel to consolidation solutions to bring down emissions.

 

FedEx TNT Express Settlement Date Wed 25 May 2016

Carl Lomas, Institute of Couriers Chair, comments,

There will be no half-day closing for logistics today.’ May 25th – the iconic brands of TNT and Fedex come together. The express logistics sector looks stronger than ever in an exploding marketplace of e-retail as shoppers move from high street to home delivery. Light van registrations up last year by 18% - these are exceptional times of change in the express courier sector. Get your DVD on tonight and load Castaway for Tom Hanks delivery home to the Memphis family.

FedEx president, David Bronczek,

This will be a profound moment in the history of these two great companies.

IoC in Manchester for the birth of a Northern govt freight group hosted by Transport for Greater Manchester TfGM. Are the Northern cities ready for logistics consolidation? Paul Davidson, (AECOM) focused on air, rail & water commenting,  ‘It's difficult to engage with road freight’. Helen Smith TfGM Head of Freight ‘We want this forum to deliver, we want ideas and we want to act on them.’