All Opinion articles
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Article
Retaining HGV technicians is about more than the hourly pay rate
The daily focus of HR and training teams working with HGV operators is deceptively simple: how to ensure an adequate base of technicians to service a constantly growing repair and maintenance requirement through a balance of recruitment and retention. The HGV sector has seen retention drop since ...
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ArticleUrgent decision needed by DfE on the future of national HGV driver skills bootcamps
Over 20,000 new HGV drivers have been trained and employed as a direct result of skills bootcamps since their inception in 2022. According to the recently published skills bootcamp evaluation data, HGV bootcamps demonstrate the highest job outcome rate (72%) of all bootcamps. This remarkable achievement highlights ...
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ArticleOperators who service retailers face perfect storm
Last year was a turbulent one globally, with political and economic repercussions impacting retailers and their supply chains. We saw many companies being acquired or going into administration, and unfortunately, 2025 doesn’t look set to bring the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
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ArticleSix steps to EV heaven
The UK’s transition to electric vehicle (EV) fleets is accelerating due to stringent regulations and market demands. For a smooth shift, fleets need data-driven decarbonisation strategies that leverage telematics and operational insights. These plans ensure optimal vehicle selection, infrastructure design, and cost management. Key elements of a ...
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ArticleWorkplace violence can have a depressing effect on HGV drivers
Professor Sheena Johnson Reports suggest that work-related violence in the UK is rising. Professional drivers, in particular, are feeling the brunt of this shift. Their work is increasingly coming with a heightened level of risk, with drivers experiencing an above-average workplace violence rate, according to an HSE ...
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ArticleAutumn Budget a “mixed picture” for road transport
The Autumn Budget offered a mixed picture for businesses in our industry. There were some positive developments, and some unwelcome developments. Firms throughout the road transport sector were also delighted with the decision to continue with the freeze on fuel duty. We at the RHA have long ...
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ArticleFlexibility will be key to a sustainable future
The transport sector is always on the move, both literally and figuratively. Developments are currently being driven by fluctuations in trailer demand, technological advancements, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. As companies adapt to these shifts, leasing and renting options are becoming more appealing for those looking ...
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ArticleResource planning software for the transport industry: no longer just for the big boys
Operators and suppliers in the transport and distribution industry are fast becoming aware of the benefits associated with using an efficient enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, but they can be forgiven for not fully understanding how to select a solution that best fits their business model. In ...
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ArticleHow transport and logistics providers can drive successful post-M&A integration
The transport sector has been operating under turbulent conditions for the past few years, facing substantial cost increases amid unprecedented global pressures and economic and social disruption. These circumstances come amid wider transformation in the sector, as emerging EV technologies, cleaner vehicle fleet options, and innovations posed by artificial intelligence ...
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ArticleWhy hauliers are turning to asset disposal specialists to sell used vehicles
Hauliers are facing the challenge of disposing of their ageing vehicles to generate funds to invest in new, more efficient models.
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ArticleDriver CPC changes good news for transport industry
We are firm believers that Driver CPC is a good thing, for people in logistics and for the wider public as it creates a more efficient and safer industry.
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ArticleSkills investment will be needed to future-proof supply chains
Alongside a number of RHA colleagues, I attended the Labour Party conference this week. It provided a unique opportunity for us to engage with decision-makers on behalf of our members and to highlight the criticality of our sector to the nation’s economy. Throughout the main speeches and the various fringe ...
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ArticleThe need for radical transformation in the transportation of goods
We all recognise that transportation of goods needs to be more sustainable. Stats show that the logistics sector is the source of just over a third of global CO2 emissions, so it’s critical our industry prioritises this issue and plays an active role in driving proactive change. ...
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ArticlePrevent insolvency by knowing the warning signs
Business insolvency is a multi-faceted issue driven by a range of concerns, from a lack of meaningful management information to a bad corporate culture. These problems need scrutinising closely to understand the leading drivers of a fleet operators’ insolvency. Doing so can offer a chance of recovery, providing liquidation isn’t ...
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ArticleBusiness Distress Index – where does the transport & logistics sector rank?
The Business Distress Index, released quarterly by Real Business Rescue, paints a picture of the financial health of UK SMEs across various sectors, including industrial transportation and logistics. It fleshes out the journey travelled by each sector under a range of trading conditions influenced by external factors, such as the ...
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ArticleA ZEV mandate for HGVs: opportunity or disaster?
HGVs account for over 6% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, placing a significant responsibility on our sector to decarbonise. The transition to zero-emission vehicles is well underway, with every OEM already growing its electric vehicle portfolio. So, what would a ZEV mandate for HGVs mean for OEMs already facing the ...
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ArticleHow haulage firms can combat rising costs
The number of businesses in the road transport sector entering administration has more than trebled over the past three years, with 68 companies going under in the first half of 2024 alone, compared with 20 in the first six months of 2022. One of the most recent ...
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ArticleIT systems can only take you so far - then it needs the human touch
In recent years, the logistics industry has witnessed a significant influx of IT solutions enter the marketplace. The industry’s rapid adoption of such technology has undoubtedly propelled it into the 21st Century, enabling operators to remove the complexities associated with outdated or inefficient manual processes at a ...
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ArticleConsolidation a catalyst for growth but proceed with caution
Resilience has been the business buzzword of recent years – and no more so than in the world of supply chain and logistics. Weathering storms from the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis, businesses have been operating within a volatile global market, becoming increasingly agile to constantly evolving circumstances. Disrupted transport ...