...but NEC set fair
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A NOTE of optimism and enthusiasm comes from Sir Daniel Pettit, chairman and chief executive of the National Freight Corporation.
He said that the NFC is eager to get to grips with 1977, but would be more optimistic about the prospects for the transport industry as a whole if there were signs and portents ..of real growth in the economy.
Said Sir Daniel: "Like most hauliers NFC companies have cut their resources during the recession. Now we are all pretty lean and hungry, but to make the best use of our facilities and expertise in 1977 we need a bigger economic growth than the 2 to 21/2 per cent which our own forecas ters see as the maximum likely".
He said as a corporation NFC intended to continue bettering the economic trends.
"After the terrible economic conditions of 1975, which left us with a trading loss of £10m, we have challenged the sluggish market and turned the loss into a trading profit for 1976 to the tune of several millions.
"In this we have been greatly aided by freedom from industrial troubles and we look to our close association with the trade unions for continued good relations in the coming year."
He said that for 1977 NFC is well placed to get even more firmly back on its financial course despite the fact that it will still be carrying inherited' burdens of interest and pension liabilities which only a financial reconstruction would relieve.
"We would like to think that 1977 will see government action on this," he said.
One of the planks of NF( confidence is the enterpris which NFC companies hay shown in breaking. ne‘ ground and developing spe cialised markets.
"And there is more of th same kind to come in 197 from several NFC subsi diaries." He said that the nee( to support the country' industrial strategy must b, one of the great preoccupa tions of the next few years The NFC sees one of its prim, roles as the development o tailored and dedicated service for industry.
Over freight transport as whole, he said the most spe cialised activities such as ren tal, bulk and heavy haulag looked bright. "Indeed fo freight transport 1977 pr mises to be a particular' significant year.
"It will see the run-up to z new two-tier system of oper tors licensing to meet the EE requirements, which the NFt welcomes. And it will set government legislation result ing from the lengthy consulta tion on transport policy."
The brightest reassurancE for the future that the pondcians can bring to transport and the economy in 1977 would be a transport programme designed around thE needs of the market, encouraging an efficient commercial approach and the fullest use 81 each mode's particular strengths.
"It is time for a bold approach and an end to pipedreams," he concluded.