The transport and logistics sectors are preparing for the annual pre-Christmas rush, with supply chains braced for the busiest time of year. Much of their work goes unseen, but it represents the lifeblood of our economy; the recent ‘National Lorry Week’ was a timely reminder of how vital the road transport industry is.
It was the ninth annual National Lorry Week campaign, organised by the Road Haulage Association, and was bigger and better than ever, with a packed itinerary that included visits to Northern Ireland. One essential aspects of the event is its educational outreach, with the road trip connecting with students, schools, and colleges, providing them with insights into the world of road transport. We have a full report on the event in this issue.
We also focus on the world of retread tyres, dispelling many of the misconceptions of retreads. While they often retail at a lower price than their brand-new counterparts, their reduced cost does not translate into a lack of quality or innovation, and there is also an environmental benefit that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In this issue, too, we hear from Ewals Cargo Care on how the operator is taking another step in developing its alternative fuels strategy by evaluating the potential addition of electrified vehicles to its existing 685 strong fleet of trucks, while we also report on Mercedes-Benz’s unveiling of its first battery-electric long-haul truck, the eActros 600 which had its world premiere in Germany.
The UK Warehousing Association recently held the second of its road show events in Belfast, co-hosted by the All Ireland Warehousing Association. It didn’t go unnoticed that given the passionate discussion around the issues facing Northern Ireland’s warehousing and logistics community, the event took place at a venue directly opposite the Parliament Buildings at Stormont.
Before we sign off, a big congratulations to Combilift, the largest global manufacturer of multidirectional trucks and articulated forklifts. The Monaghan based company recently celebrated 25 years in business with three new product launches. We were there to join in the celebrations.
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