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Show Your Truck Some Love

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February: the month of love. But put down those flowers and chocolates because here at Barnes we think it’s time to show your truck some love! Not only will taking some time out of your day to ensure your truck’s at its best help with driving efficiency, but it will also hugely increase safety for yourself and other road users.

 

Firstly, always ensure that you have time for a walk around inspection of the vehicle – the best time to do this is just before it’s about to be driven; and is even more important when the vehicle hasn’t been driven for some time. If anything looks out of place, do not take any risks and report it.

 

Brakes are one of the most important safety measures, so check their efficiency with a brake test. Your vehicle should be loaded to ensure that a higher brake force before wheel lock can be tested (you should aim to apply at least 65% of the design axle weight on each axle), and brakes can be tested on a clean and well-gritted roller-brake tester (or RBT). The number of wheels which lock will differ from vehicle to vehicle – but remember that a locked wheel does not always mean a good brake.

 

Refresh your truck and give it an oil change – but might it be time to look at a new oil? There are so many choices out there from the commonly used E7, but consider switching to an oil which can be more fuel efficient such as E4 as E6. Even though many manufacturers have specific oil types, E6 oils meet many E4 and E7 requirements. Whichever oil you choose to use, why not take the time to check and top up or replace your oil to revitalise your HGV.

 

Finally, when was the last time you had a look at your headlights? The days may be getting very marginally brighter, but headlights are still a necessity not only for night time driving but also for driving in adverse weather conditions. But remember, when replacing a headlamp one of the most important factors is aim. Since April 2015, the Government changed that way headlamp aim is measured on MOT tests, aimed at making them more simple to understand and pass.

We hope that these top Barnes tips will persuade you to take just a little time out of your day to show your truck some love this February, and will help make your driving safer and more efficient.

 

The Most Ground-Breaking Inventions For Logistics

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February 11th is National Inventors Day! And in celebration, we’ve taken a look at the top three ground-breaking inventions for the world of logistics, and the impact these have had on us at Barnes…

 

The invention of the HGV was a hugely important factor for the development of the logistics industry as far more goods could be transported in one haul in comparison to horse and carts. The first steam-powered wagon was built as early as 1769 but were not commonly used until the mid 1800s. Towards the end of the 19th century Karl Benz designed and built the first truck to ever use an internal combustion engine, and soon after other manufacturers swiftly followed. It was only in the 1930s that the diesel engine become common in trucks – partly due to a change in road tax rules that ensured that they were more economical.

 

An invention that has greatly improved the efficiency within the automated logistics industry was the bar code. The first model was created by Bernard Silver in 1948 using ultraviolet ink and light, and has developed throughout the decades to be computerised. Information on bar codes is stored as a sequence of black and white bars with varying width, which is then read by a laser and stored or sent. The use of bar codes in logistics means that goods can be accounted for, far quicker than manually identifying and noting by hand – an essential so that our Barnes warehouse workers can then dedicate more time to their many other tasks.

 

An invention that is so ingrained into our daily lives that we take it for granted is, of course, the internet! This ‘network of networks’ was the work of dozens of dedicated and pioneering scientists, but in 1990 Tim Berners-Lee created of the World Wide Web which made the internet accessible to all. The internet was hugely important to the development of telematics systems, which is now seen as a vital part of road haulage in the logistics industry. From monitoring road speed to measuring fuel efficiency to accurate GPS locating, thanks to the invention of the internet, telematics was born and has hugely aided the industry by improving cost efficiency and driver safety – something we at Barnes pride ourselves on.

 

All of these ground breaking inventions have been immensely important to the world of logistics, and have played a huge part in how we at Barnes Logistics can work as effectively and efficiently as we do today.

What Might 2017 Look Like For Logistics?

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It’s the beginning of a brand new year, and we’re starting to wonder what 2017 might bring. Although it’s impossible to predict what might happen in the future, we can always wonder about what 2017 might look like in the world of logistics.

 

The advancement of technology is something we have pondered upon before in previous blogs. Telematics have become a near-essential in the driving world to improve the safety of drivers and their freight, as well as increasing efficiency and customer trust. With 90% of the fleet industry using telematics, how will this increased use affect the advancement of the technology itself? Will further investment be made to make telematics even more accurate for both drivers and customers?

 

Another modern technology which surfaced in the logistics industry was the use of drones for deliveries. The delivery arrived after 13 minutes, but will this mean that the robots will take over? There are certain drawbacks – these drones can usually only carry less than 3kg of goods, and safety issues in airways have been reported by UK airports. Will this technology be developed to produce safer drones capable of more efficient loads?

 

Last year’s trend for ditching the department stores for online shopping isn’t looking to slow down. After an unprecedented rise, particularly during national sales days such as Black Friday, increased online shopping puts the pressure on warehousing and haulage to perform in more demanding conditions than ever. Armed with the knowledge of previous years, will the logistics industry be able to cope with next year’s rushes?

 

We are certainly hoping that after the new law bringing tougher penalties, that we will see a decrease in the number of road users using mobile phones. With the Government now enforcing six points on drivers’ licenses and a doubled fine of £200 for those caught, we hope that we will see less people tempted to reach for their phone – especially those who are ‘just checking a text.’ Hopefully drivers across the country will think twice, and countless lives will be saved from mobile phone road accidents.

 

Although, of course, we can’t say for sure what the future will, we can’t help but wonder about 2017. We hope that this upcoming year at Barnes Logistics will be just as successful as the last (which you can read about here), and that yours will be too!

The Driver Shortage – What Can Be Done?

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It’s been hard to avoid the news throughout the past months about the shortage that the UK haulage industry has been suffering from in terms of drivers for HGVs. But how serious is the situation, and what can be done to remedy it?

 

In November, the Financial Times reported that that the level of drivers “shrank to its lowest levels since records began in 2005.” Although this means that levels of unemployment amongst drivers was, conversely, at its lowest point with unemployed drivers virtually a non-existent concept in 2016.

 

So, what’s caused this shortage? Some claim that less immigrant drivers are choosing to work in the UK. Others place the blame on the high cost of HGV licences. However, many believe that new workers are simply being tempted by other areas of work, including non-driving careers and driving smaller vehicles.

 

The Road Haulage Association also noted that this year the industry may stand to lose a further 20,000 drivers as current drivers retire. But there is certainly no lack of young people looking for better jobs than the abundant zero-hours contracts – so where’s the gap? The Guardian believe that the Government may to be blame as they expect new drivers to pay for their own courses to become fully qualified, with “long waits to do so, due to lack of government examiners.”

 

So, how can this be remedied? It is clear that more needs to be done to highlight the benefits of the life as a HGV driver. Such as the advantage of a more autonomous working life, and the satisfaction of the responsibilities. It is a job for ambitious people who want to take themselves to new places in a fulfilling career, and the Government should aid this as it does with other industry apprenticeships and training.

 

A further factor is the stereotype of HGV driving being a male profession – an issue which we at Barnes Logistics have written about previously. There are several new technologies such as hydraulic lifting equipment which will help encourage women to uptake this rewarding career, but the male-dominant atmosphere is one which will not be fixed quickly. Luckily there are incredible groups such as ‘Women in Logistics’ which supports women throughout the whole of the logistics sector.

 

Let’s hope that 2017 will bring Britain out of its shortage, and we will see an influx of new recruits ready to take up the wheel and pursue their career.

2016 Yearly Round Up

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Another year has passed us by, and we’re looking forward to what 2017 will bring us here at Barnes Logistics. But before we look too far ahead, it’s important to look back and reflect on some of the successes of this past year.

 

We have purchased 13 vehicles throughout the year – 10 Scania R440 6×2 tractors and 3 Scania P230 18 tonne box body ridged vehicles, equating to an investment of almost £750,000 and taking our fleet to over 60 vehicles.

 

It was also great to be able to expand our business and help our clients and customers meet the demand for their products and extend our range and reach to match the ever-growing demand for effective logistics solutions.

 

The expansion of our fleet meant it was also time for us to move to bigger and better headquarters! Our 60 plus fleet now has a new home in Rochdale. Not only was this site a great location for our vehicles, but it also benefitted from two office blocks, state of the art warehousing and was conveniently located near to excellent road networks – being less than two miles from the M62.

 

With a larger fleet and a new base, naturally came an expansion to our team! We were delighted to welcome 3 new members of staff to the business to work across both the transport and HR departments. On top of this, in 2016 we also employed more drivers than ever before – we now have over 100 drivers on the road every day.

 

It’s certainly been a busy time so, as we head to the holiday season we’d like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year. What will 2017 have in store? We can’t wait to find out!

STAYING SAFE AT CHRISTMAS

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After the year that called for a lower alcohol limit, we are now heading into the party season and there has recently been a fresh call to reduce the drink driving limit as well as the new clamp down on using mobile devices whilst driving.

 

The move followed the release of new statistics that show that drink-driving figures have shown no improvement since 2010.  A 2015 Government study has found that the number of drivers who failed a breath test following a collision has risen for the first time in 10 years. The figure of 240 people killed in collisions where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit has remained unchanged since 2013.

 

The new campaign for a lower limit is being led by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and supported by a number of stakeholders in the industry.  The current 80mg limit in England in Wales was set in 1965, but in 2014, Scotland lowered its drink-drive limit to 50mg/100ml – bringing it in line with the rest of Europe.  Malta, the only remaining country with a drink-drive limit the same as England and Wales, is also set to lower its limit to 50mg/100ml, leaving us behind.

 

According to the IAS, reducing the limit to 50mg/100ml would save at least 25 lives per year.

The Department for Transport statistics also show that drink driving costs Great Britain £800m each year, and a British Social Attitudes Survey shows 77 per cent of the public support a lower legal limit.

 

Due to car and technological advances, we have seen a continual improvement in road safety in every other area except in regards to drink driving.  Every year more than 3,000 people in the UK are killed or injured as a result of crashes on our roads relating to drink–driving and this number predictably spikes over the Christmas period.

 

Mobile devices also cause major road accidents, just glancing down for a second during your journey, means you are not looking at the road for 25 metres, and a lot can happen in that time.  Being caught on your mobile can mean six points on the license and a fine of up to £1,000.

 

So whilst we pick out our outfits for the office party season, forces across the country are braced for their traditionally hectic festive and New Year period, trying hard to raise awareness of the dangers on our roads in order to keep people safe as they travel around.

 

Even a very small amount of alcohol can affect driving performance with two drinks almost doubling the risk of a fatal accident.  In general, people are getting far better at staying away from the wheel after one too many during the night but too many are quick to jump back behind it after a sleep, unaware that they are still over the limit.   And be sure to stay off those mobiles, nothing is worth the risk.

 

So don’t take chances. Drive safe and stay safe this winter.

TELEMATICS- THE FUTURE OF DRIVING

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Telematics is fast becoming the ‘must have’ technology for the fleet industry with research showing that almost nine out of 10 fleets, with more than 500 employees, have introduced telematics. One things for sure, it will become a fundamental part of our fleet management lives over the next few years.

So why the surgence in telematics within the logistics company?

Telematics can help tackle four of the biggest issues facing fleets: cost control; risk management; carbon reduction; and fleet productivity.  Here’s a breakdown of the benefits….

  1. Helps to reduce insurance cost

When a company installs GPS tracking devices in its vehicles, insurance companies give discounts on premiums. Therefore, by equipping all vehicles with GPS tracking devices, the companies tremendously reduce the insurance premiums that they pay every month.

  1. Helps them to locate their vehicles at any given time

Being able to know the location of vehicles at all times helps a transportation company to communicate more effectively with its drivers and customer. By seeing the location of all company vehicles on a map, the company can communicate to its customers the exact time the goods being transported to them will arrive.

  1. Helps to improve safety

The safety of both driver and goods on transit has been greatly improved by this. When drivers run into problems the company will know within a short time and can help solve or report the problem. This way, the drivers can get the help they need when they are in trouble. If there is a problem with a vehicle, another vehicle can be sent immediately to the exact location of the vehicle that has problems. This has helped to minimize delays that can eat up the profits of these companies.

  1. Has helped companies to manage maintenance

Telematics create alerts based on mileage, engine use or time. This helps to develop an advanced vehicle maintenance schedule. Vehicles that are properly maintained and serviced will rarely develop mechanical problems that can delay the movement of goods.

  1. Has helped companies earn the trust of customers

GPS fleet tracking has enabled transportation companies to earn the trust of their customers. This is because a company that has GPS tracking systems on its vehicles is able to tell a customer the specific location of goods being transported at any given time. Also, a customer whose goods are being transported can know when his goods are going to reach the desired destination.

Although not the be all and end all, telematics stands out as being the single most cost effective answer to help deliver logistic goals whilst assisting with driver safety and is certainly something that is worth another look into.

Barnes Logistics Vehicles

BARNES LOGISTICS ACQUIRES NEW SITE FOR GROWTH

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Barnes Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics companies has acquired a new four-acre site on Cowm Top Lane, Rochdale.  The new site will be their national headquarters and be the principal home of the company’s growing fleet of more than 50 vehicles.

 

The site, which will work in conjunction with their other sites in Coventry and Durham, also contains two office blocks as well as 50’000 sq. ft. of quality warehousing to support clients storage requirements.

 

The new Rochdale site was carefully selected due to its excellent road network access, as the site is located less than two miles from the M62, providing great access not only to the North West but to all of the UK.

 

Chris Barnes, the managing director of Barnes Logistics comments: “Rochdale provides us with a strategic location in terms of the transport network as well as the additional room we need for growth.  As our new headquarters, it’s ideal for our fleet of vehicles to service the entire UK, while the warehousing adds additional quality facilities to our client offering.”

 

Earlier this year Barnes Logistics announced that it was adding an additional 12 vehicles to its fleet to cope with the demand for their ‘just in time’ logistic solutions.

 

Barnes Logistics specialises in providing logistical support and warehousing to customers across the UK.  The company operates a fleet of more than 50 vehicles from seven depots across the UK and warehousing in Rochdale.

BARNES LOGISTICS EXPANDS FLEET

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Barnes Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics and warehousing companies, has announced that it has acquired an additional four Scania tractor units to add to its growing fleet of vehicles.

The new vehicles will be based at the company’s Durham depot where they will service clients in the region and help manage the high demand the company is experiencing for its logistics and distribution operations.

The four new vehicles cost more than £210,000 and will see the company’s fleet increase to more than 50 vehicles. Based out of Durham, the 44 tonne Scania tractor units will service regional clients and those that operate nationally.

Chris Barnes, managing director of Barnes Logistics, comments: “By adding new vehicles to our fleet we are able to extend our range and reach and service the high level of demand we are experiencing for our logistics business. We’re confident this demand will continue as we extend our client relationships into new and rewarding business sectors.”

Barnes Logistics specialises in providing logistical support and warehousing to customers across the UK. The company operates a fleet of more than 50 vehicles and has seven depots and warehousing space across the country.

OUR ACCREDITATIONS

 

Contact Details

Tel: 0161 684 3070
Email: admin@barneslogistics.co.uk

About us

Barnes Logistics fleet operates from more than seven sites across the country and supports a nationwide client base.

Our Service

We supply ‘just in time’ logistics support and warehousing to business across the UK.

Registered Office

Barnes Logistics Ltd
Cowm Top Lane
Rochdale
OL11 2RG