Friday 21 November 2014

Airports Commission consult over additional runways at Heathrow and Gatwick

Airports Commission consultants have said Heathrow Airport would be an appropriate location for a new runway in the South East of England for air freight growth. The UK government’s Airports Commission released a public announcement consisting of three new proposals, with two being directed at Heathrow Airport, and the third for Gatwick Airport. All proposals suggest additional runways for both airports.

The proposals explains how Heathrow is a well-established airport and “the industry would be well placed to respond quickly to a growth in capacity.” 2013 saw Heathrow handle 1.4 million tonnes of air freight in comparison to the 98,000 that Gatwick handled the same year.

The proposal also advises that significant growth would require investment from third parties around the airport itself. Alastair McDermid, Gatwick’s Director of Airports Commission, has said: “We acknowledge there is a well-established airfreight industry in and around Heathrow. Accepting Heathrow have got a head start, we still have a lot to offer.”

McDermid also spoke of Gatwick’s ability to offer custom built facilities, reduced charges for carriers and additional benefits including reduced congestion in and around the airport. The Director of Airports Commission also said: “The forecast is to grow airfreight to 1.1 million tonnes and we have allocated enough land for that to happen.”

Speaking on behalf of Heathrow Airport, Airports Commission Chairman, Sir Howard Davies, has said: “We have not yet take a view on which proposal strikes the most effective balance between the assessment criteria.”

Heathrow also commented: “We welcome the Airports Commission’s agreement that Heathrow is well placed to enhance the UK’s freight operations. Expansion at Heathrow would enable us to develop our cargo facilities to double the throughput we have today.”

Friday 14 November 2014

UK online retailers to start Christmas early: survey shows advance in promotions to boost international sales

It has been reported that UK SME online retailers have begun their Christmas promotions this week - a week earlier than last year research from Royal Mail has revealed.

From the 300 SMEs that were studied, 57% surveyed said it planned to use price promotion to secure sales this Christmas. Free delivery and free returns are other promotions tactics companies are set to use.

64% of businesses are expecting its international orders to increase this year. Last year's run up to Christmas saw 51% of retailers expecting international sales growth. This year USA is anticipated to act as the largest international market, with France at close second place.

Royal Mail's Director of Royal Mail Parcels, Nick Landon, has said: "Royal Mail's study of UK SME online retailers shows competition for customers will start earlier this year, with price promotions the key tactic for online retailers as well as offering free delivery and returns to their shoppers."

Landon added: "Royal Mail has also been preparing for the busy festive period and is opening a dedicated network of parcel sort centres to handle the additional volume we experience every Christmas."

Tuesday 4 November 2014

DHL land five-year contract with Volvo Cars

DHL Supply Chain has recently been awarded with a five-year long contract with one of the world's most renown automotive brands, Volvo Cars. The parcel delivery company it due to handle its aftermarket parts warehousing and distribution to more than 120 dealers throughout the UK.

The parcel delivery company is expected to manage four shared use local distribution centres to place deliveries through the night using DHL's Auto Alliance collaborative platform. The service is to incorporate flexible driver departure times to remote areas, enhancing the efficiency of its delivery service across the nation.

DHL will deploy a new fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles as part of the contract with Volvo Cars.

Michael Martin, VP Business Development, Automotive for DHL Supply Chain has said: "DHL is delighted to be working with one of the world's leading automotive companies to drive forward innovative approaches for exceptional customer service. This new contact heralds a new partnership between DHL and Volvo Cars, which will see us deliver an innovative service-level delivery network, resulting in increased efficiencies." Martin also added: "Volvo Cars commitment to its customers is outstanding - and at DHL we adopt a matching approach to service quality in all of our collaborative partnerships."