Industry gets behind Think Logistics push A further 16 companies
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have pledged their commitment to Think Logistics, taking the total to 22, following the national launch of the schools initiative last month.
The brainchild of Abbey Logistics MD Steve Granite (right), Think Logistics aims to raise awareness of the industry among 16 to 24 year olds in an engaging way. The first stage of the initiative involves a package of material that any road transport company can use for presentations to their local schools or colleges, with a series of tasks that students can tackle in groups.
"Our vision for the scheme over the next 12 months is to achieve the milestone of delivering stage one to 1,000 young people. If that is successful, we will hopefully gain funding to make Think Logistics a sustainable initiative that will reach out to more companies and young people," said Granite.
The original group behind the scheme — Abbey Logistics, Matthew Kibble Transport, Downton, Bibby Distribution and Rhys Davies — has been joined by: AK Worthington, Bullet Express, Carntyne, Caterpillar UK, DHL Freight, Dris UK, Framptons, Hargreaves, Knights of Old, Novus UK, Premier Logistics, the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Suckling, Suttons, Stobart Group and Wiseman Dairies. However, Granite stressed that they need more interested parties to get involved.
David McCutcheon, MD of Bullet Express, said his firm decided to get involved because it realised it needs to bring the average age of its workforce down over the next few years. "The average age of people in logistics is 52, and we're no different at Bullet. The Think Logistics package has been well thought through and I'm keen to introduce youngsters to our industry," he said.
RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning said: "I'm impressed with Think Logistics. RHA members would like to have more engagement with schools, but often don't know how to approach them. We now have an off-the-shelf package that hauliers can use to make contact with schools."
• To get involved in Think Logistics, email steve.granite@abbeylogisticsgroup.com