Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK News

Supply chain improvements 'could save NHS £300m'

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

The NHS could generate potential savings of up to £300 million in three years by implementing effective supply chain management processes, a report has claimed.

Research by Sentient Health indicated that trusts could deliver substantial cost reductions by enhancing their operations and eliminating waste where possible, with recommendations including enhancing stock control.

The government has set tough targets to deliver public sector efficiency savings, some of which the study indicates could be generated through supply chain enhancements.

"We have already worked with a number of UK trusts to optimise their supply chain and have achieved considerable cost savings as well as improved efficiencies," Sentient Health chief executive Joel Haspel stated.

He suggested that such measures should become a priority for the health service, with a report by McKinsey indicating that between £1.1 and £1.9 billion could be delivered through "more effective supply chain/procurement management" in the NHS.

Sentient Health was established in 1999 and provides a range of healthcare supply chain solutions to boost operational efficiency, with its solution used in over 500 hospitals.

Global supply chain contract awarded to Accenture

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Accenture has revealed that it has secured a $160 million (£104 million) supply chain contract extension on a deal with an education assessments and psychometric research supplier.

Under the terms of the new seven-year business process outsourcing (BPO) agreement with Educational Testing Service (ETS), Accenture will continue to manage a range of supply chain operations, including warehousing, shipping, distribution, printing, tracking and publishing of materials.

The two companies have worked together since 2005 and the deal covers 160 countries around the world.

It is an end-to-end supply chain contract that is estimated to have saved ETS millions of dollars in costs during the past five years, which the firm's vice-president of production and logistics, Diane Bailey, said had been passed on to customers.

Rob D'Avanzo, Accenture Communications & High Tech group managing director, commented: "We are privileged to have the opportunity to continue providing vital supply chain and customised BPO services to ETS' global organisation."

With more than 190,000 employees, Accenture provides a range of technology, outsourcing and management consulting services worldwide.

Scania expands development capabilities

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Truck maker Scania has revealed it is expanding its research and development operations.

The company is building a wind tunnel at its centre in Sweden, which will be used to test features of vehicles such as road safety, environmental performance and comfort.

Under the plans, the Sodertalje base will offer the opportunity to examine trucks and buses in a range of different environments and is scheduled to reach completion in 2013.

It will be the only development of its kind in Europe and is intended to reduce the time and money spent on testing vehicles.

Scania senior vice-president of truck, cab and bus chassis development Sven-Ake Edstrom stated: "Investing in a wind tunnel will strengthen our competitiveness, since it will make shorter development times and higher product quality possible."

In addition, Scania is working with Porsche Engineering Group to develop its next-generation truck cabs as part of a new partnership between the firms.

Support grows for proposed Port of Dover scheme

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Following a request by the Port of Dover for the government to allow it to become privatised, support has grown for proposals to allow the local community to purchase up.

The Department for Transport is due to make a decision about the facility's future this autumn following consultation on ending its trust status after 400 years, the BBC reports.

Proposed by MP for Dover and Deal Charlie Elphicke, the local purchase scheme would create a "people's port".

"Dover is the gateway to England and if it is not going to remain in the hands of the nation it should remain in the hands of the community," he told the news source.

The suggestion has won the backing of Dame Vera Lynn, who immortalised the famous white cliffs in song.

Officials from the Port of Dover responded to criticism from union Unite by claiming that the privatisation plans would create jobs, protect the future of the facility and allow the business to expand.

Logistics professionals helping with efforts in Pakistan

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Specialists in the logistics field have been travelling to Pakistan in order to assist with efforts to tackle problems caused by severe flooding.

Monsoon rains have led to more than a million homes being destroyed and an emergency team of four professionals has been sent to the country by the British Red Cross.

According to the organisation, the logistics experts will assist with the delivery of aid to the worst hit areas of the province of Sindh in southern Pakistan by establishing routes in order to speed up provision.

"At the moment there are relief items ready to go but the challenge is getting them to places where roads, rail and all normal transport have been wiped out," British Red Cross logistics manager Richard North said.

Logistics equipment, including radios, satellite phones and GPS technology, is being taken out by the team.

Over 17 million people are estimated to have been directly affected by the floods in Pakistan, which have claimed more than 1,500 lives.

Toll roads 'failing to combat UK congestion'

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

There has been no substantial decline in congestion as a result of the M6 Toll opening in December 2003, a new report claims.

Research by the Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) indicates that the private highway has not provided a solution to gridlock on UK motorways.

According to a report by the body, the anticipated benefits of the toll road have "failed to materialise or have been wiped out by above-average increases in traffic", with congestion on the M6 returning to levels seen before the private section of road opened.

Although it did find there was a marginal increase in journey times compared with 2003, the CfBT also stated that the firm operating the M6 Toll is "losing tens of million pounds a year", while the cost of using it has more than doubled.

Covering 27 miles in the Midlands, the M6 Toll was established to reduce congestion in the region and is operated by Midland Expressway.

In July, the CfBT reported that the UK now has more than 450,000 people employed in sustainable transport industries, with more direct and indirect jobs created in the sector than in less environmentally-friendly sectors.

Road safety bodies lobby for speed cameras

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

A series of nine of the UK's leading road safety organisations have teamed up to issue a statement "in defence of speed cameras".

Led by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the campaign aims to highlight the benefits of the technology in light of a number of councils choosing to switch some of them off, raise public awareness and provide information to the wider debate on the issue.

According to the communique, speed cameras play a role as part of wider efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on highways.

The coalition government announced that it is cutting central funding for the devices and local authorities must decide whether they fund them out of their own budgets.

Alongside RoSPA, other bodies that have put their names to the missive include the AA, the Institute of Road Safety Officers, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and Road Safety GB.

"Switching off cameras systematically would be close to creating a void in law enforcement on the road," the statement reads.

"Cameras currently account for 84 per cent of fixed penalty notices for speeding."

Air cargo market continues to strengthen

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Further signs of recovery in the air cargo market have been reported.

According to industry body the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand grew during July 2010 by four per cent compared with pre-crisis levels recorded in early 2008.

However, the organisation has predicted a slowdown in the freight sector over the second half of 2010 when the economic cycle that has seen businesses restock their inventories reaches completion.

The IATA anticipates that future demand will be driven by capital expenditure by firms and increased consumer spending, although weaker levels of customer confidence in Europe and North America and high costs could dampen the market.

"Costs are a critical element," IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani said. "This year has been marked by strikes and threats of strikes at airlines and with airports and air navigation service providers."

Asia-Pacific carriers saw air cargo growth of 25.3 per cent during July, compared with 27.1 per cent in North America and 12.1 per cent in Europe.

The IATA was founded more than 60 years ago and now represents around 230 airlines around the world.

Call for councils to tackle street clutter

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Unnecessary "clutter" on UK roads and highways should be reduced by local authorities, the government has claimed.

The Department for Transport has issued a call to councils for signs, railings and advertising hoardings to be assessed and those that are found to be out of keeping removed in order to make UK streets look tidier.

According to communities secretary Eric Pickles and transport secretary Philip Hammond, the character of urban spaces in the UK is being damaged by "street clutter", which can also confuse motorists and pedestrians.

The government has advised that signs should be kept at a minimum in order to be most effective, with some councils possibly erecting them under the mistaken impression that they are a legal requirement.

A review of central policy in this area is being carried out, with new advice due out later in 2010 and individuals are being urged to tell local authorities about bad examples of "street clutter".

"We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed off roads wasting taxpayers' money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council tax down," Mr Pickles declared.

A DfT manual calls for regular auditing of such street furniture in order to identify and remove any objects found to be unnecessary.

Ship loses 60 tonnes of cargo off UK coastline

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Warnings were issued to marine traffic and leisure boaters on Monday (August 30th) after a ship lost 60 tonnes of cargo off the east coast of the UK.

Yarmouth Coastguard announced that the vessel, Sally, had been caught in heavy seas around 55 miles due east of Lowestoft.

Approximately 60 tonnes of cargo were lost from the Norwegian-registered ship, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The 79-metre vessel had a crew of six on board and was heading to Shoreham once stormy weather conditions abated, with MCA marine surveyors alerted to its plans and members of the coastguard liaising with their Dutch counterparts about planks floating on or just below the surface of the sea.

"We are working with the Dutch Coastguard and their aerial surveillance aircraft in order to plot the location of the patches of wood as they move south on the tidal drift," Yarmouth Coastguard Mario Siano said.

The MCA is responsible for implementing maritime safety policy, including search and rescue, examining vessels and working to prevent coastal pollution and loss of lives at sea.

EuroNCAP announces strong crash test results

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

All the vehicles that underwent recent EuroNCAP crash tests were given the highest five star safety rating, the body has announced.

Established in 1997 to provide independent data about the safety performance of vehicles, the organisation now has widespread backing from trade bodies, consumer groups and politicians in Europe.

In light of the latest results, RoadSafe has urged fleet managers and those purchasing vehicles to take protective features of cars and vans into account when making selections.

The body's director Adrian Walsh called for more to be done to raise awareness of the importance of active safety systems in vehicles.

Pointing to recent falls in road fatality rates, he added: "We need to help consumers realise the life-saving potential of the latest safety technologies."

RoadSafe also noted that data from eSafetyAware found fewer than one in three fleet solution decision makers currently considers safety ratings when choosing models.

Goods vehicle traffic to Europe rises

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

The number of goods vehicles travelling from Great Britain to mainland Europe rose during the second quarter of this year by seven per cent compared with the same period of 2009.

According to the Department for Transport figures, a total of 631,000 trucks made the journey over the three months to June.

Covering both heavy goods vehicles travelling through the Channel Tunnel and by ferry to the continent, the data revealed 455,000 were powered and 176,000 were unaccompanied trailers.

The rise in powered traffic was three per cent year-on-year over the second quarter and 19 per cent for unaccompanied trailers.

Of the powered vehicles, 22 per cent were registered in the UK, an increase of around nine thousand from the 20 per cent recorded in 2009.

In the first quarter of 2010, the total road goods vehicles travelling from Great Britain to the mainland rose by four per cent to 598,000 year-on-year.

EuroNCAP announces strong crash test results

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Essential business travel 'increasing'

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

More people are taking "essential" trips for business, it has been stated.

This is according to PKF partner for hotel consultancy services Robert Barnard, who explained: "There's no doubt that corporate budgets have been reduced, but essential business travel is still taking place and that's increasing."

Commenting on new figures from the accountancy and business advisory firm, the expert added that the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) market has been particularly affected by the global downturn.

However, he said he suspects "it's coming back now", as company finances recover from the recession and more firms send employees to events and incentives.

Recently released PKF data for July 2010 showed that occupancy rates in London rose to 92 per cent and regional rooms also saw increased guests for the first time this year.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics for the year to June 2010 showed a five per cent decline in business visits by foreign residents to the UK and a fall of 19 per cent in overseas business trips by Britons.

Warning issued about bank holiday congestion

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Those choosing to travel over the bank holiday this weekend could face substantial delays, it has been claimed.

According to insurance specialist esure, 52 per cent of Britons are planning to take a trip during the three-day period.

As a result, the company forecasts gridlock on the roads in many parts of the country, with 79 per cent of those expecting to take day trips and other journeys anticipating that they will travel by car.

A report by the firm predicted that 17.4 million individuals could be caught up in congestion, with strategies to avoid the crush including taking Friday August 27th as a holiday in order to set off early.

"Travel delays are standard fare for any Bank Holiday weekend but this week we're facing a perfect storm for delays on the road," esure car insurance head of risk and underwriting Mike Pickard stated, advising motorists to check vehicles and prepare supplies before setting off in case of jams.

Meanwhile, the Highways Agency has issued specific advice to music fans attending Leeds Festival and Creamfields over the bank holiday to plan extra time for journeys and fill up cars with coolant and fuel.

Scania unveils plans to boost European operations

webmaster@ciltuk.org.uk — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:41:49 GMT

Scania is planning to expand its manufacturing operations in Europe and appoint an additional 500 employees across the region.

According to the truck maker, rising demand for its vehicles has led to a decision to increase production from the fourth quarter of 2010.

Around half of the new positions will be in Sweden, where the firm is based, with levels of orders growing from outside Europe in particular, causing it to expand its plants.

The move follows the recruitment of 500 workers earlier in 2010, while productivity was boosted last year, according to the firm's executive vice-president and head of production and logistics.

"During 2009 our employees used the period of low capacity utilization for training and to develop and improve our methods and ways of working," Anders Nielsen explained.

With around 34,000 people employed in 100 countries around the world, Scania manufactures a range of heavy trucks, buses, engines and coaches at production facilities in Europe and Latin America.