Plaskett's rate plea
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ROAD HAULAGE Association director-general Freddie Plaskett has haulage rates to consider Writing for the fortnightly magazine of the Confederation of British Industry, CBI News, Mr Plaskett said the haulier needed a "sympathetic ear from his industrial and commercial customers on his next rate review." He added: "If he is worth his salt he will be able to convince them that his proposed rate is reasonable."
The problem at present is that many established, reliable operations, mindful of cowboy competition, are reluctant to tackle their major customers on rate increases for fear of losing their business. Many have already hung on until it is too late, he said.
Mr Plaskett said that the situation could be restored with the intervention of senior managers in industry. He told them that talking to their established hauliers could be one of their best discussions so far this year.
Mr Plaskett informed readers of the background to the haulage industry, the reductions in profitability and return on capital. He pointed out that RHA membership had fallen from 15,000 in 1979 to just over 12,000 most of the departed having gone bust.