Welcome to another bumper issue! Forget about Brexit. Forget about politics. We have work to do, and there is plenty of it around by all accounts.
With more than 20,000 visitors it was another record-breaking year for the Commercial Vehicle Show – the fifth in a row – with manufacturers taking larger stands than ever before, and more product launches, too, all of which served to underline the health of the UK commercial vehicle market.
Indeed, in the the first quarter of 2019, there has been sustained growth in the market with rises in both demand and production, making it the industry’s best ever monthly performance. So yes, there’s plenty of optimism out there despite the challenges – and businesses are investing in the future.
DAF is spending €200 million in its cab plant in Westerlo, Belgium in preparation for future production volumes, and closer to home local hauliers are expanding their fleets to cope with increasing business, while others like McCulla Ireland are also planning for the future after marking 50 successful years on the road.
More work means more opportunities for our young people, so Transport Training Services (TTS) has launched its 2019 apprenticeship recruitment campaign with the aim of recruiting 100 new apprentices.
In this issue, we also get behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros which has been updated with all the very latest technology. We take a look at the New Iveco Daily which comes with a complete range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and we come ‘face to face’ with product managers at Thermo King and Frigoblock to find out how their technology is being used to future-proof refrigerated truck, trailer and home delivery operations.
In shipping, we report on news that Belfast Harbour is investing £15m to re-develop Victoria Terminal 2 which services the Belfast-Liverpool route, and we hear from Warrenpoint Port where work has begun on the redevelopment of the landmark Town Dock House, the flagship project in the harbour’s £4 million capital investment programme.
So, yes, there is lots to smile about; even the sun was shining as we went to print!
By the way, we are now taking entries for our annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards – and we have a new category: Apprentice of the Year; you’ll find out all you need to know elsewhere in this issue.
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download the May-June 2019 issue of Export and Freight Magazine.
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