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ii arg ue e n e tti d l i c if i i s h t td o c o . s d it a i o m r n a e d d e n – m th o ! don't. Some may
Page 44
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ratio government should her. Ear be it from me to blindly support the government but, in this case, l'eally think they are making an effort to help the small operator.
The Road Llaulage Modernisation Fund RHMFI—launched for three years only In 21101—is precisely aimed at helping to modernise a sector which, let's face it, is crying out for help. We work in an industry which is widely acknowledged to be over-capacity and the reality is that the weaker companies will go out of business. However this does not necessarily mean that big is beautiful.
When 1 came into the industry 2Ei years ago we were just entering the era of 'goodbye general haulage. hello value-aodea distribution' The larger companies that spent years 'adding value' to haulage are now deciding that they don't want to outer with running trucks so they are going oack full circle by employing hauliers to drag from A to B.
So to satisfy this new demand we need a strong, well-managed ana well-equipped infrastructure of small ano medium-sized operators. Why shouldn't the government Mei help for the more enlightened haulier to modernise nit operationD
The same apolies to the vast number of small own-account operators. Their core business i not -iinning trucks but making their own goods. However, the more efficient their transport operation, the better it is for 1.IK olc.
In addition to the normal challenge ofjusi staving alive in husiness, all operators. whether own-account or hire-and-rewara, are facing a dramatic series of changes over the next few years. the Working Time Directive. digital tachographs. corporate manslaughter legislation, congestion charging and road-user charging head a very long list. You don't have to be a lame duck to be hit for six by changes like this:
The government's Modernisation Operator Scheme, fumed by the RHME and managed by the 1-'A and RHA. gives valuable tree advice to operators to enable them to modernise aspects of their operation. It won't save them in itself but it will help prepare them to face some of the challenges and will help to nprove their bottom line.
MOS will offer nein tr, 2.0011 English operators With 10 or fewer vehicles between now and March 201J4. More than 200 have already signed up in the first few weeks and have had their initial visits_ Some of these are following the initial advice session with relevant indepth hands-on visits The government makes a contribution of up to 2,150 to the cost of these followon visits.
Are these people lame ducks? No, they are not. Are they cowboys that neeo policing or driving out? No. they are not. Are they enlightened operators looking for help to modernise their operation and improve their chances of survival? Yes, they are,
We all want to see the government spend money to get the cowboys off the streets but i for one also want to see it invest money where it's allowed to. in order to help the more enlightened smaller operators prepare for the future.
They're not the lame ducks they're the lifeblood of our industry Have you never read the story of the Ugly Duckling?