Business News June 2010

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed government proposals for a tax on foreign goods vehicles using UK roads but insists that any lorry road user charging scheme should bring tangible benefits to UK operators. The use by foreign trucks of cheaper diesel bought on the continent - and the absence of any road charging here in the UK - has long given rise to claims of an unfair playing field for UK hauliers in Europe. The Association is clear that any scheme should be ‘revenue neutral’ for UK operators and believe this might be achieved through reduced fuel or vehicle excise duties.

 

Kimberly-Clark and Wincanton have become ‘Ambassador Members’ for ELUPEG, the organisation which promotes efficiency and sustainability in pan-European logistics through collaboration. The group was founded in response to the stated aim of the EU to be ‘a single European market enabled by the free movement of goods, money and people’. Wincanton has been a member of the group for many years and has played an active role in hosting meetings and visits to its sites as well as advising the board.

www.elupeg.com www.wincanton.co.uk www.kimberly-clark.com

 

Marks & Spencer cut £35million from its supply chain expenditure last year through a range of cost saving measures. Several ‘efficiency projects’ were implemented and the company further reduced outgoings through a programme of warehouse consolidation. Simplifying the supply chain has been a major focus as has an overhaul of IT systems. The company is also introducing SAP as its ‘core business system.’

www.marksandspencer.com www.sap.com/uk

 

A number of ‘household names’ have signed up for SCALA Consulting’s FMCG Supply Chain ‘Best Practice’ Benchmarking 2010. The brands involved include United Biscuits, Nestle, Silver Spoon, Tetley Tea, Pepsico and Ryvita who will hope to benefit from the initiative which was first run in 2004. SCALA has developed measurement criteria for some 40 key performance indicators including forecasting, inventory, logistics and customer service.

www.scalagroup.co.uk www.unitedbiscuits.com www.nestle.co.uk www.silverspoon.com www.tetley.co.uk www.pepsico.co.uk www.ryvita.co.uk