TM logistics boss leads calls to safeguard haulage industry

The head of national operator TM Logistics (TML) is calling on the government to stem rising fuel costs by introducing preventative measures already in place in other EU countries.

Stephen Taylor, who is also chairman of the Transport Association (TA) which represents the interests of 60 leading independent haulage companies, says its members face probably the single gravest concern in its history.

As diesel prices soar above £1.00 a litre, the government must take action now to protect the future of the haulage industry, said Mr Taylor, who is managing director of Midlands based TML which operates a nationwide fleet of 300 vehicles and 200 trailers.

"Our members are long established, mainly family-owned successful businesses which have weathered economic changes over the 52 years since the Transport Association was formed.

"This is the first time for several years that a single issue has caused such strong feelings to be expressed.

"The dilemma we face is we absorb the increase and erode our margins even further or we introduce a fuel surcharge for all customers, which increases their customers' costs and makes them less competitive.

"Fuel prices have to be controlled in some way. The differential between the UK and France for example is 20 per cent and growing. This can only be achieved through the actions of the government."

Mr Taylor is leading TA members in lobbying government to take practical steps that lessen the impact of rising world market price of oil on the UK road haulage industry.

"We want the government to immediately rescind the 2p fuel duty rise recently introduced, given most of this revenue has now been claimed in increased VAT on the higher fuel price.

"We're also calling for the postponement of the next 2p fuel duty rise in April."

To prevent a repeat situation, the TA is urging the government to develop a scheme that is already in place in other EU countries, where vehicle excise duty on trucks is treated completely separately from car tax.

"It is the 27 million cars in the UK that generate the bulk of the Government's revenue from fuel duty not the 400,000 trucks.
"What we need is a sector specific rebate scheme for trucks, which would recognise the importance of the road haulage industry as an essential component of a successful and growing UK economy."

TM Logistics employs over 350 people in 16 on-site operations and warehouses across the UK. It ranks many top name companies such as DCS Europe, Crown Food UK, Kingspan Plc, Rexam Beverage Can UK Ltd and Plastic Omnium among its client portfolio.