Interviews

Michelin weathering the recessionary storm

May 31, 2013 Steve Hobson

It is now five years since the credit crunch plunged Europe into deep recession. MT editor Steve Hobson went to Michelin HQ in Clermont-Ferrand to find out how the super-premium tyre maker is weathering the storm.

Clugston back on growth path with new revenue streams

May 23, 2013 Steve Hobson

Although Clugston can trace its roots back almost 120 years to 1895, when the grandfather of current chairman John Clugston set up a builders merchants in Scunthorpe, it celebrated its official 75th anniversary since incorporation last year.

Norbert Dentressangle MDs take joint approach to UK market

May 20, 2013 Steve Hobson

With the appointment of Malcolm Wilson to the board of its French parent company earlier this year, Phil Shaw (pictured below) was promoted to replace Wilson as Norbert Dentressangle (ND) UK Logistics MD. The company does not split turnover and profit for each country, and between them Shaw and Mike Bridges (left), MD of ND’s […]

BNP Paribas – the bank that likes to say 'yes'

May 15, 2013 Steve Hobson

With UK banks under constant fire for failing to lend to British businesses, it is refreshing to talk to a banker who is positively eager to work with UK operators. Graham Winslet is sales director of BNP Paribas Rental Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, one of the strongest banks in the world (rated […]

Jam today for Bibby’s Iain Speak

April 18, 2013 Peter Steele

Visiting the Atchison Topeka depot in Droitwitch, now run by Bibby Distribution, it is easy to imagine – after seeing a warehouse full of jam ready to go into a famous biscuit – that they have turned the phrase ‘jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today’ on its head. There definitely is jam […]

CV Show partners expect big things for 2013

March 20, 2013 Steve Hobson

The CV Show is back with a bang, with all but two of the major truck builders making an appearance. If 2011 was the return of the “full-fat” CV Show, then 2013 will be a full-cream, gold-topped event, with all but two of the major truck builders using the show to launch new product ranges. […]

Fowler Welch MD Nick Hay – Part 2

February 26, 2013 Steve Hobson

Fowler Welch’s move into ambient distribution alongside its chilled business is already paying dividends as MD Nick Hay tells Steve Hobson Although Nick Hay – MD of Fowler Welch since November 2010 – has, like the firm he runs, a background in chilled distribution, he sees ambient markets as far more happy hunting grounds. As […]

Fowler Welch MD Nick Hay – Part 1

February 20, 2013 Steve Hobson

Fowler Welch MD Nick Hay has strong views on fleet replacement cycles and the switch to Euro-6 as he explains to Steve Hobson Fowler Welch runs a fleet of 400 units and 800 trailers from 10 sites around the UK. Best known as a chilled operator, it dropped the ‘Coolchain’ from its public name in […]

Scania helps operators go green

February 13, 2013 Steve Hobson

Late last year, Scania held a high level conference in Brussels to discuss how European road freight transport can cut CO2 emissions while remaining competitive. MT caught up with recently appointed Scania chief executive Martin Lundstedt at the event.

Expansion means better coverage from Rygor

January 17, 2013 Steve Hobson

Like hauliers, truck dealers are consolidating, getting bigger, and widening the range of services they offer. Dealers no longer just sell trucks; they are increasingly taking on the vehicle repair and maintenance as more operators close their fleet engineering departments and rely on dealers for their R&M and other technical support. Rygor Commercials is a […]