Haulage still a buyer's market
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• Main findings in the latest, JanuaryJune 1972, Road Haulage Report and Rates Guide, published by 'Freight Information Services,' are that: While road hauliers have been busier, demand has been uneven and it is still a buyer's market. This has resulted in hauliers having to be very selective in the traffic on which rates could be increased.
Major users (probably conditioned by the CBI "five per cent initiative") have generally not been averse to modest increases which have been agreed in the May/June period.
The present situation of surplus transport, together with increasing haulage operator costs, has sharpened the division between the "price first" market and the "service first" market. In the former category rates have remained stagnant and there are no signs of a change, whereas in the latter, transport users have acknowledged the need for an increase.
The tanker market remains depressed.
The case for further increases at the end of 1972 will be affected by the Government's attitude towards the nationalized sector which, without support, may be forced to ask for substantial increases from its customers.
The report and rates guide may be obtained from Freight Information Services, Formby, Liverpool L37 2JY, price £3.