Critical Issues

By Neil Willings, Global Head of Audit Delivery, Achilles.

'How much do we need to know about our supply chains?' and 'how much do we actually know?' are two questions companies across all sectors should be asking themselves in the wake of the brand-damaging events of the horsemeat scandal.

By Joost Bekker, Business Development Director, Asia Pacific, for the logistics software solutions division of PTV Group.

For companies operating their own fleets, vehicle routing and scheduling software can significantly reduce their operational cost and improve the resource utilisation while at the same time ensuring compliance with loading and driving time regulations. Companies that outsource their transport to a carrier with a dedicated fleet also stand to benefit by staying in control and being able to monitor their carrier's performance.

Huge container ships from Asia arrive at UK ports such as Felixstowe, Suffolk and Southampton loaded with all manner of consumer and industrial goods.

Following news of the HSE's latest prosecution against an employer operating a fork lift truck with infringements under LOLER and PUWER, an industry expert has urged users to think twice before delaying inspections and maintenance.

The fifteenth edition of the Transport Market Monitor (TMM) by Transporeon and Capgemini Consulting reveals that transport prices decreased by 8.1% in Q1 2013 compared to Q4 2012. The transport price index is at its lowest point since 2010.

Despite the challenging economic environment, a survey of logistics, transport and supply chain operations professionals has revealed that investment in training and development has seen a welcome increase in the sector over the past 18 months.

By Tom Grand, Regional Director of Achilles for UK and Ireland.

Reducing exposure to suppler risk in a global sourcing environment requires a keen eye on five key factors. Here is how complexity, effort and cost can be cut from the risk mitigation process.

Large corporates are showing increasing demand for distributor finance (DF) programmes to enable downstream business in international supply chains, especially in emerging markets. In parallel, global banks are confirming their growing interest in offering DF solutions to their clients.

Britain's manufacturing companies are driving a trend towards greater use of automated storage and handling systems. That is the view of Steve Richmond, director of Jungheinrich UK Ltd's Systems & Projects Division.

"Some countries have always been more pro-automation than others and the strongest markets for automated handling systems have traditionally been those territories with a powerful manufacturing base – such as Germany, Switzerland and Italy," he says.

Energy Saving Trust and Vertivia Mileage Management have joined forces to evaluate the effectiveness of eco-driving training.

Fleets based in England who can provide historical fuel and mileage data as a benchmark are invited to apply to take part in the scheme, with benefits to the participating organisation including up to £6,000 worth of eco-driving training provided free of charge.

A significant milestone has been passed in the work to create the UK's first Petroleum Driver Passport. The UK Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF) has announced that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been appointed as Scheme Manager. This follows a tendering exercise which saw SQA meet the demanding quality and delivery requirements set by DODF.