Logistics UK Offers Practical Advice For Operators

The ongoing Middle East conflict continues to have a significant impact on the price of fuel and associated prices of moving goods through the supply chain, according to business group Logistics UK. And with costs across the logistics sector rising, particularly the price of fuel, the pressure on already squeezed and narrow margins may cause further discomfort for customers and consumers. "Logistics businesses traditionally work to incredibly narrow margins," says Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK's Chief Executive, "often in low single digits, meaning that the industry cannot absorb significant price rises and must pass on the increased charges to their customers, and ultimately, consumers.

This is not a route that our industry takes lightly but is a necessary consequence of the rapidly escalating costs that our members are facing." To help operators navigate the ongoing challenging business landscape, Logistics UK is organising two free webinars for its members, focusing on practical issues and concerns affecting businesses across the logistics industry. The first, to be held on 22 April between 1300 and 1400 and led by CEO Ben Fletcher, will provide an opportunity to hear Logistics UK's analysis of the impact of the conflict and how the organisation is responding.

Attendees will have the chance to share how the situation is affecting their businesses now, and the expected impacts in the coming weeks and months. Logistics UK members can register here. On Tuesday 28 April, between 1100 and 12 noon, a second webinar has been arranged in partnership with Portland Fuel and myAutomate.

The event, also exclusive to Logistics UK members, will provide the latest insight and practical guidance to help logistics businesses understand and manage rising fuel costs in the context of the Middle East conflict. Expert speakers will provide insights on current fuel price volatility and market trends, practical tools to help operators manage fuel costs and risk and guidance on fuel purchasing, data and contracting approaches. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to put questions directly to the panel.

Logistics UK members can register here "As the leading business group in the sector, Logistics UK is maintaining close contact with government throughout the conflict," continues Mr Fletcher, "and continues to press the Treasury to suspend the planned reversal of the fuel duty cut announced in the Budget. Logistics businesses deliver everything that the country depends on every day, from medicines to manufacturing materials, and it is vital that they can continue doing so without driving inflation up through increased costs for their operations."

Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.

For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk 

Transport & Logistics Magazine - Driving The Industry Forward