A finger in the dyke The news of the formation
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of a genuine haulage co-operative in the Aberdeen area, as reported in this issue, is one of the most encouraging developments that the gloomy road freight scene has produced for a long while. Some of the reasons why 46 North East operators have come together to form a limited company offering comprehensive transport and handling services are special to the area, notably the fears that when the North Sea oil boom slackens there will be a disastrous slump in demand. But most of the reasons why operators have joined together in this way are valid for many parts of the country: the recession in traffic, the demands by big customers for more complete transport and distribution services, the savings through bulk purchase and single-invoicing procedures—and not least as a defence against rate-cutters from outside the area.
It is indeed a sad comment on the throat-cutting propensities of the haulage industry that the "joke rates" which some English hauliers were quoting for return loads from the area were the factor which finally triggered off the decision tc set up the co-operative. One of its great strengths seems tc be that—as recommended in a recent CM article—it corn. prises a great variety of operators, large and small, offer ing many different skills. It was out of adversity tha Sweden's haulage co-operatives were first formed, and the have proved their worth; this new Scottish venture has E truly practical, determined ring about it and we wish it well May it be the first of many of its kind.