Critical Issues

Following pressure and campaigning by UKWA, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has reviewed the timescales taken to approve applicants to operate excise businesses and the conditions imposed on such approvals.

Only half of the tyre pressures monitored by WheelRight at a key transport industry event were found to be within 10% of their correct levels.

What's more, data gathered at the NEC'S Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show has revealed that more than one in ten of vehicles tested were found to have tyres that were under-inflated by over 20% - significantly below the tyre pressure levels recommended by manufacturers.

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) has warned that widespread confusion over the 'fair wear and tear' of fork lift trucks is putting companies renting fork lift trucks at risk of large and unexpected end-of-contract repair bills and acrimonious disputes.

Brake, the road safety charity, has added its voice to the call of organisations around the world to #SaveKidsLives as part of the United Nations' third Global Road Safety Week (4-10 May 2015). In the run up to the UK general election on 7 May, through its GO 20 campaign, Brake is calling on all parties to commit to a 20mph default urban speed limit as the best way to protect children and enable them to enjoy walking and cycling without fear.

The current F1 season season officially got under way at the first race in Melbourne, Australia, on 15th March. Manufacturing & Logistics IT thought it timely to speak with Williams' IT director, Graeme Hackland, about how IT plays such an important part for the company, both in the world of F1 and in the wider field of technological innovation.

The resurgence of the UK economy is being driven in no small part by the boom in international trade. But with customer expectations on the rise, even the smallest delay passing through customs at UK (air)ports can have a significant business impact. In an era of end to end supply chain transparency, John Main, Product Manager, Descartes explains the value of not just tracking goods through every stage of the process, from customs to Port Health, but also sharing that information with traders in real-time to improve the overall customer experience.

As the 2015 General Election looms, manufacturing in the UK will be a key issue with all the main political parties insisting that they will introduce measures to boost productivity and improve the UK's economic performance in this vital sector.

Camden Council in London is introducing a more sustainable way of delivering goods within the borough as a result of a pilot scheme co-funded by the Institute for Sustainability's Last Mile Logistics (LaMiLo) project. A number of Council suppliers are now delivering goods to a nearby consolidation centre for onward delivery, instead of making individual journeys. This means fewer vehicles, which helps to reduce congestion, air pollution and noise on the roads, while delivering real value for money.

UK accreditation body – the AITT – has announced the outcome of important discussions with Crown Lift Trucks to ensure that trainees receive the appropriate qualifications for operating the Crown Wave.

Speedy has opened a flagship National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Tamworth, which is, claims Speedy, is set to revolutionise the way the company operates.

Technology is rapidly changing the way fleets operate and insure drivers, cargo, and companies. But utilising telematics for better control over inventory, tracking driver performance, and getting less expensive usage-based insurance for the vehicles can open a Pandora's Box of sorts for exposure to liability in a dynamic, changing legal landscape.